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Zhang R, Jiang J, Yu Y, Wang F, Gao N, Zhou Y, Wan X, Wang Z, Wei P, Mei J. Analysis of structural components of decellularized scaffolds in renal fibrosis. Bioact Mater 2021; 6:2187-2197. [PMID: 33511316 PMCID: PMC7815494 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.12.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease has been recognized as a major public health problem worldwide and renal fibrosis is a common pathological process occurring in chronic renal failure. It is very promising to find the strategies to slow or even prevent the progression of fibrosis. This study focused on whether renal fibrosis decellularized scaffolds has the potential to be a model of cellular mechanisms of tissue fibrosis or donors for tissue engineering. In order to evaluate the feasibility of decellularized scaffolds derived from pathological kidneys, histology, proteomics and ELISA will be used to analysis the changes in the structure and main components of fibrotic tissue. The fibrosis model in this paper was induced by adenine-fed and the results showed that the structure of fibrotic scaffold was changed and some protein were up-regulated or down-regulated, but the cytokines associated with renal regeneration after injury were remained. In cell experiments, endothelial progenitor cells proliferated well, which proved that the fibrotic scaffolds have non-cytotoxic. All these conclusions indicate that the renal fibrosis decellularized scaffolds model has the ability to study fibrosis mechanism and the potential to be engineering donors as well as normal scaffolds. A study model of the mechanism of renal fibrosis from natural sources. Adenine-induced renal fibrosis with a cytopathic scaffold preserves important cytokines. There was no significant difference in cytokine content with natural scaffolds. Heat maps of differentially expressed proteins from subcellular localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Zhang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Junqun Jiang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Yaling Yu
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, No.600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Fangfang Wang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Niuniu Gao
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Yingjie Zhou
- Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Xinlong Wan
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Peng Wei
- Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
| | - Jin Mei
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, Wenzhou Medical University, North Center Road, Ouhai District, Wenzhou, 325035, China.,Institute of Biomaterials, Ningbo City First Hospital, No.59 Liuting Street, Haishu District, Ningbo, 315010, China
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52
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Gomart A, Vallée A, Lecarpentier Y. Necrotizing Enterocolitis: LPS/TLR4-Induced Crosstalk Between Canonical TGF-β/Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways and PPARγ. Front Pediatr 2021; 9:713344. [PMID: 34712628 PMCID: PMC8547806 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2021.713344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) represents one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in premature infants. Several recent studies, however, have contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of this dreadful disease. Numerous intracellular pathways play a key role in NEC, namely: bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and PPARγ. In a large number of pathologies, canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and PPARγ operate in opposition to one another, so that when one of the two pathways is overexpressed the other is downregulated and vice-versa. In NEC, activation of TLR4 by LPS leads to downregulation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling and upregulation of PPARγ. This review aims to shed light on the complex intracellular mechanisms involved in this pathophysiological profile by examining additional pathways such as the GSK-3β, NF-κB, TGF-β/Smads, and PI3K-Akt pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Gomart
- Département de Pédiatrie et Médecine de l'adolescent, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Alexandre Vallée
- Department of Clinical Research and Innovation, Foch Hospital, Suresnes, France
| | - Yves Lecarpentier
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien, Meaux, France
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53
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Summers ME, Richmond BW, Kropski JA, Majka SA, Bastarache JA, Hatzopoulos AK, Bylund J, Ghosh M, Petrache I, Foronjy RF, Geraghty P, Majka SM. Balanced Wnt/Dickkopf-1 signaling by mesenchymal vascular progenitor cells in the microvascular niche maintains distal lung structure and function. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2021; 320:C119-C131. [PMID: 33085496 PMCID: PMC7846975 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00277.