1
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Akkenepally SV, Yombo DJK, Yerubandi S, Reddy GB, Deshpande DA, McCormack FX, Madala SK. Interleukin 31 receptor α promotes smooth muscle cell contraction and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8207. [PMID: 38081868 PMCID: PMC10713652 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44040-1] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Multiple cytokines, including IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-13 are associated with asthma; however, the mechanisms underlying the effects of these cytokines remain unclear. Here, we report a significant increase in the expression of IL-31RA, but not its cognate ligand IL-31, in mouse models of allergic asthma. In support of this, IFNγ, IL-4, and IL-13 upregulated IL-31RA but not IL-31 in both human and mice primary airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC) isolated from the airways of murine and human lungs. Importantly, the loss of IL-31RA attenuated AHR but had no effect on inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in mice challenged with allergens or treated with IL-13 or IFNγ. We show that IL-31RA functions as a positive regulator of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3 expression, augmenting calcium levels and myosin light chain phosphorylation in human and murine ASMC. These findings identify a role for IL-31RA in AHR that is distinct from airway inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santhoshi V Akkenepally
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Dan J K Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sanjana Yerubandi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Deepak A Deshpande
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francis X McCormack
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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2
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Russell NX, Burra K, Shah RM, Bottasso-Arias N, Mohanakrishnan M, Snowball J, Ediga HH, Madala SK, Sinner D. Wnt signaling regulates ion channel expression to promote smooth muscle and cartilage formation in developing mouse trachea. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2023; 325:L788-L802. [PMID: 37873566 PMCID: PMC11068408 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00024.2023] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ion channels play critical roles in the physiology and function of the nervous system and contractile tissue; however, their role in noncontractile tissue and embryonic development has yet to be understood. Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and complete tracheal rings (CTR) are disorders affecting the muscle and cartilage of the trachea and bronchi, whose etiology remains poorly understood. We demonstrated that trachealis muscle organization and polarity are disrupted after epithelial ablation of Wntless (Wls), a cargo receptor critical for the Wnt signaling pathway, in developing trachea. The phenotype resembles the anomalous trachealis muscle observed after deletion of ion channel encoding genes in developing mouse trachea. We sought to investigate whether and how the deletion of Wls affects ion channels during tracheal development. We hypothesize that Wnt signaling influences the expression of ion channels to promote trachealis muscle cell assembly and patterning. Deleting Wls in developing trachea causes differential regulation of genes mediating actin binding, cytoskeleton organization, and potassium ion channel activity. Wnt signaling regulates the expression of Kcnj13, Kcnd3, Kcnj8, and Abcc9 as demonstrated by in vitro studies and in vivo analysis in Wnt5a and β-catenin-deficient tracheas. Pharmacological inhibition of potassium ion channels and Wnt signaling impaired contractility of developing trachealis smooth muscle and formation of cartilaginous mesenchymal condensation. Thus, in mice, epithelial-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates trachealis muscle and cartilage development via modulation of ion channel expression, promoting trachealis muscle architecture, contractility, and cartilaginous extracellular matrix. In turn, ion channel activity may influence tracheal morphogenesis underlying TBM and CTR.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Ion channels play critical roles in the physiology and function of the nervous system and contractile tissue; however, their role in noncontractile tissue and embryonic development has yet to be understood. In this study, we focused on the role of ion channels in the differentiation and patterning of the large airways of the developing respiratory tract. We identify a mechanism by which Wnt-beta-catenin signaling controls levels of ion channel-encoding genes to promote tracheal differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas X Russell
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Honors Program, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Kaulini Burra
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Ronak M Shah
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Honors Program, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Natalia Bottasso-Arias
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Megha Mohanakrishnan
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati Honors Program, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - John Snowball
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Harshavardhana H Ediga
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Debora Sinner
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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3
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Yombo DJK, Madala SK, Vemulapalli CP, Ediga HH, Hardie WD. Pulmonary fibroelastosis - A review. Matrix Biol 2023; 124:1-7. [PMID: 37922998 PMCID: PMC10841596 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.10.003] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Elastin is a long-lived fibrous protein that is abundant in the extracellular matrix of the lung. Elastic fibers provide the lung the characteristic elasticity during inhalation with recoil during exhalation thereby ensuring efficient gas exchange. Excessive deposition of elastin and other extracellular matrix proteins reduces lung compliance by impairing ventilation and compromising gas exchange. Notably, the degree of elastosis is associated with the progressive decline in lung function and survival in patients with interstitial lung diseases. Currently there are no proven therapies which effectively reduce the elastin burden in the lung nor prevent dysregulated elastosis. This review describes elastin's role in the healthy lung, summarizes elastosis in pulmonary diseases, and evaluates the current understanding of elastin regulation and dysregulation with the goal of guiding future research efforts to develop novel and effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan J K Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Chanukya P Vemulapalli
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Harshavardhana H Ediga
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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4
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Ediga HH, Hester P, Yepuri A, Reddy GB, Madala SK. Nε-Carboxymethyl-Lysine Modification of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Augments Fibroblast Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15811. [PMID: 37958795 PMCID: PMC10650592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115811] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic complex protein network that provides structural integrity and plays an active role in shaping fibroblast behavior both in health and disease. Despite its essential functions, the impact of age-associated post-translational modifications on ECM-driven fibroblast activities such as proliferation, survival, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT), and extracellular matrix production remains largely unknown. Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) is one of the well-characterized advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that can occur on lysine residues within ECM proteins through non-enzymatic glycation. In this study, we determined the accumulation and the effects of the CML-modified ECM (CML-ECM) on fibroblast activation. Immunostainings and immunoblot analysis demonstrated significant increases in CML-AGE content in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) compared to age-matched healthy lungs. Gene expression analysis and fibroblast activation assays collectively implicate the ECM as a negative regulator of fibroblast activation. Notably, the CML modification of the ECM resulted in a significant decrease in its anti-fibrotic effects including proliferation, FMT, apoptosis, and ECM production. Together, the results of this study revealed an unexplored pathological role played by the CML-ECM on fibroblast activation, which has wide implications in IPF and other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshavardhana H. Ediga
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India;
| | - Patrick Hester
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
| | - Adithi Yepuri
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
| | | | - Satish K. Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
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5
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Vliagoftis H, Madala SK. Searching for an Animal Model with Clinical Features of Scleroderma. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:373-375. [PMID: 37411040 PMCID: PMC10557919 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0158ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Harissios Vliagoftis
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Alberta Respiratory Centre University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Internal Medicine University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
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6
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Russell NX, Burra K, Shah R, Bottasso-Arias N, Mohanakrishnan M, Snowball J, Ediga HH, Madala SK, Sinner D. Wnt signaling regulates ion channel expression to promote smooth muscle and cartilage formation in developing mouse trachea. bioRxiv 2023:2023.01.10.523309. [PMID: 36711918 PMCID: PMC9882072 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.10.523309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Ion channels play critical roles in the physiology and function of the nervous system and contractile tissue; however, their role in non-contractile tissue and embryonic development has yet to be understood. Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and complete tracheal rings (CTR) are disorders affecting the muscle and cartilage of the trachea and bronchi, whose etiology remains poorly understood. We demonstrated that trachealis muscle organization and polarity are disrupted after epithelial ablation of Wls, a cargo receptor critical for the Wnt signaling pathway, in developing trachea. The phenotype resembles the anomalous trachealis muscle observed after deletion of ion channel encoding genes in developing mouse trachea. We sought to investigate whether and how the deletion of Wls affects ion channels during tracheal development. We hypothesize that Wnt signaling influences the expression of ion channels to promote trachealis muscle cell assembly and patterning. Deleting Wls in developing trachea causes differential regulation of genes mediating actin binding, cytoskeleton organization, and potassium ion channel activity. Wnt signaling regulated expression of Kcnj13, Kcnd3, Kcnj8, and Abcc9 as demonstrated by in vitro studies and in vivo analysis in Wnt5a and β-catenin deficient tracheas. Pharmacological inhibition of potassium ion channels and Wnt signaling impaired contractility of developing trachealis smooth muscle and formation of cartilaginous mesenchymal condensation. Thus, in mice, epithelial-induced Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates trachealis muscle and cartilage development via modulation of ion channel expression, promoting trachealis muscle architecture, contractility, and cartilaginous extracellular matrix. In turn, ion channel activity may influence tracheal morphogenesis underlying TBM and CTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas X. Russell
