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Batan D, Tseropoulos G, Kirkpatrick BE, Bishop C, Bera K, Khang A, Weiser-Evans M, Anseth KS. PTEN Regulates Myofibroblast Activation in Valvular Interstitial Cells Based on Subcellular Localization. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2025:e2400540. [PMID: 40229965 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202400540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2025] [Indexed: 04/16/2025]
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is characterized by altered mechanics of the valve leaflets, which disrupts blood flow through the aorta and can cause left ventricle hypotrophy. These changes in the valve tissue result in the activation of resident valvular interstitial cells (VICs) into myofibroblasts, which have increased levels of αSMA in their stress fibers. The persistence of VIC myofibroblast activation is a hallmark of AVS. In recent years, the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) has emerged as an important player in the regulation of fibrosis in various tissues (e.g., lung, skin), which motivated to investigate PTEN as a potential protective factor against matrix-induced myofibroblast activation in VICs. In aortic valve samples from humans, high levels of PTEN are found in healthy tissue and low levels of PTEN in diseased tissue. Then, using pharmacological inducers to treat VIC cultures, it is observed that PTEN overexpression prevented stiffness-induced myofibroblast activation, whereas genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PTEN further activated myofibroblasts. The increased nuclear PTEN localization is also observed in VICs cultured on stiff matrices, and nuclear PTEN also correlated with smaller nuclei, altered expression of histones, and a quiescent fibroblast phenotype. Together, these results suggest that PTEN not only suppresses VIC activation, but functions to promote quiescence, and can serve as a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of AVS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilara Batan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Georgios Tseropoulos
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Bruce E Kirkpatrick
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
| | - Carrie Bishop
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Kaustav Bera
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Alex Khang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
| | - Mary Weiser-Evans
- Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, 12700 East 19th Avenue, C281, Research Complex 2, Room 7101, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
- Center for Fibrosis Research and Translation, School of Medicine, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Pulmonary Research Program, University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, 80045, USA
| | - Kristi S Anseth
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
- The BioFrontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80303, USA
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Bhatt J, Ghigo A, Hirsch E. PI3K/Akt in IPF: untangling fibrosis and charting therapies. Front Immunol 2025; 16:1549277. [PMID: 40248697 PMCID: PMC12004373 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1549277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2025] [Indexed: 04/19/2025] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by abnormal epithelial repair, persistent inflammation, and excessive extracellular matrix deposition, leading to irreversible scarring and respiratory failure. Central to its pathogenesis is the dysregulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which drives fibroblast activation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, apoptosis resistance, and cellular senescence. Senescent cells contribute to fibrosis through the secretion of pro-inflammatory and profibrotic factors in the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Current antifibrotic therapies, Nintedanib and Pirfenidone, only slow disease progression and are limited by side effects, highlighting the need for novel treatments. This review focuses on the role of PI3K/Akt signaling in IPF pathogenesis, its intersection with inflammation and fibrosis, and emerging therapeutic approaches targeting molecules along this pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janki Bhatt
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Kither Biotech S.r.l., Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandra Ghigo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Kither Biotech S.r.l., Turin, Italy
| | - Emilio Hirsch
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center “Guido Tarone”, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Kither Biotech S.r.l., Turin, Italy
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3
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Tomos I, Kanellopoulou P, Nastos D, Aidinis V. Pharmacological targeting of ECM homeostasis, fibroblast activation and invasion for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2025; 29:43-57. [PMID: 39985559 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2025.2471579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2025] [Accepted: 02/20/2025] [Indexed: 02/24/2025]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease with a dismal prognosis. While the standard-of-care (SOC) drugs approved for IPF represent a significant advancement in antifibrotic therapies, they primarily slow disease progression and have limited overall efficacy and many side effects. Consequently, IPF remains a condition with high unmet medical and pharmacological needs. AREAS COVERED A wide variety of molecules and mechanisms have been implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF, many of which have been targeted in clinical trials. In this review, we discuss the latest therapeutic targets that affect extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis and the activation of lung fibroblasts, with a specific focus on ECM invasion. EXPERT OPINION A promising new approach involves targeting ECM invasion by fibroblasts, a process that parallels cancer cell behavior. Several cancer drugs are now being tested in IPF for their ability to inhibit ECM invasion, offering significant potential for future treatments. The delivery of these therapies by inhalation is a promising development, as it may enhance local effectiveness and minimize systemic side effects, thereby improving patient safety and treatment efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Tomos
- 5th Department of Respiratory Medicine, 'SOTIRIA' Chest Diseases Hospital of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Kanellopoulou
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitris Nastos
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Aidinis
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research, Biomedical Sciences Research Center Alexander Fleming, Athens, Greece
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Batan D, Tseropoulos G, Kirkpatrick BE, Bera K, Khang A, Weiser-Evans M, Anseth KS. PTEN Regulates Myofibroblast Activation in Valvular Interstitial Cells based on Subcellular Localization. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.30.601424. [PMID: 39005262 PMCID: PMC11244890 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.30.601424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is characterized by altered mechanics of the valve leaflets, which disrupts blood flow through the aorta and can cause left ventricle hypotrophy. These changes in the valve tissue result in activation of resident valvular interstitial cells (VICs) into myofibroblasts, which have increased levels of αSMA in their stress fibers. The persistence of VIC myofibroblast activation is a hallmark of AVS. In recent years, the tumor suppressor gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) has emerged as an important player in the regulation of fibrosis in various tissues (e.g., lung, skin), which motivated us to investigate PTEN as a potential protective factor against matrix-induced myofibroblast activation in VICs. In aortic valve samples from humans, we found high levels of PTEN in healthy tissue and low levels of PTEN in diseased tissue. Then, using pharmacological inducers to treat VIC cultures, we observed PTEN overexpression prevented stiffness-induced myofibroblast activation, whereas genetic and pharmacological inhibition of PTEN further activated myofibroblasts. We also observed increased nuclear PTEN localization in VICs cultured on stiff matrices, and nuclear PTEN also correlated with smaller nuclei, altered expression of histones and a quiescent fibroblast phenotype. Together, these results suggest that PTEN not only suppresses VIC activation, but functions to promote quiescence, and could serve as a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of AVS.
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Xu W, Huang M, Dong R, Yan S, An Y, Liu B, Ma Z, Mu K, Yang Q. Anti-carbamylated protein antibodies drive AEC II toward a profibrotic phenotype by interacting with carbamylated TLR5. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2024; 63:2874-2886. [PMID: 38366924 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study looked at the role of anti-carbamylated protein (anti-CarP) antibodies in contributing to lung fibrosis in CTD-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) in an autoantigen-dependent manner. METHODS ELISA was used to test serum samples, including 89 from the CTD-ILD group and 170 from the non-CTD-ILD group, for anti-CarP levels. Male C57BL/6 mice were used for the pulmonary fibrosis model and anti-CarP treatment in vivo (n = 5) and patient serum-derived or commercialized anti-CarP was used for cell treatment. We identified the carbamylated membrane protein via immunofluorescence (IF) and co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Quantitative RT-PCR, IF and western blot were performed to explore the antigen-dependent role of anti-CarP. A native electrophoretic mobility shift assay and MS analysis were used to verify direct interaction and carbamylation sites. RESULTS A significantly higher serum anti-CarP level was observed in CTD with ILD than without ILD. In vivo, intrapulmonary delivery of anti-CarP induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and microfibrotic foci. Carbamylation was enriched in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II). A novel carbamylated membrane receptor, specifically recognized by anti-CarP, was identified as toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). We found anti-CarP induces the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and downstream events, including EMT and expression of inflammatory cytokines in AEC II, which were reversed by TLR5 blocking or TLR5 knockdown. Moreover, up to 12 lysine carbamylation sites were found in TLR5 ectodomain, allowing the interaction of anti-CarP with carbamylated TLR5. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we found anti-CarP drives aberrant AEC II activation by interacting with carbamylated TLR5 to promote ILD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Minghua Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Rongrong Dong
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Suyan Yan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Province Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yan An
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Baocheng Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Province Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Zhenzhen Ma
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Province Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
- Department of Integrated traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Kun Mu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qingrui Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shandong Province Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, China
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Ilg MM, Harding S, Lapthorn AR, Kirvell S, Ralph DJ, Bustin SA, Ball G, Cellek S. Temporal gene signature of myofibroblast transformation in Peyronie's disease: first insights into the molecular mechanisms of irreversibility. J Sex Med 2024; 21:278-287. [PMID: 38383071 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transformation of resident fibroblasts to profibrotic myofibroblasts in the tunica albuginea is a critical step in the pathophysiology of Peyronie's disease (PD). We have previously shown that myofibroblasts do not revert to the fibroblast phenotype and we suggested that there is a point of no return at 36 hours after induction of the transformation. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive this proposed irreversibility are not known. AIM Identify molecular pathways that drive the irreversibility of myofibroblast transformation by analyzing the expression of the genes involved in the process in a temporal fashion. METHODS Human primary fibroblasts obtained from tunica albuginea of patients with Peyronie's disease were transformed to myofibroblasts using transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). The mRNA of the cells was collected at 0, 24, 36, 48, and 72 hours after stimulation with TGF-β1 and then analyzed using a Nanostring nCounter Fibrosis panel. The gene expression results were analyzed using Reactome pathway analysis database and ANNi, a deep learning-based inference algorithm based on a swarm approach. OUTCOMES The study outcome was the time course of changes in gene expression during transformation of PD-derived fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. RESULTS The temporal analysis of the gene expression revealed that the majority of the changes at the gene expression level happened within the first 24 hours and remained so throughout the 72-hour period. At 36 hours, significant changes were observed in genes involved in MAPK-Hedgehog signaling pathways. CLINICAL TRANSLATION This study highlights the importance of early intervention in clinical management of PD and the future potential of new drugs targeting the point of no return. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS The use of human primary cells and confirmation of results with further RNA analysis are the strengths of this study. The study was limited to 760 genes rather than the whole transcriptome. CONCLUSION This study is to our knowledge the first analysis of temporal gene expression associated with the regulation of the transformation of resident fibroblasts to profibrotic myofibroblasts in PD. Further research is warranted to investigate the role of the MAPK-Hedgehog signaling pathways in reversibility of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcus M Ilg
