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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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Wu QP, Vang S, Zhou JQ, Krick S, Barnes JW, Sanders YY. O-GlcNAc regulates anti-fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts through EZH2. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18191. [PMID: 38494860 PMCID: PMC10945079 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18191] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are involved in fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and contribute to the silencing of anti-fibrotic genes. H3K27me3, a key repressive histone mark, is catalysed by the methyltransferase enhancer of Zeste homologue 2 (EZH2), which is regulated by the post-translational modification, O-linked N-Acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc). In this study, we explored the effects of O-GlcNAc and EZH2 on the expression of antifibrotic genes, cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) and Heme Oxygenase (Homx1). The expression of Cox2 and Hmox1 was examined in primary IPF or non-IPF lung fibroblasts with or without EZH2 inhibitor EZP6438, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) inhibitor (OSMI-1) or O-GlcNAcase (OGA) inhibitor (thiamet G). Non-IPF cells were also subjected to TGF-β1 with or without OGT inhibition. The reduced expression of Cox2 and Hmox1 in IPF lung fibroblasts is restored by OGT inhibition. In non-IPF fibroblasts, TGF-β1 treatment reduces Cox2 and Hmox1 expression, which was restored by OGT inhibition. ChIP assays demonstrated that the association of H3K27me3 is reduced at the Cox2 and Hmox1 promoter regions following OGT or EZH2 inhibition. EZH2 levels and stability were decreased by reducing O-GlcNAc. Our study provided a novel mechanism of O-GlcNAc modification in regulating anti-fibrotic genes in lung fibroblasts and in the pathogenesis of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuming P. Wu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Shia Vang
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Jennifer Q. Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell BiologyEastern Virginia Medical SchoolNorfolkVirginiaUSA
| | - Stefanie Krick
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Jarrod W. Barnes
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
| | - Yan Y. Sanders
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of MedicineUniversity of Alabama at BirminghamBirminghamAlabamaUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell BiologyEastern Virginia Medical SchoolNorfolkVirginiaUSA
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Xi Y, Ge Y, Hu D, Xia T, Chen J, Zhang C, Cui Y, Xiao H. Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide prevents corpus cavernosum fibrosis and erectile dysfunction in bilateral cavernous nerve injury-induced rats. J Sex Med 2023; 20:1274-1284. [PMID: 37724695 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corpus cavernosum (CC) fibrosis significantly contributes to post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (pRP-ED). Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (CSD)-derived peptide has gained significant concern as a potent antagonist of tissue fibrosis. However, applying CSD peptide on bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI)-induced rats remains uninvestigated. AIM The aim was to explore the therapeutic outcome and underlying mechanism of CSD peptide for preventing ED in BCNI rats according to the hypothesis that CSD peptide may exert beneficial effects on erectile tissue and function following BCNI through limiting collagen synthesis in CC smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) and CC fibrosis. METHODS After completing a random assignment of male Sprague Dawley rats (10 weeks of age), BCNI rats received either saline or CSD peptide treatment, as opposed to sham-operated rats. The evaluations of erectile function (EF) and succedent collection and histological and molecular biological examinations of penile tissue were accomplished 3 weeks postoperatively. In addition, the fibrotic model of CCSMCs was used to further explore the mechanism of CSD peptide action in vitro. OUTCOMES The assessments of EF, SMC/collagen ratio, α-smooth muscle actin, caveolin-1 (CAV1), and profibrotic indicators expressions were conducted. RESULTS BCNI rats exhibited significant decreases in EF, SMC/collagen ratio, α-SMA, and CAV1 levels, and increases in collagen content together with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad2 activity. However, impaired EF, activated CC fibrosis, and Smad2 signaling were attenuated after 3 weeks of CSD peptide treatment in BCNI rats. In vitro, TGF-β1-induced CCSMCs underwent fibrogenetic transformation characterized by lower expression of CAV1, higher collagen composition, and phosphorylation of Smad2; then, the delivery of CSD peptide could significantly block CCSMC fibrosis by inactivating Smad2 signaling. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Based on available evidence of CSD peptide in the prevention of ED in BCNI rats, this study can aid in the development and clinical application of CSD peptide targeting pRP-ED. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS This study provides data to suggest that CSD peptide protects against BCNI-induced deleterious alterations in EF and CC tissues. However, the available evidence still does not fully clarify the detailed mechanism of action of CSD peptide. CONCLUSION Administration of CSD peptide significantly retarded collagen synthesis in CCSMCs, limited CC fibrosis, and prevented ED via confrontation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling in BCNI rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Xi
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Yunlong Ge
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Daoyuan Hu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
- Department of Urology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Tian Xia
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Jialiang Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Yubin Cui
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Hengjun Xiao
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
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Chen J, Jian X, Li C, Cheng B. Therapeutic potential of amitriptyline for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis: Involvement of caveolin-1-mediated anti-epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inhibition of apoptosis. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2023; 254:114732. [PMID: 36898313 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114732] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Treatment of pulmonary fibrosis caused by paraquat (PQ) poisoning remains problematic. Amitriptyline (AMT) has multiple pharmacological effects. Here we investigated the anti-fibrotic effect of AMT on PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis and its possible mechanism. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control, PQ, PQ + AMT and AMT groups. Histopathology of the lungs, blood gas analysis, and levels of hydroxyproline (HYP), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin 17 (IL-17) were measured. The siRNA transfection inhibited caveolin-1 in A549 cells, which induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by PQ and followed intervention with AMT. E-cadherin, N-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and caveolin-1 were studied by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. The apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS Compared with the PQ group, the PQ + AMT group displayed mild pathological changes in pulmonary fibrosis, lower HYP, IL-17 and TGF- β1 levels in lung, but high TGF- β1 in serum. Levels of N-cadherin and α-SMA in the lungs were significantly decreased, but caveolin-1 was increased, while SaO2 and PaO2 levels were higher. Compared with the PQ group, the apoptosis rate, N-cadherin and α-SMA levels in A549 cells were significantly decreased after PQ treatment and high dose AMT intervention (p < 0.01). The expressions of E-cadherin, N-cadherin and α-SMA in the PQ-induced cells transfected with caveolin-1 siRNA or siControl RNA were significantly different (p < 0.01), but the apoptosis rate was unaltered. CONCLUSION AMT inhibited PQ-induced EMT in A549 cells and improved lung histopathology and oxygenation in mice by up-regulating caveolin-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianshi Chen
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Xiangdong Jian
- Department of Poisoning and Occupational Diseases, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Chunmei Li
- Department of Digestive Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China
| | - Bihuang Cheng
- Department of Intensive Care Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China.
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Kanno Y. The uPA/uPAR System Orchestrates the Inflammatory Response, Vascular Homeostasis, and Immune System in Fibrosis Progression. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24. [PMID: 36675310 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases, such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis and liver cirrhosis are characterized by tissue overgrowth due to excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Fibrosis progression is caused by ECM overproduction and the inhibition of ECM degradation due to several events, including inflammation, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and immune abnormalities. Recently, it has been reported that urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR), known to be fibrinolytic factors, orchestrate the inflammatory response, vascular homeostasis, and immune homeostasis system. The uPA/uPAR system may show promise as a potential therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases. This review considers the role of the uPA/uPAR system in the progression of fibrotic diseases.
