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Ume AC, Wenegieme TY, Shelby JN, Paul-Onyia CDB, Waite AMJ, Kamau JK, Adams DN, Susuki K, Bennett ES, Ren H, Williams CR. Tacrolimus induces fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition via a TGF-β-dependent mechanism to contribute to renal fibrosis. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2023; 324:F433-F445. [PMID: 36927118 PMCID: PMC10085566 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00226.2022] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Use of immunosuppressant calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) is limited by irreversible kidney damage, hallmarked by renal fibrosis. CNIs directly damage many renal cell types. Given the diverse renal cell populations, additional targeted cell types and signaling mechanisms warrant further investigation. We hypothesized that fibroblasts contribute to CNI-induced renal fibrosis and propagate profibrotic effects via the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling axis. To test this, kidney damage-resistant mice (C57BL/6) received tacrolimus (10 mg/kg) or vehicle for 21 days. Renal damage markers and signaling mediators were assessed. To investigate their role in renal damage, mouse renal fibroblasts were exposed to tacrolimus (1 nM) or vehicle for 24 h. Morphological and functional changes in addition to downstream signaling events were assessed. Tacrolimus-treated kidneys displayed evidence of renal fibrosis. Moreover, α-smooth muscle actin expression was significantly increased, suggesting the presence of fibroblast activation. TGF-β receptor activation and downstream Smad2/3 signaling were also upregulated. Consistent with in vivo findings, tacrolimus-treated renal fibroblasts displayed a phenotypic switch known as fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT), as α-smooth muscle actin, actin stress fibers, cell motility, and collagen type IV expression were significantly increased. These findings were accompanied by concomitant induction of TGF-β signaling. Pharmacological inhibition of the downstream TGF-β effector Smad3 attenuated tacrolimus-induced phenotypic changes. Collectively, these findings suggest that 1) tacrolimus inhibits the calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells axis while inducing TGF-β1 ligand secretion and receptor activation in renal fibroblasts; 2) aberrant TGF-β receptor activation stimulates Smad-mediated production of myofibroblast markers, notable features of FMT; and 3) FMT contributes to extracellular matrix expansion in tacrolimus-induced renal fibrosis. These results incorporate renal fibroblasts into the growing list of CNI-targeted cell types and identify renal FMT as a process mediated via a TGF-β-dependent mechanism.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Renal fibrosis, a detrimental feature of irreversible kidney damage, remains a sinister consequence of long-term calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) immunosuppressive therapy. Our study not only incorporates renal fibroblasts into the growing list of cell types negatively impacted by CNIs but also identifies renal fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition as a process mediated via a TGF-β-dependent mechanism. This insight will direct future studies investigating the feasibility of inhibiting TGF-β signaling to maintain CNI-mediated immunosuppression while ultimately preserving kidney health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaku C Ume
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Tara Y Wenegieme
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Jennae N Shelby
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Chiagozie D B Paul-Onyia
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Aston M J Waite
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - John K Kamau
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Danielle N Adams
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Keiichiro Susuki
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Eric S Bennett
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Hongmei Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
| | - Clintoria R Williams
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology, and Physiology, Boonshoft School of Medicine and College of Science and Mathematics, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio, United States
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El-Hattab MY, Sinclair N, Liszewski JN, Schrodt MV, Herrmann J, Klingelhutz AJ, Sander EA, Ankrum JA. Native adiponectin plays a role in the adipocyte-mediated conversion of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. J R Soc Interface 2023; 20:20230004. [PMID: 37132228 PMCID: PMC10154927 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipocytes regulate tissues through production of adipokines that can act both locally and systemically. Adipocytes also have been found to play a critical role in regulating the healing process. To better understand this role, we developed a three-dimensional human adipocyte spheroid system that has an adipokine profile similar to in vivo adipose tissues. Previously, we found that conditioned medium from these spheroids induces human dermal fibroblast conversion into highly contractile, collagen-producing myofibroblasts through a transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) independent pathway. Here, we sought to identify how mature adipocytes signal to dermal fibroblasts through adipokines to induce myofibroblast conversion. By using molecular weight fractionation, heat inactivation and lipid depletion, we determined mature adipocytes secrete a factor that is 30-100 kDa, heat labile and lipid associated that induces myofibroblast conversion. We also show that the depletion of the adipokine adiponectin, which fits those physico-chemical parameters, eliminates the ability of adipocyte-conditioned media to induce fibroblast to myofibroblast conversion. Interestingly, native adiponectin secreted by cultured adipocytes consistently elicited a stronger level of α-smooth muscle actin expression than exogenously added adiponectin. Thus, adiponectin secreted by mature adipocytes induces fibroblast to myofibroblast conversion and may lead to a phenotype of myofibroblasts distinct from TGF-β1-induced myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Y. El-Hattab
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Noah Sinclair
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jesse N. Liszewski
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Michael V. Schrodt
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Jacob Herrmann
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Aloysius J. Klingelhutz
- Department of Microbiology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Edward A. Sander
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - James A. Ankrum
- Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
- University of Iowa Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, Iowa City 52242, IA, USA
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103
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Ligresti G, Raslan AA, Hong J, Caporarello N, Confalonieri M, Huang SK. Mesenchymal cells in the Lung: Evolving concepts and their role in fibrosis. Gene 2023; 859:147142. [PMID: 36603696 PMCID: PMC10068350 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2022.147142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Mesenchymal cells in the lung are crucial during development, but also contribute to the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and deadly form of fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. Originally thought to behave as supporting cells for the lung epithelium and endothelium with a singular function of producing basement membrane, mesenchymal cells encompass a variety of cell types, including resident fibroblasts, lipofibroblasts, myofibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and pericytes, which all occupy different anatomic locations and exhibit diverse homeostatic functions in the lung. During injury, each of these subtypes demonstrate remarkable plasticity and undergo varying capacity to proliferate and differentiate into activated myofibroblasts. Therefore, these cells secrete high levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and inflammatory cytokines, which contribute to tissue repair, or in pathologic situations, scarring and fibrosis. Whereas epithelial damage is considered the initial trigger that leads to lung injury, lung mesenchymal cells are recognized as the ultimate effector of fibrosis and attempts to better understand the different functions and actions of each mesenchymal cell subtype will lead to a better understanding of why fibrosis develops and how to better target it for future therapy. This review summarizes current findings related to various lung mesenchymal cells as well as signaling pathways, and their contribution to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Ligresti
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston MA, US.
| | - Ahmed A Raslan
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston MA, US
| | - Jeongmin Hong
- Department of Medicine, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston MA, US
| | - Nunzia Caporarello
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, US
| | - Marco Confalonieri
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Steven K Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, US
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Ren Z, Pan X, Li J, Dong X, Tu X, Pan LL, Sun J. G protein coupled receptor 41 regulates fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis via Gαi/o and downstream Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106754. [PMID: 37019194 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and fatal fibrotic lung disease with mysterious pathogenesis and limited effective therapies. G protein-coupled receptors (GPRs) participate in a variety of physiologic functions, and several GPRs have critical fibrosis-promoting or -inhibiting roles in pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we explored the role of GPR41 in the pathobiology of pulmonary fibrosis. We found that GPR41 expression was elevated in lung tissues of mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and lung fibroblasts treated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Knockout of GPR41 attenuated pulmonary fibrosis in mice, as evidenced by improved lung morphology, decreased lung weight and collagen secretion, and down-regulated α-SMA, collagen type I alpha and fibronectin expression in lungs. Additionally, GPR41 knockout inhibited the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and decreased myofibroblast migration. By further mechanistic analysis, we demonstrated that GPR41 regulated TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation and Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation via its Gαi/o subunit but not Gβγ subunit. Together, our data indicate that GPR41 is involved in pulmonary fibroblast activation and fibrosis, and GPR41 represents a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengnan Ren
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaohua Pan
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiahong Li
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaoliang Dong
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xing Tu
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Li-Long Pan
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
| | - Jia Sun
- School of Medicine and School of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China; State Key Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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105
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Benn MC, Pot SA, Moeller J, Yamashita T, Fonta CM, Orend G, Kollmannsberger P, Vogel V. How the mechanobiology orchestrates the iterative and reciprocal ECM-cell cross-talk that drives microtissue growth. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eadd9275. [PMID: 36989370 PMCID: PMC10058249 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add9275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Controlled tissue growth is essential for multicellular life and requires tight spatiotemporal control over cell proliferation and differentiation until reaching homeostasis. As cells synthesize and remodel extracellular matrix, tissue growth processes can only be understood if the reciprocal feedback between cells and their environment is revealed. Using de novo-grown microtissues, we identified crucial actors of the mechanoregulated events, which iteratively orchestrate a sharp transition from tissue growth to maturation, requiring a myofibroblast-to-fibroblast transition. Cellular decision-making occurs when fibronectin fiber tension switches from highly stretched to relaxed, and it requires the transiently up-regulated appearance of tenascin-C and tissue transglutaminase, matrix metalloprotease activity, as well as a switch from α5β1 to α2β1 integrin engagement and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. As myofibroblasts are associated with wound healing and inflammatory or fibrotic diseases, crucial knowledge needed to advance regenerative strategies or to counter fibrosis and cancer progression has been gained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario C. Benn
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Simon A. Pot
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Jens Moeller
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Tadahiro Yamashita
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Charlotte M. Fonta
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Gertraud Orend
- The Tumor Microenvironment Laboratory, INSERM U1109, Hôpital Civil, Institut d'Hématologie et d'Immunologie, 1 Place de l'Hôpital, Strasbourg 67091, France
- Université Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67000, France
- Fédération de Médecine Translationnelle de Strasbourg (FMTS), Strasbourg 67000, France
| | - Philip Kollmannsberger
- Biomedical Physics, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Universitätsstrasse 1, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Viola Vogel
- Laboratory of Applied Mechanobiology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
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106
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Wang Y, Chen D, Xie H, Zhou S, Jia M, He X, Guo F, Lai Y, Tang XX. LncRNA GAS5 suppresses TGF-β1-induced transformation of pulmonary pericytes into myofibroblasts by recruiting KDM5B and promoting H3K4me2/3 demethylation of the PDGFRα/β promoter. Mol Med 2023; 29:32. [PMID: 36918759 PMCID: PMC10015786 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-023-00620-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition that may cause persistent pulmonary damage. The transformation of pericytes into myofibroblasts has been recognized as a key player during IPF progression. This study aimed to investigate the functions of lncRNA growth arrest-specific transcript 5 (GAS5) in myofibroblast transformation during IPF progression. METHODS We created a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) via intratracheal administration of bleomycin. Pericytes were challenged with exogenous transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). To determine the expression of target molecules, we employed quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining. The pathological changes in the lungs were evaluated via H&E and Masson staining. Furthermore, the subcellular distribution of GAS5 was examined using FISH. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, ChIP, RNA pull-down, and RIP experiments were conducted to determine the molecular interaction. RESULTS GAS5 expression decreased whereas PDGFRα/β expression increased in the lungs of IPF patients and mice with bleomycin-induced PF. The in vitro overexpression of GAS5 or silencing of PDGFRα/β inhibited the TGF-β1-induced differentiation of pericytes to myofibroblasts, as evidenced by the upregulation of pericyte markers NG2 and desmin as well as downregulation of myofibroblast markers α-SMA and collagen I. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that GAS5 recruited KDM5B to promote H3K4me2/3 demethylation, thereby suppressing PDGFRα/β expression. In addition, KDM5B overexpression inhibited pericyte-myofibroblast transformation and counteracted the promotional effect of GAS5 knockdown on pericyte-myofibroblast transformation. Lung fibrosis in mice was attenuated by GAS5 overexpression but promoted by GAS5 deficiency. CONCLUSION GAS5 represses pericyte-myofibroblast transformation by inhibiting PDGFRα/β expression via KDM5B-mediated H3K4me2/3 demethylation in IPF, identifying GAS5 as an intervention target for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichun Wang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
| | - Diyu Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Mingwang Jia
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobo He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Feifei Guo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Yihuan Lai
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 63 Duobao Road, Liwan District, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Xiao Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, No. 195 Dongfeng West Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510150, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China.
