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Choi KM, Kim B, Lee SM, Han J, Bae HS, Han SB, Lee D, Ham IH, Hur H, Kim E, Kim JY. Characterization of gastric cancer-stimulated signaling pathways and function of CTGF in cancer-associated fibroblasts. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:8. [PMID: 38167009 PMCID: PMC10763493 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01396-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are key components of the tumor microenvironment (TME) that play an important role in cancer progression. Although the mechanism by which CAFs promote tumorigenesis has been well investigated, the underlying mechanism of CAFs activation by neighboring cancer cells remains elusive. In this study, we aim to investigate the signaling pathways involved in CAFs activation by gastric cancer cells (GC) and to provide insights into the therapeutic targeting of CAFs for overcoming GC. METHODS Alteration of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) activity in CAFs was analyzed using phospho-RTK array. The expression of CAFs effector genes was determined by RT-qPCR or ELISA. The migration and invasion of GC cells co-cultured with CAFs were examined by transwell migration/invasion assay. RESULTS We found that conditioned media (CM) from GC cells could activate multiple receptor tyrosine kinase signaling pathways, including ERK, AKT, and STAT3. Phospho-RTK array analysis showed that CM from GC cells activated PDGFR tyrosine phosphorylation, but only AKT activation was PDGFR-dependent. Furthermore, we found that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a member of the CCN family, was the most pronouncedly induced CAFs effector gene by GC cells. Knockdown of CTGF impaired the ability of CAFs to promote GC cell migration and invasion. Although the PDGFR-AKT pathway was pronouncedly activated in CAFs stimulated by GC cells, its pharmacological inhibition affected neither CTGF induction nor CAFs-induced GC cell migration. Unexpectedly, the knockdown of SRC and SRC-family kinase inhibitors, dasatinib and saracatinib, significantly impaired CTGF induction in activated CAFs and the migration of GC cells co-cultured with CAFs. SRC inhibitors restored the reduced expression of epithelial markers, E-cadherin and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1), in GC cells co-cultured with CAFs, as well as CAFs-induced aggregate formation in a 3D tumor spheroid model. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a characterization of the signaling pathways and effector genes involved in CAFs activation, and strategies that could effectively inhibit it in the context of GC. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung-Min Choi
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Boram Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Su-Min Lee
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jisoo Han
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ha-Song Bae
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Su-Bhin Han
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Dagyeong Lee
- Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Inflamm-Aging Translational Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- AI-Super Convergence KIURI Translational Research Center, Suwon, South Korea
| | - In-Hye Ham
- Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Inflamm-Aging Translational Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Hoon Hur
- Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
- Inflamm-Aging Translational Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Eunjung Kim
- Natural Product Informatics Center, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Gangneung, South Korea
| | - Jae-Young Kim
- Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology (GRAST), Chungnam National University, Daejeon, South Korea.
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Yin G, Yang C, Wu G, Yu X, Tian Q, Chen D, Cao B, Zhao L, Xu N, Jin S, Zhang W, Wang J. The protein-protein interaction between connective tissue growth factor and annexin A2 is relevant to pannus formation in rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:266. [PMID: 34702315 PMCID: PMC8547044 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02656-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF)-induced angiogenesis is a crucial factor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but CTGF-interacting protein and related molecular mechanism of their interaction have not been fully elucidated. Methods CTGF-interacting proteins were identified through the LC-MS/MS analysis of the Co-IP products from fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) lysates, and the interaction between CTGF and annexin A2 (ANXA2) was further confirmed through Co-IP and BiFC assay. The binding domain, mutant, mechanism, and angiogenesis function were assessed by homology modeling, molecular docking, MTT, cell scratch, tube formation, and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays. Additionally, severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mouse co-implantation model was constructed to confirm the effect of ANXA2/CTGF-TSP1 in the process of RA in vivo. Results ANXA2 was identified and verified as an interaction partner of CTGF for the first time by Co-IP and LC-MS/MS analysis. Co-localization of CTGF and ANXA2 was observed in RA-FLS, and direct interaction of the TSP-1 domain of CTGF and ANXA2 was determined in HEK293T cells. The spatial conformation and stable combination of the ANXA2/CTGF-TSP1 complex were assessed by homology modeling in the biomimetic environment. The function of the ANXA2/CTGF-TSP1 complex was proved on promoting FLS proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in vitro and deteriorating FLS invasion and joint damage in SCID mice. Conclusions TSP-1 is the essential domain in CTGF/ANXA2 interaction and contributes to FLS migration and pannus formation, inducing the process of RA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-021-02656-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guoyu Yin
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chenglin Yang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gan Wu
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Qingqing Tian
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Daoxing Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ben Cao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lin Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Nannan Xu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Shengwei Jin
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Jianguang Wang
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, School of the Second Clinical Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China. .,Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, Zhejiang Province, China.