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie Harding
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Alice R Lapthorn
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Sara Kirvell
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - David J Ralph
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
- Urology Department, University College London, London, W1G 8PH, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A Bustin
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Graham Ball
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
| | - Selim Cellek
- Medical Technology Research Centre, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ, United Kingdom
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Ahuja S, Zaheer S. Multifaceted TGF-β signaling, a master regulator: From bench-to-bedside, intricacies, and complexities. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:87-127. [PMID: 37859532 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Physiological embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis are regulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an evolutionarily conserved family of secreted polypeptide factors, acting in an autocrine and paracrine manner. The role of TGF-β in inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer is complex and sometimes even contradictory, exhibiting either inhibitory or promoting effects depending on the stage of the disease. Under pathological conditions, especially fibrosis and cancer, overexpressed TGF-β causes extracellular matrix deposition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer-associated fibroblast formation, and/or angiogenesis. In this review article, we have tried to dive deep into the mechanism of action of TGF-β in inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. As TGF-β and its downstream signaling mechanism are implicated in fibrosis and carcinogenesis blocking this signaling mechanism appears to be a promising avenue. However, targeting TGF-β carries substantial risk as this pathway is implicated in multiple homeostatic processes and is also known to have tumor-suppressor functions. There is a need for careful dosing of TGF-β drugs for therapeutic use and patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Ahuja
- Department of Pathology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sufian Zaheer
- Department of Pathology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Keshava S, Owens S, Qin W, Jeffers A, Kyei P, Komatsu S, Kleam J, Ikebe M, Idell S, Tucker TA. The mTORC2/SGK1/NDRG1 Signaling Axis Is Critical for the Mesomesenchymal Transition of Pleural Mesothelial Cells and the Progression of Pleural Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 70:50-62. [PMID: 37607215 PMCID: PMC10768834 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0131oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Progressive lung scarring because of persistent pleural organization often results in pleural fibrosis (PF). This process affects patients with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions, empyema, and other pleural diseases prone to loculation. In PF, pleural mesothelial cells undergo mesomesenchymal transition (MesoMT) to become profibrotic, characterized by increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin and matrix proteins, including collagen-1. In our previous study, we showed that blocking PI3K/Akt signaling inhibits MesoMT induction in human pleural mesothelial cells (HPMCs) (1). However, the downstream signaling pathways leading to MesoMT induction remain obscure. Here, we investigated the role of mTOR complexes (mTORC1/2) in MesoMT induction. Our studies show that activation of the downstream mediator mTORC1/2 complex is, likewise, a critical component of MesoMT. Specific targeting of mTORC1/2 complex using pharmacological inhibitors such as INK128 and AZD8055 significantly inhibited transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-induced MesoMT markers in HPMCs. We further identified the mTORC2/Rictor complex as the principal contributor to MesoMT progression induced by TGF-β. Knockdown of Rictor, but not Raptor, attenuated TGF-β-induced MesoMT in these cells. In these studies, we further show that concomitant activation of the SGK1/NDRG1 signaling cascade is essential for inducing MesoMT. Targeting SGK1 and NDRG1 with siRNA and small molecular inhibitors attenuated TGF-β-induced MesoMT in HPMCs. Additionally, preclinical studies in our Streptococcus pneumoniae-mediated mouse model of PF showed that inhibition of mTORC1/2 with INK128 significantly attenuated the progression of PF in subacute and chronic injury. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that mTORC2/Rictor-mediated activation of SGK1/NDRG1 is critical for MesoMT induction and that targeting this pathway could inhibit or even reverse the progression of MesoMT and PF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shuzi Owens
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Wenyi Qin
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, and
| | | | - Perpetual Kyei
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, Texas
| | | | - Joshua Kleam
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Mitsuo Ikebe
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Steven Idell
- Texas Lung Injury Institute
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, and
| | - Torry A. Tucker
- Texas Lung Injury Institute
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, and
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Tang C, Hou YX, Shi PX, Zhu CH, Lu X, Wang XL, Que LL, Zhu GQ, Liu L, Chen Q, Li CF, Xu Y, Li JT, Li YH. Cardiomyocyte-specific Peli1 contributes to the pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis through miR-494-3p-dependent exosomal communication. FASEB J 2023; 37:e22699. [PMID: 36520055 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200597r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is an essential pathological process in pressure overload (PO)-induced heart failure. Recently, myocyte-fibroblast communication is proven to be critical in heart failure, in which, pathological growth of cardiomyocytes (CMs) may promote fibrosis via miRNAs-containing exosomes (Exos). Peli1 regulates the activation of NF-κB and AP-1, which has been demonstrated to engage in miRNA transcription in cardiomyocytes. Therefore, we hypothesized that Peli1 in CMs regulates the activation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) through an exosomal miRNA-mediated paracrine mechanism, thereby promoting cardiac fibrosis. We found that CM-conditional deletion of Peli1 improved PO-induced cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Exos from mechanical stretch (MS)-induced WT CMs (WT MS-Exos) promote activation of CFs, Peli1-/- MS-Exos reversed it. Furthermore, miRNA microarray and qPCR analysis showed that miR-494-3p was increased in WT MS-Exos while being down regulated in Peli1-/- MS-Exos. Mechanistically, Peli1 promoted miR-494-3p expression via NF-κB/AP-1 in CMs, and then miR-494-3p induced CFs activation by inhibiting PTEN and amplifying the phosphorylation of AKT, SMAD2/3, and ERK. Collectively, our study suggests that CMs Peli1 contributes to myocardial fibrosis via CMs-derived miR-494-3p-enriched exosomes under PO, and provides a potential exosomal miRNA-based therapy for cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Tang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, School of Medicine & Holistic Integrative Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Xing Hou
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peng-Xi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cheng-Hao Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xia Lu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Shanghai JiaoTong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Lu Wang
- Center of Clinical Research, the Affiliated Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Lin-Li Que
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guo-Qing Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Physiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuan-Fu Li
- Department of Surgery, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian-Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue-Hua Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Tirelli C, Pesenti C, Miozzo M, Mondoni M, Fontana L, Centanni S. The Genetic and Epigenetic Footprint in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and Familial Pulmonary Fibrosis: A State-of-the-Art Review. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12123107. [PMID: 36553114 PMCID: PMC9777399 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a rare disease of the lung with a largely unknown etiology and a poor prognosis. Intriguingly, forms of familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF) have long been known and linked to specific genetic mutations. There is little evidence of the possible role of genetics in the etiology of sporadic IPF. We carried out a non-systematic, narrative literature review aimed at describing the main known genetic and epigenetic mechanisms that are involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of IPF and FPF. In this review, we highlighted the mutations in classical genes associated with FPF, including those encoding for telomerases (TERT, TERC, PARN, RTEL1), which are also found in about 10-20% of cases of sporadic IPF. In addition to the Mendelian forms, mutations in the genes encoding for the surfactant proteins (SFTPC, SFTPA1, SFTPA2, ABCA3) and polymorphisms of genes for the mucin MUC5B and the Toll-interacting protein TOLLIP are other pathways favoring the fibrogenesis that have been thoroughly explored. Moreover, great attention has been paid to the main epigenetic alterations (DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA gene silencing) that are emerging to play a role in fibrogenesis. Finally, a gaze on the shared mechanisms between cancer and fibrogenesis, and future perspectives on the genetics of pulmonary fibrosis have been analyzed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Tirelli
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Chiara Pesenti
- Medical Genetics Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Miozzo
- Medical Genetics Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Michele Mondoni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Fontana
- Medical Genetics Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Centanni
- Respiratory Unit, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
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Wang Q, Sun Z, Xia W, Sun L, Du Y, Zhang Y, Jia Z. Role of USP13 in physiology and diseases. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:977122. [PMID: 36188217 PMCID: PMC9515447 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.977122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin specific protease (USP)-13 is a deubiquitinase that removes ubiquitin from substrates to prevent protein degradation by the proteasome. Currently, the roles of USP13 in physiology and pathology have been reported. In physiology, USP13 is highly associated with cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, myoblast differentiation, quality control of the endoplasmic reticulum, and autophagy. In pathology, it has been reported that USP13 is important in the pathogenesis of infection, inflammation, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), neurodegenerative diseases, and cancers. This mini-review summarizes the most recent advances in USP13 studies involving its pathophysiological roles in different conditions and provides new insights into the prevention and treatment of relevant diseases, as well as further research on USP13.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenzhen Sun
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weiwei Xia
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Le Sun
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Du
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yue Zhang, ; Zhanjun Jia,
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Nephrology, Children’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yue Zhang, ; Zhanjun Jia,