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati Honors Program
| | - Kaulini Burra
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Current affiliation: Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus OH
| | - Ronak Shah
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati Honors Program Current Affiliation: Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University
| | - Natalia Bottasso-Arias
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
| | - Megha Mohanakrishnan
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati Honors Program
| | - John Snowball
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Current affiliation: P&G Cincinnati, OH
| | - Harshavardhana H. Ediga
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
| | - Debora Sinner
- Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology Perinatal Institute. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine
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7
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Akkenepally S, Yombo DJK, Yerubandi S, Geereddy BR, McCormack FX, Madala SK. Interleukin 31 receptor alpha augments muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3-driven calcium signaling and airway hyperresponsiveness in asthma. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-2564484. [PMID: 36824812 PMCID: PMC9949265 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2564484/v1] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation, and goblet cell hyperplasia. Both Th1 and Th2 cytokines, including IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-13 have been shown to induce asthma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We observed a significant increase in the expression of IL-31RA, but not its cognate ligand IL-31 during allergic asthma. In support of this, IFN-γ and Th2 cytokines, IL-4 and IL-13, upregulated IL-31RA but not IL-31 in airway smooth muscle cells (ASMC). Importantly, the loss of IL-31RA attenuated AHR but had no effects on inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in allergic asthma or mice treated with IL-13 or IFN-γ. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that IL-31RA functions as a positive regulator of muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 3 expression and calcium signaling in ASMC. Together, these results identified a novel role for IL-31RA in AHR distinct from airway inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santoshi Akkenepally
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
- Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Dan JK Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Sanjana Yerubandi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | | | - Francis X. McCormack
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
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8
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Gajjala PR, Singh P, Odayar V, Ediga HH, McCormack FX, Madala SK. Wilms Tumor 1-Driven Fibroblast Activation and Subpleural Thickening in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032850. [PMID: 36769178 PMCID: PMC9918078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032850] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease that is often fatal due to the formation of irreversible scar tissue in the distal areas of the lung. Although the pathological and radiological features of IPF lungs are well defined, the lack of insight into the fibrogenic role of fibroblasts that accumulate in distinct anatomical regions of the lungs is a critical knowledge gap. Fibrotic lesions have been shown to originate in the subpleural areas and extend into the lung parenchyma through processes of dysregulated fibroproliferation, migration, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix production. Identifying the molecular targets underlying subpleural thickening at the early and late stages of fibrosis could facilitate the development of new therapies to attenuate fibroblast activation and improve the survival of patients with IPF. Here, we discuss the key cellular and molecular events that contribute to (myo)fibroblast activation and subpleural thickening in IPF. In particular, we highlight the transcriptional programs involved in mesothelial to mesenchymal transformation and fibroblast dysfunction that can be targeted to alter the course of the progressive expansion of fibrotic lesions in the distal areas of IPF lungs.
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9
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Madala SK, Reznikov LR. Lung Fibrosis Finds an Unsung Hero in Neuropeptide Y. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2022; 67:613-614. [PMID: 36173230 PMCID: PMC9743183 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2022-0375ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Department of Internal Medicine The University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Leah R Reznikov
- Department of Physiological Sciences University of Florida Gainesville, Florida
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10
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Schuliga
- College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy The University of Newcastle Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati College of Medicine Cincinnati, Ohio
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio
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11
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Gajjala PR, Kasam RK, Soundararajan D, Sinner D, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Dysregulated overexpression of Sox9 induces fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e152503. [PMID: 34520400 PMCID: PMC8564901 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [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: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease associated with unremitting fibroblast activation including fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT), migration, resistance to apoptotic clearance, and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the distal lung parenchyma. Aberrant activation of lung-developmental pathways is associated with severe fibrotic lung disease; however, the mechanisms through which these pathways activate fibroblasts in IPF remain unclear. Sry-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) is a member of the high-mobility group box family of DNA-binding transcription factors that are selectively expressed by epithelial cell progenitors to modulate branching morphogenesis during lung development. We demonstrate that Sox9 is upregulated via MAPK/PI3K-dependent signaling and by the transcription factor Wilms' tumor 1 in distal lung-resident fibroblasts in IPF. Mechanistically, using fibroblast activation assays, we demonstrate that Sox9 functions as a positive regulator of FMT, migration, survival, and ECM production. Importantly, our in vivo studies demonstrate that fibroblast-specific deletion of Sox9 is sufficient to attenuate collagen deposition and improve lung function during TGF-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Using a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we show that myofibroblast-specific Sox9 overexpression augments fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, Sox9 functions as a profibrotic transcription factor in activating fibroblasts, illustrating the potential utility of targeting Sox9 in IPF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathibha R Gajjala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Divyalakshmi Soundararajan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Debora Sinner
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
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12
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathibha R Gajjala
- Department of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio and.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio and.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio
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13
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Yombo DJK, Odayar V, Gupta N, Jegga AG, Madala SK. The Protective Effects of IL-31RA Deficiency During Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:645717. [PMID: 33815402 PMCID: PMC8017338 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.645717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a severe fibrotic lung disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition and progressive decline in lung function. Th2 T cell-derived cytokines including IL-4 and IL-13 have been shown to contribute to inflammation and fibrotic remodeling in multiple tissues. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a newly identified cytokine that is predominantly produced by CD4 Th2 T cells, but its signaling receptor IL-31RA is primarily expressed by non-hematopoietic cells. However, the potential role of the IL-31-IL31RA axis in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis has remained largely unknown. To determine the role of IL-31RA deficiency in pulmonary fibrosis, wildtype, and IL-31RA knockout mice were treated with bleomycin and measured changes in collagen deposition and lung function. Notably, the loss of IL-31 signaling attenuated collagen deposition and lung function decline during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The total lung transcriptome analysis showed a significant reduction in fibrosis-associated gene transcripts including extracellular matrix and epithelial cell-associated gene networks. Furthermore, the lungs of human IPF showed an elevated expression of IL-31 when compared to healthy subjects. In support, the percentage of IL-31 producing CD4+ T cells was greater in the lungs and PBMCs from IPF patients compared to healthy controls. Our findings suggest a pathogenic role for IL-31/IL-31RA signaling during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, therapeutic targeting the IL-31-IL-31RA axis may prevent collagen deposition, improve lung function, and have therapeutic potential in pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan J K Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Varshini Odayar
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nishant Gupta
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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14
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Kasam RK, Ghandikota S, Soundararajan D, Reddy GB, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Inhibition of Aurora Kinase B attenuates fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12131. [PMID: 32761869 PMCID: PMC7507328 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation including proliferation, survival, and ECM production is central to initiation and maintenance of fibrotic lesions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, druggable molecules that target fibroblast activation remain limited. In this study, we show that multiple pro‐fibrotic growth factors, including TGFα, CTGF, and IGF1, increase aurora kinase B (AURKB) expression and activity in fibroblasts. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) is a key transcription factor that mediates TGFα‐driven AURKB upregulation in fibroblasts. Importantly, we found that inhibition of AURKB expression or activity is sufficient to attenuate fibroblast activation. We show that fibrosis induced by TGFα is highly dependent on AURKB expression and treating TGFα mice with barasertib, an AURKB inhibitor, reverses fibroblast activation, and pulmonary fibrosis. Barasertib similarly attenuated fibrosis in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis. Together, our preclinical studies provide important proof‐of‐concept that demonstrate barasertib as a possible intervention therapy for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sudhir Ghandikota