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Yadav P, Kundu P, Pandey VK, Amin PJ, Nair J, Shankar BS. Effects of prolonged treatment of TGF-βR inhibitor SB431542 on radiation-induced signaling in breast cancer cells. Int J Radiat Biol 2022; 98:1-15. [PMID: 35446183 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2022.2069299] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We have earlier characterized increased TGF-β signaling in radioresistant breast cancer cells. In this study, we wanted to determine the effect of prolonged treatment of TGF-βR inhibitor SB431542 on radiation-induced signaling, viz., genes regulating apoptosis, EMT, anti and pro-inflammatory cytokines. MATERIALS AND METHODS Breast cancer cells were pretreated with TGF-βR inhibitor (SB 431542) followed by exposure to 6 Gy and recovery period of 7 days (D7-6G). We assessed cell survival by MTT assay, cytokines by ELISA and expression analysis by RT-PCR, flow cytometry, and western blot. We carried out migration assays using trans well inserts. We performed bioinformatics analyses of human cancer database through cBioportal. RESULTS There was an upregulation of TGF-β1 and 3 and downregulation of TGF-β2, TGF-βR1, and TGF-βR2 in invasive breast carcinoma samples compared to normal tissue. TGF-β1 and TNF-α was higher in radioresistant D7-6G cells with upregulation of pSMAD3, pNF-kB, and ERK signaling. Pretreatment of D7-6G cells with TGF-βR inhibitor SB431542 abrogated pSMAD3, increased proliferation, and migration along with an increase in apoptosis and pro-apoptotic genes. This was associated with hybrid E/M phenotype and downregulation of TGF-β downstream genes, HMGA2 and Snail. There was complete agreement in the expression of mRNA and protein data in genes like vimentin, Snail and HMGA2 in different treatment groups. However, there was disagreement in expression of mRNA and protein in genes like Bax, Bcl-2, E-cadherin, Zeb-1 among the different treatment groups indicating post-transcriptional and post-translational processing of these proteins. Treatment of cells with only SB431542 also increased expression of some E/M genes indicating TGF-β independent effects. Increased IL-6 and IL-10 secretion by SB431542 along with increase in pSTAT3 and pCREB1 could probably explain these TGF-β/Smad3 independent effects. CONCLUSION These results highlight that TGF-β-pSMAD3 and TNF-α-pNF-kB are the predominant signaling pathways in radioresistant cells and possibility of some TGF-β/Smad3 independent effects on prolonged treatment with the drug SB431542.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poonam Yadav
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Priya Kundu
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
| | - Vipul K Pandey
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Prayag J Amin
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Jisha Nair
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
| | - Bhavani S Shankar
- Radiation Biology and Health Sciences Division, Bio-Science Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, India
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Liu X, Song YJ, Chen X, Huang MY, Zhao CX, Zhou X, Zhou X. Asiaticoside Combined With Carbon Ion Implantation to Improve the Biocompatibility of Silicone Rubber and to Reduce the Risk of Capsule Contracture. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:810244. [PMID: 35646845 PMCID: PMC9133697 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.810244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsular contracture caused by silicone rubber is a critical issue in plastic surgery that urgently needs to be solved. Studies have shown that carbon ion implant in silicone rubber (carbon silicone rubber, C-SR) can significantly improve the capsular structure, but the effect of this improvement only appear 2months or later. In this study, asiaticoside combined with carbon silicone rubber was used to explore the changes in the capsule to provide a reference for the treatment of capsule contracture. Human fibroblasts (HFF-1) were used for in vitro experiments. The combined effect of asiaticoside and carbon silicone rubber on cell proliferation was determined by the CCK8 method, cell migration changes were measured by Transwell assays, cell cycle changes were measured by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of fibroblast transformation markers (vimentin and α-SMA), collagen (Col-1A1) and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins (TGF-β1, TβRI, TβRII and Smad2/3) were detected by immunofluorescence. In vivo experiments were carried out by subcutaneous implantation of the material in SD rats, and asiaticoside was oral administered simultaneously. WB and ELISA were used to detect changes in the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins. TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway proteins were then detected and confirmed by HE, Masson and immunohistochemical staining. The results shown that asiaticoside combined with carbon ion implantation inhibited the viability, proliferation and migration of fibroblasts on silicone rubber. In vitro immunofluorescence showed that the secretion levels of α-SMA and Col-1A1 were significantly decreased, the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts was weakened, and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway was inhibited. In vivo experimental results showed that asiaticoside combined with carbon silicone rubber inhibited TGF-β1 secretion and inhibited the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, reducing the thickness of the capsule and collagen deposition. These results imply that carbon silicone rubber combined with asiaticoside can regulate the viability, proliferation and migration of fibroblasts by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway and reduce capsule thickness and collagen deposition, which greatly reduces the incidence of capsule contracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Liu
- Department of Cosmetology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Ya-Jun Song
- Department of Urology, Xinqiao Hospital, The Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Cosmetology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Meng-Ya Huang
- Department of Cosmetology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Chen-Xi Zhao
- Department of Cosmetology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Xun Zhou
- Department of Cosmetology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xun Zhou, ; Xin Zhou,
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Pathology, Bishan Hospital, The Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Xun Zhou, ; Xin Zhou,
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Luo X, Deng Q, Xue Y, Zhang T, Wu Z, Peng H, Xuan L, Pan G. Anti-Fibrosis Effects of Magnesium Lithospermate B in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis: By Inhibiting TGF-βRI/Smad Signaling. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26061715. [PMID: 33808650 PMCID: PMC8003516 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26061715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe and irreversible interstitial pulmonary disease with high mortality and few treatments. Magnesium lithospermate B (MLB) is a hydrosoluble component of Salvia miltiorrhiza and has been reported to have antifibrotic effects in other forms of tissue fibrosis. In this research, we studied the effects of MLB on pulmonary fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms. Our results indicated that MLB treatment (50 mg/kg) for seven days could attenuate bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis by reducing the alveolar structure disruption and collagen deposition in the C57 mouse model. MLB was also found to inhibit transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)-stimulated myofibroblastic transdifferentiation of human lung fibroblast cell line (MRC-5) cells and collagen production by human type II alveolar epithelial cell line (A549) cells, mainly by decreasing the expression of TGF-β receptor I (TGF-βRI) and regulating the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Further studies confirmed that the molecular mechanisms of MLB in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice were similar to those observed in vitro. In summary, our results demonstrated that MLB could alleviate experimental pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro, suggesting that MLB has great potential for pulmonary fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
- School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiangqiang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
| | - Yaru Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
- School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Tianwei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
- School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhitao Wu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210033, China;
| | - Huige Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
| | - Lijiang Xuan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
- School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence: (L.X.); (G.P.)
| | - Guoyu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Science, 501 Haike Road, Shanghai 201203, China; (X.L.); (Q.D.); (Y.X.); (T.Z.); (H.P.)
- School of Pharmacy, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Correspondence: (L.X.); (G.P.)
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Bracco Gartner TCL, Stein JM, Muylaert DEP, Bouten CVC, Doevendans PA, Khademhosseini A, Suyker WJL, Sluijter JPG, Hjortnaes J. Advanced In Vitro Modeling to Study the Paradox of Mechanically Induced Cardiac Fibrosis. Tissue Eng Part C Methods 2021; 27:100-114. [PMID: 33407000 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tec.2020.0298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In heart failure, cardiac fibrosis is the result of an adverse remodeling process. Collagen is continuously synthesized in the myocardium in an ongoing attempt of the heart to repair itself. The resulting collagen depositions act counterproductively, causing diastolic dysfunction and disturbing electrical conduction. Efforts to treat cardiac fibrosis specifically have not been successful and the molecular etiology is only partially understood. The differentiation of quiescent cardiac fibroblasts to extracellular matrix-depositing myofibroblasts is a hallmark of cardiac fibrosis and a key aspect of the adverse remodeling process. This conversion is induced by a complex interplay of biochemical signals and mechanical stimuli. Tissue-engineered 3D models to study cardiac fibroblast behavior in vitro indicate that cyclic strain can activate a myofibroblast phenotype. This raises the question how fibroblast quiescence is maintained in the healthy myocardium, despite continuous stimulation of ultimately profibrotic mechanotransductive pathways. In this review, we will discuss the convergence of biochemical and mechanical differentiation signals of myofibroblasts, and hypothesize how these affect this paradoxical quiescence. Impact statement Mechanotransduction pathways of cardiac fibroblasts seem to ultimately be profibrotic in nature, but in healthy human myocardium, cardiac fibroblasts remain quiescent, despite continuous mechanical stimulation. We propose three hypotheses that could explain this paradoxical state of affairs. Furthermore, we provide suggestions for future research, which should lead to a better understanding of fibroblast quiescence and activation, and ultimately to new strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C L Bracco Gartner
