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Somanader DVN, Zhao P, Widdop RE, Samuel CS. The involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in fibrosis progression and its therapeutic targeting by relaxin. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116130. [PMID: 38490518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Organ scarring, referred to as fibrosis, results from a failed wound-healing response to chronic tissue injury and is characterised by the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Once established, fibrosis is recognised as a hallmark of stiffened and dysfunctional tissues, hence, various fibrosis-related diseases collectively contribute to high morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite this, these diseases are ineffectively treated by currently-available medications. The pro-fibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, has emerged as the master regulator of fibrosis progression, owing to its ability to promote various factors and processes that facilitate rapid ECM synthesis and deposition, whilst negating ECM degradation. TGF-β1 signal transduction is tightly controlled by canonical (Smad-dependent) and non-canonical (MAP kinase- and Rho-associated protein kinase-dependent) intracellular protein activity, whereas its pro-fibrotic actions can also be facilitated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This review outlines the pathological sequence of events and contributing roles of TGF-β1 in the progression of fibrosis, and how the Wnt/β-catenin pathway contributes to tissue repair in acute disease settings, but to fibrosis and related tissue dysfunction in synergy with TGF-β1 in chronic diseases. It also outlines the anti-fibrotic and related signal transduction mechanisms of the hormone, relaxin, that are mediated via its negative modulation of TGF-β1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, but through the promotion of Wnt/β-catenin activity in acute disease settings. Collectively, this highlights that the crosstalk between TGF-β1 signal transduction and the Wnt/β-catenin cascade may provide a therapeutic target that can be exploited to broadly treat and reverse established fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deidree V N Somanader
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Peishen Zhao
- Drug Discovery Biology Program, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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Wei X, Liu J, Xu Z, Wang D, Zhu Q, Chen Q, Xu W. Research progress on the pharmacological mechanism, in vivo metabolism and structural modification of Erianin. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 173:116295. [PMID: 38401517 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Erianin is an important bibenzyl compound in dendrobium and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. Since Erianin was discovered, abundant results have been achieved in the in vitro synthesis, structural modification, and pharmacological mechanism research. Researchers have developed a series of simple and efficient in vitro synthesis methods to improve the shortcomings of poor water solubility by replacing the chemical structure or coating it in nanomaterials. Erianin has a broad anti-tumor spectrum and significant anti-tumor effects. In addition, Erianin also has pharmacological actions like immune regulation, anti-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenesis. A comprehensive understanding of the synthesis, metabolism, structural modification, and pharmacological action pathways of Erianin is of great value for the utilization of Erianin. Therefore, this review conducts a relatively systematic look back at Erianin from the above four aspects, to give a reference for the evolvement and further appliance of Erianin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wei
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Jiajia Liu
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; Department of Geriatrics, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, PR China
| | - Ziming Xu
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, PR China
| | - Dan Wang
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; Department of Geriatrics, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, PR China
| | - Qizhi Zhu
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Qi Chen
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China
| | - Weiping Xu
- Institute of Intelligent Machines, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, PR China; University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China; Department of Geriatrics, Gerontology Institute of Anhui Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, PR China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Tumor Immunotherapy and Nutrition Therapy, Hefei 230001, PR China.
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Yi J, Jeong JH, Won J, Chung S, Pak JH. The crosstalk between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells promotes the progression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and periductal fibrosis during Clonorchis sinensis infection. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:151. [PMID: 38519993 PMCID: PMC10958959 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06236-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Clonorchis sinensis infection is one of the risk factors that provokes chronic inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, periductal fibrosis and even cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Disrupted or aberrant intercellular communication among liver-constituting cells leads to pathological states that cause various hepatic diseases. This study was designed to investigate the pathological changes caused by C. sinensis excretory-secretory products (ESPs) in non-cancerous human cell lines (cholangiocytes [H69 cell line] and human hepatic stellate cells [LX2 cell line]) and their intercellular crosstalk, as well the pathological changes in infected mouse liver tissues. METHODS The cells were treated with ESPs, following which transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion levels and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)- and fibrosis-related protein expression were measured. The ESP-mediated cellular motility (migration/invasion) between two cells was assessed using the Transwell and three-dimensional microfluidic assay models. The livers of C. sinensis-infected mice were stained using EMT and fibrotic marker proteins. RESULTS Treatment of cells with ESPs increased TGF-β1 and IL-6 secretion and the expression of EMT- and fibrosis-related proteins. The ESP-mediated mutual cell interaction further affected the cytokine secretion and protein expression levels and promoted cellular motility. N-cadherin overexpression and collagen fiber deposition were observed in the livers of C. sinensis-infected mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that EMT and biliary fibrosis occur through intercellular communication between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells during C. sinensis infection, promoting malignant transformation and advanced hepatobiliary abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyeong Yi
- Department of Biochemistry, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology (AMIST), University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Department of Biochemistry, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology (AMIST), University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihee Won
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok Chung
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Korea University, 145 Anam-Ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Jhang Ho Pak
- Department of Biochemistry, Asan Medical Institute of Convergence Science and Technology (AMIST), University of Ulsan College of Medicine and Asan Medical Center (AMC), 88 Olympic-Ro 43-Gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul, 05505, Republic of Korea.