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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15
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Kramer EL, Madala SK, Hudock KM, Davidson C, Clancy JP. Subacute TGFβ Exposure Drives Airway Hyperresponsiveness in Cystic Fibrosis Mice through the PI3K Pathway. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 62:657-667. [PMID: 31922900 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2019-0158oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal genetic disease characterized by progressive lung damage and airway obstruction. The majority of patients demonstrate airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), which is associated with more rapid lung function decline. Recent studies in the neonatal CF pig demonstrated airway smooth muscle (ASM) dysfunction. These findings, combined with observed CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression in ASM, suggest that a fundamental defect in ASM function contributes to lung function decline in CF. One established driver of AHR and ASM dysfunction is transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, a genetic modifier of CF lung disease. Prior studies demonstrated that TGFβ exposure in CF mice drives features of CF lung disease, including goblet cell hyperplasia and abnormal lung mechanics. CF mice displayed aberrant responses to pulmonary TGFβ, with elevated PI3K signaling and greater increases in lung resistance compared with controls. Here, we show that TGFβ drives abnormalities in CF ASM structure and function through PI3K signaling that is enhanced in CFTR-deficient lungs. CF and non-CF mice were exposed intratracheally to an adenoviral vector containing the TGFβ1 cDNA, empty vector, or PBS only. We assessed methacholine-induced AHR, bronchodilator response, and ASM area in control and CF mice. Notably, CF mice demonstrated enhanced AHR and bronchodilator response with greater ASM area increases compared with non-CF mice. Furthermore, therapeutic inhibition of PI3K signaling mitigated the TGFβ-induced AHR and goblet cell hyperplasia in CF mice. These results highlight a latent AHR phenotype in CFTR deficiency that is enhanced through TGFβ-induced PI3K signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Kramer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Kristin M Hudock
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio; and.,Division of Adult Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | | | - John P Clancy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
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16
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Wang Y, Yella JK, Ghandikota S, Cherukuri TC, Ediga HH, Madala SK, Jegga AG. Pan-transcriptome-based candidate therapeutic discovery for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Ther Adv Respir Dis 2020; 14:1753466620971143. [PMID: 33167785 PMCID: PMC7659024 DOI: 10.1177/1753466620971143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are two US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs, pirfenidone and nintedanib, for treatment of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, neither of these drugs provide a cure. In addition, both are associated with several drug-related adverse events. Hence, the pursuit for newer IPF therapeutics continues. Recent studies show that joint analysis of systems-biology-level information with drug-disease connectivity are effective in discovery of biologically relevant candidate therapeutics. METHODS Publicly available gene expression signatures from patients with IPF were used to query a large-scale perturbagen signature library to discover compounds that can potentially reverse dysregulated gene expression in IPF. Two methods were used to calculate IPF-compound connectivity: gene expression-based connectivity and feature-based connectivity. Identified compounds were further prioritized if their shared mechanism(s) of action were IPF-related. RESULTS We found 77 compounds as potential candidate therapeutics for IPF. Of these, 39 compounds are either FDA-approved for other diseases or are currently in phase II/III clinical trials suggesting their repurposing potential for IPF. Among these compounds are multiple receptor kinase inhibitors (e.g. nintedanib, currently approved for IPF, and sunitinib), aurora kinase inhibitor (barasertib), epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (erlotinib, gefitinib), calcium channel blocker (verapamil), phosphodiesterase inhibitors (roflumilast, sildenafil), PPAR agonists (pioglitazone), histone deacetylase inhibitors (entinostat), and opioid receptor antagonists (nalbuphine). As a proof of concept, we performed in vitro validations with verapamil using lung fibroblasts from IPF and show its potential benefits in pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS As about half of the candidates discovered in this study are either FDA-approved or are currently in clinical trials for other diseases, rapid translation of these compounds as potential IPF therapeutics is possible. Further, the integrative connectivity analysis framework in this study can be adapted in early phase drug discovery for other common and rare diseases with transcriptomic profiles.The reviews of this paper are available via the supplemental material section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunguan Wang
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jaswanth K. Yella
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Sudhir Ghandikota
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tejaswini C. Cherukuri
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Harshavardhana H. Ediga
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Satish K. Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 240 Albert Sabin Way, MLC 7024, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
- Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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17
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Yombo DJK, Mentink-Kane MM, Wilson MS, Wynn TA, Madala SK. Heat shock protein 70 is a positive regulator of airway inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia in a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:15082-15094. [PMID: 31431507 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.009145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are highly conserved molecular chaperones that are ubiquitously expressed in all species to aid the solubilization of misfolded proteins, protein degradation, and transport. Elevated levels of Hsp70 have been found in the sputum, serum, and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of asthma patients and are known to correlate with disease severity. However, the function of Hsp70 in allergic airway inflammation has remained largely unknown. This study aimed to determine the role of Hsp70 in airway inflammation and remodeling using a mouse model of allergic airway inflammation. WT and Hsp70 double-knockout (Hsp70.1/.3-/-) mice were sensitized and challenged intratracheally with Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens (SEAs) to induce robust Th2 responses and airway inflammation in the lungs. The lack of Hsp70 resulted in a significant reduction in airway inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and Th2 cytokine production, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. An analysis of the BAL fluid suggested that Hsp70 is critically required for eosinophilic infiltration, collagen accumulation, and Th2 cytokine production in allergic airways. Furthermore, our bone marrow (BM) transfer studies show that SEA-induced airway inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and Th2 cytokine production were attenuated in WT mice that were reconstituted with Hsp70-deficient BM, but these effects were not attenuated in Hsp70-deficient mice that were reconstituted with WT BM. Together, these studies identify a pathogenic role for Hsp70 in hematopoietic cells during allergic airway inflammation; this illustrates the potential utility of targeting Hsp70 to alleviate allergen-induced Th2 cytokines, goblet cell hyperplasia, and airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan J K Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
| | | | - Mark S Wilson
- Mill Hill Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas A Wynn
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267
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18
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Kasam RK, Reddy GB, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Dysregulation of Mesenchymal Cell Survival Pathways in Severe Fibrotic Lung Disease: The Effect of Nintedanib Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:532. [PMID: 31156440 PMCID: PMC6533541 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [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: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired apoptotic clearance of myofibroblasts can result in the continuous expansion of scar tissue during the persistent injury in the lung. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic clearance of multiple mesenchymal cells including fibrocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in severe fibrotic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain largely unknown. We analyzed the apoptotic pathways activated in mesenchymal cells of IPF and in a mouse model of TGFα-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We found that fibrocytes and myofibroblasts in fibrotic lung lesions have acquired resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis, and an FDA-approved anti-fibrotic agent, nintedanib, effectively induced apoptotic cell death in both. In support, comparative gene expression analyses suggest that apoptosis-linked gene networks similarly dysregulated in both IPF and a mouse model of TGFα-induced pulmonary fibrosis. TGFα mice treated with nintedanib show increased active caspase 3-positive cells in fibrotic lesions and reduced fibroproliferation and collagen production. Further, the long-term nintedanib therapy attenuated fibrocyte accumulation, collagen deposition, and lung function decline during TGFα-induced pulmonary fibrosis. These results highlight the importance of inhibiting survival pathways and other pro-fibrotic processes in the various types of mesenchymal cells and suggest that the TGFα mouse model is relevant for testing of anti-fibrotic drugs either alone or in combination with nintedanib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Kasam
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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19
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Guo J, Hardie WD, Cleveland ZI, Davidson C, Xu X, Madala SK, Woods JC. Longitudinal free-breathing MRI measurement of murine lung physiology in a progressive model of lung fibrosis. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2019; 126:1138-1149. [PMID: 30730810 DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00993.2018] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