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen M Stein
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Dimitri E P Muylaert
- Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V C Bouten
- Division of Soft Tissue Engineering and Mechanobiology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Pieter A Doevendans
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Netherlands Heart Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Central Military Hospital, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ali Khademhosseini
- Department of Bioengineering, Radiology, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Center for Minimally Invasive Therapeutics (C-MIT), University of California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Willem J L Suyker
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Joost P G Sluijter
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jesper Hjortnaes
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.,University Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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10
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Zhou LY, Lin SN, Rieder F, Chen MH, Zhang SH, Mao R. Noncoding RNAs as Promising Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Intestinal Fibrosis of Crohn's Disease: The Path From Bench to Bedside. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2020; 27:971-982. [PMID: 33324986 PMCID: PMC8344842 DOI: 10.1093/ibd/izaa321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a major pathway to organ injury and failure, accounting for more than one-third of deaths worldwide. Intestinal fibrosis causes irreversible and serious clinical complications, such as strictures and obstruction, secondary to a complex pathogenesis. Under the stimulation of profibrotic soluble factors, excessive activation of mesenchymal cells causes extracellular matrix deposition via canonical transforming growth factor-β/Smads signaling or other pathways (eg, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition) in intestinal fibrogenesis. In recent studies, the importance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) stands out in fibrotic diseases in that ncRNAs exhibit a remarkable variety of biological functions in modulating the aforementioned fibrogenic responses. In this review, we summarize the role of ncRNAs, including the emerging long ncRNAs and circular RNAs, in intestinal fibrogenesis. Notably, the translational potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the management of intestinal fibrosis is discussed based on clinical trials from fibrotic diseases in other organs. The main points of this review include the following: • Characteristics of ncRNAs and mechanisms of intestinal fibrogenesis • Wide participation of ncRNAs (especially the emerging long ncRNAs and circular RNAs) in intestinal fibrosis, including transforming growth factor-β signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix remodeling • Translational potential of ncRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal fibrosis based on clinical trials from fibrotic diseases in other organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-Yuan Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Si-Nan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Min-Hu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Hong Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Address correspondence to: Ren Mao, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH (); and Sheng-Hong Zhang, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China ()
| | - Ren Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA,Address correspondence to: Ren Mao, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH (); and Sheng-Hong Zhang, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, 58 Zhongshan Road 2nd, Guangzhou 510080, People’s Republic of China ()
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11
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Abstract
Aging is an inevitable and complex natural phenomenon due to the increase in age. Cellular senescence means a non-proliferative but viable cellular physiological state. It is the basis of aging, and it exists in the body at any time point. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial fibrous lung disease with unknown etiology, characterized by irreversible destruction of lung structure and function. Aging is one of the most critical risk factors for IPF, and extensive epidemiological data confirms IPF as an aging-related disease. Senescent fibroblasts in IPF show abnormal activation, telomere shortening, metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis resistance, autophagy deficiency, and senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP). These characteristics of senescent fibroblasts establish a close link between cellular senescence and IPF. The treatment of senescence-related molecules and pathways is continually emerging, and using senolytics eliminating senescent fibroblasts is also actively tried as a new therapy for IPF. In this review, we discuss the roles of aging and cellular senescence in IPF. In particular, we summarize the signaling pathways through which senescent fibroblasts influence the occurrence and development of IPF. On this basis, we further talk about the current treatment ideas, hoping this paper can be used as a helpful reference for future researches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Lin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China
| | - Zhihao Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Yiwu, China
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12
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Aibara Y, Nakashima A, Kawano KI, Yusoff FM, Mizuki F, Kishimoto S, Kajikawa M, Maruhashi T, Higashi Y. Daily Low-intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Ameliorates Renal Fibrosis and Inflammation in Experimental Hypertensive and Diabetic Nephropathy. Hypertension 2020; 76:1906-1914. [PMID: 33131306 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.15237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The estimated morbidity rate of chronic kidney disease is 8% to 16% worldwide, and many patients with chronic kidney disease eventually develop renal failure. Thus, the development of new therapeutic strategies for preventing renal failure is crucial. In this study, we assessed the effects of daily low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) therapy on experimental hypertensive nephropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Unilateral nephrectomy and subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin II via osmotic mini-pumps were used to induce hypertensive nephropathy in mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed that daily LIPUS treatment ameliorated renal fibrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by angiotensin II. A similar therapeutic effect was also observed in mice with angiotensin II-induced hypertensive nephropathy in which splenectomy was performed. In addition, LIPUS treatment significantly decreased systolic blood pressure after 21 days. Subsequently, db/db mice with unilateral nephrectomy developed proteinuria; daily LIPUS treatment significantly reduced proteinuria after 42 days. In addition, immunohistochemistry revealed that renal fibrosis was significantly ameliorated by LIPUS treatment. Finally, LIPUS stimulation suppressed TGF-β1 (transforming growth factor-β1)-induced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 in HK-2 (human proximal tubular cell line) cells. LIPUS treatment may be a useful therapy for preventing the progression of renal fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiki Aibara
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University
| | - Ayumu Nakashima
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University.,Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences (A.N.), Hiroshima University
| | - Ki-Ichiro Kawano
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University
| | - Farina Mohamad Yusoff
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University
| | - Fumitaka Mizuki
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University
| | - Shinji Kishimoto
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University
| | - Masato Kajikawa
- Division of Regeneration and Medicine, Medical Center for Translational and Clinical Research, Hiroshima University Hospital (M.K., Y.H.)
| | - Tatsuya Maruhashi
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University
| | - Yukihito Higashi
- From the Department of Cardiovascular Regeneration and Medicine, Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine (Y.A., A.N., K.-i.K., F.M.Y., F.M., S.K., T.M., Y.H.), Hiroshima University.,Division of Regeneration and Medicine, Medical Center for Translational and Clinical Research, Hiroshima University Hospital (M.K., Y.H.)
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13
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Sanders YY, Lyv X, Zhou QJ, Xiang Z, Stanford D, Bodduluri S, Rowe SM, Thannickal VJ. Brd4-p300 inhibition downregulates Nox4 and accelerates lung fibrosis resolution in aged mice. JCI Insight 2020; 5:137127. [PMID: 32544088 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.137127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tissue regeneration capacity declines with aging in association with heightened oxidative stress. Expression of the oxidant-generating enzyme, NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), is elevated in aged mice with diminished capacity for fibrosis resolution. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) is a member of the bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) family of proteins that function as epigenetic "readers" of acetylated lysine groups on histones. In this study, we explored the role of Brd4 and its interaction with the p300 acetyltransferase in the regulation of Nox4 and the in vivo efficacy of a BET inhibitor to reverse established age-associated lung fibrosis. BET inhibition interferes with the association of Brd4, p300, and acetylated histone H4K16 with the Nox4 promoter in lung fibroblasts stimulated with the profibrotic cytokine, TGF-β1. A number of BET inhibitors, including I-BET-762, JQ1, and OTX015, downregulate Nox4 gene expression and activity. Aged mice with established and persistent lung fibrosis recover capacity for fibrosis resolution with OTX015 treatment. This study implicates epigenetic regulation of Nox4 by Brd4 and p300 and supports BET/Brd4 inhibition as an effective strategy for the treatment of age-related fibrotic lung disease.