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Liao K, Cui Z, Wang Z, Peng Y, Tang S, Chen J. Hyperosmolar Potassium Inhibits Corneal Myofibroblast Transformation and Prevent Corneal Scar. Curr Eye Res 2023; 48:238-250. [PMID: 36149345 DOI: 10.1080/02713683.2022.2129072] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Corneal myofibroblasts play a crucial role in the process of corneal scarring. Potassium has been documented to reduce skin scar tissue formation. Herein, we investigated the ability of potassium to prevent corneal fibrosis in cell culture and in vivo. METHODS Corneal fibroblasts (CFs) were isolated from the corneal limbus and treated with TGF-β1 to transform into corneal myofibroblasts. Corneal myofibroblast markers were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. The contractive functions of corneal myofibroblast were evaluated by the scratch assay and the collagen gel contraction assay. RNA sequencing in corneal fibroblasts was performed to explore the mechanisms underlying hyperosmolar potassium treatment. GO and KEGG analysis were performed to explore the underlying mechanism by hyperosmolar potassium treatment. The ATP detection assay assessed the level of cell metabolism. KCl eye drops four times per day were administered to mice models of corneal injury to evaluate the ability to prevent corneal scar formation. Corneal opacity area was evaluated by Image J software. RESULTS Treatment with hyperosmolar potassium could suppress corneal myofibroblast transformation and collagen I synthesis induced by TGF-β1 in cell culture. Hyperosmolar potassium could inhibit wound healing and gel contraction in CFs. RNA sequencing results suggested that genes involved in the metabolic pathway were downregulated after KCl treatment. ATP levels were significantly decreased in the KCl group compared with the control group. Hyperosmolar potassium could prevent corneal myofibroblast transformation after corneal injury and corneal scar formation in mice. CONCLUSION Potassium can suppress corneal myofibroblast transformation and collagen I protein synthesis. Moreover, given that KCl eye drops can prevent corneal scar formation, it has been suggested to have huge prospects as a novel treatment approach during clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Liao
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zekai Cui
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhijie Wang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yu Peng
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Shibo Tang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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108
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Bogatkevich GS, Atanelishvili I, Bogatkevich AM, Silver RM. Critical Role of LMCD1 in Promoting Profibrotic Characteristics of Lung Myofibroblasts in Experimental and Scleroderma-Associated Lung Fibrosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:438-448. [PMID: 36103378 PMCID: PMC9998340 DOI: 10.1002/art.42344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a serious complication and leading cause of mortality in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we explored the role of LIM and cysteine-rich domains protein 1 (LMCD1) as a novel factor in the pathogenesis of SSc-related ILD (SSc-ILD). METHODS The expression and effects of LMCD1 were studied in lung tissue samples and fibroblasts from SSc-ILD patients and control subjects as well as in lung tissue samples from animal models. RESULTS LMCD1 was consistently elevated in lung tissue samples and in fibroblasts isolated from SSc-ILD patients as compared to controls. Additionally, LMCD1 was found to be highly expressed in the lung in the fibroblast-specific protein (FSP)-driven, constitutively active transforming growth factor β receptor type I (TGFβR1) transgenic mouse model of ILD and the bleomycin-induced mouse model of ILD. In lung fibroblasts from SSc-ILD patients, LMCD1 is an essential factor for the TGFβ-induced generation of type I collagen, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Depletion of LMCD1 by small interfering RNA reduced the expression of extracellular matrix proteins and lowered transcriptional activity and expression of α-SMA, as well as decreased the proliferation and contractile activity of SSc-ILD lung fibroblasts. In dense fibrotic areas of affected lung tissue, lung LMCD1 colocalized with α-SMA. In cultured scleroderma lung fibroblasts, LMCD1 colocalized and interacted with serum response factor which mediates LMCD1-induced contractile activity of lung fibroblasts. CONCLUSION Our study identifies LMCD1 as a profibrotic molecule contributing to the activation of myofibroblasts and the persistent fibroproliferation observed in SSc-ILD. Thus, LMCD1 may be a potential novel therapeutic target for patients with SSc-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina S Bogatkevich
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Ilia Atanelishvili
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Andrew M Bogatkevich
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, and College of Charleston (BSc Student), Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Richard M Silver
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
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109
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Hoeft K, Schaefer GJL, Kim H, Schumacher D, Bleckwehl T, Long Q, Klinkhammer BM, Peisker F, Koch L, Nagai J, Halder M, Ziegler S, Liehn E, Kuppe C, Kranz J, Menzel S, Costa I, Wahida A, Boor P, Schneider RK, Hayat S, Kramann R. Platelet-instructed SPP1 + macrophages drive myofibroblast activation in fibrosis in a CXCL4-dependent manner. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112131. [PMID: 36807143 PMCID: PMC9992450 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis represents the common end stage of chronic organ injury independent of the initial insult, destroying tissue architecture and driving organ failure. Here we discover a population of profibrotic macrophages marked by expression of Spp1, Fn1, and Arg1 (termed Spp1 macrophages), which expands after organ injury. Using an unbiased approach, we identify the chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 4 (CXCL4) to be among the top upregulated genes during profibrotic Spp1 macrophage differentiation. In vitro and in vivo studies show that loss of Cxcl4 abrogates profibrotic Spp1 macrophage differentiation and ameliorates fibrosis after both heart and kidney injury. Moreover, we find that platelets, the most abundant source of CXCL4 in vivo, drive profibrotic Spp1 macrophage differentiation. Single nuclear RNA sequencing with ligand-receptor interaction analysis reveals that macrophages orchestrate fibroblast activation via Spp1, Fn1, and Sema3 crosstalk. Finally, we confirm that Spp1 macrophages expand in both human chronic kidney disease and heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Hoeft
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Gideon J L Schaefer
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Hyojin Kim
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - David Schumacher
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Tore Bleckwehl
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Qingqing Long
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | | | - Fabian Peisker
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Lars Koch
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - James Nagai
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Maurice Halder
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Susanne Ziegler
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Elisa Liehn
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of South Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Christoph Kuppe
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kranz
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Urology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation, Martin-Luther-University, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sylvia Menzel
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ivan Costa
- Institute for Computational Genomics, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany; Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
| | - Adam Wahida
- Institute of Metabolism and Cell Death, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany; Division of Gynecological Oncology, National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rebekka K Schneider
- Department of Hematology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Cell Biology, Institute for Biomedical Technologies, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sikander Hayat
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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Duangrat R, Parichatikanond W, Likitnukul S, Mangmool S. Endothelin-1 Induces Cell Proliferation and Myofibroblast Differentiation through the ET AR/G αq/ERK Signaling Pathway in Human Cardiac Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054475. [PMID: 36901906 PMCID: PMC10002923 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054475] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis. Stimulation of endothelin receptors (ETR) with ET-1 leads to fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation, which is mainly characterized by an overexpression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagens. Although ET-1 is a potent profibrotic mediator, the signal transductions and subtype specificity of ETR contributing to cell proliferation, as well as α-SMA and collagen I synthesis in human cardiac fibroblasts are not well clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the subtype specificity and signal transduction of ETR on fibroblast activation and myofibroblast differentiation. Treatment with ET-1 induced fibroblast proliferation, and synthesis of myofibroblast markers, α-SMA, and collagen I through the ETAR subtype. Inhibition of Gαq protein, not Gαi or Gβγ, inhibited these effects of ET-1, indicating the essential role of Gαq protein-mediated ETAR signaling. In addition, ERK1/2 was required for ETAR/Gαq axis-induced proliferative capacity and overexpression of these myofibroblast markers. Antagonism of ETR with ETR antagonists (ERAs), ambrisentan and bosentan, inhibited ET-1-induced cell proliferation and synthesis of α-SMA and collagen I. Furthermore, ambrisentan and bosentan promoted the reversal of myofibroblasts after day 3 of treatment, with loss of proliferative ability and a reduction in α-SMA synthesis, confirming the restorative effects of ERAs. This novel work reports on the ETAR/Gαq/ERK signaling pathway for ET-1 actions and blockade of ETR signaling with ERAs, representing a promising therapeutic strategy for prevention and restoration of ET-1-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratchanee Duangrat
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Molecular Medicine Graduate Program, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Warisara Parichatikanond
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Centre of Biopharmaceutical Science for Healthy Ageing (BSHA), Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Sutharinee Likitnukul
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Supachoke Mangmool
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
- Correspondence:
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111
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Salari A, Zhou K, Nikolovska K, Seidler U, Amiri M. Human Colonoid-Myofibroblast Coculture for Study of Apical Na +/H + Exchangers of the Lower Cryptal Neck Region. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054266. [PMID: 36901695 PMCID: PMC10001859 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054266] [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: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cation and anion transport in the colonocyte apical membrane is highly spatially organized along the cryptal axis. Because of lack of experimental accessibility, information about the functionality of ion transporters in the colonocyte apical membrane in the lower part of the crypt is scarce. The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model of the colonic lower crypt compartment, which expresses the transit amplifying/progenitor (TA/PE) cells, with accessibility of the apical membrane for functional study of lower crypt-expressed Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs). Colonic crypts and myofibroblasts were isolated from human transverse colonic biopsies, expanded as three-dimensional (3D) colonoids and myofibroblast monolayers, and characterized. Filter-grown colonic myofibroblast-colonic epithelial cell (CM-CE) cocultures (myofibroblasts on the bottom of the transwell and colonocytes on the filter) were established. The expression pattern for ion transport/junctional/stem cell markers of the CM-CE monolayers was compared with that of nondifferentiated (EM) and differentiated (DM) colonoid monolayers. Fluorometric pHi measurements were performed to characterize apical NHEs. CM-CE cocultures displayed a rapid increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), paralleled by downregulation of claudin-2. They maintained proliferative activity and an expression pattern resembling TA/PE cells. The CM-CE monolayers displayed high apical Na+/H+ exchange activity, mediated to >80% by NHE2. Human colonoid-myofibroblast cocultures allow the study of ion transporters that are expressed in the apical membrane of the nondifferentiated colonocytes of the cryptal neck region. The NHE2 isoform is the predominant apical Na+/H+ exchanger in this epithelial compartment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Salari
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Kunyan Zhou
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Katerina Nikolovska
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ursula Seidler
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: (U.S.); (M.A.); Tel.: +49-511-532-9427 (U.S.); Fax: +49-511-532-8428 (U.S.)
| | - Mahdi Amiri
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: (U.S.); (M.A.); Tel.: +49-511-532-9427 (U.S.); Fax: +49-511-532-8428 (U.S.)
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Puzyrenko A, Jacobs ER, Padilla N, Devine A, Aljadah M, Gantner BN, Pan AY, Lai S, Dai Q, Rubenstein JC, North PE, Simpson PM, Willoughby RE, O'Meara CC, Flinn MA, Lough JW, Ibrahim EH, Zheng Z, Sun Y, Felix J, Hunt BC, Ross G, Rui H, Benjamin IJ. Collagen-Specific HSP47 + Myofibroblasts and CD163 + Macrophages Identify Profibrotic Phenotypes in Deceased Hearts With SARS-CoV-2 Infections. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e027990. [PMID: 36789856 PMCID: PMC10111490 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.027990] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Background Cardiac fibrosis complicates SARS-CoV-2 infections and has been linked to arrhythmic complications in survivors. Accordingly, we sought evidence of increased HSP47 (heat shock protein 47), a stress-inducible chaperone protein that regulates biosynthesis and secretion of procollagen in heart tissue, with the goal of elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis in subjects with this viral infection. Methods and Results Using human autopsy tissue, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry, we quantified Hsp47+ cells and collagen α 1(l) in hearts from people with SARS-CoV-2 infections. Because macrophages are also linked to inflammation, we measured CD163+ cells in the same tissues. We observed irregular groups of spindle-shaped HSP47+ and CD163+ cells as well as increased collagen α 1(I) deposition, each proximate to one another in "hot spots" of ≈40% of hearts after SARS-CoV-2 infection (HSP47+ P<0.05 versus nonfibrotics and P<0.001 versus controls). Because HSP47+ cells are consistent with myofibroblasts, subjects with hot spots are termed "profibrotic." The remaining 60% of subjects dying with COVID-19 without hot spots are referred to as "nonfibrotic." No control subject exhibited hot spots. Conclusions Colocalization of myofibroblasts, M2(CD163+) macrophages, and collagen α 1(l) may be the first evidence of a COVID-19-related "profibrotic phenotype" in human hearts in situ. The potential public health and diagnostic implications of these observations require follow-up to further define mechanisms of viral-mediated cardiac fibrosis.