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Chae S, Hong J, Kang K, Shin A, Kim DG, Lee S, Kim MY, Jung I, Kim D. Molecular laterality encodes stress susceptibility in the medial prefrontal cortex. Mol Brain 2021; 14:92. [PMID: 34127022 PMCID: PMC8201740 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-021-00802-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional lateralization of the prefrontal cortex has been implicated in stress and emotional disorders, yet underlying gene expression changes remains unknown. Here, we report molecular signatures lateralized by chronic social defeats between the two medial prefrontal cortices (mPFCs). Stressed mice show 526 asymmetrically expressed genes between the mPFCs. This cortical asymmetry selectively occurs in stressed mice with depressed social activity, but not in resilient mice with normal behavior. We have isolated highly asymmetric genes including connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a molecule that modulates wound healing at the periphery. Knockdown of CTGF gene in the right mPFC by shRNA led to a stress-resistant behavioral phenotype. Overexpression of CTGF in the right mPFC using viral transduction induces social avoidance while the left mPFC thereof prevent stress-induced social avoidance. Our study provides a molecular window into the mechanism of stress-induced socioemotional disorders, which can pave the way for new interventions by targeting cortical asymmetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujin Chae
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Jiso Hong
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Keunsoo Kang
- Department of Microbiology, College of Natural Sciences, Dankook University, Chungnam, 31116, Korea
| | - Anna Shin
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Dae-Gun Kim
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Sinjeong Lee
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Moo-Young Kim
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Inkyung Jung
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea
| | - Daesoo Kim
- Behavioral Genetics Lab., Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 305-701, Korea.
- KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 305-701, Korea.
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Shah AM, Jain K, Desai RS, Bansal S, Shirsat P, Prasad P, Bodhankar K. The Role of Increased Connective Tissue Growth Factor in the Pathogenesis of Oral Submucous Fibrosis and its Malignant Transformation-An Immunohistochemical Study. Head Neck Pathol 2021; 15:817-830. [PMID: 33544386 PMCID: PMC8384978 DOI: 10.1007/s12105-020-01270-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a matricellular protein of the CCN family of extracellular matrix-associated heparin-binding proteins, is highly expressed in various organ fibrosis and several malignant tumors. Although a few studies have been conducted using CTGF in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) and oral squamous cell carcinoma, no study has demonstrated its relation with various stages of OSF and its malignant transformation. The present study investigated the possible role of CTGF in the pathogenesis of OSF and its malignant transformation by using immunohistochemistry. Ten formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue blocks, each of Stage 1 OSF, Stage 2 OSF, Stage 3 OSF, Stage 4 OSF, well- differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (WDSCC) with OSF and WDSCC without OSF were stained for CTGF by immunohistochemistry. Ten cases of healthy buccal mucosa (NOM) were included as controls. The present study demonstrated a statistically significant expression of CTGF in the epithelium and connective tissue of OSF and WDSCC with and without OSF cases against its complete absence in NOM. We observed an upregulation of CTGF expression from NOM to various stages of OSF to WDSCC with or without OSF. A gradual upregulation of the CTGF expression in various stages of OSF to WDSCC (with and without OSF) against its complete absence in NOM suggests that CTGF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of OSF and its malignant transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kejal Jain
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, 400008 India
| | - Rajiv S. Desai
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, 400008 India
| | - Shivani Bansal
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, 400008 India
| | - Pankaj Shirsat
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, 400008 India
| | - Pooja Prasad
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, 400008 India
| | - Kshitija Bodhankar
- Department of Oral Pathology, Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, 400008 India