To longitudinally monitor progressive fibrosis in the transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) transgenic mouse model of lung fibrosis, we used retrospective self-gating ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to image mouse lung at baseline and after 4 and 8 wk of fibrosis initiation via doxycycline administration. Only bitransgenic mice were used in this study and divided into two cohorts: six mice were fed doxycycline food to induce lung fibrosis (referred to as Dox cohort), and five other mice were fed normal food (referred to as control cohort). Lung mechanics, histology, and hydroxyproline were assessed after the final MRI. A linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze MRI-derived longitudinal lung-function parameters. Tidal volume decreased at a rate of -0.016 ± 0.002 ml/week [χ2(1) = 16.48, P < 0.001] for Dox cohort and increased at a rate of 0.010 ± 0.003 ml/week [χ2(1) = 6.37, P = 0.01] for control cohort. Minute ventilation decreased at a rate of -1.71 ± 0.26 ml·min-1·wk-1 [χ2(1) = 14.04, P < 0.001] for Dox cohort but did not change significantly over time for control cohort. High-density lung volume percentage increased at a rate of 3.9 ± 0.7%/wk for Dox cohort [χ2(1) = 11.47, P < 0.001] but did not change significantly over time for control cohort. MRI-derived lung structure and function parameters were strongly correlated with pleural thickness, hydroxyproline content, lung compliance, airway resistance, and airway elastance. We conclude that self-gating UTE MRI could be used to longitudinally monitor lung fibrosis in the TGF-α transgenic mouse model. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Self-gating UTE MRI was used to monitor morphology and physiology in lung fibrosis in a transforming growth factor-α transgenic mouse model. Tidal volume was shown for the first time to correlate strongly with conventional metrics of fibrosis such as hydroxyproline and pleural thickness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbang Guo
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis, Missouri
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Zackary I Cleveland
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cynthia Davidson
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jason C Woods
- Center for Pulmonary Imaging Research, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis , St. Louis, Missouri.,Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati , Cincinnati, Ohio
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20
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrosis is an irreversible pathological endpoint in many chronic diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and often fatal condition characterized by (myo)fibroblast proliferation and transformation in the lung, expansion of the extracellular matrix, and extensive remodeling of the lung parenchyma. Recent evidence indicates that IPF prevalence and mortality rates are growing in the United States and elsewhere. Despite decades of research on the pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis, few therapeutics have succeeded in the clinic, and they have failed to improve IPF patient survival. Areas covered: Based on a literature search and our own results, we discuss the key cellular and molecular responses that contribute to (myo)fibroblast actions and pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis; this includes signaling pathways in various cells that aberrantly and persistently activate (myo)fibroblasts in fibrotic lesions and promote scar tissue formation in the lung. Expert opinion: Lessons learned from recent failures and successes with new therapeutics point toward approaches that can target multiple pro-fibrotic processes in IPF. Advances in preclinical modeling and single-cell genomics will also accelerate novel discoveries for effective treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Prathibha R Gajjala
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
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21
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Sontake V, Kasam RK, Sinner D, Korfhagen TR, Reddy GB, White ES, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Wilms' tumor 1 drives fibroproliferation and myofibroblast transformation in severe fibrotic lung disease. JCI Insight 2018; 3:121252. [PMID: 30135315 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.121252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is a critical transcriptional regulator of mesothelial cells during lung development but is downregulated in postnatal stages and adult lungs. We recently showed that WT1 is upregulated in both mesothelial cells and mesenchymal cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a fatal fibrotic lung disease. Although WT1-positive cell accumulation leading to severe fibrotic lung disease has been studied, the role of WT1 in fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis remains elusive. Here, we show that WT1 functions as a positive regulator of fibroblast activation, including fibroproliferation, myofibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that WT1 binds directly to the promoter DNA sequence of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) to induce myofibroblast transformation. In support, the genetic lineage tracing identifies WT1 as a key driver of mesothelial-to-myofibroblast and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation. Importantly, the partial loss of WT1 was sufficient to attenuate myofibroblast accumulation and pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Further, our coculture studies show that WT1 upregulation leads to non-cell autonomous effects on neighboring cells. Thus, our data uncovered a pathogenic role of WT1 in IPF by promoting fibroblast activation in the peripheral areas of the lung and as a target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Debora Sinner
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas R Korfhagen
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Eric S White
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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22
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Kramer EL, Hardie WD, Madala SK, Davidson C, Clancy JP. Subacute TGFβ expression drives inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and pulmonary function abnormalities in mice with effects dependent on CFTR function. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2018; 315:L456-L465. [PMID: 29877096 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00530.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cystic fibrosis (CF) produces variable lung disease phenotypes that are, in part, independent of the CF transmembrane conductance regulator ( CFTR) genotype. Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is the best described genetic modifier of the CF phenotype, but its mechanism of action is unknown. We hypothesized that TGFβ is sufficient to drive pathognomonic features of CF lung disease in vivo and that CFTR deficiency enhances susceptibility to pathological TGFβ effects. A CF mouse model and littermate controls were exposed intratracheally to an adenoviral vector containing the TGFβ1 cDNA (Ad-TGFβ), empty vector, or PBS only. Studies were performed 1 wk after treatment, including lung mechanics, collection of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and analysis of lung histology, RNA, and protein. CF and non-CF mice showed similar weight loss, inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and Smad pathway activation after Ad-TGFβ treatment. Ad-TGFβ produced greater abnormalities in lung mechanics in CF versus control mice, which was uniquely associated with induction of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. CFTR transcripts were reduced, and epithelial sodium channel transcripts were increased in CF and non-CF mice, whereas the goblet cell transcription factors, forkhead ortholog A3 and SAM-pointed domain-containing ETS-like factor, were increased in non-CF but not CF mice following Ad-TGFβ treatment. Pulmonary TGFβ1 expression was sufficient to produce pulmonary remodeling and abnormalities in lung mechanics that were associated with both shared and unique cell signaling pathway activation in CF and non-CF mice. These results highlight the multifunctional impact of TGFβ on pulmonary pathology in vivo and identify cellular-response differences that may impact CF lung pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth L Kramer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - William D Hardie
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cynthia Davidson
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - John P Clancy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine , Cincinnati, Ohio.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati, Ohio
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23
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Reddy VS, Madala SK, Trinath J, Reddy GB. Extracellular small heat shock proteins: exosomal biogenesis and function. Cell Stress Chaperones 2018; 23:441-454. [PMID: 29086335 PMCID: PMC5904088 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-017-0856-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [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: 06/05/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) belong to the family of heat shock proteins (Hsps): some are induced in response to multiple stressful events to protect the cells while others are constitutively expressed. Until now, it was believed that Hsps, including sHsps, are present inside the cells and perform intracellular functions. Interestingly, several groups recently reported the extracellular presence of Hsps, and sHsps have also been detected in sera/cerebrospinal fluids in various pathological conditions. Secretion into the extracellular milieu during many pathological conditions suggests additional or novel functions of sHsps in addition to their intracellular properties. Extracellular sHsps are implicated in cell-cell communication, activation of immune cells, and promoting anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet responses. Interestingly, exogenous administration of sHsps showed therapeutic effects in multiple disease models implying that extracellular sHsps are beneficial in pathological conditions. sHsps do not possess signal sequence and, hence, are not exported through the classical Endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi complex (ER-Golgi) secretory pathway. Further, export of sHsps is not inhibited by ER-Golgi secretory pathway inhibitors implying the involvement of a nonclassical secretory pathway in sHsp export. In lieu, lysoendosomal and exosomal pathways have been proposed for the export of sHsps. Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27), αB-crystallin (αBC), and Hsp20 are shown to be exported by exosomes. Exosomes packaged with sHsps have beneficial effects in in vivo disease models. However, secretion mechanisms and therapeutic use of sHsps have not been elucidated in detail. Therefore, this review aimed at highlighting the current understanding of sHsps (Hsp27, αBC, and Hsp20) in the extracellular medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Sudhakar Reddy
- Biochemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Tarnaka, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad, 500007, India.
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jamma Trinath
- Department of Biological Sciences, BITS-Pilani, 500078, Hyderabad Campus, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - G Bhanuprakash Reddy
- Biochemistry Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Tarnaka, Jamai-Osmania, Hyderabad, 500007, India.