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14
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Abstract
The use of biologic agents including anti-tumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibodies followed by anti-integrins and anti-interleukins has drastically changed the treatment paradigm of Crohn’s disease (CD) by improving clinical symptoms and mucosal healing. However, up to 70% of CD patients still eventually undergo surgery mainly due to fibrostenotic strictures. There are no specific anti-fibrotic drugs yet. This review comprehensively addresses the mechanism, prediction, diagnosis and treatment of the fibrostenotic strictures in CD. We also introduce promising anti-fibrotic agents which may be available in the near future and summarize challenges in developing novel therapies to treat fibrostenotic strictures in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hwan Yoo
- Digestive Disease Center, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Stefan Holubar
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Diseases and Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA
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15
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Huang Q, Chen Y, Shen S, Wang Y, Liu L, Wu S, Xu W, Zhao W, Lin M, Wu J. Klotho antagonizes pulmonary fibrosis through suppressing pulmonary fibroblasts activation, migration, and extracellular matrix production: a therapeutic implication for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:5812-5831. [PMID: 32244228 PMCID: PMC7185122 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been widely accepted as an aging-related fatal lung disease with a therapeutic impasse, largely a consequence of the complex and polygenic gene architecture underlying the molecular pathology of IPF. Here, by conducting an integrative network analysis on the largest IPF case-control RNA-seq dataset to date, we attributed the systems-level alteration in IPF to disruptions in a handful of biological processes including cell migration, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and extracellular matrix (ECM), and identified klotho (KL), a typical anti-aging molecule, as a potential master regulator of those disease-relevant processes. Following experiments showed reduced Kl in isolated pulmonary fibroblasts from bleomycin-exposed mice, and demonstrated that recombinant KL effectively mitigated pulmonary fibrosis in an ex vivo model and alleviated TGF-β-induced pulmonary fibroblasts activation, migration, and ECM production in vitro, which was partially ascribed to FOXF1 and CAV1, two highly co-expressed genes of KL in the IPF. Overall, KL appears to be a vital regulator during pulmonary fibrosis. Given that administration of exogenous KL is a feasible treatment strategy, our work highlighted a promising target gene that could be easily manipulated, leaving the field well placed to further explore the therapeutic potential of KL for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiqing Huang
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shaoran Shen
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liya Liu
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuangshuang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Weihong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingyan Lin
- Department of Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jianqing Wu
- Key Laboratory of Geriatrics of Jiangsu Province, Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu, China
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16
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Chao CM, Carraro G, Rako ZA, Kolck J, Sedighi J, Zimmermann V, Moiseenko A, Wilhelm J, Young BM, Chong L, Wu J, Contreras A, Minoo P, Barreto G, Warburton D, Bellusci S. Failure to Down-Regulate miR-154 Expression in Early Postnatal Mouse Lung Epithelium Suppresses Alveologenesis, with Changes in Tgf-β Signaling Similar to those Induced by Exposure to Hyperoxia. Cells 2020; 9:E859. [PMID: 32252341 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a lung disease of preterm born infants, characterized by alveolar simplification. MicroRNA (miR) are known to be involved in many biological and pathological processes in the lung. Although a changed expression has been described for several miR in BPD, a causal role remains to be established. RESULTS Our results showed that the expression level of miR-154 increases during lung development and decreases postnatally. Further, hyperoxia treatment maintains high levels of miR-154 in alveolar type 2 cells (AT2). We hypothesized that the decrease in miR-154 expression in AT2 cells is required for normal alveologenesis. To test this hypothesis, we generated a novel transgenic mouse allowing doxycycline-based miR-154 overexpression. Maintenance of miR-154 expression in the postnatal distal lung epithelium under normoxia conditions is sufficient to reproduce the hypoalveologenesis phenotype triggered by hyperoxia. Using a pull-down assay, we identified Caveolin1 as a key downstream target of miR-154. Caveolin1 protein is downregulated in response to overexpression of miR-154. This is associated with increased phosphorylation of Smad3 and Tgf-ß signaling. We found that AT2 cells overexpressing miR-154 display decreased expression of AT2 markers and increased expression of AT1 markers. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that down-regulation of miR-154 in postnatal lung may function as an important physiological switch that permits the induction of the correct alveolar developmental program, while conversely, failure to down-regulate miR-154 suppresses alveolarization, leading to the common clinically observed phenotype of alveolar simplification.
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17
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Abstract
Oxidative stress has been linked to various disease states as well as physiological aging. The lungs are uniquely exposed to a highly oxidizing environment and have evolved several mechanisms to attenuate oxidative stress. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive age-related disorder that leads to architectural remodeling, impaired gas exchange, respiratory failure, and death. In this article, we discuss cellular sources of oxidant production, and antioxidant defenses, both enzymatic and nonenzymatic. We outline the current understanding of the pathogenesis of IPF and how oxidative stress contributes to fibrosis. Further, we link oxidative stress to the biology of aging that involves DNA damage responses, loss of proteostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. We discuss the recent findings on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in specific fibrotic processes such as macrophage polarization and immunosenescence, alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis and senescence, myofibroblast differentiation and senescence, and alterations in the acellular extracellular matrix. Finally, we provide an overview of the current preclinical studies and clinical trials targeting oxidative stress in fibrosis and potential new strategies for future therapeutic interventions. © 2020 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 10:509-547, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Otoupalova
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Sam Smith
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Guangjie Cheng
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
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18
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Xiang Z, Zhou Q, Hu M, Sanders YY. MeCP2 epigenetically regulates alpha-smooth muscle actin in human lung fibroblasts. J Cell Biochem 2020; 121:3616-3625. [PMID: 32115750 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A critical feature for fibroblasts differentiation into myofibroblasts is the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) during the tissue injury and repair process. The epigenetic mechanism, DNA methylation, is involved in regulating α-SMA expression. It is not clear how methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) interacts with CpG-rich region in α-SMA, and if the CpG methylation status would affect MeCP2 binding and regulation of α-SMA expression. METHODS The association of MeCP2 with α-SMA CpG rich region were examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays in primary fibroblasts from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and non-IPF control individuals, and in the lung fibroblasts treated with profibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). The regulation of α-SMA by MeCP2 was examined by knocking down MeCP2 with small interfering RNA (siRNA). To explore the effects of the DNA methylation status of the CpG rich region on α-SMA expression, the cells were treated with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5'-azacytidine (5'-aza). The expression of α-SMA was examined by Western blot and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, the association with MeCP2 was assessed by ChIP assays, and the methylation status was checked by bisulfate sequencing. RESULTS The human lung fibroblasts with increased α-SMA showed an enriched association of MeCP2, while knockdown MeCP2 by siRNA reduced α-SMA upregulation by TGF-β1. The 5'-Aza-treated cells have decreased α-SMA expression with reduced MeCP2 association. However, bisulfite sequencing revealed that most CpG sites are unmethylated despite the different expression levels of α-SMA after being treated by TGF-β1 or 5'-aza. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that the methyl-binding protein MeCP2 is critical for α-SMA expression in human lung myofibroblast, and the DNA methylation status at the CpG rich region of α-SMA is not a determinative factor for its inducible expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheyi Xiang
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Qingxian Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Min Hu
- Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yan Y Sanders
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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19
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Tjakra M, Wang Y, Vania V, Hou Z, Durkan C, Wang N, Wang G. Overview of Crosstalk Between Multiple Factor of Transcytosis in Blood Brain Barrier. Front Neurosci 2020; 13:1436. [PMID: 32038141 PMCID: PMC6990130 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood brain barrier (BBB) conserves unique regulatory system to maintain barrier tightness while allowing adequate transport between neurovascular units. This mechanism possess a challenge for drug delivery, while abnormality may result in pathogenesis. Communication between vascular and neural system is mediated through paracellular and transcellular (transcytosis) pathway. Transcytosis itself showed dependency with various components, focusing on caveolae-mediated. Among several factors, intense communication between endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes is the key for a normal development. Regulatory signaling pathway such as VEGF, Notch, S1P, PDGFβ, Ang/Tie, and TGF-β showed interaction with the transcytosis steps. Recent discoveries showed exploration of various factors which has been proven to interact with one of the process of transcytosis, either endocytosis, endosomal rearrangement, or exocytosis. As well as providing a hypothetical regulatory pathway between each factors, specifically miRNA, mechanical stress, various cytokines, physicochemical, basement membrane and junctions remodeling, and crosstalk between developmental regulatory pathways. Finally, various hypotheses and probable crosstalk between each factors will be expressed, to point out relevant research application (Drug therapy design and BBB-on-a-chip) and unexplored terrain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tjakra
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yeqi Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Vicki Vania
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhengjun Hou
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Colm Durkan
- The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Nan Wang
- The Nanoscience Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Guixue Wang