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12
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Cai B, Yang L, Do Jung Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, Zhao P, Li J. PTEN: An Emerging Potential Target for Therapeutic Intervention in Respiratory Diseases. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:4512503. [PMID: 35814272 PMCID: PMC9262564 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4512503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is a potent tumor suppressor that regulates several key cellular processes, including proliferation, survival, genomic integrity, migration, and invasion, via PI3K-dependent and independent mechanisms. A subtle decrease in PTEN levels or catalytic activity is implicated not only in cancer but also in a wide spectrum of other diseases, including various respiratory diseases. A systemic overview of the advances in the molecular and cellular mechanisms of PTEN involved in the initiation and progression of respiratory diseases may offer novel targets for the development of effective therapeutics for the treatment of respiratory diseases. In the present review, we highlight the novel findings emerging from current research on the role of PTEN expression and regulation in airway pathological conditions such as asthma/allergic airway inflammation, pulmonary hypertension (PAH), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and other acute lung injuries (ALI). Moreover, we discuss the clinical implications of PTEN alteration and recently suggested therapeutic possibilities for restoration of PTEN expression and function in respiratory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bangrong Cai
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province & Education Ministry of P.R. Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, China
- Henan Research Center for Special Processing Technology of Chinese Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province & Education Ministry of P.R. Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Young Do Jung
- Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju 501-190, Republic of Korea
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinguang Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province & Education Ministry of P.R. Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province & Education Ministry of P.R. Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Jiansheng Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Medicine and Respiratory Diseases Co-Constructed by Henan Province & Education Ministry of P.R. Henan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Respiratory Disease, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, China
- Department of Respiratory Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450000, China
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13
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Looker HC, Lin C, Nair V, Kretzler M, Mauer M, Najafian B, Nelson RG. Serum Level of Polyubiquitinated PTEN and Loss of Kidney Function in American Indians With Type 2 Diabetes. Am J Kidney Dis 2022; 79:497-506. [PMID: 34562525 PMCID: PMC9740738 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2021.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Fibrosis is a major driver of chronic kidney disease, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may contribute to its development. A polyubiquitinated form of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTENK27polyUb) promotes EMT in vitro. Thus, it is a potentially useful biomarker of progressive kidney fibrosis and may predict loss of kidney function. STUDY DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Southwest United States, American Indians (154 women, 80 men) with or at high risk for diabetic kidney disease (DKD). PREDICTORS Serum level of PTENK27polyUb. OUTCOME ≥40% loss of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) or onset of kidney failure. Kidney structural measures in a subset of study participants who underwent research kidney biopsies (n = 77). ANALYTICAL APPROACH Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes duration, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood pressure, use of renin angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, measured GFR, and albuminuria. Spearman correlations for associations with structural measures. RESULTS At baseline, the participants' mean age was 42.8 ± 10.5 (SD) years, diabetes duration 11.5 ± 7.1 years, mean arterial pressure 90.5 ± 9.5 mm Hg, HbA1c 9.3 ± 2.4%, GFR 152 ± 45 mL/min, and median urinary albumin-creatinine ratio 38 (interquartile range, 14-215) mg/g. RAS blockers were being used by 64 participants (27.4%). A higher PTENK27polyUb value was associated with a greater risk of ≥40% loss of GFR during a median follow-up period of 6.3 years (HR for quartile 4 [Q4] vs Q1, 3.95 [95% CI, 2.23-6.98], P < 0.001). Serum PTENK27polyUb was associated with an increased risk of kidney failure over a median follow-up period of 15.8 years (HR for Q4 vs Q1, 5.66 [95% CI, 1.99-16.13], P = 0.001). Baseline serum PTENK27polyUb in the biopsy subset correlated with structural measures including glomerular basement membrane width (ρ = 0.370, P < 0.001) and mesangial fractional volume (ρ = 0.392, P < 0.001). LIMITATIONS Small study in single population. CONCLUSIONS Higher serum PTENK27polyUb is associated with increased risk for GFR decline and kidney failure in American Indians with type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Looker
- Chronic Kidney Disease Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Phoenix, AZ
| | - Chunru Lin
- Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
| | - Viji Nair
- Bioinformatics/Computational Biologist at University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Matthias Kretzler
- Computational Medicine & Bioinformatics and Professor of Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
| | - Michael Mauer
- Emeritus of Pediatrics and Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
| | - Behzad Najafian
- Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Robert G Nelson
- Chronic Kidney Disease Section, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Phoenix, AZ
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14
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Rackow AR, Judge JL, Woeller CF, Sime PJ, Kottmann RM. miR-338-3p blocks TGFβ-induced myofibroblast differentiation through the induction of PTEN. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2022; 322:L385-L400. [PMID: 34986654 PMCID: PMC8884407 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00251.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease. The pathogenesis of IPF is not completely understood. However, numerous genes are associated with the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis, indicating there is a significant genetic component to the pathogenesis of IPF. Epigenetic influences on the development of human disease, including pulmonary fibrosis, remain to be fully elucidated. In this paper, we identify miR-338-3p as a microRNA severely downregulated in the lungs of patients with pulmonary fibrosis and in experimental models of pulmonary fibrosis. Treatment of primary human lung fibroblasts with miR-338-3p inhibits myofibroblast differentiation and matrix protein production. Published and proposed targets of miR-338-3p such as TGFβ receptor 1, MEK/ERK 1/2, Cdk4, and Cyclin D are also not responsible for the regulation of pulmonary fibroblast behavior by miR-338-3p. miR-338-3p inhibits myofibroblast differentiation by preventing TGFβ-mediated downregulation of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a known antifibrotic mediator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R. Rackow
- 1Lung Biology and Disease Program, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, New York,2Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | | | - Collynn F. Woeller
- 2Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, New York,4Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
| | - Patricia J. Sime
- 5Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
| | - Robert M. Kottmann
- 1Lung Biology and Disease Program, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, New York,2Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, New York,6Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York
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15
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Fagone E, Fruciano M, Gili E, Sambataro G, Vancheri C. Developing PI3K Inhibitors for Respiratory Diseases. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2022; 436:437-466. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-06566-8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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16
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New advances of DNA/RNA methylation modification in liver fibrosis. Cell Signal 2021; 92:110224. [PMID: 34954394 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complex pathological process caused by multiple pathogenic factors,such as ethanol, viruses, toxins, drugs or cholestasis, and it can eventually develop into liver cirrhosis without effective treatment. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a pivotal cellular event in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. However, the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. DNA/RNA methylation can regulate gene expression without alteration in its sequence, and numerous studies have shown the involvement of DNA methylation in the activation of HSCs and then promote the progression of liver fibrosis. In addition, RNA methylation has recently been reported to play a regulatory role in this process. In this review, we focus on the aberrant DNA/RNA methylation of selected genes and explore their functional mechanism in regulating HSCs activation and liver fibrogenesis. All of these findings will enhance our understanding of DNA/RNA methylation and their roles in liver fibrosis and provide the basis to identify effective therapeutic targets.
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17
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Han H, Zhang Y, Peng G, Li L, Yang J, Yuan Y, Xu Y, Liu ZR. Extracellular PKM2 facilitates organ-tissue fibrosis progression. iScience 2021; 24:103165. [PMID: 34693222 PMCID: PMC8517170 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent activation of fibroblasts and resistance of myofibroblasts to turnover play important roles in organ-tissue fibrosis development and progression. The mechanism that mediates apoptosis resistance of myofibroblasts is not understood. Here, we report that myofibroblasts express and secrete PKM2. Extracellular PKM2 (EcPKM2) facilitates progression of fibrosis by protecting myofibroblasts from apoptosis. EcPKM2 upregulates arginase-1 expression in myofibroblasts and therefore facilitates proline biosynthesis and subsequent collagen production. EcPKM2 interacts with integrin αvβ3 on myofibroblasts to activate FAK-PI3K signaling axis. Activation of FAK-PI3K by EcPKM2 activates downstream NF-κB survival pathway to prevent myofibroblasts from apoptosis. On the other hand, activation of FAK- PI3K by EcPKM2 suppresses PTEN to subsequently upregulate arginase-1 in myofibroblasts. Our studies uncover an important mechanism for organ fibrosis progression. More importantly, an antibody disrupting the interaction between PKM2 and integrin αvβ3 is effective in reversing fibrosis, suggesting a possible therapeutic strategy and target for treatment of organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Han
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yinwei Zhang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Guangda Peng
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Liangwei Li
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jenny Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yi Yuan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yiting Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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18
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mTOR inhibitors potentially reduce TGF-β2-induced fibrogenic changes in trabecular meshwork cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14111. [PMID: 34239027 PMCID: PMC8266857 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93580-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
We examined the effects of mTOR inhibitors on the fibrotic response induced by transforming growth factor-beta2 (TGF-β2) in cultured human trabecular meshwork (hTM) cells. TGF-β2-induced expression of fibronectin, collagen type I, alpha 1 chain (COL1A1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) in hTM cells was examined in the presence or absence of mTOR inhibitors using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. The migration rates of hTM cells were examined in the presence of TGF-β2 with or without mTOR inhibitors. An in vitro study showed that the expression of fibronectin, COL1A1, and αSMA was upregulated by TGF-β2 treatment of hTM cells; such upregulation was significantly suppressed by mTOR inhibitors. The inhibitors significantly reduced the migration rate of TGF-β2-stimulated hTM cells. mTOR inhibitors may usefully reduce the fibrotic response of hTM cells and we may have to explore if it is also effective in in vivo model.