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Mulfaul K, Giacalone JC, Voigt AP, Riker MJ, Ochoa D, Han IC, Stone EM, Mullins RF, Tucker BA. Stepwise differentiation and functional characterization of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived choroidal endothelial cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:409. [PMID: 32967716 PMCID: PMC7510078 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01903-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial cells (ECs) are essential regulators of the vasculature, lining arteries, veins, and capillary beds. While all ECs share a number of structural and molecular features, heterogeneity exists depending on their resident tissue. ECs lining the choriocapillaris in the human eye are lost early in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common and devastating form of vision loss. In order to study the mechanisms leading to choroidal endothelial cell (CEC) loss and to develop reagents for repairing the choroid, a reproducible in vitro model, which closely mimic CECs, is needed. While a number of protocols have been published to direct induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into ECs, the goal of this study was to develop methods to differentiate iPSCs into ECs resembling those found in the human choriocapillaris specifically. METHODS We transduced human iPSCs with a CDH5p-GFP-ZEO lentiviral vector and selected for transduced iPSCs using blasticidin. We generated embryoid bodies (EBs) from expanded iPSC colonies and transitioned from mTESR™1 to EC media. One day post-EB formation, we induced mesoderm fate commitment via addition of BMP-4, activin A, and FGF-2. On day 5, EBs were adhered to Matrigel-coated plates in EC media containing vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) to promote CEC differentiation. On day 14, we selected for CECs using either zeocin resistance or anti-CD31 MACS beads. We expanded CECs post-selection and performed immunocytochemical analysis of CD31, carbonic anhydrase IV (CA4), and RGCC; tube formation assays; and transmission electron microscopy to access vascular function. RESULTS We report a detailed protocol whereby we direct iPSC differentiation toward mesoderm and utilize CTGF to specify CECs. The CDH5p-GFP-ZEO lentiviral vector facilitated the selection of iPSC-derived ECs that label with antibodies directed against CD31, CA4, and RGCC; form vascular tubes in vitro; and migrate into empty choroidal vessels. CECs selected using either antibiotic selection or CD31 MACS beads showed similar characteristics, thereby making this protocol easily reproducible with or without lentiviral vectors. CONCLUSION ECs generated following this protocol exhibit functional and biochemical characteristics of CECs. This protocol will be useful for developing in vitro models toward understanding the mechanisms of CEC loss early in AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Mulfaul
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Joseph C Giacalone
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Andrew P Voigt
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Megan J Riker
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Dalyz Ochoa
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Ian C Han
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Edwin M Stone
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Robert F Mullins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Budd A Tucker
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
- Institute for Vision Research, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.
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Lavall D, Jacobs N, Mahfoud F, Kolkhof P, Böhm M, Laufs U. The non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone prevents cardiac fibrotic remodeling. Biochem Pharmacol 2019; 168:173-83. [PMID: 31283930 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) overactivation promotes cardiac fibrosis. We studied the ability of the non-steroidal MR antagonist finerenone to prevent fibrotic remodeling. In neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts, finerenone prevented aldosterone-induced nuclear MR translocation. Treatment with finerenone decreased the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) (74 ± 15% of control, p = 0.005) and prevented aldosterone-induced upregulation of CTGF and lysyl oxidase (LOX) completely. Finerenone attenuated the upregulation of transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß), which was induced by the Rac1 GTPase activator l-buthionine sulfoximine. Transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of Rac1 (RacET) showed increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic (63.7 ± 8.0 vs. 93.8 ± 25.6 µl, p = 0.027) and end-systolic (28.0 ± 4.0 vs. 49.5 ± 16.7 µl, p = 0.014) volumes compared to wild-type FVBN control mice. Treatment of RacET mice with 100 ppm finerenone over 5 months prevented LV dilatation. Systolic and diastolic LV function did not differ between the three groups. RacET mice exhibited overactivation of MR and 11ß hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. Both effects were reduced by finerenone (reduction about 36%, p = 0.030, and 40%, p = 0.032, respectively). RacET mice demonstrated overexpression of TGF-ß, CTGF, LOX, osteopontin as well as collagen and myocardial fibrosis in the left ventricle. In contrast, expression of these parameters did not differ between finerenone-treated RacET and control mice. Finerenone prevented left atrial dilatation (6.4 ± 1.5 vs. 4.7 ± 1.4 mg, p = 0.004) and left atrial fibrosis (17.8 ± 3.1 vs. 12.8 ± 3.1%, p = 0.046) compared to vehicle-treated RacET mice. In summary, finerenone prevented from MR-mediated structural remodeling in cardiac fibroblasts and in RacET mice. These data demonstrate anti-fibrotic myocardial effects of finerenone.
