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Liu D, Du J, Xie H, Tian H, Lu L, Zhang C, Xu GT, Zhang J. Wnt5a/β-catenin-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition: a key driver of subretinal fibrosis in neovascular age-related macular degeneration. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:75. [PMID: 38532410 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03068-w] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), accounts for up to 90% of AMD-associated vision loss, ultimately resulting in the formation of fibrotic scar in the macular region. The pathogenesis of subretinal fibrosis in nAMD involves the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurring in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Here, we aim to investigate the underlying mechanisms involved in the Wnt signaling during the EMT of RPE cells and in the pathological process of subretinal fibrosis secondary to nAMD. METHODS In vivo, the induction of subretinal fibrosis was performed in male C57BL/6J mice through laser photocoagulation. Either FH535 (a β-catenin inhibitor) or Box5 (a Wnt5a inhibitor) was intravitreally administered on the same day or 14 days following laser induction. The RPE-Bruch's membrane-choriocapillaris complex (RBCC) tissues were collected and subjected to Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence to examine fibrovascular and Wnt-related markers. In vitro, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)-treated ARPE-19 cells were co-incubated with or without FH535, Foxy-5 (a Wnt5a-mimicking peptide), Box5, or Wnt5a shRNA, respectively. The changes in EMT- and Wnt-related signaling molecules, as well as cell functions were assessed using qRT-PCR, nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation assay, Western blot, immunofluorescence, scratch assay or transwell migration assay. The cell viability of ARPE-19 cells was determined using Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8. RESULTS The in vivo analysis demonstrated Wnt5a/ROR1, but not Wnt3a, was upregulated in the RBCCs of the laser-induced CNV mice compared to the normal control group. Intravitreal injection of FH535 effectively reduced Wnt5a protein expression. Both FH535 and Box5 effectively attenuated subretinal fibrosis and EMT, as well as the activation of β-catenin in laser-induced CNV mice, as evidenced by the significant reduction in areas positive for fibronectin, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and active β-catenin labeling. In vitro, Wnt5a/ROR1, active β-catenin, and some other Wnt signaling molecules were upregulated in the TGFβ1-induced EMT cell model using ARPE-19 cells. Co-treatment with FH535, Box5, or Wnt5a shRNA markedly suppressed the activation of Wnt5a, nuclear translocation of active β-catenin, as well as the EMT in TGFβ1-treated ARPE-19 cells. Conversely, treatment with Foxy-5 independently resulted in the activation of abovementioned molecules and subsequent induction of EMT in ARPE-19 cells. CONCLUSIONS Our study reveals a reciprocal activation between Wnt5a and β-catenin to mediate EMT as a pivotal driver of subretinal fibrosis in nAMD. This positive feedback loop provides valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies to treat subretinal fibrosis in nAMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingxiao Du
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai Eye Research Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Hai Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai Eye Research Institute, Shanghai, China
| | - Haibin Tian
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixia Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chaoyang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai Eye Research Institute, Shanghai, China.
| | - Guo-Tong Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology of Tongji Hospital and Laboratory of Clinical and Visual Sciences of Tongji Eye Institute, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jingfa Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Eye Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai Engineering Center for Precise Diagnosis and Treatment of Eye Diseases, Shanghai Eye Research Institute, Shanghai, China.