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24
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Wang Y, Yella J, Chen J, McCormack FX, Madala SK, Jegga AG. Unsupervised gene expression analyses identify IPF-severity correlated signatures, associated genes and biomarkers. BMC Pulm Med 2017; 17:133. [PMID: 29058630 PMCID: PMC5649521 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-017-0472-9] [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: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 10/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease occurring predominantly in middle-aged and older adults. The traditional diagnostic classification of IPF is based on clinical, radiological, and histopathological features. However, the considerable heterogeneity in IPF presentation suggests that differences in gene expression profiles can help to characterize and distinguish disease severity. Methods We used data-driven unsupervised clustering analysis, combined with a knowledge-based approach to identify and characterize IPF subgroups. Results Using transcriptional profiles on lung tissue from 131 patients with IPF/UIP and 12 non-diseased controls, we identified six subgroups of IPF that generally correlated with the disease severity and lung function decline. Network-informed clustering identified the most severe subgroup of IPF that was enriched with genes regulating inflammatory processes, blood pressure and branching morphogenesis of the lung. The differentially expressed genes in six subgroups of IPF compared to healthy control include transcripts of extracellular matrix, epithelial-mesenchymal cell cross-talk, calcium ion homeostasis, and oxygen transport. Further, we compiled differentially expressed gene signatures to identify unique gene clusters that can segregate IPF from normal, and severe from mild IPF. Additional validations of these signatures were carried out in three independent cohorts of IPF/UIP. Finally, using knowledge-based approaches, we identified several novel candidate genes which may also serve as potential biomarkers of IPF. Conclusions Discovery of unique and redundant gene signatures for subgroups in IPF can be greatly facilitated through unsupervised clustering. Findings derived from such gene signatures may provide insights into pathogenesis of IPF and facilitate the development of clinically useful biomarkers. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12890-017-0472-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunguan Wang
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jaswanth Yella
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jing Chen
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Francis X McCormack
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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25
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Singh B, Kasam RK, Sontake V, Wynn TA, Madala SK. Repetitive intradermal bleomycin injections evoke T-helper cell 2 cytokine-driven pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 313:L796-L806. [PMID: 28775096 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00184.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-4 and IL-13 are major T-helper cell (Th) 2 cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of several lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, using a novel repetitive intradermal bleomycin model in which mice develop extensive lung fibrosis and a progressive decline in lung function compared with saline-treated control mice, we investigated profibrotic functions of Th2 cytokines. To determine the role of IL-13 signaling in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, wild-type, IL-13, and IL-4Rα-deficient mice were treated with bleomycin, and lungs were assessed for changes in lung function and pulmonary fibrosis. Histological staining and lung function measurements demonstrated that collagen deposition and lung function decline were attenuated in mice deficient in either IL-13 or IL-4Rα-driven signaling compared with wild-type mice treated with bleomycin. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that IL-13 and IL-4Rα-driven signaling are involved in excessive migration of macrophages and fibroblasts. Notably, our findings demonstrated that IL-13-driven migration involves increased phospho-focal adhesion kinase signaling and F-actin polymerization. Importantly, in vivo findings demonstrated that IL-13 augments matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP9 activity that has also been shown to increase migration and invasiveness of fibroblasts in the lungs during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Together, our findings demonstrate a pathogenic role for Th2-cytokine signaling that includes excessive migration and protease activity involved in severe fibrotic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brijendra Singh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; and
| | - Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; and
| | - Thomas A Wynn
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio;
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26
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Madala SK, Sontake V, Edukulla R, Davidson CR, Schmidt S, Hardie WD. Unique and Redundant Functions of p70 Ribosomal S6 Kinase Isoforms Regulate Mesenchymal Cell Proliferation and Migration in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 55:792-803. [PMID: 27438654 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0090oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) is a downstream substrate that is phosphorylated and activated by the mammalian target of rapamycin complex and regulates multiple cellular processes associated with pulmonary fibrogenesis. Two isoforms of the p70S6K have been identified (S6K1 and S6K2), but their relative contributions in mediating pulmonary fibrosis are unknown. To interrogate the roles of the p70S6K isoforms, we overexpressed transforming growth factor (TGF)-α in mice deficient for the S6K1 or S6K2 genes and measured changes in lung histology, morphometry, total lung collagen, lung function, and proliferation between wild-type and isoform-deficient mice. Deficiency of S6K1, but not S6K2, had a significant effect on reducing proliferation in subpleural fibrotic lesions during TGF-α-induced fibrosis. Migration was significantly decreased in mesenchymal cells isolated from the lungs of S6K1 knockout mice compared with wild-type or S6K2 knockout mice. Conversely, increases in subpleural thickening were significantly decreased in S6K2-deficient mice compared with wild type. Deficiency of S6K2 significantly reduced phosphorylation of the downstream S6 ribosomal protein in lung homogenates and isolated mesenchymal cells after TGF-α expression. However, deficiency of neither isoform alone significantly altered TGF-α-induced collagen accumulation or lung function decline in vivo. Furthermore, deficiency in neither isoform prevented changes in collagen accumulation or lung compliance decline after administration of intradermal bleomycin. Together, these findings demonstrate that the p70S6K isoforms have unique and redundant functions in mediating fibrogenic processes, including proliferation, migration, and S6 phosphorylation, signifying that both isoforms must be targeted to modulate p70S6K-mediated pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ramakrishna Edukulla
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cynthia R Davidson
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Stephanie Schmidt
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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27
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Sontake V, Wang Y, Kasam RK, Sinner D, Reddy GB, Naren AP, McCormack FX, White ES, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Hsp90 regulation of fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2017; 2:e91454. [PMID: 28239659 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe fibrotic lung disease associated with fibroblast activation that includes excessive proliferation, tissue invasiveness, myofibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. To identify inhibitors that can attenuate fibroblast activation, we queried IPF gene signatures against a library of small-molecule-induced gene-expression profiles and identified Hsp90 inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents that can suppress fibroblast activation in IPF. Although Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone that regulates multiple processes involved in fibroblast activation, it has not been previously proposed as a molecular target in IPF. Here, we found elevated Hsp90 staining in lung biopsies of patients with IPF. Notably, fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic lesions showed heightened Hsp90 ATPase activity compared with normal fibroblasts. 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a small-molecule inhibitor of Hsp90 ATPase activity, attenuated fibroblast activation and also TGF-β-driven effects on fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation. The loss of the Hsp90AB, but not the Hsp90AA isoform, resulted in reduced fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast transformation, and ECM production. Finally, in vivo therapy with 17-AAG attenuated progression of established and ongoing fibrosis in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that targeting Hsp90 represents an effective strategy for the treatment of fibrotic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Debora Sinner
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Francis X McCormack
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Eric S White
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, AnnArbor, Michigan, USA
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28
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Singh B, Jegga AG, Shanmukhappa KS, Edukulla R, Khurana Hershey GK, Medvedovic M, Dillon SR, Madala SK. Correction: IL-31-Driven Skin Remodeling Involves Epidermal Cell Proliferation and Thickening That Lead to Impaired Skin-Barrier Function. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170446. [PMID: 28114322 PMCID: PMC5256880 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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29
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Singh B, Jegga AG, Shanmukhappa KS, Edukulla R, Khurana GH, Medvedovic M, Dillon SR, Madala SK. IL-31-Driven Skin Remodeling Involves Epidermal Cell Proliferation and Thickening That Lead to Impaired Skin-Barrier Function. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0161877. [PMID: 27556734 PMCID: PMC4996532 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Accepted: 08/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a type 2 helper T-cell-derived cytokine that has recently been shown to cause severe inflammation and tissue remodeling in multiple chronic diseases of the skin and lungs. IL-31 is upregulated in allergic and inflammatory diseases, including atopic dermatitis, asthma, cutaneous T-cell lymphomas, and allergic rhinitis, as well as autoimmune diseases such as systemic erythematosus. Overexpression of IL-31 in T cells causes severe inflammation, with histological features similar to skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in IL31-driven pathological remodeling in skin diseases remain largely unknown. Here, we studied the role of IL-31 in skin damage as a result of intradermal administration of recombinant IL-31 into mice. Notably, IL-31 was sufficient to increase epidermal basal-cell proliferation and thickening of the epidermal skin layer. Our findings demonstrate a progressive increase in transepidermal water loss with chronic administration of IL-31 into the skin. Further, analysis of the skin transcriptome indicates a significant increase in the transcripts involved in epidermal-cell proliferation, epidermal thickening, and mechanical integrity. In summary, our findings demonstrate an important role for IL-31 signaling in epidermal cell proliferation and thickening that together may lead to impaired skin-barrier function in pathological remodeling of the skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brijendra Singh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Anil G. Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kumar S. Shanmukhappa
- Division of Pathology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ramakrishna Edukulla
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Gurjit H. Khurana
- Division of Asthma Research, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Laboratory for Statistical Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Stacey R. Dillon
- Discovery Biology Group, ZymoGenetics, Inc. (a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company), Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Satish K. Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Glasser SW, Hagood JS, Wong S, Taype CA, Madala SK, Hardie WD. Mechanisms of Lung Fibrosis Resolution. Am J Pathol 2016; 186:1066-77. [PMID: 27021937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Fibrogenesis involves a dynamic interplay between factors that promote the biosynthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix along with pathways that degrade the extracellular matrix and eliminate the primary effector cells. Opposing the often held perception that fibrotic tissue is permanent, animal studies and clinical data now demonstrate the highly plastic nature of organ fibrosis that can, under certain circumstances, regress. This review describes the current understanding of the mechanisms whereby the lung is known to resolve fibrosis focusing on degradation of the extracellular matrix, removal of myofibroblasts, and the role of inflammatory cells. Although there are significant gaps in understanding lung fibrosis resolution, accelerated improvements in biotechnology and bioinformatics are expected to improve the understanding of these mechanisms and have high potential to lead to novel and effective restorative therapies in the treatment not only of pulmonary fibrosis, but also of a wide-ranging spectrum of chronic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan W Glasser