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Yoon SP, Kim J. Exogenous CGRP upregulates profibrogenic growth factors through PKC/JNK signaling pathway in kidney proximal tubular cells. Cell Biol Toxicol 2017; 34:251-262. [PMID: 28540451 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-017-9399-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Kidney denervation prevents the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, but the neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the denervated kidneys restores the fibrotic feature through the upregulation of profibrogenic growth factors. CGRP is involved in aggravation of inflammation by increasing the number of circulating cells and chemotactic factors. However, it is not clear how CGRP contributes to the upregulation of profibrogenic factors during fibrogenesis. In both human and pig kidney proximal tubular cell lines, administration of 1 nM CGRP significantly increased the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) production and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression at 6 and 24 h after the administration. Exogenous CGRP also increased the TGF-β1 and CTGF protein levels in the incubation media, indicating release of these proteins from the cells. Treatment with 100 nM CGRP receptor antagonist (CGRP8-37) for 24 h significantly inhibited the increase in intracellular levels and released levels of TGF-β1 and CTGF in CGRP-treated cells. Genetic inhibition of CGRP receptor using siRNA transfection also suppressed the increase in TGF-β1 production and release at 24 h after CGRP stimulation. Furthermore, treatment with a specific protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor chelerythrine (1 thru 10 μM) markedly reduced the upregulation and release of TGF-β1 and CTGF 6 h after CGRP administration. Finally, inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) phosphorylation using 1 μM SP600125 prevented the increase in TGF-β1 and CTGF upregulation and release 6 h after CGRP administration. Consistent with the in vitro data, exogenous CGRP in denervated UUO kidneys upregulated and secreted TGF-β1 and CTGF in dependence on PKC activation and JNK phosphorylation. In conclusion, these data suggest that exogenous CGRP induces the upregulation and secretion of profibrogenic TGF-β1 and CTGF proteins through the CGRP receptor/PKC/JNK signaling pathway in kidney proximal tubular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Pil Yoon
- Department of Anatomy, Jeju National University School of Medicine, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedicine and Drug Development, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinu Kim
- Department of Anatomy, Jeju National University School of Medicine, 102 Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Biomedicine and Drug Development, Jeju National University, Jeju, 63243, Republic of Korea.
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Wu W, Li J, Zhao M, Liu X. HIF-1α mediates visfatin-induced CTGF expression in vascular endothelial cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 63:28-32. [PMID: 28478800 DOI: 10.14715/cmb/2017.63.4.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Visfatin is an adipokine that functions as a mediator of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a key factor in vascular remodeling and atherosclerosis. However, the association between visfatin and CTGF is unclear. Therefore the study was to test the hypothesis that visfatin could modulate the expression of CTGF in vascular endothelial cells. In our study, cultured endothelial cell line EA.Hy926 cells were treated with different concentrations of visfatin for different times. The CTGF gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR, and the protein expression of CTGF was assessed by Western Blot. The results showed that 100ng/mL concentration of visfatin could induce CTGF mRNA expression after 6 hours treatment, which peaked at 24 hours. And 100ng/mL concentration of visfatin also increased CTGF protein production after 12 hours treatment in EA.Hy926 cells. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA was almost unaffected in cells treated with visfatin, whereas the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was increased significantly. Moreover, knockdown of HIF-1α by its specific shRNA inhibits the effect of visfatin on CTGF expression. In conclusion, the up-regulation of CTGF expression by visfatin might be mediated via HIF-1α -dependent pathway, but not the TGF-β1 pathway in EA.Hy926 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Wu
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - J Li
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - M Zhao
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - X Liu
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Diseases, Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Drzewiecka H, Gałęcki B, Jarmołowska-Jurczyszyn D, Kluk A, Dyszkiewicz W, Jagodziński PP. Decreased expression of connective tissue growth factor in non-small cell lung cancer is associated with clinicopathological variables and can be restored by epigenetic modifiers. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol 2016; 142:1927-46. [PMID: 27393180 PMCID: PMC4978771 DOI: 10.1007/s00432-016-2195-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Recent studies indicated undisputed contribution of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the development of many cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the functional role and regulation of CTGF expression during tumorigenesis remain elusive. Our goal was to determine CTGF transcript and protein levels in tumoral and matched control tissues from 98 NSCLC patients, to correlate the results with clinicopathological features and to investigate whether the CTGF expression can be epigenetically regulated in NSCLC. Methods We used quantitative PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to evaluate CTGF expression in lung cancerous and histopathologically unchanged tissues. We tested the impact of 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-dAzaC) and trichostatin A (TSA) on CTGF transcript and protein levels in NSCLC cells (A549, Calu-1). DNA methylation status of the CTGF regulatory region was evaluated by bisulfite sequencing. The influence of 5-dAzaC and TSA on NSCLC cells viability and proliferation was monitored by the trypan blue assay. Results We found significantly decreased levels of CTGF mRNA and protein (both p < 0.0000001) in cancerous tissues of NSCLC patients. Down-regulation of CTGF occurred regardless of gender in all histological subtypes of NSCLC. Moreover, we showed that 5-dAzaC and TSA were able to restore CTGF mRNA and protein contents in NSCLC cells. However, no methylation within CTGF regulatory region was detected. Both compounds significantly reduced NSCLC cells proliferation. Conclusions Decreased expression of CTGF is a common feature in NSCLC; however, it can be restored by the chromatin-modifying agents such as 5-dAzaC or TSA and consequently restrain cancer development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00432-016-2195-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Drzewiecka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Bartłomiej Gałęcki
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego 62 Street, 60-569, Poznan, Poland
| | - Donata Jarmołowska-Jurczyszyn
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49 Street, 60-355, Poznan, Poland
| | - Andrzej Kluk
- Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Przybyszewskiego 49 Street, 60-355, Poznan, Poland
| | - Wojciech Dyszkiewicz
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Szamarzewskiego 62 Street, 60-569, Poznan, Poland
| | - Paweł P Jagodziński
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Święcickiego 6 Street, 60-781, Poznan, Poland
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Wang J, Duan L, Guo T, Gao Y, Tian L, Liu J, Wang S, Yang J. Downregulation of miR-30c promotes renal fibrosis by target CTGF in diabetic nephropathy. J Diabetes Complications 2016; 30:406-14. [PMID: 26775556 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2015.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRs) play important roles in initiation and progression of many pathologic processes. However, the role of miR-30c in diabetic nephropathy (DN) remains unclear. This study was to determine whether miR-30c was involved in the mechanism of renal fibrosis by inhibiting target CTGF expression in DN. In this study, In Situ Hybridization(ISH), RT-PCR, cell transfection, western blotting and laser confocal telescope were used, respectively. ISH showed that miR-30c, concentrated in cytoplasmic foci in the proximity of the nucleus, was mainly localized in glomerular and renal tubular epithelial cells within the cortex. RT-PCR showed that miR-30c expression was significantly decreased in DN (p<0.05), consistent with of the results of ISH. Luciferase reporter gene assays showed that CTGF was a validated target of miR-30c. Furthermore, miR-30c overexpression directly decreased CTGF mRNA and protein. Conversely, miR-30c inhibitor enhanced CTGF expression. Interestingly, miR-30c expression was negatively correlated with ACR (r=-0.870, P=0.003) and positively correlated with Ccr (r=0.8230, P=0.01), whereas it was uncorrelated with KW/BW, SBP, HbA1C, HOMR-IR and T-Cho (p>0.05). More importantly, miR-30c mimics significantly decreased col-IV, FN, GSI, GBM, GA, MRA/CLA and ACR (p<0.05) and, in contrast, slightly but significantly increased Ccr (p<0.05). In conclusion, our results suggested that loss of miR-30c may contribute to the pathogenesis of DN by inhibiting target CTGF expression; replenishing miR-30c may ameliorate renal structure and function by reducing renal fibrosis in DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial People's hospital, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Endocrine and metabolism, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Lijun Duan
- Department of gynecology and obstetrics, Gansu Provincial People's hospital, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Tiankang Guo
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Endocrine and metabolism, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Yanbin Gao
- Metabolic Disease Center, School of Traditional Chinese medical, Capital Medical University, and Beijing Key Laboratory of TCM Collateral Disease Theory Research, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Limin Tian
- Department of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial People's hospital, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Endocrine and metabolism, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Endocrinology, Gansu Provincial People's hospital, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Gansu Key Laboratory of Endocrine and metabolism, 204 Donggang West Road, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Shaocheng Wang
- Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Jinkui Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tongren hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