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113
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Song W, Qin L, Chen Y, Chen J, Wei L. Single-cell transcriptome analysis identifies Versican(+) myofibroblast as a hallmark for thoracic aortic aneurysm marked by activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 643:175-185. [PMID: 36621113 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.12.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a silent but dangerous cardiovascular disease. Understanding molecular mechanisms of TAA on single-cell level might provide new strategies for preventing and treating TAA. METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on control and aneurysmal thoracic aorta to find out specific cell clusters and cell types. Western blot and histological staining were used to verify the findings of single-cell transcriptome analysis. Characteristics of Versican (VCAN) overexpressed myofibroblast was evaluated through bioinformatic methods and experimental validation. RESULTS A total of 3 control and 8 TAA specimens were used for single-cell transcriptome analysis including 48,128 thoracic aortic cells. Among these cells, we found out a specific cell cluster containing both hallmarks of smooth muscle cell (SMC) and fibroblast. Thus, we defined these cells as myofibroblast. Further single-cell transcriptome analysis identified VCAN as a cellular marker of myofibroblast. Western blot and histological staining revealed that VCAN(+) myofibroblast was significantly increased in TAA specimens compared with control individuals. Differential analysis, functional, pathway enrichment analysis and cell-cell communication analysis demonstrated that VCAN(+) myofibroblast was closely associated with previous reported TAA associated pathological process including SMC proliferation, SMC migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) disruption. Pathway analysis found out significant activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway within VCAN(+) myofibroblast, which was further confirmed by experimental validation. CONCLUSIONS Single-cell RNA sequencing identified VCAN(+) myofibroblast as a typical cellular hallmark of TAA. These cells might participate in the pathogenesis of TAA through activation of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to link SMC proliferation, SMC migration and ECM disruption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Song
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lieyang Qin
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yifu Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China
| | - Jinmiao Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Lai Wei
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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114
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Lee TY, Lu HH, Cheng HT, Huang HC, Tsai YJ, Chang IH, Tu CP, Chung CW, Lu TT, Peng CH, Chen Y. Delivery of nitric oxide with a pH-responsive nanocarrier for the treatment of renal fibrosis. J Control Release 2023; 354:417-428. [PMID: 36627025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.12.059] [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: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) that may cause severe organ dysfunction. Nitric oxide (NO), a multifunctional gaseous signaling molecule, may inhibit fibrosis, and delivery of NO may serve as a potential antifibrotic strategy. However, major limitations in the application of NO to treat fibrotic diseases include its nonspecificity, short half-life and low availability in fibrotic tissue. Herein, we aimed to develop a stimuli-responsive drug carrier to deliver NO to halt kidney fibrosis. We manufactured a nanoparticle (NP) composed of pH-sensitive poly[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl methacrylate (PDPA) polymers to encapsulate a NO donor, a dinitrosyl iron complex (DNIC; [Fe2(μ-SEt)2(NO)4]). The NPs were stable at physiological pH 7.4 but disintegrated at pH 4.0-6.0. The NPs showed significant cytotoxicity to cultured human myofibroblasts and were able to inhibit the activation of myofibroblasts, as indicated by a lower expression level of α-smooth muscle actin and the synthesis of a major ECM component, collagen I, in cultured human myofibroblasts. When given to mice treated with unilateral ureteral ligation/obstruction (UUO) to induce kidney fibrosis, these NPs remained in blood at a stable concentration for as long as 24 h and might enter the fibrotic kidneys to suppress myofibroblast activation and collagen I production, leading to a 70% reduction in the fibrotic area. In summary, our strategy to assemble a NO donor, the iron nitrosyl complex DNIC, into pH-responsive NPs proves effective in treating renal fibrosis and warrants further investigation for its therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsung-Ying Lee
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Hsun Lu
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Teng Cheng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Zhu Bei City 302, Taiwan
| | - Hsi-Chien Huang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Yun-Jen Tsai
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - I-Hsiang Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Peng Tu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Chieh-Wei Chung
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan
| | - Tsai-Te Lu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Chi-How Peng
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
| | - Yunching Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Frontier Research Center on Fundamental and Applied Sciences of Matters, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30013, Taiwan.
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115
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Knipe RS, Nurunnabi M, Probst CK, Spinney JJ, Abe E, Bose RJC, Ha K, Logue A, Nguyen T, Servis R, Drummond M, Haring A, Brazee PL, Medoff BD, McCarthy JR. Myofibroblast-specific inhibition of the Rho kinase-MRTF-SRF pathway using nanotechnology for the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2023; 324:L190-L198. [PMID: 36625494 PMCID: PMC9925159 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00086.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of myofibroblasts in the lung and progressive tissue scarring. Fibroblasts exist across a spectrum of states, from quiescence in health to activated myofibroblasts in the setting of injury. Highly activated myofibroblasts have a critical role in the establishment of fibrosis as the predominant source of type 1 collagen and profibrotic mediators. Myofibroblasts are also highly contractile cells and can alter lung biomechanical properties through tissue contraction. Inhibiting signaling pathways involved in myofibroblast activation could therefore have significant therapeutic value. One of the ways myofibroblast activation occurs is through activation of the Rho/myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)/serum response factor (SRF) pathway, which signals through intracellular actin polymerization. However, concerns surrounding the pleiotropic and ubiquitous nature of these signaling pathways have limited the translation of inhibitory drugs. Herein, we demonstrate a novel therapeutic antifibrotic strategy using myofibroblast-targeted nanoparticles containing a MTRF/SRF pathway inhibitor (CCG-1423), which has been shown to block myofibroblast activation in vitro. Myofibroblasts were preferentially targeted via the angiotensin 2 receptor, which has been shown to be selectively upregulated in animal and human studies. These nanoparticles were nontoxic and accumulated in lung myofibroblasts in the bleomycin-induced mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, reducing the number of these activated cells and their production of profibrotic mediators. Ultimately, in a murine model of lung fibrosis, a single injection of these drugs containing targeted nanoagents reduced fibrosis as compared with control mice. This approach has the potential to deliver personalized therapy by precisely targeting signaling pathways in a cell-specific manner, allowing increased efficacy with reduced deleterious off-target effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Knipe
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Md Nurunnabi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Clemens K Probst
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jillian J Spinney
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Elizabeth Abe
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rajendran J C Bose
- Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine, Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, New York
| | - Khanh Ha
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine, Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, New York
| | - Amanda Logue
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Trong Nguyen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rachel Servis
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Matthew Drummond
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alexis Haring
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patricia L Brazee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Benjamin D Medoff
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jason R McCarthy
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- Biomedical Research and Translational Medicine, Masonic Medical Research Institute, Utica, New York
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Dudakovic A, Bayram B, Bettencourt JW, Limberg AK, Galvan ML, Carrasco ME, Stans B, Thaler R, Morrey ME, Sanchez-Sotelo J, Berry DJ, van Wijnen AJ, Abdel MP. The epigenetic regulator BRD4 is required for myofibroblast differentiation of knee fibroblasts. J Cell Biochem 2023; 124:320-334. [PMID: 36648754 PMCID: PMC9990907 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.30368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Arthrofibrosis, which is characterized by excessive scar tissue and limited motion, can complicate the daily functioning of patients after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Molecular hallmarks of arthrofibrosis include pathologic accumulation of myofibroblasts and disproportionate collagen deposition. Epigenetic mechanisms, including posttranslation modification of histones, control gene expression and may regulate fibrotic events. This study assessed the role of the bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins on myofibroblast differentiation. This group of epigenetic regulators recognize acetylated lysines and are targeted by a class of drugs known as BET inhibitors. RNA-seq analysis revealed robust mRNA expression of three BET members (BRD2, BRD3, and BRD4) while the fourth member (BRDT) is not expressed in primary TKA knee outgrowth fibroblasts. RT-qPCR and western blot analyses revealed that BET inhibition with the small molecule JQ1 impairs TGFβ1-induced expression of ACTA2, a key myofibroblast marker, in primary outgrowth knee fibroblasts. Similarly, JQ1 administration also reduced COL3A1 mRNA levels and collagen deposition as monitored by picrosirius red staining. Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of JQ1 on ACTA2 mRNA and protein expression, as well as COL3A1 expression and collagen deposition, were paralleled by siRNA-mediated depletion of BRD4. Together, these data reveal that BRD4-mediated epigenetic events support TGFβ1-mediated myofibroblast differentiation and collagen deposition as seen in arthrofibrosis. To our knowledge, these are the first studies that assess epigenetic regulators and their downstream events in the context of arthrofibrosis. Future studies may reveal clinical utility for drugs that target epigenetic pathways, specifically BET proteins, in the prevention and treatment of arthrofibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Dudakovic
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Banu Bayram
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Afton K. Limberg
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - M. Lizeth Galvan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Britta Stans
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Roman Thaler
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Mark E. Morrey
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Daniel J. Berry
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Andre J. van Wijnen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Matthew P. Abdel
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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117
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Khodeneva N, Sugimoto MA, Davan-Wetton CSA, Montero-Melendez T. Melanocortin therapies to resolve fibroblast-mediated diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1084394. [PMID: 36793548 PMCID: PMC9922712 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1084394] [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: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Stromal cells have emerged as central drivers in multiple and diverse diseases, and consequently, as potential new cellular targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In this review we revise the main roles of fibroblasts, not only as structural cells but also as players and regulators of immune responses. Important aspects like fibroblast heterogeneity, functional specialization and cellular plasticity are also discussed as well as the implications that these aspects may have in disease and in the design of novel therapeutics. An extensive revision of the actions of fibroblasts on different conditions uncovers the existence of numerous diseases in which this cell type plays a pathogenic role, either due to an exacerbation of their 'structural' side, or a dysregulation of their 'immune side'. In both cases, opportunities for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches exist. In this regard, here we revise the existing evidence pointing at the melanocortin pathway as a potential new strategy for the treatment and management of diseases mediated by aberrantly activated fibroblasts, including scleroderma or rheumatoid arthritis. This evidence derives from studies involving models of in vitro primary fibroblasts, in vivo models of disease as well as ongoing human clinical trials. Melanocortin drugs, which are pro-resolving mediators, have shown ability to reduce collagen deposition, activation of myofibroblasts, reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators and reduced scar formation. Here we also discuss existing challenges, both in approaching fibroblasts as therapeutic targets, and in the development of novel melanocortin drug candidates, that may help advance the field and deliver new medicines for the management of diseases with high medical needs.
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118
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Ma CX, Wei ZR, Sun T, Yang MH, Sun YQ, Kai KL, Shi JC, Zhou MJ, Wang ZW, Chen J, Li W, Wang TQ, Zhang SF, Xue L, Zhang M, Yin Q, Zang MX. Circ-sh3rf3/GATA-4/miR-29a regulatory axis in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:50. [PMID: 36694058 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04699-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The transdifferentiation from cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is an important event in the initiation of cardiac fibrosis. However, the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Circ-sh3rf3 (circular RNA SH3 domain containing Ring Finger 3) is a novel circular RNA which was induced in hypertrophied ventricles by isoproterenol hydrochloride, and our work has established that it is a potential regulator in cardiac hypertrophy, but whether circ-sh3rf3 plays a role in cardiac fibrosis remains unclear, especially in the conversion of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Here, we found that circ-sh3rf3 was down-regulated in isoproterenol-treated rat cardiac fibroblasts and cardiomyocytes as well as during fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts. We further confirmed that circ-sh3rf3 could interact with GATA-4 proteins and reduce the expression of GATA-4, which in turn abolishes GATA-4 repression of miR-29a expression and thus up-regulates miR-29a expression, thereby inhibiting fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis. Our work has established a novel Circ-sh3rf3/GATA-4/miR-29a regulatory cascade in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and myocardial fibrosis, which provides a new therapeutic target for myocardial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Xia Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Zhi-Ru Wei
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tong Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Ming-Hui Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Yu-Qie Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Kun-Lun Kai
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Jia-Chen Shi
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng-Jiao Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Zi-Wei Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Tian-Qi Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Shan-Feng Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China
| | - Lixiang Xue
- Medical Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 Huayuan North Road, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Cardiology, King's College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, London, UK
| | - Qianqian Yin
- Medical Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 Huayuan North Road, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Ming-Xi Zang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Ke Xue Da Dao 100, Zheng Zhou, 450001, China.