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19
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John AE, Joseph C, Jenkins G, Tatler AL. COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis: A potential role for lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts. Immunol Rev 2021; 302:228-240. [PMID: 34028807 PMCID: PMC8237078 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread around the world following the first reports in Wuhan City, China in late 2019. The disease, caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, is primarily a respiratory condition that can affect numerous other bodily systems including the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems. The disease ranges in severity from asymptomatic through to severe acute respiratory distress requiring intensive care treatment and mechanical ventilation, which can lead to respiratory failure and death. It has rapidly become evident that COVID-19 patients can develop features of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, which in many cases persist for as long as we have thus far been able to follow the patients. Many questions remain about how such fibrotic changes occur within the lung of COVID-19 patients, whether the changes will persist long term or are capable of resolving, and whether post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis has the potential to become progressive, as in other fibrotic lung diseases. This review brings together our existing knowledge on both COVID-19 and pulmonary fibrosis, with a particular focus on lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts, in order to discuss common pathways and processes that may be implicated as we try to answer these important questions in the months and years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison E. John
- Nottingham NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- National Heart and Lung InstituteImperial CollegeLondonUK
| | - Chitra Joseph
- Nottingham NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Gisli Jenkins
- Nottingham NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
- National Heart and Lung InstituteImperial CollegeLondonUK
| | - Amanda L. Tatler
- Nottingham NIHR Respiratory Biomedical Research CentreUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
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20
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Ding Y, Hou Y, Liu Y, Xie X, Cui Y, Nie H. Prospects for miR-21 as a Target in the Treatment of Lung Diseases. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:415-422. [PMID: 32867648 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826999200820160608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA/miR) is a class of small evolutionarily conserved non-coding RNA, which can inhibit the target gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and serve as significant roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Of note, the aberrant miR-21 has been involved in the generation and development of multiple lung diseases, and identified as a candidate of biomarker, therapeutic target, or indicator of prognosis. MiR-21 relieves acute lung injury via depressing the PTEN/Foxo1-TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade, whereas promotes lung cancer cell growth, metastasis, and chemo/radio-resistance by decreasing the expression of PTEN and PDCD4 and promoting the PI3K/AKT transduction. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the potential mechanisms of miR-21 associated lung diseases, with an emphasis on its dual regulating effects, which will trigger novel paradigms in molecular therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Ding
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yapeng Hou
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yanhong Liu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiaoyong Xie
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongguang Nie
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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21
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Monteiro R, Hallikeri K, Sudhakaran A. PTEN and α-SMA Expression and Diagnostic Role in Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma with Concomitant Oral Submucous Fibrosis. EJOURNAL OF ORAL MAXILLOFACIAL RESEARCH 2021; 12:e3. [PMID: 33959238 PMCID: PMC8085678 DOI: 10.5037/jomr.2021.12103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Objectives The diagnostic role and correlation between phosphatase and tensin homologue and alpha-smooth muscle actin in oral submucous fibrosis and oral squamous cell carcinoma with concomitant oral submucous fibrosis was analysed by this case control study. The mechanism by which phosphatase and tensin homologue controls myofibroblast expression was also evaluated. Material and Methods Overall, 10 normal mucosa, 30 oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and 30 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) with OSF were stained immunohistochemically with phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Percentage positivity, pattern of expression was statistically compared using Pearson’s Chi-square and Fischer exact tests. The correlation between markers was analysed using Spearman correlation. Results OSF and OSCC affected males predominantly with majority below 40 years and above 40 years of age respectively. Percentage of PTEN positive cells was statistically significant with gender (P = 0.024) and α-SMA distribution of pattern showed a significant correlation with habits (P = 0.018). A significant decrease in nuclear PTEN positivity (P < 0.001) and a gradual increase in α-SMA cytoplasmic expression was noted from NM to OSF and OSCC. A statistically significant weak inverse correlation existed between PTEN and α-SMA. Conclusions A reduced phosphatase and tensin homologue expression in oral submucous fibrosis makes it more prone for malignant transformation. An increase in stromal desmoplasia modifies differentiation, invasive and proliferative capacity of tumour cells. As phosphatase and tensin homologue functions through P-Akt pathway, P-Akt with phosphatase and tensin homologue could be a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roshni Monteiro
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, DharwadIndia
| | - Kaveri Hallikeri
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, DharwadIndia
| | - Archana Sudhakaran
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, DharwadIndia
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Zivarpour P, Reiner Ž, Hallajzadeh J, Mirsafaei L. Resveratrol and cardiac fibrosis prevention and treatment. Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2021; 23:190-200. [PMID: 33583368 DOI: 10.2174/1389201022666210212125003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are some of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developed or developing countries but in developed countries as well. Cardiac fibrosis is one of the most often pathological changes of heart tissues. It occurs as a result of extracellular matrix proteins accumulation at myocardia. Cardiac fibrosis results in impaired cardiac systolic and diastolic functions and is associated with other effects. Therapies with medicines have not been sufficiently successful in treating chronic diseases such as CVD. Therefore, the interest for therapeutic potential of natural compounds and medicinal plants has increased. Plants such as grapes, berries and peanuts contain a polyphenolic compound called "resveratrol" which has been reported to have various therapeutic properties for a variety of diseases. Studies on laboratory models that show that resveratrol has beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases including myocardial infarction, high blood pressure cardiomyopathy, thrombosis, cardiac fibrosis, and atherosclerosis. In vitro animal models using resveratrol indicated protective effects on the heart by neutralizing reactive oxygen species, preventing inflammation, increasing neoangiogenesis, dilating blood vessels, suppressing apoptosis and delaying atherosclerosis. In this review, we are presenting experimental and clinical results of studies concerning resveratrol effects on cardiac fibrosis as a CVD outcome in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parinaz Zivarpour
- Department of Biological sciences, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Higher Education Institute of Rab-Rashid, Tabriz. Iran
| | - Željko Reiner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb. Croatia
| | - Jamal Hallajzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Research Center for Evidence-Based Health Management, Maragheh University of Medical Science, Maragheh. Iran
| | - Liaosadat Mirsafaei
- Department of Cardiology, Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari. Iran
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23
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Borić Škaro D, Filipović N, Mizdrak M, Glavina Durdov M, Šolić I, Kosović I, Lozić M, Racetin A, Jurić M, Ljutić D, Vukojević K. SATB1 and PTEN expression patterns in biopsy proven kidney diseases. Acta Histochem 2020; 122:151631. [PMID: 33152540 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2020.151631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In present study we investigated expression pattern of the special tissue markers. SATB1 and PTEN to evaluate possible influence in pathophysiology and development of various biopsy proven kidney diseases. METHODS The 32 kidney biopsy samples were analysed using light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy. There were 19 samples in proliferative and 13 samples in non- proliferative group of renal diseases. As control group, 9 specimens of healthy kidney tissue taken after surgery of kidney tumour were used. SATB1 and PTEN markers were used for immunofluorescence staining. Analysed tissue structures were glomeruli, proximal convoluted tubules (PCT) and distal convoluted tubules (DCT). The number of SATB1 and PTEN cells were calculated and the data compared between kidney structures, disease groups and control specimens. RESULTS Both markers were positive in all investigated kidney structures, with expression generally, more prominent in tubular epithelial cells than in glomeruli, with the highest staining intensity rate as well as highest rate of both markers in DCT of proliferative diseases group (SATB1 64.5 %, PTEN 52 %). There was statistically significant difference in SATB1 expression in all tissue structures of interest in proliferative as well as non- proliferative group compared to control group (p < 0.01-p < 0.0001). PTEN expression were found significantly decreased in PCT of both disease groups in regard to control (PTEN 25.3 % and 23.8 % vs. 41.1 % (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION SATB1 and PTEN could be considered as markers influenced in kidney disease development. SATB1/PTEN expression should be further investigated as useful markers of kidney disease activity as well as potential therapeutic target.
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Rackow AR, Nagel DJ, McCarthy C, Judge J, Lacy S, Freeberg MAT, Thatcher TH, Kottmann RM, Sime PJ. The self-fulfilling prophecy of pulmonary fibrosis: a selective inspection of pathological signalling loops. Eur Respir J 2020; 56:13993003.00075-2020. [PMID: 32943406 PMCID: PMC7931159 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00075-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating, progressive disease and carries a prognosis worse than most cancers. Despite ongoing research, the mechanisms that underlie disease pathogenesis remain only partially understood. However, the self-perpetuating nature of pulmonary fibrosis has led several researchers to propose the existence of pathological signalling loops. According to this hypothesis, the normal wound-healing process becomes corrupted and results in the progressive accumulation of scar tissue in the lung. In addition, several negative regulators of pulmonary fibrosis are downregulated and, therefore, are no longer capable of inhibiting these feed-forward loops. The combination of pathological signalling loops and loss of a checks and balances system ultimately culminates in a process of unregulated scar formation. This review details specific signalling pathways demonstrated to play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The evidence of detrimental signalling loops is elucidated with regard to epithelial cell injury, cellular senescence and the activation of developmental and ageing pathways. We demonstrate where these loops intersect each other, as well as common mediators that may drive these responses and how the loss of pro-resolving mediators may contribute to the propagation of disease. By focusing on the overlapping signalling mediators among the many pro-fibrotic pathways, it is our hope that the pulmonary fibrosis community will be better equipped to design future trials that incorporate the redundant nature of these pathways as we move towards finding a cure for this unrelenting disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R Rackow
- Dept of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.,Authors contributed equally to this work
| | - David J Nagel
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.,Authors contributed equally to this work
| | | | | | - Shannon Lacy
- US Army of Veterinary Corps, Fort Campbell, KY, USA
| | | | - Thomas H Thatcher
- Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - R Matthew Kottmann
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Patricia J Sime
- Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.,Department of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
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25
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Dysregulation of Transcription Factor Activity During Formation of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228749. [PMID: 33228208 PMCID: PMC7699520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The reciprocal interactions between cancer cells and the quiescent fibroblasts leading to the activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) serve an important role in cancer progression. Here, we investigated the activation of transcription factors (TFs) in prostate fibroblasts (WPMY cell line) co-cultured with normal prostate or tumorous cells (RWPE1 and RWPE2 cell lines, respectively). After indirect co-cultures, we performed mRNA-seq and predicted TF activity using mRNA expression profiles with the Systems EPigenomics Inference of Regulatory Activity (SEPIRA) package and the GTEx and mRNA-seq data of 483 cultured fibroblasts. The initial differential expression analysis between time points and experimental conditions showed that co-culture with normal epithelial cells mainly promotes an inflammatory response in fibroblasts, whereas with the cancerous epithelial, it stimulates transformation by changing the expression of the genes associated with microfilaments. TF activity analysis revealed only one positively regulated TF in the RWPE1 co-culture alone, while we observed dysregulation of 45 TFs (7 decreased activity and 38 increased activity) uniquely in co-culture with RWPE2. Pathway analysis showed that these 45 dysregulated TFs in fibroblasts co-cultured with RWPE2 cells may be associated with the RUNX1 and PTEN pathways. Moreover, we showed that observed dysregulation could be associated with FER1L4 expression. We conclude that phenotypic changes in fibroblast responses to co-culturing with cancer epithelium result from orchestrated dysregulation of signaling pathways that favor their transformation and motility rather than proinflammatory status. This dysregulation can be observed both at the TF and transcriptome levels.