- Key Laboratory for Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, State and Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Vascular Implants, Bioengineering College of Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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20
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Zhang Y, MacKenzie B, Koleng JJ, Maier E, Warnken ZN, Williams RO. Development of an Excipient-Free Peptide Dry Powder Inhalation for the Treatment of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:632-644. [PMID: 31913640 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.9b01085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The caveolin scaffolding domain peptide (CSP) is being developed for the therapeutic intervention of a lethal lung disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. While direct respiratory delivery of CSP7 (a 7-mer fragment of CSP) is considered an effective route, proper formulation and processing of the peptide are required. First, air-jet milling technology was performed in order to micronize the neat peptide powder. Next, the fine particles were subjected to a stability study with physical and chemical characterizations. In addition, the in vivo efficacy of processed CSP7 powder was evaluated in an animal model of lung fibrosis. The results revealed that, with jet milling, the particle size of CSP7 was reduced to a mass median aerodynamic diameter of 1.58 ± 0.1 μm and 93.3 ± 3.3% fine particle fraction, optimal for deep lung delivery. A statistically significant reduction of collagen was observed in diseased lung tissues of mice that received CSP7 powder for inhalation. The particles remained chemically and physically stable after micronization and during storage. This work demonstrated that jet milling is effective in the manufacturing of a stable, excipient-free CSP7 inhalation powder for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajie Zhang
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy , The University of Texas at Austin , 2409 University Avenue , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - BreAnne MacKenzie
- Lung Therapeutics Inc. , 2600 Via Fortuna, Suite 360 , Austin , Texas 78746 , United States
| | - John J Koleng
- Lung Therapeutics Inc. , 2600 Via Fortuna, Suite 360 , Austin , Texas 78746 , United States
| | - Esther Maier
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy , The University of Texas at Austin , 2409 University Avenue , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Zachary N Warnken
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy , The University of Texas at Austin , 2409 University Avenue , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
| | - Robert O Williams
- Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, College of Pharmacy , The University of Texas at Austin , 2409 University Avenue , Austin , Texas 78712 , United States
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21
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Raktoe RS, Rietveld MH, Out-Luiting JJ, Kruithof-de Julio M, van Zuijlen PPM, van Doorn R, Ghalbzouri AE. Exon skipping of TGFβRI affects signalling and ECM expression in hypertrophic scar-derived fibroblasts. Scars Burn Heal 2020; 6:2059513120908857. [PMID: 32528734 PMCID: PMC7263111 DOI: 10.1177/2059513120908857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In burn patients, wound healing is often accompanied by hypertrophic scar (HS) development, resulting in both functional and aesthetic problems. HSs are characterised by abundant presence of myofibroblasts that contribute to overproduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) that is regulated by the TGF-β signalling pathway. Studies have shown that inhibition of TGF-β receptors in fibrotic diseases reduces the fibrotic load. In the present study, we aim to inactivate ALK5, also known as TGF-β receptor I, in human HS fibroblasts by exon skipping using antisense oligonucleotides (AONs). METHODS HS biopsies were used to isolate and set up fibroblast monocultures. AONs targeting ALK5 were supplemented to the fibroblast cultures to induce exon skipping, while pharmacological ALK5 inhibition was induced using SB431542. AON delivery in HS fibroblasts was examined using immunofluorescence (IF), while TGF-β signalling downstream targets, such as Smad2/3, PAI-1, ACTA2, COL1A1 and COL3A1, were analysed using touchdown polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), IF or western blotting. RESULTS Our data clearly demonstrate that AONs were successfully delivered in the nuclei of HS fibroblasts and that functional exon skipping of ALK5 took place as confirmed with touchdown PCR and qPCR. In addition, exon skipping affected the expression of ECM-related genes, such as type I/III collagens, PAI-1 and CCN2. Moreover, AON treatment did not affect the migration of HS fibroblasts in a model for wound healing. CONCLUSION Exon skipping is a promising tool to modulate the TGF-β signalling pathway in HS. This would open a therapeutic window for the treatment of patients suffering from HSs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajiv S Raktoe
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), The Netherlands
| | - Marion H Rietveld
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), The Netherlands
| | - Jacoba J Out-Luiting
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), The Netherlands
| | | | - Paul PM van Zuijlen
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, VU University Medical Center, The Netherlands
| | - Remco van Doorn
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), The Netherlands
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22
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Kulshrestha R, Singh H, Pandey A, Mehta A, Bhardwaj S, Jaggi AS. Caveolin-1 as a critical component in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis of different etiology: Evidences and mechanisms. Exp Mol Pathol 2019; 111:104315. [PMID: 31629729 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2019.104315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 09/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Caveolin is a structural protein of flask-shaped invaginations of the plasma membrane termed as caveolae and is widely expressed on the endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts in the different parts of the body including the lung tissues. The expression of caveolin-1 in the lung tissues is important to prevent the fibrogenic actions of TGF-β1 in lung fibrosis of different etiology including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease and allergen-induced airway remodeling. Caveolin-1-mediated internalization and degradation of TGF-β1 receptors may possibly account for the decreased actions of TGF-β1. Studies have shown that the deficiency of caveolin-1 is very important in inducing lung fibrosis and its upregulation is reported to prevent lung fibrosis. The biological actions of caveolin-1 involve signaling pathways including JNK signaling, IL-4, STAT-3, miR199a-5p, CXCR4+ and CXCL12. The present review discusses the key role of caveolin and associated signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis of different etiology.
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23
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Ge W, Zhang W, Gao R, Li B, Zhu H, Wang J. IMM-H007 improves heart function via reducing cardiac fibrosis. Eur J Pharmacol 2019; 857:172442. [PMID: 31181209 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.172442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac dysfunction is a pathological state characterized by damaged ability of the left ventricle (LV) to either eject or fill blood accompanied by cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. IMM-H007, an adenosine derivative, is an activator of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK). AMPK can decrease the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression during fibrosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that IMM-H007 contributed to cardiac dysfunction by mediating cardiac fibrosis. To test this hypothesis, we used angiotensin II (AngII)-induced cardiac remodeling model treated with IMM-H007 or vehicle. Echocardiography measurements showed that IMM-H007 significantly improved heart function indicated by increased LV ejection fraction (%LVEF) and LV fractional shortening (%LVFS). Histological staining and qRT-PCR analysis revealed that IMM-H007 markedly reduced AngII-induced cardiac fibroblast activation (α-smooth muscle actin and periostin) and matrix protein production (Collagen I and Collagen III). However, IMM-H007 did not affect AngII-induced cardiac hypertrophy. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that IMM-H007 activated AMPK, decreased the expression of TGF-β1, and inhibited the activation of Smad2 in heart tissues. In mouse primary cultured cardiac fibroblasts, pharmacological activation of AMPK by IMM-H007 significantly reduced AngII-induced TGF-β1 expression as well. Consistently, in human cardiac fibroblasts-adult ventricular (HCF-av), IMM-H007 activated AMPK and markedly suppressed AngII-induced TGF-β1 expression. These results together reveal that IMM-H007 improves heart function, and alleviates AngII-induced cardiac fibrosis by regulating AMPK-TGF-β1 signaling. These findings suggest IMM-H007 as a potential drug for treating cardiac dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weipeng Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Bolun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Haibo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory for Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Mechanisms and Pharmacological Evaluation Study, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Department of Pathophysiology, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
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24
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Abstract
Reduced expression of caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is an important pathogenic factor in hypertrophic scarring (HTS). Such a reduction can be found in connection with the main known risk factors for HTS, including dark skin, female gender, young age, burn site and severity of the injury. The degree of overexpression of Cav-1 associated with different therapeutic options for HTS correlates with clinical improvements in HTS. This makes endo- or exogenous induction of Cav-1 not only an important therapeutic target for HTS, but also highlights its use as a preventive target to reduce or avoid HTS formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Philipp E. Scherer
- Touchstone Diabetes Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8549 USA
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Flask-shaped plasma membrane (PM) invaginations called caveolae and their constitutive caveolin and cavin proteins regulate cellular function via plasma membrane and intracellular signal transduction pathways. Caveolae are present in a variety of cells in the lung including airway smooth muscle (ASM) where they interact with other proteins, receptors, and ion channels and thereby have the potential to affect both normal and disease processes such as inflammation, contractility, and fibrosis. Given their involvement in cell signaling, caveolae may play important roles in mediating and modulating aging processes, and contribute to lung diseases of aging. Areas covered: This review provides a broad overview of the current state of knowledge regarding caveolae and their constituent proteins in lung diseases in the elderly and identifies potential mechanisms that can be targeted for future therapies. Expert Commentary: Caveolin-1 may play a protective role in lung disease. What is less clear is whether altered caveolin-1 with aging is a natural process, or a biomarker of disease progression in the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Wicher
- a Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Y S Prakash
- a Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.,b Department of Anesthesiology& Perioperative Medicine , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
| | - Christina M Pabelick
- a Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.,b Department of Anesthesiology& Perioperative Medicine , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA
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26