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119
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Zhang H, Zhou Y, Wen D, Wang J. Noncoding RNAs: Master Regulator of Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Transition in Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:1801. [PMID: 36675315 PMCID: PMC9861037 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021801] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts escape apoptosis and proliferate abnormally under pathological conditions, especially fibrosis; they synthesize and secrete a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM), such as α-SMA and collagen, which leads to the distortion of organ parenchyma structure, an imbalance in collagen deposition and degradation, and the replacement of parenchymal cells by fibrous connective tissues. Fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT) is considered to be the main source of myofibroblasts. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the influencing factors regulating the process of FMT for the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of FMT-related diseases. In recent years, non-coding RNAs, including microRNA, long non-coding RNAs, and circular RNAs, have attracted extensive attention from scientists due to their powerful regulatory functions, and they have been found to play a vital role in regulating FMT. In this review, we summarized ncRNAs which regulate FMT during fibrosis and found that they mainly regulated signaling pathways, including TGF-β/Smad, MAPK/P38/ERK/JNK, PI3K/AKT, and WNT/β-catenin. Furthermore, the expression of downstream transcription factors can be promoted or inhibited, indicating that ncRNAs have the potential to be a new therapeutic target for FMT-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jie Wang
- Department of Immunology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Xiangya Road, Changsha 410000, China
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120
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Chen G, Li J, Liu H, Zhou H, Liu M, Liang D, Meng Z, Gan H, Wu Z, Zhu X, Han P, Liu T, Gu R, Liu S, Dou G. Cepharanthine Ameliorates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 Pathway, Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition and Inflammation. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28020753. [PMID: 36677811 PMCID: PMC9864377 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28020753] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is one of the sequelae of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and currently, lung transplantation is the only viable treatment option. Hence, other effective treatments are urgently required. We investigated the therapeutic effects of an approved botanical drug, cepharanthine (CEP), in a cell culture model of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis rat models both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, CEP and pirfenidone (PFD) suppressed BLM-induced lung tissue inflammation, proliferation of blue collagen fibers, and damage to lung structures in vivo. Furthermore, we also found increased collagen deposition marked by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen Type I Alpha 1 (COL1A1), which was significantly alleviated by the addition of PFD and CEP. Moreover, we elucidated the underlying mechanism of CEP against PF in vitro. Various assays confirmed that CEP reduced the viability and migration and promoted apoptosis of myofibroblasts. The expression levels of myofibroblast markers, including COL1A1, vimentin, α-SMA, and Matrix Metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), were also suppressed by CEP. Simultaneously, CEP significantly suppressed the elevated Phospho-NF-κB p65 (p-p65)/NF-κB p65 (p65) ratio, NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) levels, and elevated inhibitor of NF-κB Alpha (IκBα) degradation and reversed the progression of PF. Hence, our study demonstrated that CEP prevented myofibroblast activation and treated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner by regulating nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)/ NLRP3 signaling, thereby suggesting that CEP has potential clinical application in pulmonary fibrosis in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ruolan Gu
- Correspondence: (R.G.); (S.L.); (G.D.)
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121
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Kumar S, Fan X, Rasouly HM, Sharma R, Salant DJ, Lu W. ZEB2 controls kidney stromal progenitor differentiation and inhibits abnormal myofibroblast expansion and kidney fibrosis. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e158418. [PMID: 36445780 PMCID: PMC9870089 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXD1+ cell-derived stromal cells give rise to pericytes and fibroblasts that support the kidney vasculature and interstitium but are also major precursors of myofibroblasts. ZEB2 is a SMAD-interacting transcription factor that is expressed in developing kidney stromal progenitors. Here we show that Zeb2 is essential for normal FOXD1+ stromal progenitor development. Specific conditional knockout of mouse Zeb2 in FOXD1+ stromal progenitors (Zeb2 cKO) leads to abnormal interstitial stromal cell development, differentiation, and kidney fibrosis. Immunofluorescent staining analyses revealed abnormal expression of interstitial stromal cell markers MEIS1/2/3, CDKN1C, and CSPG4 (NG2) in newborn and 3-week-old Zeb2-cKO mouse kidneys. Zeb2-deficient FOXD1+ stromal progenitors also took on a myofibroblast fate that led to kidney fibrosis and kidney failure. Cell marker studies further confirmed that these myofibroblasts expressed pericyte and resident fibroblast markers, including PDGFRβ, CSPG4, desmin, GLI1, and NT5E. Notably, increased interstitial collagen deposition associated with loss of Zeb2 in FOXD1+ stromal progenitors was accompanied by increased expression of activated SMAD1/5/8, SMAD2/3, SMAD4, and AXIN2. Thus, our study identifies a key role of ZEB2 in maintaining the cell fate of FOXD1+ stromal progenitors during kidney development, whereas loss of ZEB2 leads to differentiation of FOXD1+ stromal progenitors into myofibroblasts and kidney fibrosis.
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122
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Irnaten M, O’Brien CJ. Calcium-Signalling in Human Glaucoma Lamina Cribrosa Myofibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021287. [PMID: 36674805 PMCID: PMC9862249 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of treatable visual impairment in the developed world, affecting approximately 64 million people worldwide, some of whom will be bilaterally blind from irreversible optic nerve damage. The optic nerve head is a key site of damage in glaucoma where there is fibrosis of the connective tissue in the lamina cribrosa (LC) extracellular matrix. As a ubiquitous second messenger, calcium (Ca2+) can interact with various cellular proteins to regulate multiple physiological processes and contribute to a wide range of diseases, including cancer, fibrosis, and glaucoma. Our research has shown evidence of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, an elevated expression of Ca2+ entry channels, Ca2+-dependent pumps and exchangers, and an abnormal rise in cytosolic Ca2+ in human glaucomatous LC fibroblast cells. We have evidence that this increase is dependent on Ca2+ entry channels located in the plasma membrane, and its release is from internal stores in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), as well as from the mitochondria. Here, we summarize some of the molecular Ca2+-dependent mechanisms related to this abnormal Ca2+-signalling in human glaucoma LC cells, with a view toward identifying potential therapeutic targets for ongoing optic neuropathy.
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123
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Yang L, Zhang H, Dong C, Yue W, Xue R, Liu F, Yang L, Li L. Neuron-Glial Antigen 2 Participates in Liver Fibrosis via Regulating the Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell to Myofibroblast. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021177. [PMID: 36674693 PMCID: PMC9864665 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021177] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuron-glial antigen 2 (NG2, gene name: Cspg4) has been characterized as an important factor in many diseases. However, the pathophysiological relevance of NG2 in liver disease specifically regarding bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) differentiation to myofibroblast (MF) and the molecular details remain unknown. Human liver tissues were obtained from patients with different chronic liver diseases, and mouse liver injury models were induced by feeding a methionine-choline-deficient and high-fat diet, carbon tetrachloride administration, or bile duct ligation operation. NG2 expression was increased in human and mouse fibrotic liver and positively correlated with MF markers α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and other fibrotic markers in the liver. There was a co-localization between NG2 and αSMA, NG2 and EGFP (BMSC-derived MF) in the fibrotic liver determined by immunofluorescence analysis. In vitro, TGFβ1-treated BMSC showed a progressive increase in NG2 levels, which were mainly expressed on the membrane surface. Interestingly, there was a translocation of NG2 from the cell membrane into cytoplasm after the transfection of Cspg4 siRNA in TGFβ1-treated BMSC. siRNA-mediated inhibition of Cspg4 abrogated the TGFβ1-induced BMSC differentiation to MF. Importantly, inhibition of NG2 in vivo significantly attenuated the extent of liver fibrosis in methionine-choline-deficient and high fat (MCDHF) mice, as demonstrated by the decreased mRNA expression of fibrotic parameters, collagen deposition, serum transaminase levels, liver steatosis and inflammation after the administration of Cspg4 siRNA in MCDHF mice. We identify the positive regulation of NG2 in BMSC differentiation to MF during liver fibrosis, which may provide a promising target for the treatment of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hang Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Chengbin Dong
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wenhui Yue
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Renmin Xue
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Fuquan Liu
- Department of Interventional Therapy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Lin Yang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Liying Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-83950468
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124
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Green LC, Slone S, Anthony SR, Guarnieri AR, Parkins S, Shearer SM, Nieman ML, Roy S, Aube J, Wu X, Xu L, Kanisicak O, Tranter M. HuR-dependent expression of Wisp1 is necessary for TGFβ-induced cardiac myofibroblast activity. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2023; 174:38-46. [PMID: 36372279 PMCID: PMC9868076 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.10.007] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is regulated by the activation and phenotypic switching of quiescent cardiac fibroblasts to active myofibroblasts, which have extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and contractile functions which play a central role in cardiac remodeling in response to injury. Here, we show that expression and activity of the RNA binding protein HuR is increased in cardiac fibroblasts upon transformation to an active myofibroblast. Pharmacological inhibition of HuR significantly blunts the TGFβ-dependent increase in ECM remodeling genes, total collagen secretion, in vitro scratch closure, and collagen gel contraction in isolated primary cardiac fibroblasts, suggesting a suppression of TGFβ-induced myofibroblast activation upon HuR inhibition. We identified twenty-four mRNA transcripts that were enriched for HuR binding following TGFβ treatment via photoactivatable ribonucleoside-enhanced crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (PAR-CLIP). Eleven of these HuR-bound mRNAs also showed significant co-expression correlation with HuR, αSMA, and periostin in primary fibroblasts isolated from the ischemic-zone of infarcted mouse hearts. Of these, WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein-1 (Wisp1; Ccn4), was the most significantly associated with HuR expression in fibroblasts. Accordingly, we found Wisp1 expression to be increased in cardiac fibroblasts isolated from the ischemic-zone of mouse hearts following ischemia/reperfusion, and confirmed Wisp1 expression to be HuR-dependent in isolated fibroblasts. Finally, addition of exogenous recombinant Wisp1 partially rescued myofibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction following HuR inhibition, demonstrating that HuR-dependent Wisp1 expression plays a functional role in HuR-dependent MF activity downstream of TGFβ. In conclusion, HuR activity is necessary for the functional activation of primary cardiac fibroblasts in response to TGFβ, in part through post-transcriptional regulation of Wisp1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa C Green
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Samuel Slone
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Sarah R Anthony
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Adrienne R Guarnieri
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Sharon Parkins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Shannon M Shearer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Michelle L Nieman
- Department of Pharmacology & Systems Physiology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Sudeshna Roy
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey Aube
- Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America
| | - Liang Xu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, United States of America
| | - Onur Kanisicak
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America
| | - Michael Tranter
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States of America.
