MAP3K19 Is a Novel Regulator of TGF-β Signaling That Impacts Bleomycin-Induced Lung Injury and Pulmonary Fibrosis

Determinant-based grouping of SNPs and its application for detecting disease-associated genomic loci

Groups of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are more effective than individual SNPs in identifying genetic loci associated with diseases. However, an optimal method for grouping SNPs remains an open question. Here, we introduce a novel approach for SNP grouping, leveraging the determinant of linkage disequilibrium (LD) matrices as a comprehensive metric of multicollinearity. This method builds on the established use of determinants in regression analysis as an aggregate measure of variable interdependence. We proposed that SNPs be grouped by evaluating the determinant of their LD matrices, with the approach validated using both synthetic genotype-phenotype data and real-world data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of ischemic stroke. Application of this method identified two previously known and five novel candidate genes associated with the onset of disease. Additionally, we developed a straightforward procedure to estimate a critical parameter for the model: the minimal determinant value for an LD matrix to be considered singular. In summary, the determinant of the LD matrix serves as a robust integrative measure for assessing SNP group quality. This metric underpins a bioinformatics workflow capable of identifying genomic loci associated with disease onset, offering a valuable tool for advancing genetic association studies.

MAP3K19 Promotes the Progression of Tuberculosis-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Through Activation of the TGF-β/Smad2 Signaling Pathway

Tuberculosis-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, irreversible interstitial lung disease, which severely affects lung ventilation and air exchange, leading to respiratory distress, impaired lung function, and ultimately death. As previously reported, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis in type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II) are two critical processes that contributes to the initiation and progression of tuberculosis-related PF, but the underlying pathological mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, through performing Real-Time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining assay, we confirmed that the expression levels of EMT and fibrosis-related biomarkers were significantly increased in lung tissues with tuberculosis-associated PF in vivo and Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain-infected AEC II cells in vitro. Besides, we noticed that the mitogen-activated protein kinase 19 (MAP3K19) was aberrantly overexpressed in PF models, and silencing of MAP3K19 significantly reduced the expression levels of fibronectin, collagen type I, and alpha-smooth muscle actin to decrease fibrosis, and upregulated E-cadherin and downregulated vimentin to suppress EMT in BCG-treated AEC II cells. Then, we uncovered the underlying mechanisms and found that BCG synergized with MAP3K19 to activate the pro-inflammatory transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Smad2 signal pathway in AEC II cells, and BCG-induced EMT process and fibrosis in AEC II cells were all abrogated by co-treating cells with TGF-β/Smad2 signal pathway inhibitor LY2109761. In summary, our results uncovered the underlying mechanisms by which the MAP3K19/TGF-β/Smad2 signaling pathway regulated EMT and fibrotic phenotypes of AEC II cells to facilitate the development of tuberculosis-associated PF, and these findings will provide new ideas and biomarkers to ameliorate tuberculosis-induced PF in clinic.

The current landscape of antifibrotic therapy across different organs: A systematic approach

Fibrosis is a common pathological process that can affect virtually all the organs, but there are hardly any effective therapeutic options. This has led to an intense search for antifibrotic therapies over the last decades, with a great number of clinical assays currently underway. We have systematically reviewed all current and recently finished clinical trials involved in the development of new antifibrotic drugs, and the preclinical studies analyzing the relevance of each of these pharmacological strategies in fibrotic processes affecting tissues beyond those being clinically studied. We analyze and discuss this information with the aim of determining the most promising options and the feasibility of extending their therapeutic value as antifibrotic agents to other fibrotic conditions.

Evolutionary genetics of pulmonary anatomical adaptations in deep-diving cetaceans

BACKGROUND

Cetaceans, having experienced prolonged adaptation to aquatic environments, have undergone evolutionary changes in their respiratory systems. This process of evolution has resulted in the emergence of distinctive phenotypic traits, notably the abundance of elastic fibers and thickened alveolar walls in their lungs, which may facilitate alveolar collapse during diving. This structure helps selective exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, while minimizing nitrogen exchange, thereby reducing the risk of DCS. Nevertheless, the scientific inquiry into the mechanisms through which these unique phenotypic characteristics govern the diving behavior of marine mammals, including cetaceans, remains unresolved.