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - James S Hagood
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Simon Wong
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Carmen A Taype
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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31
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Madala SK, Thomas G, Edukulla R, Davidson C, Schmidt S, Schehr A, Hardie WD. p70 ribosomal S6 kinase regulates subpleural fibrosis following transforming growth factor-α expression in the lung. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2015; 310:L175-86. [PMID: 26566903 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00063.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [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: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 11/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K) is a downstream substrate that is phosphorylated and activated by the mammalian target of rapamycin complex and regulates multiple cellular processes associated with fibrogenesis. Recent studies demonstrate that aberrant mTORC1-S6K signaling contributes to various pathological conditions, but a direct role in pulmonary fibroproliferation has not been established. Increased phosphorylation of the S6K pathway is detected immediately following transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) expression in a transgenic model of progressive lung fibrosis. To test the hypothesis that the S6K directly regulates pulmonary fibroproliferative disease we determined the cellular sites of S6K phosphorylation during the induction of fibrosis in the TGF-α model and tested the efficacy of specific pharmacological inhibition of the S6K pathway to prevent and reverse fibrotic disease. Following TGF-α expression increased phosphorylation of the S6K was detected in the airway and alveolar epithelium and the mesenchyme of advanced subpleural fibrotic regions. Specific inhibition of the S6K with the small molecule inhibitor LY-2584702 decreased TGF-α and platelet-derived growth factor-β-induced proliferation of lung fibroblasts in vitro. Administration of S6K inhibitors to TGF-α mice prevented the development of extensive subpleural fibrosis and alterations in lung mechanics, and attenuated the increase in total lung hydroxyproline. S6K inhibition after fibrosis was established attenuated the progression of subpleural fibrosis. Together these studies demonstrate targeting the S6K pathway selectively modifies the progression of pulmonary fibrosis in the subpleural compartment of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - George Thomas
- Metabolic Disease Institute, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Ramakrishna Edukulla
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cynthia Davidson
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Stephanie Schmidt
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Angelica Schehr
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio;
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32
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Sontake V, Shanmukhappa SK, DiPasquale BA, Reddy GB, Medvedovic M, Hardie WD, White ES, Madala SK. Fibrocytes Regulate Wilms Tumor 1-Positive Cell Accumulation in Severe Fibrotic Lung Disease. J Immunol 2015; 195:3978-91. [PMID: 26371248 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1500963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Collagen-producing myofibroblast transdifferentiation is considered a crucial determinant in the formation of scar tissue in the lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Multiple resident pulmonary cell types and bone marrow-derived fibrocytes have been implicated as contributors to fibrotic lesions because of the transdifferentiation potential of these cells into myofibroblasts. In this study, we assessed the expression of Wilms tumor 1 (WT1), a known marker of mesothelial cells, in various cell types in normal and fibrotic lungs. We demonstrate that WT1 is expressed by both mesothelial and mesenchymal cells in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lungs but has limited or no expression in normal human lungs. We also demonstrate that WT1(+) cells accumulate in fibrotic lung lesions, using two different mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis and WT1 promoter-driven fluorescent reporter mice. Reconstitution of bone marrow cells into a TGF-α transgenic mouse model demonstrated that fibrocytes do not transform into WT1(+) mesenchymal cells, but they do augment accumulation of WT1(+) cells in severe fibrotic lung disease. Importantly, the number of WT1(+) cells in fibrotic lesions was correlated with severity of lung disease as assessed by changes in lung function, histology, and hydroxyproline levels in mice. Finally, inhibition of WT1 expression was sufficient to attenuate collagen and other extracellular matrix gene production by mesenchymal cells from both murine and human fibrotic lungs. Thus, the results of this study demonstrate a novel association between fibrocyte-driven WT1(+) cell accumulation and severe fibrotic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229; Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Shiva K Shanmukhappa
- Division of Pathology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Betsy A DiPasquale
- Division of Pathology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India
| | - Mario Medvedovic
- Laboratory for Statistical Genomics and Systems Biology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267; and
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229
| | - Eric S White
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229;
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Edukulla R, Singh B, Jegga AG, Sontake V, Dillon SR, Madala SK. Th2 Cytokines Augment IL-31/IL-31RA Interactions via STAT6-dependent IL-31RA Expression. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:13510-20. [PMID: 25847241 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.622126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 31 receptor α (IL-31RA) is a novel Type I cytokine receptor that pairs with oncostatin M receptor to mediate IL-31 signaling. Binding of IL-31 to its receptor results in the phosphorylation and activation of STATs, MAPK, and JNK signaling pathways. IL-31 plays a pathogenic role in tissue inflammation, particularly in allergic diseases. Recent studies demonstrate IL-31RA expression and signaling in non-hematopoietic cells, but this receptor is poorly studied in immune cells. Macrophages are key immune-effector cells that play a critical role in Th2-cytokine-mediated allergic diseases. Here, we demonstrate that Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 are capable of up-regulating IL-31RA expression on both peritoneal and bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice. Our data also demonstrate that IL-4Rα-driven IL-31RA expression is STAT6 dependent in macrophages. Notably, the inflammation-associated genes Fizz1 and serum amyloid A (SAA) are significantly up-regulated in M2 macrophages stimulated with IL-31, but not in IL-4 receptor-deficient macrophages. Furthermore, the absence of Type II IL-4 receptor signaling is sufficient to attenuate the expression of IL-31RA in vivo during allergic asthma induced by soluble egg antigen, which may suggest a role for IL-31 signaling in Th2 cytokine-driven inflammation and allergic responses. Our study reveals an important counter-regulatory role between Th2 cytokine and IL-31 signaling involved in allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anil G Jegga
- Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229 and
| | | | - Stacey R Dillon
- the ZymoGenetics, Inc. (a Bristol-Myers Squibb Company), Seattle, Washington 98102
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Madala SK. Reply: tissue fibrocytes are a subpopulation of macrophages. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2015; 52:138. [PMID: 25552191 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2014-0218le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- 1 Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati, Ohio
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35
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Madala SK, Edukulla R, Schmidt S, Davidson C, Ikegami M, Hardie WD. Bone marrow-derived stromal cells are invasive and hyperproliferative and alter transforming growth factor-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2014; 50:777-86. [PMID: 24199692 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2013-0042oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is caused by excessive proliferation and accumulation of stromal cells. Fibrocytes are bone marrow (BM)-derived cells that contribute to pathologic stromal cell accumulation in human lung disease. However, the cellular source for these stromal cells and the degree of fibrocyte contribution to pulmonary fibrosis remain unclear. To determine the etiology of stromal cell excess during pulmonary fibrosis, we measured fibrocytes during the progression of fibrosis in the transforming growth factor (TGF)-α transgenic mouse model. Lung epithelial-specific overexpression of TGF-α led to progressive pulmonary fibrosis associated with increased accumulation of fibrocytes in the fibrotic lesions. Although reconstitution of BM cells into TGF-α mice demonstrated accumulation of these cells in fibrotic lesions, the majority of the cells did not express α-smooth muscle actin, suggesting that fibrocytes did not transform into myofibroblasts. To explore the mechanisms of fibrocytes in pulmonary fibrogenesis, adoptive cell-transfer experiments were performed. Purified fibrocytes were transferred intravenously into TGF-α transgenic mice, and fibrosis endpoints were compared with controls. Analysis of lung histology and hydroxyproline levels demonstrated that fibrocyte transfers augment TGF-α-induced lung fibrosis. A major subset of TGF-α-induced fibrocytes expressed CD44 and displayed excessive invasiveness, which is attenuated in the presence of anti-CD44 antibodies. Coculture experiments of resident fibroblasts with fibrocytes demonstrated that fibrocytes stimulate proliferation of resident fibroblasts. In summary, fibrocytes are increased in the progressive, fibrotic lesions of TGF-α-transgenic mice and activate resident fibroblasts to cause severe lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- 1 Department of Pediatrics, Divisions of Pulmonary Medicine and
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Madala SK, Korfhagen TR, Schmidt S, Davidson C, Edukulla R, Ikegami M, Violette SM, Weinreb PH, Sheppard D, Hardie WD. Inhibition of the αvβ6 integrin leads to limited alteration of TGF-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2014; 306:L726-35. [PMID: 24508732 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00357.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of growth factors and signaling pathways regulate matrix deposition and fibroblast proliferation in the lung. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of receptors and the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family are active in diverse biological processes and are central mediators in the initiation and maintenance of fibrosis in many diseases. Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is a ligand for the EGFR, and doxycycline (Dox)-inducible transgenic mice conditionally expressing TGF-α specifically in the lung epithelium develop progressive fibrosis accompanied with cachexia, changes in lung mechanics, and marked pleural thickening. Although recent studies demonstrate that EGFR activation modulates the fibroproliferative effects involved in the pathogenesis of TGF-β induced pulmonary fibrosis, in converse, the direct role of EGFR induction of the TGF-β pathway in the lung is unknown. The αvβ6 integrin is an important in vivo activator of TGF-β activation in the lung. Immunohistochemical analysis of αvβ6 protein expression and bronchoalveolar analysis of TGF-β pathway signaling indicates activation of the αvβ6/TGF-β pathway only at later time points after lung fibrosis was already established in the TGF-α model. To determine the contribution of the αvβ6/TGF-β pathway on the progression of established fibrotic disease, TGF-α transgenic mice were administered Dox for 4 wk, which leads to extensive fibrosis; these mice were then treated with a function-blocking anti-αvβ6 antibody with continued administration of Dox for an additional 4 wk. Compared with TGF-α transgenic mice treated with control antibody, αvβ6 inhibition significantly attenuated pleural thickening and altered the decline in lung mechanics. To test the effects of genetic loss of the β6 integrin, TGF-α transgenic mice were mated with β6-null mice and the degree of fibrosis was compared in adult mice following 8 wk of Dox administration. Genetic ablation of the β6 integrin attenuated histological and physiological changes in the lungs of TGF-α transgenic mice although a significant degree of fibrosis still developed. In summary, inhibition of the β6 integrin led to a modest, albeit significant, effect on pleural thickening and lung function decline observed with TGF-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. These data support activation of the αvβ6/TGF-β pathway as a secondary effect contributing to TGF-α-induced pleural fibrosis and suggest a complex contribution of multiple mediators to the maintenance of progressive fibrosis in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Dept. of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229.