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125
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Pandey A, Kurera M, Man SM. Primary Intestinal Fibroblasts: Isolation, Cultivation, and Maintenance. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2691:327-335. [PMID: 37355555 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3331-1_23] [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] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal fibroblasts maintain homeostasis and contribute to inflammatory responses and the development of cancer. Intestinal fibroblasts express pattern recognition receptors which can mount an immune response. Since intestinal fibroblasts interact with diverse immune and nonimmune cells, further insights into the biology of intestinal fibroblasts could expand our knowledge of the development, homeostasis, and pathophysiology of the intestine. Here, we describe a simple protocol for the isolation, cultivation, and maintenance of primary fibroblasts from the mouse colon. These cells express α-smooth muscle actin, a characteristic of specialized contractile fibroblasts called myofibroblasts. We also outline the use of these colonic fibroblasts for immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays with or without stimulation with a growth factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhimanu Pandey
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Melan Kurera
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Si Ming Man
- Division of Immunology and Infectious Disease, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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Hayashi K, Horoiwa S, Mori K, Miyata H, Labios RJ, Morita T, Kobayashi Y, Yamashiro C, Higashijima F, Yoshimoto T, Kimura K, Nakagawa Y. Role of CRP2-MRTF interaction in functions of myofibroblasts. Cell Struct Funct 2023; 48:83-98. [PMID: 37164693 PMCID: PMC10721955 DOI: 10.1247/csf.23004] [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: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory response induces phenotypic modulation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Although transforming growth factor-βs (TGF-βs) evoke such transition, the details of the mechanism are still unknown. Here, we report that a LIM domain protein, cysteine-and glycine-rich protein 2 (CSRP2 [CRP2]) plays a vital role in the functional expression profile in myofibroblasts and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Knock-down of CRP2 severely inhibits the expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) genes, cell motility, and CAF-mediated collective invasion of epidermoid carcinoma. We elucidate the following molecular bases: CRP2 directly binds to myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTF-A/B [MRTFs]) and serum response factor (SRF) and stabilizes the MRTF/SRF/CArG-box complex to activate SMC gene expression. Furthermore, a three-dimensional structural analysis of CRP2 identifies the amino acids required for the CRP2-MRTF-A interaction. Polar amino acids in the C-terminal half (serine-152, glutamate-154, serine-155, threonine-156, threonine-157, and threonine-159 in human CRP2) are responsible for direct binding to MRTF-A. On the other hand, hydrophobic amino acids outside the consensus sequence of the LIM domain (tryptophan-139, phenylalanine-144, leucine-153, and leucine-158 in human CRP2) play a role in stabilizing the unique structure of the LIM domain.Key words: CRP2, 3D structure, myocardin-related transcription factor, myofibroblast, cancer-associated fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken’ichiro Hayashi
- Department of RNA Biology and Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Shinri Horoiwa
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Kotaro Mori
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Miyata
- Department of Surgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-8567, Japan
| | - Reuben Jacob Labios
- Department of RNA Biology and Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Morita
- Department of Biology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, 580 Mikazura, Wakayama 641-0011, Japan
| | - Yuka Kobayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Chiemi Yamashiro
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Higashijima
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Takuya Yoshimoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kimura
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi 755-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nakagawa
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
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Mellone M, Piotrowska K, Venturi G, James L, Bzura A, Lopez MA, James S, Wang C, Ellis MJ, Hanley CJ, Buckingham JF, Cox KL, Hughes G, Valge-Archer V, King EV, Beers SA, Jaquet V, Jones GD, Savelyeva N, Sayan E, Parsons JL, Durant S, Thomas GJ. ATM Regulates Differentiation of Myofibroblastic Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts and Can Be Targeted to Overcome Immunotherapy Resistance. Cancer Res 2022; 82:4571-4585. [PMID: 36353752 PMCID: PMC9755965 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-22-0435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Myofibroblastic cancer-associated fibroblast (myoCAF)-rich tumors generally contain few T cells and respond poorly to immune-checkpoint blockade. Although myoCAFs are associated with poor outcome in most solid tumors, the molecular mechanisms regulating myoCAF accumulation remain unclear, limiting the potential for therapeutic intervention. Here, we identify ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) as a central regulator of the myoCAF phenotype. Differentiating myofibroblasts in vitro and myoCAFs cultured ex vivo display activated ATM signaling, and targeting ATM genetically or pharmacologically could suppress and reverse differentiation. ATM activation was regulated by the reactive oxygen species-producing enzyme NOX4, both through DNA damage and increased oxidative stress. Targeting fibroblast ATM in vivo suppressed myoCAF-rich tumor growth, promoted intratumoral CD8 T-cell infiltration, and potentiated the response to anti-PD-1 blockade and antitumor vaccination. This work identifies a novel pathway regulating myoCAF differentiation and provides a rationale for using ATM inhibitors to overcome CAF-mediated immunotherapy resistance. SIGNIFICANCE ATM signaling supports the differentiation of myoCAFs to suppress T-cell infiltration and antitumor immunity, supporting the potential clinical use of ATM inhibitors in combination with checkpoint inhibition in myoCAF-rich, immune-cold tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Mellone
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Klaudia Piotrowska
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Giulia Venturi
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Lija James
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Aleksandra Bzura
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Maria A. Lopez
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sonya James
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Chuan Wang
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Matthew J. Ellis
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher J. Hanley
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Josephine F. Buckingham
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Kerry L. Cox
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth Hughes
- Bioscience, Oncology Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Viia Valge-Archer
- Bioscience, Oncology Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Emma V. King
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen A. Beers
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Vincent Jaquet
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Genève, Switzerland
| | - George D.D. Jones
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Cancer Research Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Savelyeva
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Emre Sayan
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jason L. Parsons
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Durant
- Bioscience, Oncology Innovative Medicines and Early Development (IMED) Biotech Unit, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Gareth J. Thomas
- School of Cancer Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Wang Y, Mack JA, Hascall VC, Maytin EV. Transforming Growth Factor-β Receptor-Mediated, p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase-Dependent Signaling Drives Enhanced Myofibroblast Differentiation during Skin Wound Healing in Mice Lacking Hyaluronan Synthases 1 and 3. Am J Pathol 2022; 192:1683-1698. [PMID: 36063901 PMCID: PMC9765314 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Normal myofibroblast differentiation is critical for proper skin wound healing. Neoexpression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker for myofibroblast differentiation, is driven by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptor-mediated signaling. Hyaluronan and its three synthesizing enzymes, hyaluronan synthases (Has 1, 2, and 3), also participate in this process. Closure of skin wounds is significantly accelerated in Has1/3 double-knockout (Has1/3-null) mice. Herein, TGF-β activity and dermal collagen maturation were increased in Has1/3-null healing skin. Cultures of primary skin fibroblasts isolated from Has1/3-null mice had higher levels of TGF-β activity, α-SMA expression, and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase at Thr180/Tyr182, compared with wild-type fibroblasts. p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase was a necessary element in a noncanonical TGF-β receptor signaling pathway driving α-SMA expression in Has1/3-null fibroblasts. Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF), a cofactor that binds to the transcription factor serum response factor (SRF), was also critical. Nuclear localization of MRTF was increased, and MRTF binding to SRF was enhanced in Has1/3-null fibroblasts. Inhibition of MRTF or SRF expression by RNA interference suppresses α-SMA expression at baseline and diminished its overexpression in Has1/3-null fibroblasts. Interestingly, total matrix metalloproteinase activity was increased in healing skin and fibroblasts from Has1/3-null mice, possibly explaining the increased TGF-β activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio.
| | - Judith A Mack
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Dermatology, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Vincent C Hascall
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Edward V Maytin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Dermatology, Dermatology and Plastic Surgery Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
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129
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Luo Y, Lu J, Wang Z, Wang L, Wu G, Guo Y, Dong Z. Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO)ylation of SIRT1 mediates (-)-epicatechin inhibited- differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. Pharm Biol 2022; 60:1762-1770. [PMID: 36086802 PMCID: PMC9467557 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2022.2101672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT (-)-Epicatechin (EPI) is a crucial substance involved in the protective effects of flavanol-rich foods. Previous studies have indicated EPI has a cardioprotective effect, but the molecular mechanisms in inhibition of cardiac fibrosis are unclear. OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effect of EPI in preventing cardiac fibrosis and the underlying molecular mechanism related to the SIRT1-SUMO1/AKT/GSK3β pathway. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cardiac fibrosis mice model was established with transaortic constriction (TAC). Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly separated into 4 groups. Mice received 1 mg/kg/day of EPI or vehicle orally for 4 weeks. The acutely isolated cardiac fibroblasts were induced to myofibroblasts with 1 µM angiotensin II (Ang II). The cardiac function was measured with the ultrasonic instrument. Histological analysis of mice's hearts was determined with H&E or Masson method. The protein level of fibrosis markers, SUMOylation of SIRT1, and AKT/GSK3β pathway were quantified by immunofluorescence and western blot. RESULTS EPI treatment (1 mg/kg/day) could reverse the TAC-induced decline in LVEF (TAC, 61.28% ± 1.33% vs. TAC + EPI, 74.00% ± 1.64%), LVFS (TAC, 28.16% ± 0.89% vs. TAC + EPI, 37.18% ± 1.29%). Meantime, we found that 10 µM EPI blocks Ang II-induced transformation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. The underlying mechanism of EPI-inhibited myofibroblasts transformation involves activation of SUMOylation of SIRT1 through SP1. Furthermore, SUMOylation of SIRT1 inhibited Ang II-induced fibrogenic effect via the AKT/GSK3β pathway. CONCLUSION EPI plays a protective effect on cardiac fibrosis by regulating the SUMO1-dependent modulation of SIRT1, which provides a theoretical basis for use in clinical therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchun Luo
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Lu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zeng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Lu Wang
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Acousto-Optic Electromagnetic Diagnosis and Treatment in Heilongjiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guodong Wu
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Acousto-Optic Electromagnetic Diagnosis and Treatment in Heilongjiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yuanyuan Guo
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Acousto-Optic Electromagnetic Diagnosis and Treatment in Heilongjiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zengxiang Dong
- The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Acousto-Optic Electromagnetic Diagnosis and Treatment in Heilongjiang Province, the First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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130
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Jiang S, Gu L, Hu Y, Ren Y, Yang Z, Chai C, Yu B, Ge H, Cao Z, Zhao F. Inhibition of TRPC6 suppressed TGFβ-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transdifferentiation in renal interstitial NRK-49F cells. Exp Cell Res 2022; 421:113374. [PMID: 36206825 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113374] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a global health concern with limited curative treatment. Canonical transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6), a nonselective cation channel, has been shown to regulate the renal fibrosis in murine models. However, the molecular mechanism is unclear. Fibroblast-myofibroblast transdifferentiation is one of the critical steps in the progression of renal fibrosis. In the present study, we demonstrate that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 exposure significantly increases the TRPC6 expression in renal interstitial fibroblast NRK-49F cells. Pharmacological inhibition of TRPC6 and knockdown of Trpc6 by siRNA alleviate TGF-β1-increased expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I, two key markers of myofibroblasts. Although direct activation of TRPC6 by 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol (OAG) does not affect the expression of α-SMA and collagen I, OAG potentiates TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Further study demonstrates that TGF-β1 exposure increases the phosphorylation level of p38 and Yes-associated protein (YAP) translocation into the nuclei. Inhibition of p38 and YAP decreases TGF-β1-enhanced TRPC6 and α-SMA expression. In conclusion, we demonstrate that TRPC6 is a key regulator of TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and provides the mechanism of how TGF-β1 exposure regulates TRPC6 expression in NRK-49F fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Lifei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Research and Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen Institute for Drug Control, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518057, China
| | - Yixin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Younan Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Zhao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Chengzhi Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Boyang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Haitao Ge
- Jiangsu Suzhong Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225500, China
| | - Zhengyu Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China.
| | - Fang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Development, School of Traditional Chinese Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China.
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131
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Chong GLW, Böhmert B, Lee LEJ, Bols NC, Dowd GC. A continuous myofibroblast precursor cell line from the tail muscle of Australasian snapper (Chrysophrys auratus) that responds to transforming growth factor beta and fibroblast growth factor. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 2022; 58:922-935. [PMID: 36378268 PMCID: PMC9780137 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-022-00734-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Chrysophrys auratus (Australasian snapper) is one of the largest and most valuable finfish from capture fisheries in New Zealand, yet no cell lines from this species are reported in the scientific literature. Here, we describe a muscle-derived cell line initiated from the tail of a juvenile snapper which has been designated CAtmus1PFR (Chrysophrys auratus, tail muscle, Plant & Food Research). The cell line has been passaged over 100 times in 3 years and is considered immortal. Cells are reliant on serum supplementation for proliferation and exhibit a broad thermal profile comparable to the eurythermic nature of C. auratus in vivo. The impact of exogenous growth factors, including insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I and IGF-II), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), on cell morphology and proliferation was investigated. Insulin-like growth factors acted as mitogens and had minimal effect on cell morphology. TGFβ exposure resulted in CAtmus1PFR exhibiting a myofibroblast morphology becoming enlarged with actin bundling. This differentiation was confirmed through the expression of smooth muscle actin (sma), an increase in type 1 collagen (col1a) expression, and a loss of motility. Expression of col1a and sma was decreased when cells were exposed to bFGF, and no actin bundling was observed. These data indicate that CAtmus1PFR may be myofibroblastic precursor cells descending from mesenchymal progenitor cells present in the tail muscle myosepta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavril L. W. Chong
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Nelson Research Centre, 293 Akersten Street, Nelson, 7010 New Zealand
| | - Björn Böhmert
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Nelson Research Centre, 293 Akersten Street, Nelson, 7010 New Zealand
| | - Lucy E. J. Lee
- Faculty of Science, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 Canada
| | - Niels C. Bols
- Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1 Canada
| | - Georgina C. Dowd
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Ltd, Nelson Research Centre, 293 Akersten Street, Nelson, 7010 New Zealand
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Li B, Wang H, Zhang Y, Liu Y, Zhou T, Zhou B, Zhang Y, Chen R, Xing J, He L, Salinas JM, Koyama S, Meng F, Wan Y. Current Perspectives of Neuroendocrine Regulation in Liver Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233783. [PMID: 36497043 PMCID: PMC9736734 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233783] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a complicated process that involves different cell types and pathological factors. The excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the formation of fibrotic scar disrupt the tissue homeostasis of the liver, eventually leading to cirrhosis and even liver failure. Myofibroblasts derived from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) contribute to the development of liver fibrosis by producing ECM in the area of injuries. It has been reported that the secretion of the neuroendocrine hormone in chronic liver injury is different from a healthy liver. Activated HSCs and cholangiocytes express specific receptors in response to these neuropeptides released from the neuroendocrine system and other neuroendocrine cells. Neuroendocrine hormones and their receptors form a complicated network that regulates hepatic inflammation, which controls the progression of liver fibrosis. This review summarizes neuroendocrine regulation in liver fibrosis from three aspects. The first part describes the mechanisms of liver fibrosis. The second part presents the neuroendocrine sources and neuroendocrine compartments in the liver. The third section discusses the effects of various neuroendocrine factors, such as substance P (SP), melatonin, as well as α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP), on liver fibrosis and the potential therapeutic interventions for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Li
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Yudian Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ying Liu
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Tiejun Zhou
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Bingru Zhou
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Rong Chen
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Juan Xing
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Longfei He
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Jennifer Mata Salinas
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sachiko Koyama
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Fanyin Meng
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (Y.W.)
| | - Ying Wan
- School of Basic Medical Science, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
- Correspondence: (F.M.); (Y.W.)