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The well-described Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) plays a role in angiogenesis as well as in regulation of growth factor signaling cascades in pulmonary remodeling associated with chronic lung diseases (CLDs) including emphysema and fibrosis. However, the specific mechanisms by which DKK1 influences mesenchymal vascular progenitor cells (MVPCs), microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs), and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) within the microvascular niche have not been elucidated. In this study, we show that knockdown of DKK1 in Abcg2pos lung mouse adult tissue resident MVPCs alters lung stiffness, parenchymal collagen deposition, microvessel muscularization and density as well as loss of tissue structure in response to hypoxia exposure. To complement the in vivo mouse modeling, we also identified cell- or disease-specific responses to DKK1, in primary lung chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) MVPCs, COPD MVECs, and SMCs, supporting a paradoxical disease-specific response of cells to well-characterized factors. Cell responses to DKK1 were dose dependent and correlated with varying expressions of the DKK1 receptor, CKAP4. These data demonstrate that DKK1 expression is necessary to maintain the microvascular niche whereas its effects are context specific. They also highlight DKK1 as a regulatory candidate to understand the role of Wnt and DKK1 signaling between cells of the microvascular niche during tissue homeostasis and during the development of chronic lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan E Summers
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Bradley W Richmond
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine or Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jonathan A Kropski
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine or Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Sarah A Majka
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Julie A Bastarache
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine or Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Antonis K Hatzopoulos
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine or Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Jeffery Bylund
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine or Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - Moumita Ghosh
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Irina Petrache
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
| | - Robert F Foronjy
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Patrick Geraghty
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Susan M Majka
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, National Jewish Health, Denver, Colorado
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
- Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado
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54
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Dees C, Chakraborty D, Distler JHW. Cellular and molecular mechanisms in fibrosis. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:121-131. [PMID: 32931037 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The activation of fibroblasts is required for physiological tissue remodelling such as wound healing. However, when the regulatory mechanisms are disrupted and fibroblasts remain persistently activated, the progressive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins leads to tissue fibrosis, which results in dysfunction or even loss of function of the affected organ. Although fibrosis has been recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in modern societies, there are only few treatment options available that directly disrupt the release of extracellular matrix from fibroblasts. Intensive research in recent years, however, identified several pathways as core fibrotic mechanisms that are shared across different fibrotic diseases and organs. We discuss herein selection of those core pathways, especially downstream of the profibrotic TGF-β pathway, which are druggable and which may be transferable from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Dees
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Debomita Chakraborty
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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55
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Di Gregorio J, Robuffo I, Spalletta S, Giambuzzi G, De Iuliis V, Toniato E, Martinotti S, Conti P, Flati V. The Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition as a Possible Therapeutic Target in Fibrotic Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:607483. [PMID: 33409282 PMCID: PMC7779530 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.607483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a chronic and progressive disorder characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, which leads to scarring and loss of function of the affected organ or tissue. Indeed, the fibrotic process affects a variety of organs and tissues, with specific molecular background. However, two common hallmarks are shared: the crucial role of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and the involvement of the inflammation process, that is essential for initiating the fibrotic degeneration. TGF-β in particular but also other cytokines regulate the most common molecular mechanism at the basis of fibrosis, the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT). EMT has been extensively studied, but not yet fully explored as a possible therapeutic target for fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the crosstalk between fibrosis and EMT may represent an opportunity for the development of a broadly effective anti-fibrotic therapy. Here we report the evidences of the relationship between EMT and multi-organ fibrosis, and the possible therapeutic approaches that may be developed by exploiting this relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Di Gregorio
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
| | - Iole Robuffo