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26
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Platé M, Guillotin D, Chambers RC. The promise of mTOR as a therapeutic target pathway in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Eur Respir Rev 2020; 29:29/157/200269. [PMID: 33060168 PMCID: PMC9488186 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0269-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterised by the progressive deposition of excessive extracellular matrix proteins within the lung parenchyma and represents the most rapidly progressive and fatal of all fibrotic conditions. Current anti-fibrotic drugs approved for the treatment of IPF fail to halt disease progression and have significant side-effect profiles. Therefore, there remains a pressing need to develop novel therapeutic strategies for IPF. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) forms the catalytic subunit of two complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2. mTORC1 acts as critical cellular sensor which integrates intracellular and extracellular signals to reciprocally regulate a variety of anabolic and catabolic processes. The emerging evidence for a critical role for mTORC1 in influencing extracellular matrix production, metabolism, autophagy and senescence in the setting of IPF highlights this axis as a novel therapeutic target with the potential to impact multiple IPF pathomechanisms. Current evidence supports the scientific rationale for targeting the mTOR pathway in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosishttps://bit.ly/33OQiYf
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Platé
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Delphine Guillotin
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
| | - Rachel C Chambers
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, UK
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27
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MiR-200a inversely correlates with Hedgehog and TGF-β canonical/non-canonical trajectories to orchestrate the anti-fibrotic effect of Tadalafil in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. Inflammopharmacology 2020; 29:167-182. [PMID: 32914382 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-020-00748-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Few reports have documented the ability of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5-Is) to ameliorate idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) mainly by their anti-inflammatory/antioxidant capacities, without unveiling the possible molecular mechanisms involved. Because of the recent role of miR-200 family and Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) trajectory in IPF, we have studied their impact on the anti-fibrotic potential of tadalafil against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Animals were allocated into normal-control, bleomycin-fibrotic control, and bleomycin post-treated with tadalafil or dexamethasone, as the reference drug. On the molecular level, tadalafil has reverted the bleomycin effect on all the assessed parameters. Tadalafil upregulated the gene expression of miR-200a, but decreased the smoothened (SMO) and the transcription factors glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli-1, Gli-2), members of SHH pathway. Additionally, tadalafil ebbed transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, its canonical (SMAD-3/alpha smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] and Snail), and non-canonical (p-Akt/p-Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) a) pathways. Besides, a strong negative correlation between miR-200a and the analyzed pathways was proved. The effect of tadalafil was further confirmed by the improved lung structure and the reduced Ashcroft score/collagen deposition. The results were comparable to that of dexamethasone. In conclusion, our study has highlighted the involvement of miR-200a in the anti-fibrotic effect of tadalafil with the inhibition of SHH hub and the pro-fibrotic pathways (TGF-β/ SMAD-3/α-SMA, Snail and p-AKT/p-FOXO3a). Potential anti-fibrotic effect of tadalafil. Modulation of miR200a/SHH/canonical and non-canonical TGF-β trajectories. → : stimulatory effect; ┴: inhibitory effect.
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28
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Zhang Y, Zhang GX, Che LS, Shi SH, Lin WY. miR-19 promotes development of renal fibrosis by targeting PTEN-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2020; 13:642-654. [PMID: 32355512 PMCID: PMC7191147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, it has been found that miRNA may play an important role in the field of gene regulation; miRNAs can participate in the regulation of various physiologic processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism, and insulin secretion by regulation of target genes. The purpose of this study is to observe the relationship between the expression of miR-19 and renal fibrosis, to analyze the regulatory effect of miR-19 on renal tubular EMT, and to reveal its role and working mechanism in renal fibrosis. We found that the expression of miR-19 was significantly increased in peripheral blood of patients with renal fibrosis, in renal tissue of unilateral ureteral occlusion (UUO) mice, and in NRK-52E cells treated with TGF-β1. Overexpression of miR-19 could decrease the expression of E-cadherin and increase the expression of α-SMA and fibronectin, while inhibition of miR-19 reverses TGF-β1-induced EMT. Further studies revealed that miR-19 could inhibit its expression by binding to the 3'-UTR of PTEN. MiR-19 inhibitor or Akt inhibitor blocks phospho-Akt by TGF-β1, and Akt inhibitors block miR-19 mimic-induced EMT. In UUO mice, overexpression of miR-19 promoted the development of renal fibrosis, while inhibition of miR-19 expression produced the opposite result. These results indicate that abnormal expression of miR-19 is associated with renal fibrosis. Moreover, miR-19 activates the Akt signaling pathway by targeting PTEN, and induces EMT in renal tubular epithelial cells, thereby promoting renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Department of Renal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityQuanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Guo-Xin Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical UniversityQuanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Li-Shuang Che
- Department of Renal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityQuanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shu-Han Shi
- Department of Renal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityQuanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wei-Yuan Lin
- Department of Renal Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical UniversityQuanzhou, Fujian, China
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29
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Lu H, Chen W, Liu W, Si Y, Zhao T, Lai X, Kang Z, Sun X, Guo Z. Molecular hydrogen regulates PTEN-AKT-mTOR signaling via ROS to alleviate peritoneal dialysis-related peritoneal fibrosis. FASEB J 2020; 34:4134-4146. [PMID: 31930571 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901981r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
As a convenient, effective and economical kidney replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), peritoneal dialysis is available in approximately 11% of ESRD patients worldwide. However, long-term peritoneal dialysis treatment causes peritoneal fibrosis. In recent years, the application potential of molecular hydrogen in the biomedicine has been well recognized. Molecular hydrogen selectively scavenges cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) and acts as an antioxidant. In this experiment, a high glucose-induced peritoneal fibrosis mouse model was successfully established by intraperitoneal injection of high glucose peritoneal dialysate, and peritoneal fibrosis mice were treated with hydrogen-rich peritoneal dialysate. In addition, in vitro studies of high glucose-induced peritoneal fibrosis were performed using MeT-5A cells. In vitro and in vivo experiments show that molecular hydrogen could inhibit peritoneal fibrosis progress induced by high glucose effectively. Furthermore, it has been found that molecular hydrogen alleviate fibrosis by eliminating intracellular ROS and inhibiting the activation of the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. The present data proposes that molecular hydrogen exerts the capacity of anti-peritoneal fibrosis through the ROS/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway. Therefore, molecule hydrogen is a potential, safe, and effective treatment agent, with peritoneal protective property and great clinical significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongtao Lu
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenrui Liu
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yachen Si
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueli Lai
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhimin Kang
- Shanghai Huikang Hydrogen Medical Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuejun Sun
- Department of Naval Medicine, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhiyong Guo
- Department of Nephrology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
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30
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Wang C, Cao H, Gu S, Shi C, Chen X, Han X. Expression analysis of microRNAs and mRNAs in myofibroblast differentiation of lung resident mesenchymal stem cells. Differentiation 2019; 112:10-16. [PMID: 31838455 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung disease that involved the myofibroblast differentiation of lung resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs). However, the specific molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs still remain a mystery. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of miRNAs and mRNAs changes in LR-MSCs treated with TGF-β1 was performed. Through computational approaches, the pivotal roles of differentially expressed miRNAs that were associated with tight junction, pathways in cancer, focal adhesion, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction were shown. Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) and inhibitor of growth family, member 5 (Ing5) may be the targets for the therapy of pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs and EMT. Collectively, a molecular paradigm for understanding myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs in IPF was provided by the integrated miRNA/mRNA analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of New Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Honghui Cao
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Shen Gu
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Chaowen Shi
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.