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van Caam A, Vonk M, van den Hoogen F, van Lent P, van der Kraan P. Unraveling SSc Pathophysiology; The Myofibroblast. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2452. [PMID: 30483246 PMCID: PMC6242950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe auto-immune disease, characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of connective tissues. SSc has a high morbidity and mortality and unfortunately no disease modifying therapy is currently available. A key cell in the pathophysiology of SSc is the myofibroblast. Myofibroblasts are fibroblasts with contractile properties that produce a large amount of pro-fibrotic extracellular matrix molecules such as collagen type I. In this narrative review we will discuss the presence, formation, and role of myofibroblasts in SSc, and how these processes are stimulated and mediated by cells of the (innate) immune system such as mast cells and T helper 2 lymphocytes. Furthermore, current novel therapeutic approaches to target myofibroblasts will be highlighted for future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan van Caam
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Madelon Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Peter van Lent
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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27
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He Y, Xu H, Xiang Z, Yu H, Xu L, Guo Y, Tian Y, Shu R, Yang X, Xue C, Zhao M, He Y, Han X, Bai D. YAP regulates periodontal ligament cell differentiation into myofibroblast interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:5086-5096. [PMID: 30341888 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
During orthodontic tooth movement (OTM), periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) receive the mechanical stimuli and transform it into myofibroblasts (Mfbs). Indeed, previous studies have demonstrated that mechanical stimuli can promote the expression of Mfb marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in PDLCs. Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), as the target gene of yes-associated protein (YAP), has been proven to be involved in this process. Here, we sought to assess the role of YAP in Mfbs differentiation from PDLCs. The time-course expression of YAP and α-SMA was manifested in OTM model in vivo as well as under tensional stimuli in vitro. Inhibition of RhoA/Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) pathway using Y27632 significantly reduced tension-induced Mfb differentiation and YAP expression. Moreover, overexpression of YAP with lentiviral transfection in PDLCs rescued the repression effect of Mfb differentiation induced by Y27632. These data together suggest a crucial role of YAP in regulating tension-induced Mfb differentiation from PDLC interacted with RhoA/ROCK pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao He
- Department of Orthodontics, Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Zichao Xiang
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongyou Yu
- Department of Orthodontics, College of Medicine, Dalian University, Dalian, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Orthodontics, School of Stomatology affiliated to Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yongwen Guo
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Shu
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianrui Yang
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chaoran Xue
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhao
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiruo He
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xianglong Han
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ding Bai
- Orthodontic Centre, West China College of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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28
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López-Ramírez C, Suarez Valdivia L, Rodríguez Portal JA. Causes of Pulmonary Fibrosis in the Elderly. Med Sci (Basel) 2018; 6:medsci6030058. [PMID: 30042329 PMCID: PMC6164854 DOI: 10.3390/medsci6030058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 07/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common and most lethal type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. It is a chronic, aging-associated lung disease characterized by fibrotic foci and inflammatory infiltrates, with no cure and very limited therapeutic options. Although its etiology is unknown, several pathogenic pathways have been described that could explain this process, involving aging, environmental factors, genomic instability, loss of proteostasis, telomere attrition, epigenetic changes, mitochondrial dysfunction, cell senescence, and altered intercellular communication. One of the main prognostic factors for the development of IPF in broad epidemiological studies is age. The incidence increases with age, making this a disease that predominantly affects the elderly population, being exceptional under 45 years of age. However, the degree to which each of these mechanisms is involved in the etiology of the uncontrolled fibrogenesis that defines IPF is still unknown. Clarifying these questions is crucial to the development of points of intervention in the pathogenesis of the disease. This review briefly summarizes what is known about each possible etiological factor, and the questions that most urgently need to be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia López-Ramírez
- Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Lionel Suarez Valdivia
- Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Jose Antonio Rodríguez Portal
- Unidad Médico-Quirúrgica de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain.
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Yu Q, Zhu J, Sheng X, Xu L, Hu K, Chen G, Wu W, Cai W, Chen W, Yin G. Luteolin Ameliorates Experimental Chronic Pancreatitis Induced by Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid in Rats. Pancreas 2018; 47:568-76. [PMID: 29595544 DOI: 10.1097/MPA.0000000000001035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to assess the effect and possible mechanism of luteolin on chronic pancreatitis (CP). METHODS Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced CP was used as CP models in vivo. After the intervention of luteolin for 28 days, chronic pancreatic injury was assessed by serum hydroxyproline and pancreatic histology. α-Smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was performed to detect the activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Pancreatic stellate cells were also isolated and cultured in vitro, and the effect of luteolin on PSCs was evaluated. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1) signaling and its regulated mRNA expression was tested by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS The protective role of luteolin on CP was confirmed by increased pancreas/body weight ratio, decreased pancreas hydroxyproline level, and reduced fibrosis. α-SMA expressions in PSCs were significantly decreased both in vitro and in vivo after the management of luteolin. Pancreas TGF-β1 expression was significantly decreased by luteolin. Luteolin inhibited the proliferation and activation of PSCs in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Luteolin played a protective role in CP in many aspects, partly by regulating release of inflammatory cytokines through TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
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30
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Lamprecht S, Sigal-Batikoff I, Shany S, Abu-Freha N, Ling E, Delinasios GJ, Moyal-Atias K, Delinasios JG, Fich A. Teaming Up for Trouble: Cancer Cells, Transforming Growth Factor-β1 Signaling and the Epigenetic Corruption of Stromal Naïve Fibroblasts. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10030061. [PMID: 29495500 PMCID: PMC5876636 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10030061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well recognized that cancer cells subvert the phenotype of stromal naïve fibroblasts and instruct the neighboring cells to sustain their growth agenda. The mechanisms underpinning the switch of fibroblasts to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the focus of intense investigation. One of the most significant hallmarks of the biological identity of CAFs is that their tumor-promoting phenotype is stably maintained during in vitro and ex vivo propagation without the continual interaction with the adjacent cancer cells. In this review, we discuss robust evidence showing that the master cytokine Transforming Growth Factor-β1 (TGFβ-1) is a prime mover in reshaping, via epigenetic switches, the phenotype of stromal fibroblasts to a durable state. We also examine, in detail, the pervasive involvement of TGFβ-1 signaling from both cancer cells and CAFs in fostering cancer development, taking colorectal cancer (CRC) as a paradigm of human neoplasia. Finally, we review the stroma-centric anticancer therapeutic approach focused on CAFs—the most abundant cell population of the tumor microenvironment (TME)—as target cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Lamprecht
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - Ina Sigal-Batikoff
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - Shraga Shany
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
| | - Naim Abu-Freha
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - Eduard Ling
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Pediatrics Department B, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - George J Delinasios
- International Institute of Anticancer Research, Kapandriti, Athens 19014, Greece.
| | - Keren Moyal-Atias
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
| | - John G Delinasios
- International Institute of Anticancer Research, Kapandriti, Athens 19014, Greece.
| | - Alexander Fich
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beersheva 8410500, Israel.
- Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Soroka University Medical Center, Beersheva 8410100, Israel.
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Gambini E, Perrucci GL, Bassetti B, Spaltro G, Campostrini G, Lionetti MC, Pilozzi A, Martinelli F, Farruggia A, DiFrancesco D, Barbuti A, Pompilio G. Preferential myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac mesenchymal progenitor cells in the presence of atrial fibrillation. Transl Res 2018; 192:54-67. [PMID: 29245016 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2017.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Revised: 10/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by electrical, contractile, and structural remodeling mediated by interstitial fibrosis. It has been shown that human cardiac mesenchymal progenitor cells (CMPCs) can be differentiated into endothelial, smooth muscle, and fibroblast cells. Here, we have investigated, for the first time, the contribution of CMPCs in the fibrotic process occurring in AF. As expected, right auricolae samples displayed significantly higher fibrosis in AF vs control (CTR) patients. In tissue samples of AF patients only, double staining for c-kit and the myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected. The number of c-kit-positive CMPC was higher in atrial subepicardial regions of CTR than AF cells. AF-derived CMPC (AF-CMPC) and CTR-derived CMPC (Ctr-CMPC) were phenotypically similar, except for CD90 and c-kit, which were significantly more present in AF and CTR cells, respectively. Moreover, AF showed a lower rate of population doubling and fold enrichment vs Ctr-CMPC. When exogenously challenged with the profibrotic transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), AF-CMPC showed a significantly higher nuclear translocation of SMAD2 than Ctr-CMPC. In addition, TGF-β1 treatment induced the upregulation of COL1A1 and COL1A2 in AF-CMPC only. Further, both a marked production of soluble collagen and α-SMA upregulation have been observed in AF-CMPC only. Finally, electrophysiological studies showed that the inwardly rectifying potassium current (IK1) was evenly present in AF- and Ctr-CMPC in basal conditions and similarly disappeared after TGF-β1 exposure. All together, these data suggest that AF steers the resident atrial CMPC compartment toward an electrically inert profibrotic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Gambini
- Unità di Biologia Vascolare e Medicina Rigenerativa, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy.