RESULTS

This study entails an evolutionary analysis of 42 genes associated with pulmonary fibrosis across 45 mammalian species. Twenty-one genes in cetaceans exhibited accelerated evolution, featuring specific amino acid substitutions in 14 of them. Primarily linked to the development of the respiratory system and lung morphological construction, these genes play a crucial role. Moreover, among marine mammals, we identified eight genes undergoing positive selection, and the evolutionary rates of three genes significantly correlated with diving depth. Specifically, the SFTPC gene exhibited convergent amino acid substitutions. Through in vitro cellular experiments, we illustrated that convergent amino acid site mutations in SFTPC contribute positively to pulmonary fibrosis in marine mammals, and the presence of this phenotype can induce deep alveolar collapse during diving, thereby reducing the risk of DCS during diving.

CONCLUSIONS

The study unveils pivotal genetic signals in cetaceans and other marine mammals, arising through evolution. These genetic signals may influence lung characteristics in marine mammals and have been linked to a reduced risk of developing DCS. Moreover, the research serves as a valuable reference for delving deeper into human diving physiology.

Single-cell reconstruction and mutation enrichment analysis identifies dysregulated cardiomyocyte and endothelial cells in congenital heart disease

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the most prevalent neonatal congenital anomalies. To catalog the putative candidate CHD risk genes, we collected 16,349 variants [single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) and Indels] impacting 8,308 genes in 3,166 CHD cases for a comprehensive meta-analysis. Using American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) guidelines, we excluded the 0.1% of benign/likely benign variants and the resulting dataset consisted of 83% predicted loss of function variants and 17% missense variants. Seventeen percent were de novo variants. A stepwise analysis identified 90 variant-enriched CHD genes, of which six (GPATCH1, NYNRIN, TCLD2, CEP95, MAP3K19, and TTC36) were novel candidate CHD genes. Single-cell transcriptome cluster reconstruction analysis on six CHD tissues and four controls revealed upregulation of the top 10 frequently mutated genes primarily in cardiomyocytes. NOTCH1 (highest number of variants) and MYH6 (highest number of recurrent variants) expression was elevated in endocardial cells and cardiomyocytes, respectively, and 60% of these gene variants were associated with tetralogy of Fallot and coarctation of the aorta, respectively. Pseudobulk analysis using the single-cell transcriptome revealed significant (P < 0.05) upregulation of both NOTCH1 (endocardial cells) and MYH6 (cardiomyocytes) in the control heart data. We observed nine different subpopulations of CHD heart cardiomyocytes of which only four were observed in the control heart. This is the first comprehensive meta-analysis combining genomics and CHD single-cell transcriptomics, identifying the most frequently mutated CHD genes, and demonstrating CHD gene heterogeneity, suggesting that multiple genes contribute to the phenotypic heterogeneity of CHD. Cardiomyocytes and endocardial cells are identified as major CHD-related cell types.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Congential heart disease (CHD) is one of the most prevalent neonatal congenital anomalies. We present a comprehensive analysis combining genomics and CHD single-cell transcriptome. Our study identifies 90 potential candidate CHD risk genes of which 6 are novel. The risk genes have heterogenous expression suggestive of multiple genes contributing to the phenotypic heterogeneity of CHD. Cardiomyocytes and endocardial cells are identified as major CHD-related cell types.

MAP3K19 Affects TWEAK-Induced Response in Cultured Bronchial Epithelial Cells and Regulates Allergic Airway Inflammation in an Asthma Murine Model

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and asthma; however, the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 19 (MAP3K19) remains uncertain. Therefore, we investigated the involvement of MAP3K19 in in vitro EMT and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma murine models. The involvement of MAP3K19 in the EMT and the production of cytokines and chemokines were analyzed using a cultured bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B, in which MAP3K19 was knocked down using small interfering RNA. We also evaluated the involvement of MAP3K19 in the OVA-induced asthma murine model using Map3k19-deficient (MAP3K19-/-) mice. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) induced the MAP3K19 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in the BEAS-2B cells. The knockdown of MAP3K19 enhanced the reduction in E-cadherin mRNA and the production of regulated upon activation normal T cell express sequence (RANTES) via stimulation with TWEAK alone or with the combination of TGF-β1 and TWEAK. Furthermore, the expression of MAP3K19 mRNA was upregulated in both the lungs and tracheas of the mice in the OVA-induced asthma murine model. The MAP3K19-/- mice exhibited worsened eosinophilic inflammation and an increased production of RANTES in the airway epithelium compared with the wild-type mice. These findings indicate that MAP3K19 suppressed the TWEAK-stimulated airway epithelial response, including adhesion factor attenuation and RANTES production, and suppressed allergic airway inflammation in an asthma mouse model, suggesting that MAP3K19 regulates allergic airway inflammation in patients with asthma.