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Schumacher D, Curaj A, Staudt M, Simsekyilmaz S, Kanzler I, Boor P, Klinkhammer BM, Li X, Bucur O, Kaabi A, Xu Y, Zheng H, Nilcham P, Schuh A, Rusu M, Liehn EA. Endogenous Modulation of Extracellular Matrix Collagen during Scar Formation after Myocardial Infarction. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314571. [PMID: 36498897 PMCID: PMC9741070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial infarction is remains the leading cause of death in developed countries. Recent data show that the composition of the extracellular matrix might differ despite similar heart function and infarction sizes. Because collagen is the main component of the extracellular matrix, we hypothesized that changes in inflammatory cell recruitment influence the synthesis of different collagen subtypes in myofibroblasts, thus changing the composition of the scar. We found that neutrophils sustain the proliferation of fibroblasts, remodeling, differentiation, migration and inflammation, predominantly by IL-1 and PPARγ pathways (n = 3). They also significantly inhibit the mRNA expression of fibrillar collagen, maintaining a reduced stiffness in isolated myofibroblasts (n = 4-5). Reducing the neutrophil infiltration in CCR1-/- resulted in increased mRNA expression of collagen 11, moderate expression of collagen 19 and low expression of collagen 13 and 26 in the scar 4 weeks post infarction compared with other groups (n = 3). Mononuclear cells increased the synthesis of all collagen subtypes and upregulated the NF-kB, angiotensin II and PPARδ pathways (n = 3). They increased the synthesis of collagen subtypes 1, 3, 5, 16 and 23 but reduced the expression of collagens 5 and 16 (n = 3). CCR2-/- scar tissue showed higher levels of collagen 13 (n = 3), in association with a significant reduction in stiffness (n = 4-5). Upregulation of the inflammation-related genes in myofibroblasts mostly modulated the fibrillar collagen subtypes, with less effect on the FACIT, network-forming and globular subtypes (n = 3). The upregulation of proliferation and differentiation genes in myofibroblasts seemed to be associated only with the fibrillar collagen subtype, whereas angiogenesis-related genes are associated with fibrillar, network-forming and multiplexin subtypes. In conclusion, although we intend for our findings to deepen the understanding of the mechanism of healing after myocardial infarction and scar formation, the process of collagen synthesis is highly complex, and further intensive investigation is needed to put together all the missing puzzle pieces in this still incipient knowledge process.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Schumacher
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Hospital, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Adelina Curaj
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mareike Staudt
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Sakine Simsekyilmaz
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Isabella Kanzler
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Boor
- Institute for Pathology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute of Molecular Biomedicine, Comenius University, 811 08 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Xiaofeng Li
- Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Octavian Bucur
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Viron Molecular Medicine Institute, 1 Boston Place, Ste 2600, Boston, MA 02108, USA
| | - Adnan Kaabi
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Yichen Xu
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Huabo Zheng
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Pakhwan Nilcham
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alexander Schuh
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Mihaela Rusu
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (E.A.L.); Tel.: +49-241-80-35984 (M.R.); +45-6550-4015 (E.A.L.)
| | - Elisa A. Liehn
- Department for Cardiology, Angiology and Internal Intensive Care, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- “Victor Babes” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- National Heart Center Singapore, 5 Hospital Dr., Singapore 169609, Singapore
- Correspondence: (M.R.); (E.A.L.); Tel.: +49-241-80-35984 (M.R.); +45-6550-4015 (E.A.L.)
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Bandow K, Smith A, Watkins T, Shenk S, Gerami-Naini B, Garlick JA. CC
Chemokine Ligand 20 (
CCL20
) positively regulates Collagen Type I production in
3D
skin equivalent tissues. Exp Dermatol 2022; 32:379-391. [PMID: 36398464 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chemokines are a group of small proteins that induce chemoattraction and inflammation and contribute to the differentiation and homeostasis of various cell types. Here we explored the role of chemokines, extracellular matrix production, and myofibroblast differentiation in self-assembled skin equivalents (SASE), a three-dimensional (3D) skin-equivalent tissue model. We found that the expression of three chemokines, C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL) 20, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 5, and CXCL8, increased with differentiation to myofibroblasts. Addition of recombinant CCL20 to human skin fibroblast induced collagen Type I alpha 2 gene expression, but did not affect the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin expression. Conversely, siRNA gene knockdown of CCL20 effectively inhibited the expression of collagen Type I gene and protein. Furthermore, when the CCL20 gene in fibroblasts was knocked down in SASE, collagen Type I synthesis and stromal thickness were decreased. Taken together, these results have indicated the utility of SASE in understanding how cytokines such as CCL20 positively regulate extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen Type I production during myofibroblast differentiation in 3D tissues that mimic human skin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenjiro Bandow
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Oral Biology and Tissue Engineering, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Saitama, Japan
| | - Avi Smith
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Trishawna Watkins
- Division of Biochemistry, Department of Oral Biology and Tissue Engineering, Meikai University School of Dentistry, Saitama, Japan
| | - Sasha Shenk
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Behzad Gerami-Naini
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan A Garlick
- Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Gibb AA, Huynh AT, Gaspar RB, Ploesch TL, Lombardi AA, Lorkiewicz PK, Lazaropoulos MP, Bedi K, Arany Z, Margulies KB, Hill BG, Elrod JW. Glutamine uptake and catabolism is required for myofibroblast formation and persistence. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 172:78-89. [PMID: 35988357 PMCID: PMC10486318 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrosis and extracellular matrix remodeling are mediated by resident cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). In response to injury, fibroblasts activate, differentiating into specialized synthetic and contractile myofibroblasts producing copious extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagens). Myofibroblast persistence in chronic diseases, such as HF, leads to progressive cardiac dysfunction and maladaptive remodeling. We recently reported that an increase in αKG (alpha-ketoglutarate) bioavailability, which contributes to enhanced αKG-dependent lysine demethylase activity and chromatin remodeling, is required for myofibroblast formation. Therefore, we aimed to determine the substrates and metabolic pathways contributing to αKG biosynthesis and their requirement for myofibroblast formation. METHODS Stable isotope metabolomics identified glutaminolysis as a key metabolic pathway required for αKG biosynthesis and myofibroblast formation, therefore we tested the effects of pharmacologic inhibition (CB-839) or genetic deletion of glutaminase (Gls1-/-) on myofibroblast formation in both murine and human cardiac fibroblasts. We employed immunofluorescence staining, functional gel contraction, western blotting, and bioenergetic assays to determine the myofibroblast phenotype. RESULTS Carbon tracing indicated enhanced glutaminolysis mediating increased αKG abundance. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of glutaminolysis prevented myofibroblast formation indicated by a reduction in αSMA+ cells, collagen gel contraction, collagen abundance, and the bioenergetic response. Inhibition of glutaminolysis also prevented TGFβ-mediated histone demethylation and supplementation with cell-permeable αKG rescued the myofibroblast phenotype. Importantly, inhibition of glutaminolysis was sufficient to prevent myofibroblast formation in CFs isolated from the human failing heart. CONCLUSIONS These results define glutaminolysis as necessary for myofibroblast formation and persistence, providing substantial rationale to evaluate several new therapeutic targets to treat cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Gibb
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Anh T Huynh
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Ryan B Gaspar
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Tori L Ploesch
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Alyssa A Lombardi
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Pawel K Lorkiewicz
- Department of Chemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Michael P Lazaropoulos
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Ken Bedi
- Cardiovascular Institute and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Zolt Arany
- Cardiovascular Institute and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Kenneth B Margulies
- Cardiovascular Institute and Cardiovascular Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19014, USA
| | - Bradford G Hill
- Division of Environmental Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - John W Elrod
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
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136
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Micheletti R, Alexanian M. Transcriptional plasticity of fibroblasts in heart disease. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1247-1255. [PMID: 36281993 PMCID: PMC9704531 DOI: 10.1042/bst20210864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts play an essential role in maintaining the structural framework of the heart. Upon stress, fibroblasts undergo a cell state transition to activated fibroblasts (also referred to as myofibroblasts), a highly synthetic cell type that proliferates, migrates, and secrets both extracellular matrix as well as signaling factors that can modulate cellular crosstalk [J. Clin. Invest. 132, e148554]. Activated fibroblasts are critical regulators of cardiac wound healing after injury, but their excessive and persistent activation promote tissue fibrosis, a hallmark feature of the pathological remodeling of the heart. While much of the previous work in cardiac fibroblast biology has focused on the role of canonical signaling pathways or components of the extracellular matrix, recent efforts have been focused on deciphering the gene regulatory principles governing fibroblast activation. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that trigger and sustain the fibrotic process in heart disease has the potential to accelerate the development of therapies that specifically target the cardiac activated fibroblasts, which are at the moment unavailable. This concise review focuses on the mechanisms underlying the chromatin and transcriptional regulation of cardiac fibroblast activation. We discuss recent work from our group and others in this space, highlighting the application of single-cell genomics in the characterization of fibroblast function and diversity, and provide an overview on the prospects of targeting cardiac fibroblasts in heart disease and the associated challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudi Micheletti
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department and School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, U.S.A
| | - Michael Alexanian
- Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA, U.S.A
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137
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Yuan J, Peng H, Mo B, Yin C, Fang G, Li Y, Wang Y, Chen R, Wang Q. Inhibition of Wdr5 Attenuates Ang-II-Induced Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition in Cardiac Fibrosis by Regulating Mdm2/P53/P21 Pathway. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1574. [PMID: 36358925 PMCID: PMC9687631 DOI: 10.3390/biom12111574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is an important pathological process in many diseases. Wdr5 catalyzes the trimethylation of lysine K4 on histone H3. The effects of Wdr5 on the cardiac fibrosis phenotype and the activation or transformation of cardiac fibroblasts were investigated by Ang-II-infused mice by osmotic mini-pump and isolated primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. We found that the Wdr5 expression and histone H3K4me3 modification were significantly increased in Ang-II-infused mice. By stimulating primary neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts with Ang II, we detected that the expression of Wdr5 and H3K4me3 modification were also significantly increased. Two Wdr5-specific inhibitors, and the lentivirus that transfected Sh-Wdr5, were used to treat primary mouse cardiac fibroblasts, which not only inhibited the histone methylation by Wdr5 but also significantly reduced the activation and migration ability of Ang-II-treated fibroblasts. To explore its mechanism, we found that the inhibition of Wdr5 increased the expression of P53, P21. Cut&Tag-qPCR showed that the inhibition of Wdr5 significantly reduced the enrichment of H3K4me3 in the Mdm2 promoter region. For in vivo experiments, we finally proved that the Wdr5 inhibitor OICR9429 significantly reduced Ang-II-induced cardiac fibrosis and increased the expression of P21 in cardiac fibroblasts. Inhibition of Wdr5 may mediate cardiac fibroblast cycle arrest through the Mdm2/P53/P21 pathway and alleviate cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Hong Peng
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Binfeng Mo
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Chengye Yin
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Guojian Fang
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Yingze Li
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Yuepeng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
| | - Renhua Chen
- Department of Cardiology, Quanzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, #388 SunJiang Road, Quanzhou 362000, China
| | - Qunshan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, #1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai 200082, China
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Rozo V, Quan M, Aung T, Kang J, Thomasy SM, Leonard BC. Andrographolide Inhibits Corneal Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Differentiation In Vitro. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101447. [PMID: 36291655 PMCID: PMC9599903 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101447] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Corneal opacification due to fibrosis is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Fibrosis occurs from many causes including trauma, photorefractive surgery, microbial keratitis (infection of the cornea), and chemical burns, yet there is a paucity of therapeutics to prevent or treat corneal fibrosis. This study aimed to determine if andrographolide, a labdane diterpenoid found in Andrographis paniculate, has anti-fibrotic properties. Furthermore, we evaluated if andrographolide could prevent the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vitro, given that the transforming growth factor beta-1(TGF-β1) stimulated persistence of myofibroblasts in the cornea is a primary component of fibrosis. We demonstrated that andrographolide inhibited the upregulation of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) mRNA and protein in rabbit corneal fibroblasts (RCFs), thus, demonstrating a reduction in the transdifferentiation of myofibroblasts. Immunofluorescent staining of TGF-β1-stimulated RCFs confirmed a dose-dependent decrease in αSMA expression when treated with andrographolide. Additionally, andrographolide was well tolerated in vivo and had no impact on corneal epithelialization in a rat debridement model. These data support future studies investigating the use of andrographolide as an anti-fibrotic in corneal wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Rozo
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Melinda Quan
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Theint Aung
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Jennifer Kang
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Sara M. Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Brian C. Leonard