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, National Research Council, Section of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Sonia Spalletta
- Department of Clinical Pathology, E. Profili Hospital, Fabriano, Ancona, Italy
| | - Giulia Giambuzzi
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo De Iuliis
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Elena Toniato
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Martinotti
- Department of Medical and Oral Sciences and Biotechnologies, University “G. d’Annunzio”, Chieti, Italy
| | - Pio Conti
- Postgraduate Medical School, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Flati
- Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
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56
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Xu X, Ramanujam M, Visvanathan S, Assassi S, Liu Z, Li L. Transcriptional insights into pathogenesis of cutaneous systemic sclerosis using pathway driven meta-analysis assisted by machine learning methods. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0242863. [PMID: 33253326 PMCID: PMC7703909 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0242863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis (SSc, Scleroderma), an autoimmune rheumatic disease, comprises of mechanisms that drive vasculopathy, inflammation and fibrosis. Understanding of the disease and associated clinical heterogeneity has advanced considerably in the past decade, highlighting the necessity of more specific targeted therapy. While many of the recent trials in SSc failed to meet the primary end points that predominantly relied on changes in modified Rodnan skin scores (MRSS), sub-group analysis, especially those focused on the basal skin transcriptomic data have provided insights into patient subsets that respond to therapies. These findings suggest that deeper understanding of the molecular changes in pathways is very important to define disease drivers in various patient subgroups. In view of these challenges, we performed meta-analysis on 9 public available SSc microarray studies using a novel pathway pivoted approach combining consensus clustering and machine learning assisted feature selection. Selected pathway modules were further explored through cluster specific topological network analysis in search of novel therapeutic concepts. In addition, we went beyond previously described SSc class divisions of 3 clusters (e.g. inflammation, fibro-proliferative, normal-like) and expanded into a much finer stratification in order to profile SSc patients more accurately. Our analysis unveiled an important 80 pathway signatures that differentiated SSc patients into 8 unique subtypes. The 5 pathway modules derived from such signature successfully defined the 8 SSc subsets and were validated by in-silico cellular deconvolution analysis. Myeloid cells and fibroblasts involvement in different clusters were confirmed and linked to corresponding pathway activities. Collectively, our findings revealed more complex disease subtypes in SSc; Key gene mediators such as IL6, FGFR1, TLR7, PLCG2, IRK2 identified by network analysis underscored the scientific rationale for exploring additional targets in treatment of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xu
- Computational Biology, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT, United States of America
| | - Meera Ramanujam
- Immunology and Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT, United States of America
| | - Sudha Visvanathan
- Translational Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT, United States of America
| | - Shervin Assassi
- Division of Rheumatology, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States of America
| | - Zheng Liu
- Computational Biology, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT, United States of America
| | - Li Li
- Computational Biology, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc, Ridgefield, CT, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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57
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Koçak A, Harmancı D, Güner Akdoğan G, Birlik M. Relationship of Wnt pathway activity and organ involvement in scleroderma types. Int J Rheum Dis 2020; 23:1558-1567. [PMID: 32996251 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Koçak
- Kutahya Health Sciences University Kutahya Turkey
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58
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Icaritin Inhibits Skin Fibrosis through Regulating AMPK and Wnt/β-catenin Signaling. Cell Biochem Biophys 2020; 79:231-238. [PMID: 33125640 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-020-00952-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Skin fibrosis is one of the major features of scleroderma. WNT/β-catenin signaling is associated with the progression of skin fibrosis. In this study, we aimed to determine the effect of icaritin (IT), a natural compound, on scleroderma-related skin fibrosis and its mechanisms. We found that IT could reduce the expression of COL1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, CTGF, and α-SMA in human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-1 cells), scleroderma skin fibroblasts (SSF cells), and TGF-β-induced HFF-1 cells. Wnt/β-catenin signaling was shown to be suppressed by IT. Additionally, IT activated AMPK signaling in HFF-1 cells. In conclusion, IT has an anti-skin fibrotic effect through activation of AMPK signaling and inhibition of WNT/β-catenin signaling. Our findings indicate the potential role of IT in the treatment of scleroderma and provide novel insight for the selection of drug therapy for scleroderma.