CC Chemokine 2 Promotes Ovarian Cancer Progression through the MEK/ERK/MAP3K19 Signaling Pathway

Ovarian cancer is a gynecological tumor with an incidence rate lower than those of other gynecological tumor types and the second-highest death rate. CC chemokine 2 (CCL2) is a multifunctional factor associated with the progression of numerous cancers. However, the effect of CCL2 on ovarian cancer progression is unclear. Here, we found that exogenous CCL2 and the overexpression of CCL2 promoted the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells. On the other hand, CCL2 knockdown via CRISPR/Cas9 inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The present study demonstrated that mitogen-activated protein three kinase 19 (MAP3K19) was the key CCL2 target for regulating ovarian cancer progression through transcriptome sequencing. Additionally, MAP3K19 knockout inhibited ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, CCL2 increased MAP3K19 expression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway. The present study showed the correlation between CCL2 and ovarian cancer, suggesting that CCL2 may be a novel target for ovarian cancer therapy.

Inhibition of Ureteral Stricture by Pirfenidone-Loaded Nanoparticle-Coated Ureteral Stents with Slow-Release Pirfenidone

Introduction

Ureteral stricture caused by iatrogenic ureteral injury induced ureteral injury is more common and challenging to recover quickly. The effective prevention of ureteral stricture due to iatrogenic ureteral injury-induced ureteral damage is a current challenge for urologists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoparticle/pirfenidone complex-coated ureteral stents with slow-release pirfenidone for the prevention of ureteral stricture in rabbits. In this study, we developed a nanoparticle/pirfenidone complex-coated ureteral stent to deliver pirfenidone into the injured ureter to inhibit ureteral stricture.

Methods

Twelve New Zealand rabbits were divided into four groups: Sham, US, US+ Unmodified ureteral stent, and US+NP/PFD ureteral stent; we constructed an irreversible electroporation model of ureteral injury in rabbits and placed unmodified ureteral stents and nanoparticle/pirfenidone complex-coated ureteral stents into the ureter. Two weeks later, we euthanized the rabbits and removed their bilateral kidneys and ureters. We evaluated the effect of ureteral stent prophylaxis by gross specimen observation, section staining, and Western Blot.

Results

We found that the nanoparticle/pirfenidone complexes could adhere uniformly to the surface of the ureteral stent. After placement into the ureter, the nanoparticle/pirfenidone complexes were able to remain on the surface of the ureteral stent. We found nanoparticle/pirfenidone complexes could diffuse in the ureteral epithelial tissue two weeks after the order. The study showed that nanoparticle/pirfenidone complex-coated ureteral stents placed into the ureter showed significantly less stenosis due to fibrosis than in US control rabbits and rabbits treated with unmodified ureteral stents.

Conclusion

We used a novel platform based on nanoparticle/pirfenidone complex-coated ureteral stents for local and sustained delivery of pirfenidone, which can effectively deliver pirfenidone to the tissue and can slowly control the release of pirfenidone. Therefore, combining ureteral stents with nanoparticle/pirfenidone complexes was an effective measure to prevent ureteral stricture.