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Madala SK, Edukulla R, Davis KR, Schmidt S, Davidson C, Kitzmiller JA, Hardie WD, Korfhagen TR. Resistin-like molecule α1 (Fizz1) recruits lung dendritic cells without causing pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Res 2012; 13:51. [PMID: 22726462 PMCID: PMC3485088 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-13-51] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistin-like molecule alpha or found in inflammatory zone protein (Fizz1) is increased in pulmonary epithelial cells and also in limited amounts by other lung cells during various lung injuries and fibrosis. However, the direct role of Fizz1 produced in the pulmonary epithelium has not been determined. METHODS Fizz1 Transgenic mice (CCSP/Fizz1) were generated that overexpress Fizz1 in the lung epithelium under the control of a doxycycline (Dox) inducible lung epithelial cell specific promoter Scgb1a1 (Clara cell secretory protein, CCSP). Histology and FACS analysis of lung cells were used to identify the direct effects of Fizz1 in the transgenic mice (Dox treated) when compared with control (CCSP/-) mice. Intratracheal bleomycin sulfate or silica in saline and saline alone were used to study the role of Fizz1 during bleomycin- and silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis in CCSP/Fizz1 and CCSP/- mice. Weight change, pulmonary inflammation, and fibrosis were assessed 10 days post bleomycin or 28 days post silica challenge. RESULTS When CCSP/Fizz1 mice were fed Dox food, elevated Fizz1 protein was detected in lung homogenates by western blot. Lungs of mice in which Fizz1 was induced in the epithelium contained increased lung cells staining for CD11c and F4/80 by FACS analysis consistent with increased dendritic cells however, no changes were observed in the percentage of interstitial macrophages compared to CCSP/- controls. No significant changes were found in the lung histology of CCSP/Fizz1 mice after up to 8 weeks of overexpression compared to CCSP/- controls. Overexpression of Fizz1 prior to challenge or following challenge with bleomycin or silica did not significantly alter airway inflammation or fibrosis compared to control mice. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrates that epithelial cell derived Fizz1 is sufficient to increase the bone-marrow derived dendritic cells in the lungs, but it is not sufficient to cause lung fibrosis or alter chemical or particle-induced fibrosis.
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Mentink-Kane MM, Cheever AW, Wilson MS, Madala SK, Beers LM, Ramalingam TR, A.Wynn T. Accelerated and progressive and lethal liver fibrosis in mice that lack interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12p40, and IL-13Rα2. Gastroenterology 2011; 141:2200-9. [PMID: 21864478 PMCID: PMC3221932 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2011.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 01/30/2011] [Revised: 07/29/2011] [Accepted: 08/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Progressive fibrosis contributes to the morbidity of several chronic diseases; it typically develops slowly, so the mechanisms that control its progression and resolution have been difficult to model. The proteins interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12p40, and IL-13Rα2 regulate hepatic fibrosis following infection with the helminth parasite Schistosoma mansoni. We examined whether these mediators interact to slow the progression of hepatic fibrosis in mice with schistosomiasis. METHODS IL-10(-/-), IL-12/23(p40)(-/-), and IL-13Rα2(-/-) mice were crossed to generate triple knockout (TKO) mice. We studied these mice to determine whether the simultaneous deletion of these 3 negative regulators of the immune response accelerated mortality from liver fibrosis following infection with S mansoni. RESULTS Induction of inflammation by S mansoni, liver fibrosis, and mortality increased greatly in TKO mice compared with wild-type mice; 100% of the TKO mice died by 10 weeks after infection. Morbidity and mortality were associated with the development of portal hypertension, hepatosplenomegaly, gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, thrombocytopenia, esophageal and gastric varices, anemia, and increased levels of liver enzymes, all features of advanced liver disease. IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-13Rα2 reduced the production and activity of the profibrotic cytokine IL-13. A neutralizing antibody against IL-13 reduced the morbidity and mortality of the TKO mice following S mansoni infection. CONCLUSIONS IL-10, IL-12p40, and IL-13Rα2 act cooperatively to suppress liver fibrosis in mice following infection with S mansoni. This model rapidly reproduces many of the complications observed in patients with advanced cirrhosis, so it might be used to evaluate the efficacy of antifibrotic reagents being developed for schistosomiasis or other fibrotic diseases associated with a T-helper 2 cell-mediated immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret M. Mentink-Kane
- Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | | | - Mark S. Wilson
- Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Satish K. Madala
- Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Lara Megan Beers
- Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Thirumalai R. Ramalingam
- Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
| | - Thomas A.Wynn
- Program in Barrier Immunity and Repair, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA,Corresponding Author: To whom correspondence should be addressed: Dr. Thomas A. Wynn, Head: Immunopathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS, 50 South Drive, Rm.6154, MSC 8003, Bethesda, MD 20892, 301-496-4758 (Telephone), , 301-480-5025 (Fax)
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Madala SK, Schmidt S, Davidson C, Ikegami M, Wert S, Hardie WD. MEK-ERK pathway modulation ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis associated with epidermal growth factor receptor activation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2011; 46:380-8. [PMID: 22021337 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2011-0237oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis remains a significant public health burden with no proven therapies. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/MAPK kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascade is a major pathway controlling cellular processes associated with fibrogenesis, including growth, proliferation, and survival. Activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway is detected in the lungs of human fibrosis samples; however, the effect of modulating the pathway in vivo is unknown. Overexpression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-α in the lung epithelium of transgenic mice causes a progressive pulmonary fibrosis associated with increased MEK/ERK activation localized primarily in mesenchymal cells. To determine the role of the MEK pathway in the induction of TGF-α-induced lung fibrosis, TGF-α was overexpressed for 4 weeks while mice were simultaneously treated with the specific MEK inhibitor, ARRY-142886 (ARRY). Treatment with ARRY prevented increases in lung cell proliferation and total lung collagen, attenuated production of extracellular matrix genes, and protected mice from changes in lung function. ARRY administered as a rescue treatment after fibrosis was already established inhibited fibrosis progression, as assessed by lung histology, changes in body weights, extracellular matrix gene expression, and lung mechanics. These findings demonstrate that MEK inhibition prevents progression of established fibrosis in the TGF-α model, and provides proof of concept of targeting the MEK pathway in fibrotic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Wynn TA, Barron L, Thompson RW, Madala SK, Wilson MS, Cheever AW, Ramalingam T. Quantitative assessment of macrophage functions in repair and fibrosis. Curr Protoc Immunol 2011; Chapter 14:Unit14.22. [PMID: 21462164 DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im1422s93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Macrophages play key roles in wound repair and fibrosis by regulating extracellular matrix turnover. Macrophages can process matrix components themselves, but also recruit and alter the functions of other cell types that directly build or degrade extracellular matrix. Classically activated macrophages (CAM, also called M1) tend to promote tissue injury while alternatively activated macrophages (AAM, also called M2) are often linked with the mechanisms of wound repair and fibrosis. However, rather than promoting collagen deposition, recent studies suggest that arginase-1-expressing AAM suppress chronic inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting antigen-specific T cell responses. This unit describes methods to measure arginase activity in macrophages and whole tissues as well as assays to quantify the T cell suppressive activity of AAMs. Modified hydroxyproline and soluble collagen assays that can be used to quantify collagen levels in tissues and brochoalveolar lavage fluid are also described. The protocols in this unit should provide the investigator with all the necessary information required to measure arginase activity and to correlate the observed activity with the progression and resolution of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Wynn