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31
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Vallée A, Lecarpentier Y. TGF-β in fibrosis by acting as a conductor for contractile properties of myofibroblasts. Cell Biosci 2019; 9:98. [PMID: 31827764 PMCID: PMC6902440 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-019-0362-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are non-muscle contractile cells that play a key physiologically role in organs such as the stem villi of the human placenta during physiological pregnancy. They are able to contract and relax in response to changes in the volume of the intervillous chamber. Myofibroblasts have also been observed in several diseases and are involved in wound healing and the fibrotic processes affecting several organs, such as the liver, lungs, kidneys and heart. During the fibrotic process, tissue retraction rather than contraction is correlated with collagen synthesis in the extracellular matrix, leading to irreversible fibrosis and, finally, apoptosis of myofibroblasts. The molecular motor of myofibroblasts is the non-muscle type IIA and B myosin (NMMIIA and NMMIIB). Fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts is largely governed by the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). This system controls the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway in a positive manner, and PPARγ in a negative manner. The WNT/β-catenin pathway promotes fibrosis, while PPARγ prevents it. This review focuses on the contractile properties of myofibroblasts and the conductor, TGF-β1, which together control the opposing interplay between PPARγ and the canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Vallée
- 1Délégation à la Recherche Clinique (DRCI), Hôpital Foch, Suresnes, France.,DACTIM-MIS, Laboratoire de Mathématiques et Applications (LMA), CNRS, UMR 7348, Université de Poitiers, CHU de Poitiers, Poitiers, France
| | - Yves Lecarpentier
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien (GHEF), Meaux, France
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32
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Zou L, Chen C, Yan X, Lin Q, Fang J, Li P, Han X, Wang Q, Guo S, Li H, Zhang Y. Resveratrol Attenuates Pressure Overload‐Induced Cardiac Fibrosis and Diastolic Dysfunction via PTEN/AKT/Smad2/3 and NF‐κB Signaling Pathways. Mol Nutr Food Res 2019; 63:e1900418. [PMID: 31655498 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.201900418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lei‐Xin Zou
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Xiao Yan
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Qiu‐Yue Lin
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Jiao Fang
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Pang‐Bo Li
- Department of Emergency MedicineBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing 100020 China
| | - Xiao Han
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Qing‐Shan Wang
- School of Public HealthDalian Medical University Dalian 116044 China
| | - Shu‐Bin Guo
- Department of Emergency MedicineBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing 100020 China
| | - Hui‐Hua Li
- Department of CardiologyInstitute of Cardiovascular DiseasesFirst Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University Dalian 116011 China
| | - Yun‐Long Zhang
- Department of Emergency MedicineBeijing Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation, Beijing Chaoyang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing 100020 China
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33
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Dakhlallah D, Wang Y, Bobo TA, Ellis E, Mo X, Piper MG, Eubank TD, Marsh CB. Constitutive AKT Activity Predisposes Lung Fibrosis by Regulating Macrophage, Myofibroblast and Fibrocyte Recruitment and Changes in Autophagy. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 10:346-373. [PMID: 31750010 PMCID: PMC6866236 DOI: 10.4236/abb.2019.1010027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The etiology and pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is poorly understood. We and others reported that M-CSF/CSF-1, M-CSF-R and downstream AKT activation plays an important role in lung fibrosis in mice models and in IPF patients. To understand potential molecular pathways used by M-CSF-R activation to direct lung fibrosis, we used a novel transgenic mouse model that expresses a constitutively-active form of AKT, myristoylated AKT (Myr-Akt), driven by the c-fms (M-CSF-R) promoter. We were particularly interested in the basal immune state of the lungs of these Myr-Akt mice to assess M-CSF-R-related priming for lung fibrosis. In support of a priming effect, macrophages isolated from the lungs of unchallenged Myr-Akt mice displayed an M2-tropism, enhanced co-expression of M-CSF-R and α-SMA, reduced autophagy reflected by reduced expression of the key autophagy genes Beclin-1, MAP1-Lc3a(Lc3a), and MAP1-Lc3b(Lc3b), and increased p62/STSQM1 expression compared with littermate WT mice. Furthermore, Myr-Akt mice had more basal circulating fibrocytes than WT mice. Lastly, upon bleomycin challenge, Myr-Akt mice showed enhanced collagen deposition, increased F4/80+ and CD45+ cells, reduced autophagy genes Beclin-1, Lc3a, and Lc3b expression, and a shorter life-span than WT littermates. These data provide support that M-CSF-R/AKT activation may have a priming effect which can predispose lung tissue to pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duaa Dakhlallah
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Yijie Wang
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Tierra A Bobo
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Emily Ellis
- Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Xiaokui Mo
- The Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Melissa G Piper
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Timothy D Eubank
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Clay B Marsh
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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34
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Yang DC, Li JM, Xu J, Oldham J, Phan SH, Last JA, Wu R, Chen CH. Tackling MARCKS-PIP3 circuit attenuates fibroblast activation and fibrosis progression. FASEB J 2019; 33:14354-14369. [PMID: 31661644 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901705r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Targeting activated fibroblasts, including myofibroblast differentiation, has emerged as a key therapeutic strategy in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there is no available therapy capable of selectively eradicating myofibroblasts or limiting their genesis. Through an integrative analysis of the regulator genes that are responsible for the activation of IPF fibroblasts, we noticed the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2)-binding protein, myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS), as a potential target molecule for IPF. Herein, we have employed a 25-mer novel peptide, MARCKS phosphorylation site domain sequence (MPS), to determine if MARCKS inhibition reduces pulmonary fibrosis through the inactivation of PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling in fibroblast cells. We first observed that higher levels of MARCKS phosphorylation and the myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were notably overexpressed in all tested IPF lung tissues and fibroblast cells. Treatment with the MPS peptide suppressed levels of MARCKS phosphorylation in primary IPF fibroblasts. A kinetic assay confirmed that this peptide binds to phospholipids, particularly PIP2, with a dissociation constant of 17.64 nM. As expected, a decrease of phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)-trisphosphate pools and AKT activity occurred in MPS-treated IPF fibroblast cells. MPS peptide was demonstrated to impair cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in multiple IPF fibroblast cells in vitro as well as to reduce pulmonary fibrosis in bleomycin-treated mice in vivo. Surprisingly, we found that MPS peptide decreases α-SMA expression and synergistically interacts with nintedanib treatment in IPF fibroblasts. Our data suggest MARCKS as a druggable target in pulmonary fibrosis and also provide a promising antifibrotic agent that may lead to effective IPF treatments.-Yang, D. C., Li, J.-M., Xu, J., Oldham, J., Phan, S. H., Last, J. A., Wu, R., Chen, C.-H. Tackling MARCKS-PIP3 circuit attenuates fibroblast activation and fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C Yang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Ji-Min Li
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jihao Xu
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Justin Oldham
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Sem H Phan
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jerold A Last
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Reen Wu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Comparative Respiratory Biology and Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Ching-Hsien Chen
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, California, USA
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35
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Current advances in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: the pathogenesis, therapeutic strategies and candidate molecules. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:2595-2620. [PMID: 31633402 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of chronic, progressive lung disease with unknown cause, which is characterized by increasing dyspnea and destruction of lung function with a high mortality rate. Evolving evidence demonstrated that the pathogenesis of IPF involved multiple signaling pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. However, drug discovery to prevent or revert IPF has been insufficient to cope with the development. Drug discovery targeting multiple links should be considered. In this review, we will brief the pathogenesis of IPF and discuss several small chemical entities toward the pathogenesis for IPF studied in animal models and clinical trials. The field of novel anti-IPF agents and the future directions for the prevention and treatment of IPF are detailed thoroughly discussed.
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Selvarajah B, Azuelos I, Platé M, Guillotin D, Forty EJ, Contento G, Woodcock HV, Redding M, Taylor A, Brunori G, Durrenberger PF, Ronzoni R, Blanchard AD, Mercer PF, Anastasiou D, Chambers RC. mTORC1 amplifies the ATF4-dependent de novo serine-glycine pathway to supply glycine during TGF-β 1-induced collagen biosynthesis. Sci Signal 2019; 12:eaav3048. [PMID: 31113850 PMCID: PMC6584619 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aav3048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The differentiation of fibroblasts into a transient population of highly activated, extracellular matrix (ECM)-producing myofibroblasts at sites of tissue injury is critical for normal tissue repair. Excessive myofibroblast accumulation and persistence, often as a result of a failure to undergo apoptosis when tissue repair is complete, lead to pathological fibrosis and are also features of the stromal response in cancer. Myofibroblast differentiation is accompanied by changes in cellular metabolism, including increased glycolysis, to meet the biosynthetic demands of enhanced ECM production. Here, we showed that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), the key pro-fibrotic cytokine implicated in multiple fibrotic conditions, increased the production of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), the transcriptional master regulator of amino acid metabolism, to supply glucose-derived glycine to meet the amino acid requirements associated with enhanced collagen production in response to myofibroblast differentiation. We further delineated the signaling pathways involved and showed that TGF-β1-induced ATF4 production depended on cooperation between canonical TGF-β1 signaling through Smad3 and activation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and its downstream target eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (4E-BP1). ATF4, in turn, promoted the transcription of genes encoding enzymes of the de novo serine-glycine biosynthetic pathway and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). Our findings suggest that targeting the TGF-β1-mTORC1-ATF4 axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for interfering with myofibroblast function in fibrosis and potentially in other conditions, including cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brintha Selvarajah
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Ilan Azuelos
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Manuela Platé
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Delphine Guillotin
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Ellen J Forty
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Greg Contento
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Hannah V Woodcock
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Matthew Redding
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Adam Taylor
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Gino Brunori
- GlaxoSmithKline, David Jack Centre for R&D, Park Road, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 0DP, UK
| | - Pascal F Durrenberger
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Riccardo Ronzoni
- Centre for Respiratory Biology, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Andy D Blanchard
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Stevenage SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Paul F Mercer
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK
| | | | - Rachel C Chambers
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London WC1E 6JF, UK.
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Rosiglitazone attenuates paraquat-induced lung fibrosis in rats in a PPAR gamma-dependent manner. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 851:133-143. [PMID: 30797787 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Rosiglitazone, a PPAR-γ agonist, possesses anti-fibritic effect; however, its inhibitory effect on paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis is not completely understood. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effect of rosiglitazone on PQ-induced acute pulmonary fibrosis in rats and its underlying mechanism. Male Sprague-Dawly rats were administered a single intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg PQ and euthanised 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after PQ poisoning. PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis was most obvious on day 28. Male Sprague-Dawly rats were exposed either against distilled water as control groups or PQ (30 mg/kg, i.p.) as test groups. The control groups were nominated as NC group (without treatment), RSG group (only treatment with rosiglitazone, 10 mg/kg/d), and GW group (only treatment with GW9662, a PPAR-γ antagonist, 1 mg/kg/d). The test groups were nominated as PQ group (PQ exposed without treatment), PQ + RSG group (treatment with rosiglitazone), and PQ + RSG + GW group (treatment with rosiglitazone and GW9662). Rosiglitazone was able to recover the PQ-induced decrease in arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2), increase in the wet-to-dry (W/D) lung tissue weight ratio and lung fibrosis score. Rosiglitazone inhibited the PQ-induced reduction in protein and mRNA levels of PPAR-γ and PTEN and elevation in protein and mRNA levels of TGF-β1 and α-SMA. GW9662 administration antagonized the effect of rosiglitazone. These data suggest that rosiglitazone attenuated PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis by upregulateing PTEN and downregulating TGF-β1 expression in a PPAR-γ dependent manner.