A Prognostic Risk Model of a Novel Oxidative Stress-Related Signature Predicts Clinical Prognosis and Demonstrates Immune Relevancy in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is among the most prevalent malignant lung cancers with a poor prognosis due to high invasiveness and lethality despite multiple treatments. Since the lung is an important organ associated with oxidative stress, and it has been confirmed that oxidative stress represents a potential cancer-specific depletion, it is of important significance to investigate and evaluate the clinical value of oxidative stress mechanisms regulating tumor cell apoptosis. Furthermore, there are few studies on the impact of the microenvironment on reaction to immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in patients with LUAD. Based on the TCGA-LUAD dataset, which is stratified into a training set as well as a validation set in a ratio of 2 : 1, this investigation constructs and validates a prognostic predictive power of a gene signature model of oxidative stress-related prognostic signatures. To ascertain the differences between the high-risk score group and the low-risk score group in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and patients' response to ICI therapy. This oxidative stress-related prognostic gene signature is composed of MAP3K19 and NTSR1 and is an independent prognosis-related factor in the LUAD group. The outcome of patients having a low risk score is better, and the difference was statistically significant, and individuals with a low risk score had a larger number of infiltrating immune cell distribution in the tumor microenvironment, which was closely related to clinical outcome. Our study suggests that the synergistic effect of oxidative stress-related prognostic gene markers-MAP3K19 and NTSR1 has clinical significance in the prognosis identification and immunotherapy of LUAD patients. Thus, the results may help to better intersect the oxidative stress-related mechanisms in clinical value in LUAD but requires prospective validation.

Identification of recurrent variants implicated in disease in bicuspid aortic valve patients through whole-exome sequencing

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is the most common congenital heart defect in human beings, with an estimated prevalence in the general population of between 0.5 and 2%. Moreover, BAV is the most common cause of aortic stenosis in the pediatric population. Patients with BAV may have no symptoms for life, and some of them may progress to aortic stenosis. Genetic factors increase the susceptibility and development of BAV. However, the pathogenesis and BAV are still unclear, and more genetic variants are still needed for elucidating the molecular mechanism and stratification of patients. The present study carried out screening of variants implicated in disease in BAV patients. The whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed in 20 BAV patients and identified 40 different heterozygous missense mutations in 36 genes (MIB2, FAAH, S100A1, RGS16, MAP3K19, NEB, TTN, TNS1, CAND2, CCK, KALRN, ATP10D, SLIT3, ROS1, FABP7, NUP205, IL11RA, NPR2, COL5A1, CUBN, JMJD1C, ANXA7, TRIM8, LGR4, TPCN2, APOA5, GPR84, LRP1, NCOR2, AKAP11, ESRRB, NGB, AKAP13, WWOX, KCNJ12, ARHGEF1). The mutations in these genes were identified as recurrent variants implicated in disease by in silico prediction tool analysis. Nine genes (MIB2, S100A1, TTN, CCK, NUP205, LGR4, NCOR2, ESRRB, and WWOX) among the 36 genes were identified as variants implicated in disease via unanimous agreement of in silico prediction tool analysis and sequenced in an independent cohort of 137 BAV patients to validate the results of WES. BAV patients carrying these variants demonstrated reduced left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) (63.8 ± 7.5% vs. 58.4 ± 5.2%, P < 0.001) and larger calcification volume [(1129.3 ± 154) mm³ vs. (1261.8 ± 123) mm³, P < 0.001]. The variants in TTN, NUP205 and NCOR2 genes are significantly associated with reduced LVEF, and the variants in S100A1, LGR4, ESRRB, and WWOX genes are significantly associated with larger calcification volume. We identified a panel of recurrent variants implicated in disease in genes related to the pathogenesis of BAV. Our data speculate that these variants are promising markers for risk stratification of BAV patients with increased susceptibility to aortic stenosis.

Targeting Growth Factor and Cytokine Pathways to Treat Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease of unknown origin that usually results in death from secondary respiratory failure within 2–5 years of diagnosis. Recent studies have identified key roles of cytokine and growth factor pathways in the pathogenesis of IPF. Although there have been numerous clinical trials of drugs investigating their efficacy in the treatment of IPF, only Pirfenidone and Nintedanib have been approved by the FDA. However, they have some major limitations, such as insufficient efficacy, undesired side effects and poor pharmacokinetic properties. To give more insights into the discovery of potential targets for the treatment of IPF, this review provides an overview of cytokines, growth factors and their signaling pathways in IPF, which have important implications for fully exploiting the therapeutic potential of targeting cytokine and growth factor pathways. Advances in the field of cytokine and growth factor pathways will help slow disease progression, prolong life, and improve the quality of life for IPF patients in the future.