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Wang Y, Jiao L, Qiang C, Chen C, Shen Z, Ding F, Lv L, Zhu T, Lu Y, Cui X. The role of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in fibrosis diseases and its molecular mechanisms. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116116. [PMID: 38181715 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a process of tissue repair that results in the slow creation of scar tissue to replace healthy tissue and can affect any tissue or organ. Its primary feature is the massive deposition of extracellular matrix (mainly collagen), eventually leading to tissue dysfunction and organ failure. The progression of fibrotic diseases has put a significant strain on global health and the economy, and as a result, there is an urgent need to find some new therapies. Previous studies have identified that inflammation, oxidative stress, some cytokines, and remodeling play a crucial role in fibrotic diseases and are essential avenues for treating fibrotic diseases. Among them, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are considered the main targets for the treatment of fibrotic diseases since they are the primary driver involved in ECM degradation, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are natural endogenous inhibitors of MMPs. Through previous studies, we found that MMP-9 is an essential target for treating fibrotic diseases. However, it is worth noting that MMP-9 plays a bidirectional regulatory role in different fibrotic diseases or different stages of the same fibrotic disease. Previously identified MMP-9 inhibitors, such as pirfenidone and nintedanib, suffer from some rather pronounced side effects, and therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate new drugs. In this review, we explore the mechanism of action and signaling pathways of MMP-9 in different tissues and organs, hoping to provide some ideas for developing safer and more effective biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuling Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Linke Jiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Caoxia Qiang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zihuan Shen
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Ding
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lifei Lv
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Zhu
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yingdong Lu
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangning Cui
- Department of Cardiovascular Unit, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Ghafouri‐Fard S, Askari A, Shoorei H, Seify M, Koohestanidehaghi Y, Hussen BM, Taheri M, Samsami M. Antioxidant therapy against TGF-β/SMAD pathway involved in organ fibrosis. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18052. [PMID: 38041559 PMCID: PMC10826439 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis refers to excessive build-up of scar tissue and extracellular matrix components in different organs. In recent years, it has been revealed that different cytokines and chemokines, especially Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. It has been shown that TGF-β is upregulated in fibrotic tissues, and contributes to fibrosis by mediating pathways that are related to matrix preservation and fibroblasts differentiation. There is no doubt that antioxidants protect against different inflammatory conditions by reversing the effects of nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur-based reactive elements. Oxidative stress has a direct impact on chronic inflammation, and as results, prolonged inflammation ultimately results in fibrosis. Different types of antioxidants, in the forms of vitamins, natural compounds or synthetic ones, have been proven to be beneficial in the protection against fibrotic conditions both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we reviewed the role of different compounds with antioxidant activity in induction or inhibition of TGF-β/SMAD signalling pathway, with regard to different fibrotic conditions such as gastro-intestinal fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, skin fibrosis, renal fibrosis and also some rare cases of fibrosis, both in animal models and cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soudeh Ghafouri‐Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of MedicineShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Arian Askari
- Phytochemistry Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Hamed Shoorei
- Cellular and Molecular Research CenterBirjand University of Medical SciencesBirjandIran
- Clinical Research Development Unit of Tabriz Valiasr HospitalTabriz University of Medical SciencesTabrizIran
| | - Mohammad Seify
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences InstituteShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran
| | - Yeganeh Koohestanidehaghi
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences InstituteShahid Sadoughi University of Medical SciencesYazdIran
| | - Bashdar Mahmud Hussen
- Department of Clinical Analysis, College of PharmacyHawler Medical UniversityErbilIraq
| | - Mohammad Taheri
- Institute of Human GeneticsJena University HospitalJenaGermany
- Urology and Nephrology Research CenterShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
| | - Majid Samsami
- Cancer Research Center, Loghman Hakim HospitalShahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesTehranIran
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Sabir U, Gu HM, Zhang DW. Extracellular matrix turnover: phytochemicals target and modulate the dual role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in liver fibrosis. Phytother Res 2023; 37:4932-4962. [PMID: 37461256 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) resolution by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is a well-documented mechanism. MMPs play a dual and complex role in modulating ECM degradation at different stages of liver fibrosis, depending on the timing and levels of their expression. Increased MMP-1 combats disease progression by cleaving the fibrillar ECM. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) increase expression of MMP-2, -9, and -13 in different chemicals-induced animal models, which may alleviate or worsen disease progression based on animal models and the stage of liver fibrosis. In the early stage, elevated expression of certain MMPs may damage surrounding tissue and activate HSCs, promoting fibrosis progression. At the later stage, downregulation of MMPs can facilitate ECM accumulation and disease progression. A number of phytochemicals modulate MMP activity and ECM turnover, alleviating disease progression. However, the effects of phytochemicals on the expression of different MMPs are variable and may depend on the disease models and stage, and the dosage, timing and duration of phytochemicals used in each study. Here, we review the most recent advances in the role of MMPs in the effects of phytochemicals on liver fibrogenesis, which indicates that further studies are warranted to confirm and define the potential clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Sabir
- Department of Pediatrics and Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hong-Mei Gu
- Department of Pediatrics and Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Da-Wei Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics and Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Zhao YQ, Deng XW, Xu GQ, Lin J, Lu HZ, Chen J. Mechanical homeostasis imbalance in hepatic stellate cells activation and hepatic fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1183808. [PMID: 37152902 PMCID: PMC10157180 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1183808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic liver disease or repeated damage to hepatocytes can give rise to hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a pathological process of excessive sedimentation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as collagens, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans (PGs) in the hepatic parenchyma. Changes in the composition of the ECM lead to the stiffness of the matrix that destroys its inherent mechanical homeostasis, and a mechanical homeostasis imbalance activates hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts, which can overproliferate and secrete large amounts of ECM proteins. Excessive ECM proteins are gradually deposited in the Disse gap, and matrix regeneration fails, which further leads to changes in ECM components and an increase in stiffness, forming a vicious cycle. These processes promote the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis. In this review, the dynamic process of ECM remodeling of HF and the activation of HSCs into mechanotransduction signaling pathways for myofibroblasts to participate in HF are discussed. These mechanotransduction signaling pathways may have potential therapeutic targets for repairing or reversing fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Quan Zhao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Xi-Wen Deng
- Graduate School of Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Guo-Qi Xu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Hua-Ze Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, Nanning, China
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