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Madala SK, Dolan MA, Sharma D, Ramalingam TR, Wilson MS, Mentink-Kane MM, Masison DC, Wynn TA. Mapping mouse IL-13 binding regions using structure modeling, molecular docking, and high-density peptide microarray analysis. Proteins 2011; 79:282-93. [PMID: 21064130 DOI: 10.1002/prot.22881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin-13 is a Th2-associated cytokine responsible for many pathological responses in allergic asthma including mucus production, inflammation, and extracellular matrix remodeling. In addition, IL-13 is required for immunity to many helminth infections. IL-13 signals via the type-II IL-4 receptor, a heterodimeric receptor of IL-13Rα1 and IL-4Rα, which is also used by IL-4. IL-13 also binds to IL-13Rα2, but with much higher affinity than the type-II IL-4 receptor. Binding of IL-13 to IL-13Rα2 has been shown to attenuate IL-13 signaling through the type-II IL-4 receptor. However, molecular determinants that dictate the specificity and affinity of mouse IL-13 for the different receptors are largely unknown. Here, we used high-density overlapping peptide arrays, structural modeling, and molecular docking methods to map IL-13 binding sequences on its receptors. Predicted binding sequences on mouse IL-13Rα1 and IL-13Rα2 were in agreement with the reported human IL-13 receptor complex structures and site-directed mutational analysis. Novel structural differences were identified between IL-13 receptors, particularly at the IL-13 binding interface. Notably, additional binding sites were observed for IL-13 on IL-13Rα2. In addition, the identification of peptide sequences that are unique to IL-13Rα1 allowed us to generate a monoclonal antibody that selectively binds IL-13Rα1. Thus, high-density peptide arrays combined with molecular docking studies provide a novel, rapid, and reliable method to map cytokine-receptor interactions that may be used to generate signaling and decoy receptor-specific antagonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA
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Wilson MS, Ramalingam TR, Rivollier A, Shenderov K, Mentink-Kane MM, Madala SK, Cheever AW, Artis D, Kelsall BL, Wynn TA. Colitis and intestinal inflammation in IL10-/- mice results from IL-13Rα2-mediated attenuation of IL-13 activity. Gastroenterology 2011; 140:254-64. [PMID: 20951137 PMCID: PMC3006653 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2010.09.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [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: 06/28/2010] [Revised: 09/08/2010] [Accepted: 09/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 is required to maintain immune homeostasis in the gastrointestinal tract. IL-10 null mice spontaneously develop colitis or are more susceptible to induction of colitis by infections, drugs, and autoimmune reactions. IL-13 regulates inflammatory conditions; its activity might be compromised by the IL-13 decoy receptor (IL-13Rα2). METHODS We examined the roles of IL-13 and IL-13Rα2 in intestinal inflammation in mice. To study the function of IL-13Rα2, il10(-/-) mice were crossed with il13rα2(-/-) to generate il10(-/-)il13rα2(-/-) double knockout (dKO) mice. Colitis was induced with the gastrointestinal toxin piroxicam or Trichuris muris infection. RESULTS Induction of colitis by interferon (IFN)-γ or IL-17 in IL-10 null mice requires IL-13Rα2. Following exposure of il10(-/-) mice to piroxicam or infection with T muris, production of IL-13Rα2 increased, resulting in decreased IL-13 bioactivity and increased inflammation in response to IFN-γ or IL-17A. In contrast to il10(-/-) mice, dKO mice were resistant to piroxicam-induced colitis; they also developed less severe colitis during chronic infection with T muris infection. In both models, resistance to IFN-γ and IL-17-mediated intestinal inflammation was associated with increased IL-13 activity. Susceptibility to colitis was restored when the dKO mice were injected with monoclonal antibodies against IL-13, confirming its protective role. CONCLUSIONS Colitis and intestinal inflammation in IL10(-/-) mice results from IL-13Rα2-mediated attenuation of IL-13 activity. In the absence of IL-13Rα2, IL-13 suppresses proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 responses. Reagents that block the IL-13 decoy receptor IL-13Rα2 might be developed for inflammatory bowel disease associated with increased levels of IFN-γ and IL-17.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S. Wilson
- Immunopathogensis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Thirumalai R. Ramalingam
- Immunopathogensis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Aymeric Rivollier
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Kevin Shenderov
- Immunobiology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Margaret M. Mentink-Kane
- Immunopathogensis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Satish K. Madala
- Immunopathogensis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | | | - David Artis
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Brian L. Kelsall
- Laboratory of Mucosal Immunology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Thomas A. Wynn
- Immunopathogensis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, DHHS 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892,Corresponding author: Dr. Thomas A. Wynn, Tel. 301-496-4758, Fax: 301-480-5025,
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Madala SK, Pesce JT, Ramalingam TR, Wilson MS, Minnicozzi S, Cheever AW, Thompson RW, Mentink-Kane MM, Wynn TA. Matrix metalloproteinase 12-deficiency augments extracellular matrix degrading metalloproteinases and attenuates IL-13-dependent fibrosis. J Immunol 2010; 184:3955-63. [PMID: 20181883 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0903008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Infection with the parasitic helminth Schistosoma mansoni causes significant liver fibrosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are important regulators of the ECM by regulating cellular inflammation, extracellular matrix deposition, and tissue reorganization. MMP12 is a macrophage-secreted elastase that is highly induced in the liver and lung in response to S. mansoni eggs, confirmed by both DNA microarray and real-time PCR analysis. However, the function of MMP12 in chronic helminth-induced inflammation and fibrosis is unclear. In this study, we reveal that MMP12 acts as a potent inducer of inflammation and fibrosis after infection with the helminth parasite S. mansoni. Surprisingly, the reduction in liver and lung fibrosis in MMP12-deficient mice was not associated with significant changes in cytokine, chemokine, TGF-beta1, or tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase expression. Instead, we observed marked increases in MMP2 and MMP13 expression, suggesting that Mmp12 was promoting fibrosis by limiting the expression of specific ECM-degrading MMPs. Interestingly, like MMP12, MMP13 expression was highly dependent on IL-13 and type II-IL-4 receptor signaling. However, in contrast to MMP12, expression of MMP13 was significantly suppressed by the endogenous IL-13 decoy receptor, IL-13Ralpha2. In the absence of MMP12, expression of IL-13Ralpha2 was significantly reduced, providing a possible explanation for the increased IL-13-driven MMP13 activity and reduced fibrosis. As such, these data suggest important counter-regulatory roles between MMP12 and ECM-degrading enzymes like MMP2, MMP9, and MMP13 in Th2 cytokine-driven fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Wilson MS, Madala SK, Ramalingam TR, Gochuico BR, Rosas IO, Cheever AW, Wynn TA. Bleomycin and IL-1beta-mediated pulmonary fibrosis is IL-17A dependent. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 207:535-52. [PMID: 20176803 PMCID: PMC2839145 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20092121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 534] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a destructive inflammatory disease with limited therapeutic options. To better understand the inflammatory responses that precede and concur with collagen deposition, we used three models of pulmonary fibrosis and identify a critical mechanistic role for IL-17A. After exposure to bleomycin (BLM), but not Schistosoma mansoni eggs, IL-17A produced by CD4+ and γδ+ T cells induced significant neutrophilia and pulmonary fibrosis. Studies conducted with C57BL/6 il17a−/− mice confirmed an essential role for IL-17A. Mechanistically, using ifnγ−/−, il10−/−, il10−/−il12p40−/−, and il10−/−il17a−/− mice and TGF-β blockade, we demonstrate that IL-17A–driven fibrosis is suppressed by IL-10 and facilitated by IFN-γ and IL-12/23p40. BLM-induced IL-17A production was also TGF-β dependent, and recombinant IL-17A–mediated fibrosis required TGF-β, suggesting cooperative roles for IL-17A and TGF-β in the development of fibrosis. Finally, we show that fibrosis induced by IL-1β, which mimics BLM-induced fibrosis, is also highly dependent on IL-17A. IL-17A and IL-1β were also increased in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of patients with IPF. Together, these studies identify a critical role for IL-17A in fibrosis, illustrating the potential utility of targeting IL-17A in the treatment of drug and inflammation-induced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark S Wilson
- Immunopathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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