Diosgenin inhibits TGF-β1/Smad signaling and regulates epithelial mesenchymal transition in experimental pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a grave disease characterized by abnormal wound healing associated with chronic, progressive, irreversible fatal lung disease, leading to persistent injuries to the alveolar epithelium. A consequent disturbance of fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis results in subsequent release of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators coupled with accumulation of extracellular matrix within the interstitium. Inexorable distortion of lung alveolar architecture leads to respiratory failure with a median survival rate of 3-5 years. Currently available drugs can only slowdown the progression of fibrosis and novel drugs are warranted to treat this disease. In this study, we demonstrate the fibro-protective effect of diosgenin in experimental lung fibrosis through regulation of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). A single dose of 3 U/kg body weight (b.wt) Bleomycin (BLM) was administered intratracheally in Wistar male albino rats and fibrotic animals were treated with diosgenin (100 mg/kg b.wt) orally for 28 days. BLM administered rat show histological alteration with increased mast cell and collagen accumulation. BLM induced abnormalities were significantly reduced upon treatment with diosgenin. Western blot analysis revealed an increased level of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic molecules such as IL-1β and TGF-β in BLM induced rats. Rats supplemented with diosgenin showed a decreased expression of inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators. Markers of EMT molecules were evaluated by immunoblot. The results of immunoblot demonstrate that diosgenin regulated the expression of TGF-β mediated EMT. Hence, from the overall study, administration of diosgenin prevents pulmonary fibrosis by restraint inflammation and EMT.

Pirfenidone Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Collagen I Production of Primary Human Intestinal Fibroblasts

Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease. So far, there is no safe and effective drug for intestinal fibrosis. Pirfenidone is an anti-fibrotic compound available for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we explored the anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic properties of pirfenidone on primary human intestinal fibroblasts (p-hIFs). p-hIFs were cultured in the absence and presence of pirfenidone. Cell proliferation was measured by a real-time cell analyzer (xCELLigence) and BrdU incorporation. Cell motility was monitored by live cell imaging. Cytotoxicity and cell viability were analyzed by Sytox green, Caspase-3 and Water Soluble Tetrazolium Salt-1 (WST-1) assays. Gene expression of fibrosis markers was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR). The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling was analyzed by Western blotting and type I collagen protein expression additionally by immunofluorescence microscopy. Pirfenidone dose-dependently inhibited p-hIF proliferation and motility, without inducing cell death. Pirfenidone suppressed mRNA levels of genes that contribute to extracellular matrix production, as well as basal and TGF-β1-induced collagen I protein production, which was associated with inhibition of the rapamycin-sensitive mTOR/p70S6K pathway in p-hIFs. Thus, pirfenidone inhibits the proliferation of intestinal fibroblasts and suppresses collagen I production through the TGF-β1/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway, which might be a novel and safe anti-fibrotic strategy to treat intestinal fibrosis.

P311 Promotes Lung Fibrosis via Stimulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β1, -β2, and -β3 Translation

Interstitial lung fibrosis, a frequently idiopathic and fatal disease, has been linked to the increased expression of profibrotic transforming growth factor (TGF)-βs. P311 is an RNA-binding protein that stimulates TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3 translation in several cell types through its interaction with the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3b. We report that P311 is switched on in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and in the mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. To assess the in vivo role of P311 in lung fibrosis, BLM was instilled into the lungs of P311-knockout mice, in which fibrotic changes were significantly decreased in tandem with a reduction in TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3 concentration/activity compared with BLM-treated wild-type mice. Complementing these findings, forced P311 expression increased TGF-β concentration/activity in mouse and human lung fibroblasts, thereby leading to an activated phenotype with increased collagen production, as seen in IPF. Consistent with a specific effect of P311 on TGF-β translation, TGF-β1-, -β2-, and -β3-neutralizing antibodies downregulated P311-induced collagen production by lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, treatment of BLM-exposed P311 knockouts with recombinant TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3 induced pulmonary fibrosis to a degree similar to that found in BLM-treated wild-type mice. These studies demonstrate the essential function of P311 in TGF-β-mediated lung fibrosis. Targeting P311 could prove efficacious in ameliorating the severity of IPF while circumventing the development of autoimmune complications and toxicities associated with the use of global TGF-β inhibitors.