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59
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Cheikhi AM, Johnson ZI, Julian DR, Wheeler S, Feghali-Bostwick C, Conley YP, Lyons-Weiler J, Yates CC. Prediction of severity and subtype of fibrosing disease using model informed by inflammation and extracellular matrix gene index. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240986. [PMID: 33095822 PMCID: PMC7584227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a chronic disease with heterogeneous clinical presentation, rate of progression, and occurrence of comorbidities. Systemic sclerosis (scleroderma, SSc) is a rare rheumatic autoimmune disease that encompasses several aspects of fibrosis, including highly variable fibrotic manifestation and rate of progression. The development of effective treatments is limited by these variabilities. The fibrotic response is characterized by both chronic inflammation and extracellular remodeling. Therefore, there is a need for improved understanding of which inflammation-related genes contribute to the ongoing turnover of extracellular matrix that accompanies disease. We have developed a multi-tiered method using Naïve Bayes modeling that is capable of predicting level of disease and clinical assessment of patients based on expression of a curated 60-gene panel that profiles inflammation and extracellular matrix production in the fibrotic disease state. Our novel modeling design, incorporating global and parametric-based methods, was highly accurate in distinguishing between severity groups, highlighting the importance of these genes in disease. We refined this gene set to a 12-gene index that can accurately identify SSc patient disease state subsets and informs knowledge of the central regulatory pathways in disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amin M. Cheikhi
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Zariel I. Johnson
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Dana R. Julian
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Sarah Wheeler
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Yvette P. Conley
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - James Lyons-Weiler
- Genomic and Proteomic Core Laboratories, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
| | - Cecelia C. Yates
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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60
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Watchorn RE, van den Munckhof EHA, Quint KD, Eliahoo J, de Koning MNC, Quint WGV, Bunker CB. Balanopreputial sac and urine microbiota in patients with male genital lichen sclerosus. Int J Dermatol 2020; 60:201-207. [PMID: 33084022 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.15252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male genital lichen sclerosus (MGLSc) is a chronic inflammatory scarring dermatosis associated with penile carcinoma. The prepuce is pivotal in its etiology. Other proposed etiological factors are the subject of dispute and include occluded urinary exposure, autoimmunity, immunodysregulation, and infectious agents. OBJECTIVE To determine whether the bacterial microbiota of the balanopreputial sac and urine are associated with MGLSc. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty uncircumcised patients with MGLSc and 20 healthy uncircumcised males were enrolled in a prospective case-control study. Balanopreputial swabs and urine specimens were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. RESULTS Microbiota analysis indicated differences between the groups. In the balanopreputial sac, the median relative abundance of Finegoldia spp. was lower (9% [range 0-60%]) in MGLSc patients than in controls (28% [range 0-62%]). Conversely, the median relative abundance of Fusobacterium spp. was higher in MGLSc patients (4% [range 0-41%]) than in controls (0% [range 0-28%]). In the urine, the median relative abundance of Finegoldia spp. was comparable between groups, whereas that of Fusobacterium spp. was higher in MGLSc patients (0% [range 0-18%] vs. 0% [range 0-5%]). There was a strong association between the microbiota composition of the balanopreputial sac and urine in MGLSc. CONCLUSION Dysbiosis could be involved in the etiopathogenesis of MGLSc. Further studies are required to confirm the association suggested herein and to determine its nature.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Koen D Quint
- Department of Dermatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Joseph Eliahoo
- Statistical Advisory Service, Imperial College London, London, UK
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61
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Fallet B, Walker UA. Current immunosuppressive and antifibrotic therapies of systemic sclerosis and emerging therapeutic strategies. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2020; 13:1203-1218. [PMID: 33008265 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2020.1832466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare, difficult to treat disease with profound effects on quality of life and high mortality. Complex and incompletely understood pathophysiologic processes and greatly heterogeneous clinical presentations and outcomes have hampered drug development. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes the currently available immunosuppressive and antifibrotic therapies and discusses novel approaches for the treatment of SSc. We reviewed the literature using the MEDLINE and ClinicalTrial.gov databases between May and September 2020. EXPERT OPINION Available immunosuppressive and antifibrotic drugs only modestly impact the course of the disease. Most drugs are currently only investigated in the subset of patients with early diffuse cutaneous SSc. In this patient population, hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation is currently the only treatment that has demonstrated reversal of lung involvement, enhanced quality of life and reduced long-term mortality, but carries the risk of short-term treatment-related mortality. A great need to provide better therapeutic options to patients exists also for those patients who have limited cutaneous skin involvement. A better understanding of SSc pathophysiology has enabled the identification of numerous new therapeutic targets. The progress made in the design of clinical trials and outcome parameters will likely result in the improvement of effective management options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bénédict Fallet