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Tian Y, Li H, Qiu T, Dai J, Zhang Y, Chen J, Cai H. Loss of PTEN induces lung fibrosis via alveolar epithelial cell senescence depending on NF-κB activation. Aging Cell 2019; 18:e12858. [PMID: 30548445 PMCID: PMC6351835 DOI: 10.1111/acel.12858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aging‐associated disease with poor prognosis. Currently, there are no effective drugs for preventing the disease process. The mechanisms underlying the role of alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) senescence in the pathogenesis of IPF remain poorly understood. We aimed to explore whether PTEN/NF‐κB activated AEC senescence thus resulting in lung fibrosis. First, we investigated the association between the activation of PTEN/NF‐κB and cellular senescence in lung tissues from IPF patients. As a result, decreased PTEN, activated NF‐κB and increased senescent markers (P21WAF1, P16ink4a, and SA‐β‐gal) were found in AECs in fibrotic lung tissues detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF). In vitro experiments showed increased expression levels of senescent markers and augmented senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in AECs treated with bleomycin (Blm); however, PTEN was reduced significantly following IκB, IKK, and NF‐κB activation after stimulation with Blm in AECs. AEC senescence was accelerated by PTEN knockdown, whereas senescence was reversed via NF‐κB knockdown and the pharmacological inhibition (BMS‐345541) of the NF‐κB pathway. Interestingly, we observed increased collagen deposition in fibroblasts cultured with the supernatants collected from senescent AECs. Conversely, the deposition of collagen in fibroblasts was reduced with exposure to the supernatants collected from NF‐κB knockdown AECs. These findings indicated that senescent AECs controlled by the PTEN/NF‐κB pathway facilitated collagen accumulation in fibroblasts, resulting in lung fibrosis. In conclusion, our study supports the notion that as an initial step in IPF, the senescence process in AECs may be a potential therapeutic target, and the PTEN/NF‐κB pathway may be a promising candidate for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Tian
- Department of Respiratory Medicine The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Hui Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Ting Qiu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine KunShan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Kunshan China
| | - Jinghong Dai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Yingwei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Wuxi People’s Hospital Nanjing Medical University Wuxi China
| | - Hourong Cai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School Nanjing China
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Woodcock HV, Eley JD, Guillotin D, Platé M, Nanthakumar CB, Martufi M, Peace S, Joberty G, Poeckel D, Good RB, Taylor AR, Zinn N, Redding M, Forty EJ, Hynds RE, Swanton C, Karsdal M, Maher TM, Fisher A, Bergamini G, Marshall RP, Blanchard AD, Mercer PF, Chambers RC. The mTORC1/4E-BP1 axis represents a critical signaling node during fibrogenesis. Nat Commun 2019; 10:6. [PMID: 30602778 PMCID: PMC6315032 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-07858-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are the key effector cells responsible for excessive extracellular matrix deposition in multiple fibrotic conditions, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis has been implicated in fibrosis, with pan-PI3K/mTOR inhibition currently under clinical evaluation in IPF. Here we demonstrate that rapamycin-insensitive mTORC1 signaling via 4E-BP1 is a critical pathway for TGF-β1 stimulated collagen synthesis in human lung fibroblasts, whereas canonical PI3K/Akt signaling is not required. The importance of mTORC1 signaling was confirmed by CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in normal and IPF fibroblasts, as well as in lung cancer-associated fibroblasts, dermal fibroblasts and hepatic stellate cells. The inhibitory effect of ATP-competitive mTOR inhibition extended to other matrisome proteins implicated in the development of fibrosis and human disease relevance was demonstrated in live precision-cut IPF lung slices. Our data demonstrate that the mTORC1/4E-BP1 axis represents a critical signaling node during fibrogenesis with potential implications for the development of novel anti-fibrotic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah V Woodcock
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Jessica D Eley
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Delphine Guillotin
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Manuela Platé
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Carmel B Nanthakumar
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Matteo Martufi
- Target Sciences, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Simon Peace
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Gerard Joberty
- Cellzome, a GSK Company, Meyershofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Poeckel
- Cellzome, a GSK Company, Meyershofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Robert B Good
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Adam R Taylor
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Nico Zinn
- Cellzome, a GSK Company, Meyershofstrasse 1, 69117, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthew Redding
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Ellen J Forty
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Robert E Hynds
- CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Charles Swanton
- CRUK Lung Cancer Centre of Excellence, UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6DD, UK
- Cancer Evolution and Genome Instability Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | | | - Toby M Maher
- Fibrosis Research Group, Inflammation, Repair & Development Section, NHLI, Imperial College, London, SW3 6LY, UK
| | - Andrew Fisher
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Richard P Marshall
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Andy D Blanchard
- Fibrosis Discovery Performance Unit, Respiratory Therapy Area, Medicines Research Centre, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, SG1 2NY, UK
| | - Paul F Mercer
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK
| | - Rachel C Chambers
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, Rayne Building, University College London, London, WC1E 6JF, UK.
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40
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Sandbo N. Mechanisms of Fibrosis in IPF. Respir Med 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-99975-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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41
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Jones CE, Hammer AM, Cho Y, Sizemore GM, Cukierman E, Yee LD, Ghadiali SN, Ostrowski MC, Leight JL. Stromal PTEN Regulates Extracellular Matrix Organization in the Mammary Gland. Neoplasia 2019; 21:132-145. [PMID: 30550871 PMCID: PMC6293034 DOI: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The organization of the extracellular matrix has a profound impact on cancer development and progression. The matrix becomes aligned throughout tumor progression, providing "highways" for tumor cell invasion. Aligned matrix is associated with breast density and is a negative prognostic factor in several cancers; however, the underlying mechanisms regulating this reorganization remain poorly understood. Deletion of the tumor suppressor Pten in the stroma was previously shown to promote extracellular matrix expansion and tumor progression. However, it was unknown if PTEN also regulated matrix organization. To address this question, a murine model with fibroblast-specific Pten deletion was used to examine how PTEN regulates matrix remodeling. Using second harmonic generation microscopy, Pten deletion was found to promote collagen alignment parallel to the mammary duct in the normal gland and further remodeling perpendicular to the tumor edge in tumor-bearing mice. Increased alignment was observed with Pten deletion in vitro using fibroblast-derived matrices. PTEN loss was associated with fibroblast activation and increased cellular contractility, as determined by traction force microscopy. Inhibition of contractility abrogated the increased matrix alignment observed with PTEN loss. Murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells cultured on aligned matrices derived from Pten-/- fibroblasts migrated faster than on matrices from wild-type fibroblasts. Combined, these data demonstrate that PTEN loss in fibroblasts promotes extracellular matrix deposition and alignment independently from cancer cell presence, and this reorganization regulates cancer cell behavior. Importantly, stromal PTEN negatively correlated with collagen alignment and high mammographic density in human breast tissue, suggesting parallel function for PTEN in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin E Jones
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Anisha M Hammer
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - YouJin Cho
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Gina M Sizemore
- Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Edna Cukierman
- Department of Cancer Biology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple Health, Philadelphia, PA 19111
| | - Lisa D Yee
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Samir N Ghadiali
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine), College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Michael C Ostrowski
- The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; Department of Cancer Biology and Genetics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
| | - Jennifer L Leight
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210; The James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210.