Targeting MAP3K19 prevents human lung myofibroblast activation both in vitro and in a humanized SCID model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a disease with a devastating prognosis characterized by unrelenting lung scarring. Aberrant activation of lung fibroblasts is a key feature of this disease, yet the key pathways responsible for this are poorly understood. Mitogen-activated protein kinase, kinase, kinase- 19 (MAP3K19) was recently shown to be upregulated in IPF and this MAPK has a key role in target gene transcription in the TGF-β pathway. Herein, we further investigate the role of MAP3K19 in cultured normal and IPF fibroblasts and in a humanized SCID mouse model of IPF employing both short interfering (si) RNA and novel small-molecule inhibitors directed at this kinase. Targeting MAP3K19 had significant inhibitory effects on the expression of both alpha smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix in cultured human IPF fibroblasts. Quantitative protein and biochemical assays, as well as histological analysis, showed that MAP3K19 was required for the development of lung fibrosis in SCID mice humanized with IPF lung fibroblasts. MAP3K19 was required for IPF myofibroblast differentiation, and targeting its activity attenuated the profibrotic activity of these cells both in vitro and in an adoptive transfer SCID model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor Internalization via Caveolae Is Regulated by Tubulin-β2 and Tubulin-β3 during Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Fibrotic disorders, which are caused by long-term inflammation, are observed in numerous organs. These disorders are regulated mainly through transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family proteins by a fundamental cellular mechanism, known as the endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Therefore, there is a pressing need to identify the mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets that enable the inhibition of endothelial transdifferentiation. This study is the first to demonstrate that glycosylation of tubulin-β2 and tubulin-β3 in microtubules enhances sensitivity to TGF-β1 stimulation in human microvascular endothelial cells. We observed that the microtubules enriched in glycosylated tubulin-β2 and tubulin-β3 were necessary for caveolae-dependent TGF-β receptor internalization. Post-translational modulation is critical for the generation of myofibroblasts through endothelial-mesenchymal transition during fibrosis development. We suggest that microtubule glycosylation may become the target of new effective therapies for patients with recognized fibrotic diseases.

Genes lost during the transition from land to water in cetaceans highlight genomic changes associated with aquatic adaptations

The transition from land to water in whales and dolphins (cetaceans) was accompanied by remarkable adaptations. To reveal genomic changes that occurred during this transition, we screened for protein-coding genes that were inactivated in the ancestral cetacean lineage. We found 85 gene losses. Some of these were likely beneficial for cetaceans, for example, by reducing the risk of thrombus formation during diving (F12 and KLKB1), erroneous DNA damage repair (POLM), and oxidative stress-induced lung inflammation (MAP3K19). Additional gene losses may reflect other diving-related adaptations, such as enhanced vasoconstriction during the diving response (mediated by SLC6A18) and altered pulmonary surfactant composition (SEC14L3), while loss of SLC4A9 relates to a reduced need for saliva. Last, loss of melatonin synthesis and receptor genes (AANAT, ASMT, and MTNR1A/B) may have been a precondition for adopting unihemispheric sleep. Our findings suggest that some genes lost in ancestral cetaceans were likely involved in adapting to a fully aquatic lifestyle.

[Search for genetic markers for precise diagnostics of keratoconus]

Keratoconus is a chronic disorder of the cornea, characterized by its progressive thinning, stretching, and conical protrusion. Diagnostics of subclinical keratoconus, as well as its early stages (forme fruste), is a complex problem. The presence of these forms of keratoconus in a patient is one of the reasons for the development of keratectasia after laser refractive surgery. Currently, the role of genetic factors in keratoconus development has been proven. This indicates the possibility of diagnostics of subclinical and forme fruste keratoconus using genetic markers. Knowledge about the patient's genetic susceptibility to keratoconus would allow correcting the tactics of treatment of refractive anomalies and avoiding serious side effects. The studies of causal mutations indicate the genetic heterogeneity of keratoconus, which complicates the development of a diagnostic panel. Selection of candidate variants from the currently known ones based on clear criteria may be one of the approaches for diagnostic markers search. In this review, we have analyzed articles on keratoconus markers in order to form a list of candidate variants for genotyping in the Russian population. The selection criteria took into account the complexes of symptoms in which a marker was found, populations in which a particular marker was investigated, the presence and results of replication studies. The analysis included markers in VSX1, SOD1, ZEB1, LOX, CAST, DOCK9, TGFBI, HGF, MAP3K19, KCND3, COL4A3, COL4A4, COL5A1, FNDC3B, FOXO1, BANP-ZNF469, MPDZ-NF1B, WNT10A genes. Based on the results of the analysis, the following candidate variants were selected for genotyping in the Russian population of patients with keratoconus: rs1536482 and rs7044529 in the COL5A1 gene, rs5745752 and rs2286194 in the HGF gene, rs4954218 in the MAP3K19 gene, rs4839200 near the KCND3 gene, rs2721051 near the FOXO1 gene, rs1324183 between the MPDZ and the NF1B genes, and rs121908120 in the WNT10A gene.