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Ji XF, Zhou Q, Wang JW, Sun F, Gao S, Wang K. Associations of Wnt5a expression with liver injury in chronic hepatitis B virus infection. BMC Infect Dis 2023; 23:860. [PMID: 38062395 PMCID: PMC10704684 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08865-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant Wnt5a expression contributes to immunity, inflammation and tissue damage. However, it remains unknown whether Wnt5a is associated with liver injury in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We aimed to explore the potential role of Wnt5a expression in liver injury caused by chronic HBV infection. METHODS Wnt5a mRNA levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed in 31 acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF) patients, 82 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, and 20 healthy controls using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Intrahepatic Wnt5a protein expression from 32 chronic HBV infection patients and 6 normal controls was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS Wnt5a mRNA expression was increased in CHB patients and ACHBLF patients compared to healthy controls and correlated positively with liver injury markers. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between Wnt5a mRNA expression and HBV DNA load in all patients and CHB patients but not in ACHBLF patients. Furthermore, intrahepatic Wnt5a protein expression was elevated in chronic HBV infection patients compared to that in normal controls. Moreover, chronic HBV infection patients with higher hepatic inflammatory grades had increased intrahepatic Wnt5a protein expression compared with lower hepatic inflammatory grades. In addition, the cut-off value of 12.59 for Wnt5a mRNA level was a strong indicator in predicting ACHBLF in CHB patients. CONCLUSIONS We found that Wnt5a expression was associated with liver injury in chronic HBV infection patients. Wnt5a might be involved in exacerbation of chronic HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Fen Ji
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - Qi Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - Jing-Wei Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, 266035, China
| | - Shuai Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Hepatology Institute of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
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Cheng C, Wang Q, Huang Y, Xue Q, Wang Y, Wu P, Liao F, Miao C. Gandouling inhibits hepatic fibrosis in Wilson's disease through Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling pathway. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 311:116445. [PMID: 37015279 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC SIGNIFICANCE Wilson's disease (WD) hepatic fibrosis is the result of chronic liver injury induced by Cu2+ deposition in the liver. Gandouling (GDL) is a hospital preparation of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine. Previous studies have found that GDL can play an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, and promote Cu2+ excretion, which has a clear anti-WD effect. AIM OF THE STUDY We found that Wnt-1 was significantly up-regulated in the liver tissue of toxic-milk (TX) mouse in the WD gene mutant model, and the monomer components of GDL could combine well with Wnt-1. Therefore, in this work, we used RT-qPCR, Western blot, immunofluorescence, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and related methods to study the effects of GDL on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and Wnt-1/β-catenin pathway in TX mice to clarify the effect of GDL on WD hepatic fibrosis. RESULTS GDL could alleviate hepatic fibrosis, improve liver function, and inhibit the activation of HSC in TX mice. Network pharmacology predicted that the Wnt-1/β-catenin was the target of GDL, and molecular dynamics further revealed that GDL has a good binding ability with Wnt-1 and inhibits the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through Wnt-1. Furthermore, we found that GDL blocked the Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling pathway in the liver of TX mice in vivo. In vitro, serum containing GDL blocked the Cu2+ ion-induced Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling pathway in LX-2 cells. Therefore, GDL blocked the Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling pathway, inhibited HSC activation, and improved WD hepatic fibrosis by binding to Wnt-1. CONCLUSION GDL improves hepatic fibrosis in WD model mice by blocking the Wnt-1/β-catenin signaling pathway, and Wnt-1 may be a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of WD. This reveals a new mechanism of GDL against WD, and promotes the clinical promotion of GDL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglong Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Preparation, School of Life and Health Sciences, Anhui University of Science and Technology, China.
| | - Yurong Huang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Qiuyun Xue
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Yuting Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Anatomy, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
| | - Faxue Liao
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; Anhui Public Health Clinical Center, Hefei, China.
| | - Chenggui Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China.