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Correspondence:
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139
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Rackow AR, Nagel DJ, Zapas G, Clough RS, Sime PJ, Kottmann RM. The Novel Small Molecule BTB Inhibits Pro-Fibrotic Fibroblast Behavior though Inhibition of RhoA Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:11946. [PMID: 36233248 PMCID: PMC9569993 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911946] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, chronic, interstitial lung disease with a poor prognosis. Although specific anti-fibrotic medications are now available, the median survival time following diagnosis remains very low, and new therapies are urgently needed. To uncover novel therapeutic targets, we examined how biochemical properties of the fibrotic lung are different from the healthy lung. Previous work identified lactate as a metabolite that is upregulated in IPF lung tissue. Importantly, inhibition of the enzyme responsible for lactate production prevents fibrosis in vivo. Further studies revealed that fibrotic lesions of the lung experience a significant decline in tissue pH, likely due to the overproduction of lactate. It is not entirely clear how cells in the lung respond to changes in extracellular pH, but a family of proton sensing G-protein coupled receptors has been shown to be activated by reductions in extracellular pH. This work examines the expression profiles of proton sensing GPCRs in non-fibrotic and IPF-derived primary human lung fibroblasts. We identify TDAG8 as a proton sensing GPCR that is upregulated in IPF fibroblasts and that knockdown of TDAG8 dampens myofibroblast differentiation. To our surprise, BTB, a proposed positive allosteric modulator of TDAG8, inhibits myofibroblast differentiation. Our data suggest that BTB does not require TDAG8 to inhibit myofibroblast differentiation, but rather inhibits myofibroblast differentiation through suppression of RhoA mediated signaling. Our work highlights the therapeutic potential of BTB as an anti-fibrotic treatment and expands upon the importance of RhoA-mediated signaling pathways in the context of myofibroblast differentiation. Furthermore, this works also suggests that TDAG8 inhibition may have therapeutic relevance in the treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley R. Rackow
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - David J. Nagel
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Gregory Zapas
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Ryan S. Clough
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Utah Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Patricia J. Sime
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, Richmond, VA 23284, USA
| | - R. Matthew Kottmann
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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Li Y, Li C, Liu Q, Wang L, Bao AX, Jung JP, Dodlapati S, Sun J, Gao P, Zhang X, Francis J, Molkentin JD, Fu X. Loss of Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts does not prevent the myofibroblast differentiation or affect the cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2022; 171:117-132. [PMID: 36007455 PMCID: PMC10478266 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In response to myocardial infarction (MI), quiescent cardiac fibroblasts differentiate into myofibroblasts mediating tissue repair. One of the most widely accepted markers of myofibroblast differentiation is the expression of Acta2 which encodes smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMαA) that is assembled into stress fibers. However, the requirement of Acta2/SMαA in the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts and its role in post-MI cardiac repair remained unknown. To answer these questions, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible cardiac fibroblast-specific Acta2 knockout mouse line. Surprisingly, mice that lacked Acta2 in cardiac fibroblasts had a normal post-MI survival rate. Moreover, Acta2 deletion did not affect the function or histology of infarcted hearts. No difference was detected in the proliferation, migration, or contractility between WT and Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts. Acta2-null cardiac myofibroblasts had a normal total filamentous actin level and total actin level. Acta2 deletion caused a significant compensatory increase in the transcription level of non-Acta2 actin isoforms, especially Actg2 and Acta1. Moreover, in myofibroblasts, the transcription levels of cytoplasmic actin isoforms were significantly higher than those of muscle actin isoforms. In addition, we found that myocardin-related transcription factor-A is critical for myofibroblast differentiation but is not required for the compensatory effects of non-Acta2 isoforms. In conclusion, the Acta2 deletion does not prevent the myofibroblast differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts or affect the post-MI cardiac repair, and the increased expression and stress fiber formation of non-SMαA actin isoforms and the functional redundancy between actin isoforms are able to compensate for the loss of Acta2 in cardiac myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxia Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Chaoyang Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Qianglin Liu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Leshan Wang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Adam X Bao
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jangwook P Jung
- Department of Biological Engineering, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Sanjeev Dodlapati
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Jiangwen Sun
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Peidong Gao
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Xujia Zhang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Joseph Francis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jeffery D Molkentin
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xing Fu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Heart failure is the leading cause of mortality, morbidity, and health care expenditures worldwide. Numerous studies have implicated GSK-3 (glycogen synthase kinase-3) as a promising therapeutic target for cardiovascular diseases. GSK-3 isoforms seem to play overlapping, unique and even opposing functions in the heart. Previously, we have shown that of the 2 isoforms of GSK-3, cardiac fibroblast GSK-3β acts as a negative regulator of myocardial fibrosis in the ischemic heart. However, the role of cardiac fibroblast-GSK-3α in the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases is completely unknown. METHODS To define the role of cardiac fibroblast-GSK-3α in myocardial fibrosis and heart failure, GSK-3α was deleted from fibroblasts or myofibroblasts with tamoxifen-inducible Tcf21- or Postn-promoter-driven Cre recombinase. Control and GSK-3α KO mice were subjected to cardiac injury and heart parameters were evaluated. The fibroblast kinome mapping was carried out to delineate molecular mechanism followed by in vivo and in vitro analysis. RESULTS Fibroblast-specific GSK-3α deletion restricted fibrotic remodeling and preserved function of the injured heart. We observed reductions in cell migration, collagen gel contraction, α-SMA protein levels, and expression of ECM genes in TGFβ1-treated KO fibroblasts, indicating that GSK-3α is required for myofibroblast transformation. Surprisingly, GSK-3α deletion did not affect SMAD3 activation, suggesting the profibrotic role of GSK-3α is SMAD3 independent. The molecular studies confirmed decreased ERK signaling in GSK-3α-KO CFs. Conversely, adenovirus-mediated expression of a constitutively active form of GSK-3α (Ad-GSK-3αS21A) in fibroblasts increased ERK activation and expression of fibrogenic proteins. Importantly, this effect was abolished by ERK inhibition. CONCLUSIONS GSK-3α-mediated MEK-ERK activation is a critical profibrotic signaling circuit in the injured heart, which operates independently of the canonical TGF-β1-SMAD3 pathway. Therefore, strategies to inhibit the GSK-3α-MEK-ERK signaling circuit could prevent adverse fibrosis in diseased hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Umbarkar
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-1913, USA
| | - Sultan Tousif
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-1913, USA
| | - Anand P. Singh
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-1913, USA
| | - Joshua C. Anderson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-1913, USA
| | - Qinkun Zhang
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-1913, USA
| | | | - James Woodgett
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Hind Lal
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, AL 35294-1913, USA
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Liang H, Liu B, Gao Y, Nie J, Feng S, Yu W, Wen S, Su X. Jmjd3/IRF4 axis aggravates myeloid fibroblast activation and m2 macrophage to myofibroblast transition in renal fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:978262. [PMID: 36159833 PMCID: PMC9494509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.978262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis commonly occurs in the process of chronic kidney diseases. Here, we explored the role of Jumonji domain containing 3 (Jmjd3)/interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) axis in activation of myeloid fibroblasts and transition of M2 macrophages into myofibroblasts transition (M2MMT) in kidney fibrosis. In mice, Jmjd3 and IRF4 were highly induced in interstitial cells of kidneys with folic acid or obstructive injury. Jmjd3 deletion in myeloid cells or Jmjd3 inhibitor reduced the levels of IRF4 in injured kidneys. Myeloid Jmjd3 depletion impaired bone marrow-derived fibroblasts activation and M2MMT in folic acid or obstructive nephropathy, resulting in reduction of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins expression, myofibroblasts formation and renal fibrosis progression. Pharmacological inhibition of Jmjd3 also prevented myeloid fibroblasts activation, M2MMT, and kidney fibrosis development in folic acid nephropathy. Furthermore, IRF4 disruption inhibited myeloid myofibroblasts accumulation, M2MMT, ECM proteins accumulation, and showed milder fibrotic response in obstructed kidneys. Bone marrow transplantation experiment showed that wild-type mice received IRF4-/- bone marrow cells presented less myeloid fibroblasts activation in injured kidneys and exhibited much less kidney fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction. Myeloid Jmjd3 deletion or Jmjd3 inhibitor attenuated expressions of IRF4, α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin and impeded M2MMT in cultured monocytes exposed to IL-4. Conversely, overexpression IRF4 abrogated the effect of myeloid Jmjd3 deletion on M2MMT. Thus, Jmjd3/IRF4 signaling has a crucial role in myeloid fibroblasts activation, M2 macrophages to myofibroblasts transition, extracellular matrix protein deposition, and kidney fibrosis progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Liang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Foshan Women and Children Hospital of Southern Medical University, Foshan, China
| | - Benquan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Jiayi Nie
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Shuyun Feng
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Wenqiang Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Wenqiang Yu, ; Xi Su,
| | - Shihong Wen
- Department of Anesthesiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Su
- Department of Paediatrics, Foshan Women and Children Hospital, Foshan, China
- *Correspondence: Wenqiang Yu, ; Xi Su,
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143
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Patankar M, Li M, Khalatbari A, Castle JD, Hu L, Zhang C, Shaker A. Inflammatory and Proliferative Pathway Activation in Human Esophageal Myofibroblasts Treated with Acidic Bile Salts. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231810371. [PMID: 36142285 PMCID: PMC9498994 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231810371] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Subepithelial human esophageal myofibroblasts (HEMFs) in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are exposed to luminal contents via impaired squamous epithelium barrier integrity. The supernatant of HEMFs treated with acidic bile salts reflective of in vivo reflux increases squamous epithelial thickness. We aimed to identify the involved mechanisms using an unbiased approach. Acidic-bile-salt-treated primary HEMF cultures (n = 4) were submitted for RNA-Seq and analyzed with Partek Flow followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). A total of 1165 molecules (579 downregulated, 586 upregulated) were differentially expressed, with most top regulated molecules either extracellular or in the plasma membrane. Increases in HEMF CXCL-8, IL-6, AREG, and EREG mRNA, and protein secretion were confirmed. Top identified canonical pathways were agranulocyte and granulocyte adhesion and diapedesis, PI3K/AKT signaling, CCR5 signaling in macrophages, and the STAT3 pathway. Top diseases and biological functions were cellular growth and development, hematopoiesis, immune cell trafficking, and cell-mediated response. The targets of the top upstream regulator ErbB2 included CXCL-8, IL-6, and AREG and the inhibition of CXCL-8 in the HEMF supernatant decreased squamous epithelial proliferation. Our work shows an inflammatory/immune cell and proliferative pathways activation in HEMFs in the GERD environment and identifies CXCL-8 as a HEMF-derived chemokine with paracrine proliferative effects on squamous epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhura Patankar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Meng Li
- USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
| | - Atousa Khalatbari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Joshua D. Castle
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Liping Hu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Chunying Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Anisa Shaker
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-323-442-2084
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144
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Chen J, Tang Y, Zhong Y, Wei B, Huang XR, Tang PMK, Xu A, Lan HY. P2Y12 inhibitor clopidogrel inhibits renal fibrosis by blocking macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition. Mol Ther 2022; 30:3017-3033. [PMID: 35791881 PMCID: PMC9481993 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [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: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clopidogrel, a P2Y12 inhibitor, is a novel anti-fibrosis agent for chronic kidney disease (CKD), but its mechanisms remain unclear, which we investigated by silencing P2Y12 or treating unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in LysM-Cre/Rosa Tomato mice with clopidogrel in vivo and in vitro. We found that P2Y12 was significantly increased and correlated with progressive renal fibrosis in CKD patients and UUO mice. Phenotypically, up to 82% of P2Y12-expressing cells within the fibrosing kidney were of macrophage origin, identified by co-expressing CD68/F4/80 antigens or a macrophage-lineage-tracing marker Tomato. Unexpectedly, more than 90% of P2Y12-expressing macrophages were undergoing macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT) by co-expressing alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), which was also confirmed by single-cell RNA sequencing. Functionally, clopidogrel improved the decline rate of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with CKD and significantly inhibited renal fibrosis in UUO mice. Mechanistically, P2Y12 expression was induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and promoted MMT via the Smad3-dependent mechanism. Thus, silencing or pharmacological inhibition of P2Y12 was capable of inhibiting TGF-β/Smad3-mediated MMT and progressive renal fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, P2Y12 is highly expressed by macrophages in fibrosing kidneys and mediates renal fibrosis by promoting MMT via TGF-β/Smad3 signaling. Thus, P2Y12 inhibitor maybe a novel and effective anti-fibrosis agent for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzhe Chen
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ying Tang
- Department of Nephrology, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Biao Wei
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao-Ru Huang
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunity and Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Anping Xu
- Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Departments of Medicine & Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunity and Genetics of Chronic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.