Shear force-based genetic screen reveals negative regulators of cell adhesion and protrusive activity

The model organism Dictyostelium discoideum has greatly facilitated our understanding of the signal transduction and cytoskeletal pathways that govern cell motility. Cell-substrate adhesion is downstream of many migratory and chemotaxis signaling events. Dictyostelium cells lacking the tumor suppressor PTEN show strongly impaired migratory activity and adhere strongly to their substrates. We reasoned that other regulators of migration could be obtained through a screen for overly adhesive mutants. A screen of restriction enzyme-mediated integration mutagenized cells yielded numerous mutants with the desired phenotypes, and the insertion sites in 18 of the strains were mapped. These regulators of adhesion and motility mutants have increased adhesion and decreased motility. Characterization of seven strains demonstrated decreased directed migration, flatness, increased filamentous actin-based protrusions, and increased signal transduction network activity. Many of the genes share homology to human genes and demonstrate the diverse array of cellular networks that function in adhesion and migration.

An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report: Use of Animal Models for the Preclinical Assessment of Potential Therapies for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Numerous compounds have shown efficacy in limiting development of pulmonary fibrosis using animal models, yet few of these compounds have replicated these beneficial effects in clinical trials. Given the challenges associated with performing clinical trials in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), it is imperative that preclinical data packages be robust in their analyses and interpretations to have the best chance of selecting promising drug candidates to advance to clinical trials. The American Thoracic Society has convened a group of experts in lung fibrosis to discuss and formalize recommendations for preclinical assessment of antifibrotic compounds. The panel considered three major themes (choice of animal, practical considerations of fibrosis modeling, and fibrotic endpoints for evaluation). Recognizing the need for practical considerations, we have taken a pragmatic approach. The consensus view is that use of the murine intratracheal bleomycin model in animals of both genders, using hydroxyproline measurements for collagen accumulation along with histologic assessments, is the best-characterized animal model available for preclinical testing. Testing of antifibrotic compounds in this model is recommended to occur after the acute inflammatory phase has subsided (generally after Day 7). Robust analyses may also include confirmatory studies in human IPF specimens and validation of results in a second system using in vivo or in vitro approaches. The panel also strongly encourages the publication of negative results to inform the lung fibrosis community. These recommendations are for preclinical therapeutic evaluation only and are not intended to dissuade development of emerging technologies to better understand IPF pathogenesis.

MAP3K19 Is Overexpressed in COPD and Is a Central Mediator of Cigarette Smoke-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation and Lower Airway Destruction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airflow limitation and lung inflammation resulting in a progressive decline in lung function whose principle cause is cigarette smoke. MAP3K19 is a novel kinase expressed predominantly by alveolar and interstitial macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells in the lung. We found that MAP3K19 mRNA was overexpressed in a limited sampling of lung tissue from COPD patients, and a closer examination found it to be overexpressed in bronchoalveolar macrophages from COPD patients, as well as the bronchial epithelium and inflammatory cells in the lamina propria. We further found MAP3K19 to be induced in various cell lines upon environmental stress, such as cigarette smoke, oxidative and osmotic stress. Exogenous expression of MAP3K19 in cells caused an upregulation of transcriptionally active NF-κB, and secretion of the chemokines CXCL-8, CCL-20 and CCL-7. Inhibition of MAP3K19 activity by siRNA or small molecular weight inhibitors caused a decrease in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in various murine models, which included a decrease in pulmonary neutrophilia and KC levels. In a chronic cigarette smoke model, inhibition of MAP3K19 significantly attenuated emphysematous changes in airway parenchyma. Finally, in a viral exacerbation model, mice exposed to cigarette smoke and influenza A virus showed a decrease in pulmonary neutrophilia, pro-inflammatory cytokines and viral load upon inhibition of MAP3K19. Collectively, these results suggest that inhibition of MAP3K19 may represent a novel strategy to target COPD that promises to have a potential therapeutic benefit for patients.