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Shi C, Li G, Tong Y, Deng Y, Fan J. Role of CTGF gene promoter methylation in the development of hepatic fibrosis. Am J Transl Res 2016; 8:125-132. [PMID: 27069546 PMCID: PMC4759422] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) plays a critical role in the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)-mediated development of hepatic fibrosis. Nevertheless, the effects of CTGF gene promoter methylation in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis remain largely unknown. In the current study, we isolated and overexpressed CTGF in primary HSCs. We analyzed the CTGF gene promoter methylation inHSCs that undergo a phenotypic change into myofibroblast-like cellsthat express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in vitro and in vivo in a CCl4-induced rat hepatic fibrosis model. We found that CTGF promoted the phenotypic changes of HSCs into myofibroblasts in vitro, while inhibition of CTGF promoter methylation augmented the process, suggesting that CTGF gene promoter methylation may negatively regulate hepatic fibrosis. In vivo, CCl4 induced hepatic fibrosis in rats, and the severity of hepatic fibrosis inversely correlated with the levels of CTGF gene promoter methylation in HSCs. Together, our data demonstrate that CTGF gene promoter methylation may prevent the development of hepatic fibrosis, and low level of CTGF gene promoter methylation in HSCs may be a predisposing factor for developing liver fibrotic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuicui Shi
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Guangming Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yanyan Tong
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yilin Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Jiangao Fan
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Shanghai 200092, China
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Ayasolla KR, Rai P, Rahimipour S, Hussain M, Malhotra A, Singhal PC. Tubular cell phenotype in HIV-associated nephropathy: role of phospholipid lysophosphatidic acid. Exp Mol Pathol 2015; 99:109-15. [PMID: 26079546 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexmp.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Collapsing glomerulopathy and microcysts are characteristic histological features of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). We have previously reported the role of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the development of glomerular and tubular cell phenotypes in HIVAN. Since persistent tubular cell activation of NFκB has been reported in HIVAN, we now hypothesize that HIV may be contributing to tubular cell phenotype via lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) mediated downstream signaling. Interestingly, LPA and its receptors have also been implicated in the tubular interstitial cell fibrosis (TIF) and cyst formation in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Primary human proximal tubular cells (HRPTCs) were transduced with either empty vector (EV/HRPTCs), HIV (HIV/HRPTCs) or treated with LPA (LPA/HRPTC). Immunoelectrophoresis of HIV/HRPTCs and LPA/HRPTCs displayed enhanced expression of pro-fibrotic markers: a) fibronectin (2.25 fold), b) connective tissue growth factor (CTGF; 4.8 fold), c) α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA; 12 fold), and d) collagen I (5.7 fold). HIV enhanced tubular cell phosphorylation of ILK-1, FAK, PI3K, Akt, ERKs and P38 MAPK. HIV increased tubular cell transcriptional binding activity of NF-κB; whereas, a LPA biosynthesis inhibitor (AACOCF3), a DAG kinase inhibitor, a LPA receptor blocker (Ki16425), a NF-κB inhibitor (PDTC) and NFκB-siRNA not only displayed downregulation of a NFκB activity but also showed attenuated expression of profibrotic/EMT genes in HIV milieu. These findings suggest that LPA could be contributing to HIV-induced tubular cell phenotype via NFκB activation in HIVAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamesh R Ayasolla
- Department of Medicine, Hofstra North-Shore LIJ Medical School, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY, United States
| | - Partab Rai
- Department of Medicine, Hofstra North-Shore LIJ Medical School, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY, United States
| | - Shai Rahimipour
- Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | | | - Ashwani Malhotra
- Department of Medicine, Hofstra North-Shore LIJ Medical School, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY, United States
| | - Pravin C Singhal
- Department of Medicine, Hofstra North-Shore LIJ Medical School, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, NY, United States.
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Lu J, Shi J, Li M, Gui B, Fu R, Yao G, Duan Z, Lv Z, Yang Y, Chen Z, Jia L, Tian L. Activation of AMPK by metformin inhibits TGF-β-induced collagen production in mouse renal fibroblasts. Life Sci 2015; 127:59-65. [PMID: 25744403 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2015.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2014] [Revised: 01/04/2015] [Accepted: 01/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To clarify whether activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by metformin inhibits transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)-induced collagen production in primary cultured mouse renal fibroblasts and further to address the molecular mechanisms. MAIN METHODS Primary cultured mouse renal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-β1 and the sequence specific siRNA of Smad3 or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was applied to investigate the involvement of these molecular mediators in TGF-β1-induced collagen type I production. Cells were pre-incubated with AMPK agonist metformin or co-incubated with AMPK agonist metformin and AMPK inhibitor Compound C before TGF-β1 stimulation to clarify whether activation of AMPK inhibition of TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblast collagen type I expression. KEY FINDINGS Our results demonstrate that TGF-β1 time- and dose-dependently induced renal fibroblast collagen type I production; TGF-β1 also stimulated Smad3-dependent CTGF expression and caused collagen type I generation; this effect was blocked by knockdown of Smad3 or CTGF. Activation of AMPK by metformin reduced TGF-β1-induced collagen type I production by suppression of Smad3-driven CTGF expression. SIGNIFICANCE This study suggests that activation of AMPK might be a novel strategy for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) partially by inhibition of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF).
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