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Tong J, Chen F, Du W, Zhu J, Xie Z. TGF-β1 Induces Human Tenon’s Fibroblasts Fibrosis via miR-200b and Its Suppression of PTEN Signaling. Curr Eye Res 2018; 44:360-367. [DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2018.1549261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Tong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Wei Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Zhenggao Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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Sontake V, Gajjala PR, Kasam RK, Madala SK. New therapeutics based on emerging concepts in pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 23:69-81. [PMID: 30468628 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1552262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrosis is an irreversible pathological endpoint in many chronic diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and often fatal condition characterized by (myo)fibroblast proliferation and transformation in the lung, expansion of the extracellular matrix, and extensive remodeling of the lung parenchyma. Recent evidence indicates that IPF prevalence and mortality rates are growing in the United States and elsewhere. Despite decades of research on the pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis, few therapeutics have succeeded in the clinic, and they have failed to improve IPF patient survival. Areas covered: Based on a literature search and our own results, we discuss the key cellular and molecular responses that contribute to (myo)fibroblast actions and pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis; this includes signaling pathways in various cells that aberrantly and persistently activate (myo)fibroblasts in fibrotic lesions and promote scar tissue formation in the lung. Expert opinion: Lessons learned from recent failures and successes with new therapeutics point toward approaches that can target multiple pro-fibrotic processes in IPF. Advances in preclinical modeling and single-cell genomics will also accelerate novel discoveries for effective treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Prathibha R Gajjala
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
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Hou J, Shi J, Chen L, Lv Z, Chen X, Cao H, Xiang Z, Han X. M2 macrophages promote myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs and are associated with pulmonary fibrogenesis. Cell Commun Signal 2018; 16:89. [PMID: 30470231 PMCID: PMC6260991 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0300-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by the histopathological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia and is associated with a high mortality rate. Recently, lung resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs) have been identified as an important contributor to myofibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. Macrophages are also believed to play a critical role in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the underlying connections between LR-MSCs and macrophages in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis are still elusive. Methods In this study, we investigated the interaction between LR-MSCs and macrophages using a bleomycin-induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis model and a coculture system. Results Here, we show that blocking pulmonary macrophage infiltration attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, as determined by flow cytometry, we discovered that the recruited macrophages in fibrotic lungs of bleomycin-treated mice were mainly M2 macrophages. In particular, we found that M2, rather than M1 macrophages, promoted myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs. Moreover, we demonstrated that suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway could attenuate myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs induced by M2 macrophages and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Tissue samples from IPF patients confirmed the infiltration of M2 macrophages and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion In summary, this study furthered our understanding of the pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis and highlighted M2 macrophages as a critical target for treating pulmonary fibrosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0300-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Hou
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Jingyan Shi
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zhongyang Lv
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Honghui Cao
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zou Xiang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
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Zhang X, Jin T, Huang X, Liu X, Liu Z, Jia Y, Hao J. Effects of the tumor suppressor PTEN on biological behaviors of activated pancreatic stellate cells in pancreatic fibrosis. Exp Cell Res 2018; 373:132-144. [PMID: 30321515 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2018.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), when activated, are characterized by proliferation and collagen synthesis, and contribute to extracellular matrix deposition in pancreatic fibrosis. Concomitantly, fibrosis is linked with the loss of PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) protein in several organs. This study investigated the association between PTEN protein levels and the activated or apoptotic status of PSCs in a rat model of chronic pancreatitis. In addition, the activation status and biological behaviors of culture-activated PSCs were analyzed after lentiviral transfection with wildtype or mutant (G129E) PTEN for upregulation, or PTEN short hairpin RNA for downregulation, of PTEN. In vivo, PTEN levels gradually decreased during pancreatic fibrosis, which positively correlated with apoptosis of activated PSCs, but negatively with PSC activation. In vitro, activated PSCs with wildtype PTEN showed less proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis compared with control PSCs, and greater numbers were apoptotic; activated PSCs with mutant PTEN showed similar, but weaker, effects. Furthermore, AKT and FAK/ERK signaling was involved in this process. In summary, activated PSCs during pancreatic fibrosis in vivo have lower levels of PTEN. In vitro, PTEN appears to prevent PSCs from further activation and promotes apoptosis through regulation of the AKT and FAK/ERK pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyun Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Tong Jin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xinjuan Liu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Zheng Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Yanjun Jia
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Jianyu Hao
- Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.
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Guo S. Cancer driver mutations in endometriosis: Variations on the major theme of fibrogenesis. Reprod Med Biol 2018; 17:369-397. [PMID: 30377392 PMCID: PMC6194252 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND One recent study reports cancer driver mutations in deep endometriosis, but its biological/clinical significance remains unclear. Since the natural history of endometriosis is essentially gradual progression toward fibrosis, it is thus hypothesized that the six driver genes reported to be mutated in endometriosis (the RP set) may play important roles in fibrogenesis but not necessarily malignant transformation. METHODS Extensive PubMed search to see whether RP and another set of driver genes not yet reported (NR) to be mutated in endometriosis have any roles in fibrogenesis. All studies reporting on the role of fibrogenesis of the genes in both RP and NR sets were retrieved and evaluated in this review. RESULTS All six RP genes were involved in various aspects of fibrogenesis as compared with only three NR genes. These nine genes can be anchored in networks linking with their upstream and downstream genes that are known to be aberrantly expressed in endometriosis, piecing together seemingly unrelated findings. CONCLUSIONS Given that somatic driver mutations can and do occur frequently in physiologically normal tissues, it is argued that these mutations in endometriosis are not necessarily synonymous with malignancy or premalignancy, but the result of enormous pressure for fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun‐Wei Guo
- Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine‐Related DiseasesShanghaiChina
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47
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Zent J, Guo LW. Signaling Mechanisms of Myofibroblastic Activation: Outside-in and Inside-Out. Cell Physiol Biochem 2018; 49:848-868. [PMID: 30184544 DOI: 10.1159/000493217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are central mediators of fibrosis. Typically derived from resident fibroblasts, myofibroblasts represent a heterogeneous population of cells that are principally defined by acquired contractile function and high synthetic ability to produce extracellular matrix (ECM). Current literature sheds new light on the critical role of ECM signaling coupled with mechanotransduction in driving myofibroblastic activation. In particular, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and extra domain A containing fibronectin (EDA-FN) are thought to be the primary ECM signaling mediators that form and also induce positive feedback loops. The outside-in and inside-out signaling circuits are transmitted and integrated by TGF-β receptors and integrins at the cell membrane, ultimately perpetuating the abundance and activities of TGF-β1 and EDA-FN in the ECM. In this review, we highlight these conceptual advances in understanding myofibroblastic activation, in hope of revealing its therapeutic anti-fibrotic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Zent
- Medical Scientist Training Program, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery, Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, Wexner Medical Center, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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48
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Mitochondrial ROS-derived PTEN oxidation activates PI3K pathway for mTOR-induced myogenic autophagy. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:1921-1937. [PMID: 30042494 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0165-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2017] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle differentiation is a crucial process controlling muscle development and homeostasis. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) rapidly increase and function as critical cell signaling intermediates during the muscle differentiation. However, it has not yet been elucidated how they control myogenic signaling. Autophagy, a lysosome-mediated degradation pathway, is importantly recognized as intracellular remodeling mechanism of cellular organelles during muscle differentiation. Here, we demonstrated that the mtROS stimulated phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) cascade, and the activated mTORC1 subsequently induced autophagic signaling via phosphorylation of uncoordinated-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) at serine 317 and upregulation of Atg proteins to prompt muscle differentiation. Treatment with MitoQ or rapamycin impaired both phosphorylation of ULK1 and expression of Atg proteins. Therefore, we propose a novel regulatory paradigm in which mtROS are required to initiate autophagic reconstruction of cellular organization through mTOR activation in muscle differentiation.
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49
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Cui Y, Yang S. Overexpression of Annexin A1 protects against benzo[a]pyrene‑induced bronchial epithelium injury. Mol Med Rep 2018; 18:349-357. [PMID: 29749523 PMCID: PMC6059690 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.8998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The incidence of asthma is increasing worldwide. Bronchial epithelium injury is common in asthma. The regulatory role of Annexin A1 (ANXA1) in bronchial epithelium injury is currently not well understood. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of ANXA1 on bronchial epithelium injury. The cell viability and levels of apoptosis were respectively tested by Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and the activity of oxidative indicators were assessed by commercial kits. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the activity of active caspase-3. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays were used to determine the expression levels of the target factors. The results demonstrated that ANXA1 improved the viability of benzo[a]pyrene (Bap)-treated bronchial epithelial cells. The Bap-induced oxidative stress was mitigated by the reduction in ROS generation, and the regulation of the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidases, malondialdehyde and lactic dehydrogenase. In addition, apoptosis was decreased by ANXA1 via the reduction of the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and the increase in the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein and cyclin D1. Furthermore, the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was rescued and the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) was depressed by ANXA1, when compared with the Bap group. SF1670 treatment reversed the anti-apoptotic effect of ANXA1. In conclusion, the results highlighted the protective effects of ANXA1 on bronchial epithelium injury, which most likely occurred via the PTEN/FAK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Thus, the present study contributes to a potential therapeutic strategy for asthma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfei Cui
- Department of Tuberculosis, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital/Zhejiang Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Integrated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
| | - Shengya Yang
- Department of Tuberculosis, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital/Zhejiang Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Integrated Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China
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50
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Sisti F, Wang S, Brandt SL, Glosson-Byers N, Mayo LD, Son YM, Sturgeon S, Filgueiras L, Jancar S, Wong H, Dela Cruz CS, Andrews N, Alves-Filho JC, Cunha FQ, Serezani CH. Nuclear PTEN enhances the maturation of a microRNA regulon to limit MyD88-dependent susceptibility to sepsis. Sci Signal 2018; 11:11/528/eaai9085. [PMID: 29717063 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aai9085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Sepsis-induced organ damage is caused by systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), which results in substantial comorbidities. Therefore, it is of medical importance to identify molecular brakes that can be exploited to dampen inflammation and prevent the development of SIRS. We investigated the role of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in suppressing SIRS, increasing microbial clearance, and preventing lung damage. Septic patients and mice with sepsis exhibited increased PTEN expression in leukocytes. Myeloid-specific Pten deletion in an animal model of sepsis increased bacterial loads and cytokine production, which depended on enhanced myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) abundance and resulted in mortality. PTEN-mediated induction of the microRNAs (miRNAs) miR125b and miR203b reduced the abundance of MyD88. Loss- and gain-of-function assays demonstrated that PTEN induced miRNA production by associating with and facilitating the nuclear localization of Drosha-Dgcr8, part of the miRNA-processing complex. Reconstitution of PTEN-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts with a mutant form of PTEN that does not localize to the nucleus resulted in retention of Drosha-Dgcr8 in the cytoplasm and impaired production of mature miRNAs. Thus, we identified a regulatory pathway involving nuclear PTEN-mediated miRNA generation that limits the production of MyD88 and thereby limits sepsis-associated mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Flavia Sisti
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Soujuan Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Stephanie L Brandt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nicole Glosson-Byers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Lindsey D Mayo
- Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research, Departments of Pediatrics and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Young Min Son
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sarah Sturgeon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Luciano Filgueiras
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.,Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Sonia Jancar
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil
| | - Hector Wong
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Charles S Dela Cruz
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Nathaniel Andrews
- Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Jose Carlos Alves-Filho
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Fernando Q Cunha
- Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto 14049-900, Brazil
| | - C Henrique Serezani
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. .,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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