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You H, Wang X, Ma L, Zhang F, Zhang H, Wang Y, Pan X, Zheng K, Kong F, Tang R. Insights into the impact of hepatitis B virus on hepatic stellate cell activation. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:70. [PMID: 37041599 PMCID: PMC10088164 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01091-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
During chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, hepatic fibrosis is a serious pathological condition caused by virus-induced liver damage. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a central event in the occurrence and progression of liver fibrosis. Although accumulating evidence has shown that HBV directly stimulates HSC activation, whether the virus infects and replicates in HSCs remains controversial. Inflammation is one of the obvious characteristics of chronic HBV infection, and it has been demonstrated that persistent inflammation has a predominant role in triggering and maintaining liver fibrosis. In particular, the regulation of HSC activation by HBV-related hepatocytes via various inflammatory modulators, including TGF-β and CTGF, in a paracrine manner has been reported. In addition to these inflammation-related molecules, several inflammatory cells are essential for the progression of HBV-associated liver fibrosis. Monocytes, macrophages, Th17 cells, NK cells, as well as NKT cells, participate in the modulation of HBV-related liver fibrosis by interacting with HSCs. This review summarizes current findings on the effects of HBV and the relevant molecular mechanisms involved in HSC activation. Because HSC activation is essential for liver fibrosis, targeting HSCs is an attractive therapeutic strategy to prevent and reverse hepatic fibrosis induced by HBV infection. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongjuan You
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xing Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lihong Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fulong Zhang
- Imaging Department, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, China
| | - Huanyang Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuxin Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiucheng Pan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Kuiyang Zheng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fanyun Kong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Renxian Tang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogenic Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- National Demonstration Center for Experimental Basic Medical Sciences Education, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Shi JH, Zhao B, Song LL, Song YQ, Sun MR, Tian T, Chen HY, Song YQ, Sun JM, Ge GB. Chalcone derivatives as novel, potent and selective inhibitors against human Notum: Structure–activity relationships and biological evaluations. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
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Li K, Zheng J, Liu H, Gao Q, Yang M, Tang J, Wang H, Li S, Sun Y, Chang X. Whole-transcriptome sequencing revealed differentially expressed mRNAs and non-coding RNAs played crucial roles in NiONPs-induced liver fibrosis. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 248:114308. [PMID: 36410144 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) induced liver fibrosis, while its mechanisms associated with transcriptome remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the roles of differentially expressed (DE) messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in NiONPs-induced liver fibrosis, and further confirm whether JNK/c-Jun pathway enriched by the DE RNAs was involved in the regulation of the disease. A liver fibrosis rat model was established by intratracheal perfusion of NiONPs twice a week for 9 weeks. Whole-transcriptome sequencing was applied to obtain expression profiles of mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in the model rat and control liver tissues. Comparing the RNA expression profiles of the model and control liver tissues, we identified 324 DE mRNAs, 129 DE lncRNAs, 24 DE miRNAs and 33 DE circRNAs, and the potential interactions among them were revealed by constructing two co-expression networks, including lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. Using RT-qPCR, we verified the sequencing results of some RNAs in the networks and obtained similar expression profiles, indicating our sequencing results were reliable and referable. Through Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, we predicted the biological functions and signaling pathways potentially related to NiONPs-induced liver fibrosis, such as "positive regulation of JNK cascade", "inflammatory response", "transcription factor binding", and MAPK, Wnt, PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. JNK/c-Jun pathway, a subclass of MAPK signal, was selected for further investigation because it was significantly enriched by fibrosis-related DE genes and activated in animal models. In vitro, we detected the cytotoxicity of NiONPs on LX-2 cells and treated the cells with 5 μg/ml NiONPs for 12 h. The results showed NiONPs induced the up-regulated protein expression of fibrotic factors collagen-1a1 (Col-1a1) and matrix metalloproteinas2 (MMP2) and JNK/c-Jun pathway activation. While these effects were reversed after JNK/c-Jun pathway was blocked by SP600125 (JNK pathway inhibitor), indicating the pathway was involved in NiONPs-induced excessive collagen formation. In conclusion, our results revealed the DE mRNAs and ncRNAs played crucial roles in NiONPs-induced liver fibrosis, and JNK/c-Jun pathway mediated the development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Li
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jinfa Zheng
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Qing Gao
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Mengmeng Yang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jiarong Tang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Sheng Li
- Department of Public Health, The First People's Hospital of Lanzhou City, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Yingbiao Sun