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145
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Qiang P, Hao J, Yang F, Han Y, Chang Y, Xian Y, Xiong Y, Gao X, Liang L, Shimosawa T, Xu Q. Esaxerenone inhibits the macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition through mineralocorticoid receptor/TGF-β1 pathway in mice induced with aldosterone. Front Immunol 2022; 13:948658. [PMID: 36148244 PMCID: PMC9485811 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.948658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is the inevitable pathway of the progression of chronic kidney disease to end-stage renal disease, which manifests as progressive glomerulosclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis. In a previous study, we observed severe interstitial fibrosis in the contralateral kidneys of 6-month unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats, which was accompanied by increased macrophage infiltration and phenotypic transformation; after eplerenone administration, these effects were reduced. Therefore, we hypothesized that this effect was closely related to mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation induced by the increased aldosterone (ALD) level. In this study, we used uninephrectomy plus continuous aldosterone infusion in mice to observe whether aldosterone induced macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT) and renal fibrosis and investigated the signaling pathways. Notably, aldosterone induced predominantly M1 macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition by activating MR and upregulating TGF-β1 expression, which promoted renal fibrosis. These effects were antagonized by the MR blocker esaxerenone. These findings suggest that targeting the MR/TGF-β1 pathway may be an effective therapeutic strategy for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panpan Qiang
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Juan Hao
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yutong Han
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yi Chang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yunqian Xian
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Yunzhao Xiong
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xiaomeng Gao
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Lijuan Liang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Shimosawa
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare, Narita, Japan
- *Correspondence: Qingyou Xu, ; Tatsuo Shimosawa,
| | - Qingyou Xu
- Graduate School, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- Institute of Integrative Medicine, College of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, China
- *Correspondence: Qingyou Xu, ; Tatsuo Shimosawa,
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146
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Drake KA, Chaney C, Patel M, Das A, Bittencourt J, Cohn M, Carroll TJ. Transcription Factors YAP/TAZ and SRF Cooperate To Specify Renal Myofibroblasts in the Developing Mouse Kidney. J Am Soc Nephrol 2022; 33:1694-1707. [PMID: 35918150 PMCID: PMC9529188 DOI: 10.1681/asn.2021121559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [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: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The embryonic renal stroma consists of multiple molecularly distinct cell subpopulations, the functional significance of which is largely unknown. Previous work has demonstrated that the transcription factors YAP and TAZ play roles in the development and morphogenesis of the nephrons, collecting ducts, and nephron progenitor cells. METHODS In embryonic mouse kidneys, we identified a subpopulation of stromal cells with enriched activity in YAP and TAZ. To evaluate the function of these cell types, we genetically ablated both Yap and Taz from the stromal progenitor population and examined how gene activity and development of YAP/TAZ mutant kidneys are affected over a developmental time course. RESULTS We found that YAP and TAZ are active in a subset of renal interstitium and that stromal-specific coablation of YAP/TAZ disrupts cortical fibroblast, pericyte, and myofibroblast development, with secondary effects on peritubular capillary differentiation. We also demonstrated that the transcription factor SRF cooperates with YAP/TAZ to drive expression of at least a subset of renal myofibroblast target genes and to specify myofibroblasts but not cortical fibroblasts or pericytes. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal a critical role for YAP/TAZ in specific embryonic stromal cells and suggest that interaction with cofactors, such as SRF, influence the expression of cell type-specific target genes, thus driving stromal heterogeneity. Further, this work reveals functional roles for renal stroma heterogeneity in creating unique microenvironments that influence the differentiation and maintenance of the renal parenchyma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keri A Drake
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Christopher Chaney
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Mohita Patel
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Amrita Das
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Julia Bittencourt
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Martin Cohn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Thomas J Carroll
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
- Department of Internal Medicine (Nephrology), University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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147
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Abstract
Renal fibrosis causes structural and functional impairment of the kidney, which is a dominant component of chronic kidney disease. Recently, a novel mechanism, macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT), has been identified as a crucial component in renal fibrosis as a response to chronic inflammation. It is a process by which bone marrow-derived macrophages differentiate into myofibroblasts during renal injury and promote renal fibrosis. Here, we summarized recent evidence and mechanisms of MMT in renal fibrosis. Understanding this phenomenon and its underlying signal pathway would be beneficial to find therapeutic targets for renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wei
- *Correspondence: Jia Wei, ; Xiang Yan,
| | | | - Xiang Yan
- *Correspondence: Jia Wei, ; Xiang Yan,
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148
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Chaffin M, Papangeli I, Simonson B, Akkad AD, Hill MC, Arduini A, Fleming SJ, Melanson M, Hayat S, Kost-Alimova M, Atwa O, Ye J, Bedi KC, Nahrendorf M, Kaushik VK, Stegmann CM, Margulies KB, Tucker NR, Ellinor PT. Single-nucleus profiling of human dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Nature 2022; 608:174-180. [PMID: 35732739 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04817-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure encompasses a heterogeneous set of clinical features that converge on impaired cardiac contractile function1,2 and presents a growing public health concern. Previous work has highlighted changes in both transcription and protein expression in failing hearts3,4, but may overlook molecular changes in less prevalent cell types. Here we identify extensive molecular alterations in failing hearts at single-cell resolution by performing single-nucleus RNA sequencing of nearly 600,000 nuclei in left ventricle samples from 11 hearts with dilated cardiomyopathy and 15 hearts with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy as well as 16 non-failing hearts. The transcriptional profiles of dilated or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy hearts broadly converged at the tissue and cell-type level. Further, a subset of hearts from patients with cardiomyopathy harbour a unique population of activated fibroblasts that is almost entirely absent from non-failing samples. We performed a CRISPR-knockout screen in primary human cardiac fibroblasts to evaluate this fibrotic cell state transition; knockout of genes associated with fibroblast transition resulted in a reduction of myofibroblast cell-state transition upon TGFβ1 stimulation for a subset of genes. Our results provide insights into the transcriptional diversity of the human heart in health and disease as well as new potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers for heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Chaffin
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Irinna Papangeli
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Bayer US LLC, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bridget Simonson
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Amer-Denis Akkad
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Bayer US LLC, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew C Hill
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alessandro Arduini
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Stephen J Fleming
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Data Sciences Platform, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michelle Melanson
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sikander Hayat
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory, Bayer US LLC, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Maria Kost-Alimova
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ondine Atwa
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jiangchuan Ye
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth C Bedi
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Matthias Nahrendorf
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Systems Biology, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Virendar K Kaushik
- Center for the Development of Therapeutics, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Kenneth B Margulies
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Patrick T Ellinor
- Precision Cardiology Laboratory and the Cardiovascular Disease Initiative, The Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
- Demoulas Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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149
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Bell TJ, Nagel DJ, Woeller CF, Kottmann RM. Ogerin mediated inhibition of TGF-β(1) induced myofibroblast differentiation is potentiated by acidic pH. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271608. [PMID: 35901086 PMCID: PMC9333254 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) induced myofibroblast differentiation is central to the pathological scarring observed in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and other fibrotic diseases. Our lab has recently identified expression of GPR68 (Ovarian Cancer Gene Receptor 1, OGR1), a pH sensing G-protein coupled receptor, as a negative regulator of TGF-β induced profibrotic effects in primary human lung fibroblasts (PHLFs). We therefore hypothesized that small molecule activators of GPR68 would inhibit myofibroblast differentiation. Ogerin is a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) of GPR68, inducing a leftward shift of the dose response curve to proton induced signaling. Using PHLFs derived from patients with both non-fibrotic and IPF diagnoses, we show that Ogerin inhibits, and partially reverses TGF-β induced myofibroblast differentiation in a dose dependent manner. This occurs at the transcriptional level without inhibition of canonical TGF-β induced SMAD signaling. Ogerin induces PKA dependent CREB phosphorylation, a marker of Gαs pathway activation. The ability of Ogerin to inhibit both basal and TGF-β induced collagen gene transcription, and induction of Gαs signaling is enhanced at an acidic pH (pH 6.8). Similar findings were also found using fibroblasts derived from dermal, intestinal, and orbital tissue. The biological role of GPR68 in different tissues, cell types, and disease states is an evolving and emerging field. This work adds to the understanding of Gαs coupled GPCRs in fibrotic lung disease, the ability to harness the pH sensing properties of GPR68, and conserved mechanisms of fibrosis across different organ systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Bell
- Department of Environmental Medicine Toxicology Training Program, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - David J. Nagel
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Collynn F. Woeller
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - R. Mathew Kottmann
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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150
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Penke LR, Speth JM, Huang SK, Fortier SM, Baas J, Peters-Golden M. KLF4 is a therapeutically tractable brake on fibroblast activation which promotes resolution of pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2022; 7:160688. [PMID: 35852857 PMCID: PMC9462506 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.160688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a paucity of information about potential molecular brakes on the activation of fibroblasts that drive tissue fibrosis. The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) is best known as a determinant of cell stemness and a tumor suppressor. We found that its expression was diminished in fibroblasts from fibrotic lung. Gain- and loss-of-function studies showed that KLF4 inhibited fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, and differentiation to myofibroblasts, while restoring their sensitivity to apoptosis. Conditional deletion of KLF4 from fibroblasts potentiated the peak degree of pulmonary fibrosis and abrogated the subsequent spontaneous resolution in a model of transient fibrosis. A small molecule inducer of KLF4 was able to restore its expression in fibrotic fibroblasts and elicit resolution in an experimental model characterized by more clinically relevant persistent pulmonary fibrosis. These data identify KLF4 as a pivotal brake on fibroblast activation whose induction represents a therapeutic approach in fibrosis of the lung and perhaps other organs.
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