| | - Gianluca Lorenzo Perrucci
- Unità di Biologia Vascolare e Medicina Rigenerativa, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Beatrice Bassetti
- Unità di Biologia Vascolare e Medicina Rigenerativa, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriella Spaltro
- Unità di Biologia Vascolare e Medicina Rigenerativa, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulia Campostrini
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Chiara Lionetti
- Unità di Biologia Vascolare e Medicina Rigenerativa, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Pilozzi
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Martinelli
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Farruggia
- Dipartimento di Chirurgia Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Dario DiFrancesco
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Barbuti
- Dipartimento di Bioscienze, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Giulio Pompilio
- Unità di Biologia Vascolare e Medicina Rigenerativa, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e di Comunità, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy; Dipartimento di Chirurgia Cardiovascolare, Centro Cardiologico Monzino-IRCCS, Milano, Italy
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Liakouli V, Elies J, El-Sherbiny YM, Scarcia M, Grant G, Abignano G, Derrett-Smith EC, Esteves F, Cipriani P, Emery P, Denton CP, Giacomelli R, Mavria G, Del Galdo F. Scleroderma fibroblasts suppress angiogenesis via TGF-β/caveolin-1 dependent secretion of pigment epithelium-derived factor. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 77:431-440. [PMID: 29259049 PMCID: PMC5867407 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-212120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy with defective angiogenesis. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) plays a major role in tissue fibrosis, including downregulation of caveolin-1 (Cav-1); however, its role in defective angiogenesis is less clear. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a major antiangiogenic factor, is abundantly secreted by SSc fibroblasts. Here, we investigated the effect of TGF-β and Cav-1 on PEDF expression and the role of PEDF in the ability of SSc fibroblasts to modulate angiogenesis. Methods PEDF and Cav-1 expression in fibroblasts and endothelial cells were evaluated by means of immunohistochemistry on human and mouse skin biopsies. PEDF and Cav-1 were silenced in cultured SSc and control fibroblasts using lentiviral short-hairpin RNAs. Organotypic fibroblast–endothelial cell co-cultures and matrigel assays were employed to assess angiogenesis. Results PEDF is highly expressed in myofibroblasts and reticular fibroblasts with low Cav-1 expression in SSc skin biopsies, and it is induced by TGF-β in vitro. SSc fibroblasts suppress angiogenesis in an organotypic model. This model is reproduced by silencing Cav-1 in normal dermal fibroblasts. Conversely, silencing PEDF in SSc fibroblasts rescues their antiangiogenic phenotype. Consistently, transgenic mice with TGF-β receptor hyperactivation show lower Cav-1 and higher PEDF expression levels in skin biopsies accompanied by reduced blood vessel density. Conclusions Our data reveal a new pathway by which TGF-β suppresses angiogenesis in SSc, through decreased fibroblast Cav-1 expression and subsequent PEDF secretion. This pathway may present a promising target for new therapeutic interventions in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Liakouli
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Jacobo Elies
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Yasser Mohamed El-Sherbiny
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.,NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Margherita Scarcia
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Gary Grant
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Giuseppina Abignano
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Rheumatology Department of Lucania, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza, Italy.,Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IReL), San Carlo Hospital of Potenza, Potenza, Italy
| | - Emma C Derrett-Smith
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue, UCL Medical School Royal Free Campus, London, UK
| | - Filomena Esteves
- Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Paola Cipriani
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paul Emery
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue, UCL Medical School Royal Free Campus, London, UK
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Science, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Georgia Mavria
- Signal Transduction and Tumour Microenvironment Group, Leeds Institute of Cancer and Pathology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,NIHR Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Centre, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
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Abstract
Fibrosis is a process of dysfunctional wound repair, described by a failure of tissue regeneration and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, resulting in tissue scarring and subsequent organ deterioration. There are a broad range of stimuli that may trigger, and exacerbate the process of fibrosis, which can contribute to the growing rates of morbidity and mortality. Whilst the process of fibrosis is widely described and understood, there are no current standard treatments that can reduce or reverse the process effectively, likely due to the continuing knowledge gaps surrounding the cellular mechanisms involved. Several cellular targets have been implicated in the regulation of the fibrotic process including membrane domains, ion channels and more recently mechanosensors, specifically caveolae, particularly since these latter contain various signaling components, such as members of the TGFβ and MAPK/ERK signaling pathways, all of which are key players in the process of fibrosis. This review explores the anti-fibrotic influences of the caveola, and in particular the key underpinning protein, caveolin-1, and its potential as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waled A Shihata
- Vascular Pharmacology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Department of Pharmacology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes InstituteMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mohammad R A Putra
- Vascular Pharmacology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Department of Pharmacology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Jaye P F Chin-Dusting
- Vascular Pharmacology Laboratory, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Department of Pharmacology, Biomedical Discovery Institute, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, Monash UniversityClayton, VIC, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes InstituteMelbourne, VIC, Australia
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Xing Y, Wang L, Wang H, Kong X, Zhan L. Dynamic expression of transformating growth factor-β1 and caveolin-1 in the lung of Bleomycin-induced interstitial lung disease. J Thorac Dis 2017; 9:2360-2368. [PMID: 28932540 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2017.07.01] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a disease with high mortality worldwide. Unfortunately, its prognosis is still very poor. Therefore, developing the target molecular is very important for ILD diagnosis and treatment. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) can regulate the formation of fibrosis by linking to the signaling pathway of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), which is generally considered to be the most effective approach to solve the problem of ILD. METHODS The rat model of ILD was induced by disposable transtracheal injection of bleomycin hydrochloride. Rats were sacrificed in batches on days 7, 14, 21 and 28 after modeling, and the lung tissues was obtained for histopathological examination (HE) and Masson staining. Expressions of TGF-β1 and Cav-1 in the lungs were measured by western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS Pulmonary inflammation was observed in lung tissue from day 7 after modeling; fibrosis was observed from day 14 after modeling; the collagen deposition reached the peak on day 21. Significant TGF-β1 up-regulation and Cav-1 down-regulation appeared in the inflammatory phase (7d); TGF-β1 expression level reached the peak and Cav-1 expression level reached the minimum on day 21-28 with the most obvious fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS The rat model of bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis can be used to dynamically observe the progress of ILD. In the lung tissues from inflammation to fibrosis, TGF-β1 expression was significantly up-regulated and Cav-1 expression was significantly down-regulated. The regulation of two protein expressions is closely related to the occurrence and development of ILD in rats. The regulation of TGF-β1 and Cav-1 expressions and the balance between the two can be used as a possible target of ILD therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yida Xing
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116021, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116021, China
| | - Hongjiang Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116021, China
| | - Xiaodan Kong
- Department of Rheumatology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116021, China
| | - Libin Zhan
- Department of Basic Medical College, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
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Sanders YY, Liu H, Scruggs AM, Duncan SR, Huang SK, Thannickal VJ. Epigenetic Regulation of Caveolin-1 Gene Expression in Lung Fibroblasts. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 56:50-61. [PMID: 27560128 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0034oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic disorders are associated with tissue accumulation of fibroblasts. We recently showed that caveolin (Cav)-1 gene suppression by a profibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, contributes to fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis resistance. Cav-1 has been shown to be constitutively suppressed in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but mechanisms for this suppression are incompletely understood. We hypothesized that epigenetic processes contribute to Cav-1 down-regulation in IPF lung fibroblasts, and after fibrogenic stimuli. Cav-1 expression levels, DNA methylation status, and histone modifications associated with the Cav-1 promoter were examined by PCR, Western blots, pyrosequencing, or chromatin immunoprecipitation assays in IPF lung fibroblasts, normal fibroblasts after TGF-β1 stimulation, or in murine lung fibroblasts after bleomycin injury. Methylation-specific PCR demonstrated methylated and unmethylated Cav-1 DNA copies in all groups. Despite significant changes in Cav-1 expression, no changes in DNA methylation were observed in CpG islands or CpG island shores of the Cav-1 promoter by pyrosequencing of lung fibroblasts from IPF lungs, in response to TGF-β1, or after bleomycin-induced murine lung injury, when compared with respective controls. In contrast, the association of Cav-1 promoter with the active histone modification mark, H3 lysine 4 trimethylation, correlated with Cav-1 down-regulation in activated/fibrotic lung fibroblasts. Our data indicate that Cav-1 gene silencing in lung fibroblasts is actively regulated by epigenetic mechanisms that involve histone modifications, in particular H3 lysine 4 trimethylation, whereas DNA methylation does not appear to be a primary mechanism. These findings support therapeutic strategies that target histone modifications to restore Cav-1 expression in fibroblasts participating in pathogenic tissue remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Y Sanders
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; and
| | - Hui Liu
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; and