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Xuhong Chang
- Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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Xie ZY, Dong W, Zhang L, Wang MJ, Xiao ZM, Zhang YH, Shi WX, Huang Y, Yang Y, Li CL, Fu L, Zhao XC, Li RZ, Li ZL, Chen YH, Ye ZM, Liu SX, Dong Z, Liang XL. NFAT inhibitor 11R-VIVIT ameliorates mouse renal fibrosis after ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:2081-2093. [PMID: 34937917 PMCID: PMC9343462 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00833-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) with maladaptive tubular repair leads to renal fibrosis and progresses to chronic kidney disease (CKD). At present, there is no curative drug to interrupt AKI-to-CKD progression. The nuclear factor of the activated T cell (NFAT) family was initially identified as a transcription factor expressed in most immune cells and involved in the transcription of cytokine genes and other genes critical for the immune response. NFAT2 is also expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) and podocytes and plays an important regulatory role in the kidney. In this study, we investigated the renoprotective effect of 11R-VIVIT, a peptide inhibitor of NFAT, on renal fibrosis in the AKI-to-CKD transition and the underlying mechanisms. We first examined human renal biopsy tissues and found that the expression of NFAT2 was significantly increased in RTECs in patients with severe renal fibrosis. We then established a mouse model of AKI-to-CKD transition using bilateral ischemia-reperfusion injury (Bi-IRI). The mice were treated with 11R-VIVIT (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on Days 1, 3, 10, 17 and 24 after Bi-IRI. We showed that the expression of NFAT2 was markedly increased in RTECs in the AKI-to-CKD transition. 11R-VIVIT administration significantly inhibited the nuclear translocation of NFAT2 in RTECs, decreased the levels of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen, and attenuated renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis but had no toxic side effects on the heart and liver. In addition, we showed that 11R-VIVIT administration alleviated RTEC apoptosis after Bi-IRI. Consistently, preapplication of 11R-VIVIT (100 nM) and transfection with NFAT2-targeted siRNA markedly suppressed TGFβ-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis in vitro. In conclusion, 11R-VIVIT administration inhibits IRI-induced NFAT2 activation and prevents AKI-to-CKD progression. Inhibiting NFAT2 may be a promising new therapeutic strategy for preventing renal fibrosis after IR-AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-yong Xie
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Wei Dong
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Li Zhang
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Meng-jie Wang
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Zhen-meng Xiao
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Yu-hua Zhang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Wan-xin Shi
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Ying Huang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Yan Yang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Cui-li Li
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
| | - Lei Fu
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Xing-chen Zhao
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Rui-zhao Li
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Zhi-lian Li
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Yuan-han Chen
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Zhi-ming Ye
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Shuang-xin Liu
- grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Zheng Dong
- grid.410427.40000 0001 2284 9329Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA USA ,grid.413830.d0000 0004 0419 3970Department of Medical Research, Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Augusta, GA USA
| | - Xin-ling Liang
- grid.284723.80000 0000 8877 7471The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515 China ,grid.410643.4Division of Nephrology, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.79703.3a0000 0004 1764 3838School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006 China
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Ferdek PE, Krzysztofik D, Stopa KB, Kusiak AA, Paw M, Wnuk D, Jakubowska MA. When healing turns into killing ‐ the pathophysiology of pancreatic and hepatic fibrosis. J Physiol 2022; 600:2579-2612. [DOI: 10.1113/jp281135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Pawel E. Ferdek
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Daria Krzysztofik
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Kinga B. Stopa
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Agnieszka A. Kusiak
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Milena Paw
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
| | - Dawid Wnuk
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biochemistry Biophysics and Biotechnology Jagiellonian University Krakow Poland
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Guo F, Seldin M, Péterfy M, Charugundla S, Zhou Z, Lee SD, Mouton A, Rajbhandari P, Zhang W, Pellegrini M, Tontonoz P, Lusis AJ, Shih DM. NOTUM promotes thermogenic capacity and protects against diet-induced obesity in male mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16409. [PMID: 34385484 PMCID: PMC8361163 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95720-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently showed that NOTUM, a liver-secreted Wnt inhibitor, can acutely promote browning of white adipose. We now report studies of chronic overexpression of NOTUM in liver indicating that it protects against diet-induced obesity and improves glucose homeostasis in mice. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors were used to overexpress GFP or mouse Notum in the livers of male C57BL/6J mice and the mice were fed an obesifying diet. After 14 weeks of high fat, high sucrose diet feeding, the AAV-Notum mice exhibited decreased obesity and improved glucose tolerance compared to the AAV-GFP mice. Gene expression and immunoblotting analysis of the inguinal fat and brown fat revealed increased expression of beige/brown adipocyte markers in the AAV-Notum group, suggesting enhanced thermogenic capacity by NOTUM. A β3 adrenergic receptor agonist-stimulated lipolysis test suggested increased lipolysis capacity by NOTUM. The levels of collagen and C–C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in the epididymal white adipose tissue of the AAV-Notum mice were significantly reduced, suggesting decreased fibrosis and inflammation, respectively. RNA sequencing analysis of inguinal white adipose of 4-week chow diet-fed mice revealed a highly significant enrichment of extracellular matrix (ECM) functional cluster among the down-regulated genes in the AAV-Notum group, suggesting a potential mechanism contributing to improved glucose homeostasis. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that recombinant human NOTUM protein blocked the inhibitory effects of WNT3A on brown adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, NOTUM attenuated WNT3A’s effects on upregulation of TGF-β signaling and its downstream targets. Overall, our data suggest that NOTUM modulates adipose tissue function by promoting thermogenic capacity and inhibiting fibrosis through inhibition of Wnt signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangfei Guo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, A2-237 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1679, USA
| | - Marcus Seldin
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Miklós Péterfy
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Sarada Charugundla
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, A2-237 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1679, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Zhou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, A2-237 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1679, USA
| | - Stephen D Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Alice Mouton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Prashant Rajbhandari
- Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Institute, Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Wenchao Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, A2-237 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1679, USA.,The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese National Health Commission and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.,Department of Critical Care Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Peter Tontonoz
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Aldons J Lusis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, A2-237 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1679, USA
| | - Diana M Shih
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, A2-237 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095-1679, USA.
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Li W, Yu X, Chen X, Wang Z, Yin M, Zhao Z, Zhu C. HBV induces liver fibrosis via the TGF-β1/miR-21-5p pathway. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:169. [PMID: 33456536 PMCID: PMC7792493 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNA (miR)-21-5p is a newly discovered factor that mediates TGF-β1 signaling. The present study was designed to investigate the role of TGF-β1/miR-21-5p in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-induced liver fibrosis. HBV-infected sodium taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP)-transfected Huh7.5.1 cells were co-cultured with LX2 cells to simulate HBV infection in the present study. A total of 29 patients with chronic HBV infection were enrolled. Cells were transfected with miR-21-5p mimic or inhibitor with or without TGF-β1 stimulation. The demographic, biochemical and virological data from the 29 patients were analyzed and liver tissues were collected. miR-21-5p levels and the mRNA and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), collagen type 1 α 1 (CoL1A1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and Smad from liver cells or tissues were detected by quantitative PCR analysis and western blotting, respectively. Cell viability was observed, and the liver fibrosis score was evaluated. The association between miR-21-5p and liver fibrosis was evaluated by correlation analysis. HBV infection upregulated TGF-β1/miR-21-5p mRNA expression in NTCP-Huh7.5.1 cells compared with mock infection (P<0.05). TGF-β1 incubation significantly increased miR-21-5p levels, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA, CoL1A1 and TIMP-1, and reduced Smad7 expression in LX2 cells compared with the normal group, and these effects were counteracted by miR-21-5p inhibitor (P<0.05). miR-21-5p overexpression also contributed to TGF-β1-induced α-SMA, CoL1A1 and TIMP-1 expression in LX2 cells (P<0.05). Co-culture with HBV-infected NTCP-Huh7.5.1 cells upregulated TGF-β1/miR-21-5p activity and CoL1A1 expression in LX2 cells compared with normal control, which were significantly reduced by miR-21-5p inhibitor (P<0.05). miR-21-5p levels were significantly correlated with the liver fibrosis score (r=0.888; P<0.05). These data demonstrated that HBV induced liver fibrosis via the TGF-β1/miR-21-5p pathway and suggested that miR-21-5p may be an effective anti-fibrosis target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenting Li
- 3rd Liver Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
| | - Xiaolan Yu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
- Department of Ear-Nose-Throat, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Xiliu Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430022, P.R. China
| | - Zheng Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Ming Yin
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
- Intensive Care Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
| | - Zonghao Zhao
- 3rd Liver Unit, Department of Infectious Disease, Anhui Provincial Hospital, Hefei, Anhui 230001, P.R. China
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230000, P.R. China
| | - Chuanwu Zhu
- Department of Hepatology, The Affiliated Infectious Diseases Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215131, P.R. China
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