| | - Anne M Scruggs
- 2 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Steven R Duncan
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; and
| | - Steven K Huang
- 2 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- 1 Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; and
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Valatas V, Filidou E, Drygiannakis I, Kolios G. Stromal and immune cells in gut fibrosis: the myofibroblast and the scarface. Ann Gastroenterol 2017; 30:393-404. [PMID: 28655975 PMCID: PMC5479991 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2017.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-inflammatory scarring is the end-result of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and tissue architectural destruction. It represents a failure to effectively remodel ECM and achieve proper reinstitution and healing during chronic relapsing inflammatory processes. Scarring may affect the functionality of any organ, and in the case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated fibrosis leads to stricture formation and often surgery to remove the affected bowel. The activated myofibroblast is the final effector cell that overproduces ECM under the influence of various mediators generated by an intense interplay of classic and non-classic immune cells. This review focuses on how proinflammatory mediators from various sources produced in different stages of intestinal inflammation can form profibrotic pathways that eventually lead to tissue scarring through sustained activation of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Valatas
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion (Vassilis Valatas, Ioannis Drygiannakis)
| | - Eirini Filidou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis (Eirini Filidou, George Kolios), Greece
| | - Ioannis Drygiannakis
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion (Vassilis Valatas, Ioannis Drygiannakis)
| | - George Kolios
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis (Eirini Filidou, George Kolios), Greece
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Ding Q, Subramanian I, Luckhardt TR, Che P, Waghray M, Zhao XK, Bone N, Kurundkar AR, Hecker L, Hu M, Zhou Y, Horowitz JC, Vittal R, Thannickal VJ. Focal adhesion kinase signaling determines the fate of lung epithelial cells in response to TGF-β. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 312:L926-L935. [PMID: 28360109 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00121.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 03/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) injury and apoptosis are prominent pathological features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). There is evidence of AEC plasticity in lung injury repair response and in IPF. In this report, we explore the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling in determining the fate of lung epithelial cells in response to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells (RLE-6TN) were treated with or without TGF-β1, and the expressions of mesenchymal markers, phenotype, and function were analyzed. Pharmacological protein kinase inhibitors were utilized to screen for SMAD-dependent and -independent pathways. SMAD and FAK signaling was analyzed using siRNA knockdown, inhibitors, and expression of a mutant construct of FAK. Apoptosis was measured using cleaved caspase-3 and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. TGF-β1 induced the acquisition of mesenchymal markers, including α-smooth muscle actin, in RLE-6TN cells and enhanced the contraction of three-dimensional collagen gels. This phenotypical transition or plasticity, epithelial-myofibroblast plasticity (EMP), is dependent on SMAD3 and FAK signaling. FAK activation was found to be dependent on ALK5/SMAD3 signaling. We observed that TGF-β1 induces both EMP and apoptosis in the same cell culture system but not in the same cell. While blockade of SMAD signaling inhibited EMP, it had a minimal effect on apoptosis; in contrast, inhibition of FAK signaling markedly shifted to an apoptotic fate. The data support that FAK activation determines whether AECs undergo EMP vs. apoptosis in response to TGF-β1 stimulation. TGF-β1-induced EMP is FAK- dependent, whereas TGF-β1-induced apoptosis is favored when FAK signaling is inhibited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Ding
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama;
| | - Indhu Subramanian
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Alameda Health System, Oakland, California
| | - Tracy R Luckhardt
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Pulin Che
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Meghna Waghray
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Xue-Ke Zhao
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Affiliated to Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, Guizhou, China; and
| | - Nathaniel Bone
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Ashish R Kurundkar
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Louise Hecker
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Meng Hu
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Jeffrey C Horowitz
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ragini Vittal
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama
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Wang SY, Lin J, Xing LK, Chen T. Bufalin inhibits proliferation of human gastric cancer MGC803 cells via TGFβ1/smad signaling pathways. Shijie Huaren Xiaohua Zazhi 2016; 24:2862-2868. [DOI: 10.11569/wcjd.v24.i18.2862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To investigate whether TGFβ1/smad signaling pathways are involved in the effect of Bufalin on the proliferation of human gastric cancer MGC803 cells.
METHODS: Human gastric cancer MGC803 cells were treated with Bufalin. Cell proliferation was tested by MTT assay and Trypan blue assay. The content of TGFβ1 protein in culture medium treated with Bufalin was detected by ELISA. The expressions of cyclinD1, phosphorylated smad3 and smad4 was detected by Western blot.
RESULTS: Bufalin significantly reduced the viability of MGC803 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and there was a significant difference among different concentrations (F = 13.216, P = 0.002). The results of Trypan blue assay showed a similar trend (χ2 = 9.667, P = 0.022). Compared with the control group, the expression of TGFβ1 protein in culture medium was decreased after the cells were treated with Bufalin (F = 36.455, P < 0.001), and the expression of P-smad3 and cyclinD1 protein in MGC803 cells was also decreased after the cells were treated with Bufalin (P < 0.05). However, the content of smad4 protein in MGC803 cells was increased after the application of Bufalin (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Bufalin inhibits the proliferation of MGC803 cells via mechanisms possibly associated with inhibiting TGFβ1/smad signaling transduction pathways.
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Abstract
Redox signaling and oxidative stress are associated with tissue fibrosis and aging. Aging is recognized as a major risk factor for fibrotic diseases involving multiple organ systems, including that of the lung. A number of oxidant generating enzymes are upregulated while antioxidant defenses are deficient with aging and cellular senescence, leading to redox imbalance and oxidative stress. However, the precise mechanisms by which redox signaling and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis are not well understood. Tissue repair is a highly regulated process that involves the interactions of several cell types, including epithelial cells, fibroblasts and inflammatory cells. Fibrosis may develop when these interactions are dysregulated with the acquisition of pro-fibrotic cellular phenotypes. In this review, we explore the roles of redox mechanisms that promote and perpetuate fibrosis in the context of cellular senescence and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kurundkar
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Abstract
Our understanding of the functions of cardiac fibroblasts has moved beyond their roles in heart structure and extracellular matrix generation and now includes their contributions to paracrine, mechanical and electrical signalling during ontogenesis and normal cardiac activity. Fibroblasts also have central roles in pathogenic remodelling during myocardial ischaemia, hypertension and heart failure. As key contributors to scar formation, they are crucial for tissue repair after interventions including surgery and ablation. Novel experimental approaches targeting cardiac fibroblasts are promising potential therapies for heart disease. Indeed, several existing drugs act, at least partially, through effects on cardiac connective tissue. This Review outlines the origins and roles of fibroblasts in cardiac development, homeostasis and disease; illustrates the involvement of fibroblasts in current and emerging clinical interventions; and identifies future targets for research and development.
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41
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Nikitorowicz-Buniak J, Denton CP, Abraham D, Stratton R. Partially Evoked Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) Is Associated with Increased TGFβ Signaling within Lesional Scleroderma Skin. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26217927 PMCID: PMC4517793 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0134092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The origin of myofibroblasts in fibrotic conditions remains unknown and in systemic sclerosis (SSc) it has been proposed that activation of local fibroblasts, trans-differentiation of perivascular or vascular cells, recruitment of fibrocyte progenitors, or epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) could be contributing. Data from our laboratory indicate that the epidermis in scleroderma is activated with the keratinocytes exhibiting a phenotype normally associated with tissue repair, including phosphorylation profiles indicative of TGFβ signaling. Since TGFβ is a known inducer of EMT, we investigated if there is evidence of this process in the SSc epidermis. In order to validate antibodies and primers, EMT was modeled in HaCaT cells cultured in the presence of TGFβ1. Skin sections were stained with phosho-SMAD2/3, as well as with epithelial and mesenchymal markers. Moreover, mRNA levels of transcription factors associated with EMT were studied in epidermal blister sheets. We observed critical changes in the scleroderma epidermis; showing significantly increased nuclear translocation of phosphorylated Smad2/3, consistent with active TGFβ signaling in SSc keratinocytes. While profound EMT could be induced in keratinocytes in vitro with the appearance of SNAI1/2 and FSP-1, and an accompanying loss of E-cadherin, in the scleroderma skin active TGFβ signaling was accompanied by only partial EMT-like changes characterised by induction of SNAI1 alone and with no loss of E-cadherin. Together, our findings support a model of altered differentiation and TGFβ dependent activation of scleroderma epithelial cells leading to a partially evoked EMT like process in the fibrotic skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Nikitorowicz-Buniak
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Research Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, UCL-Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P. Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Research Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, UCL-Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - David Abraham
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Research Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, UCL-Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, Research Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, UCL-Medical School, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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