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel , Basel, Switzerland
| | - Ulrich A Walker
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Basel , Basel, Switzerland
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, Manetti M. The contribution of mesenchymal transitions to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Eur J Rheumatol 2020; 7:S157-S164. [PMID: 31922472 PMCID: PMC7647682 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multifaceted connective tissue disease characterized by widespread vasculopathy and autoimmune reactions that evolve into progressive interstitial, perivascular, and vessel wall fibrosis that affects the skin and multiple internal organs. Such an uncontrolled fibrotic process gradually disrupts the physiologic architecture of the affected tissues and frequently leads to significant organ dysfunction, thus representing a major cause of death in SSc patients. The main fibrosis orchestrators in SSc are represented by chronically activated myofibroblasts, a peculiar population of mesenchymal cells combining the extracellular matrix-synthesizing features of fibroblasts with cytoskeletal characteristics of contractile smooth muscle cells. Multiple lines of evidence support the notion that profibrotic myofibroblasts may derive not only from the activation of tissue resident fibroblasts but also from a variety of additional cell types, including pericytes, epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells and preadipocytes/adipocytes. Here we overview an emerging picture that espouses that several cell transitional processes may be novel essential contributors to the pool of profibrotic myofibroblasts in SSc, potentially representing new suitable targets for therapeutic purposes. An in-depth dissection of the multiple origins of myofibroblasts and the underlying molecular mechanisms may be crucial in the process of deciphering the cellular bases of fibrosis persistence and refractoriness to the treatment and, therefore, may help in developing more effective and personalized therapeutic opportunities for SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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63
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Understanding Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis: Novel and Emerging Treatment Approaches. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020; 22:77. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-020-00953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Henderson J, Pryzborski S, Stratton R, O'Reilly S. Wnt antagonist DKK-1 levels in systemic sclerosis are lower in skin but not in blood and are regulated by microRNA33a-3p. Exp Dermatol 2020; 30:162-168. [PMID: 32592422 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune skin disease which is associated with inflammation and resulting skin fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are the key cell type associated with the fibrosis but how they are differentiated is not clear. DKK-1 is a Wnt antagonist that blocks Wnt-mediated fibrosis and is reduced in fibrotic conditions. Thus, DKK-1 is a clear negative regulator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis and its regulation is unknown. The aim of this work is to determine the levels of DKK-1 in serum and tissues of SSc and its regulation. METHODS Skin biopsies were taken from early diffuse systemic sclerosis patients and healthy controls and DKK-1 measured by ELISA; serum was also isolated and DKK-1 quantified. DKK-1 was also measured by qRT-PCR. MicroRNA33a-3p was measured by TaqMan PCR. miR mimics and controls were transfected into dermal fibroblasts. Bleomycin mouse model was employed and compared to vehicle control treated mice, and gene expression was employed for DKK-1 and various extracellular matrix genes. RESULTS DKK-1 is reduced in SSc skin and fibroblasts but is not reduced in the circulation in patients. MicroRNA33a-3p regulates DKK-1 levels epigenetically and is significantly reduced in SSc cells and whole tissue. DKK-1 is also reduced in the bleomycin mouse model and pro-fibrotic genes elevated. CONCLUSION DKK-1 is reduced in SSc cells and is regulated by miR33a-3p, and restoring DKK-1 levels through epigenetic means could be a therapeutic target in systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Henderson
- Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Richard Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, London, UK
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Shi Y, Zeng Z, Yu J, Tang B, Tang R, Xiao R. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: An environmental effector in the pathogenesis of fibrosis. Pharmacol Res 2020; 160:105180. [PMID: 32877693 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a highly conserved transcription factor that can be activated by small molecules provided by dietary, plant, or microbial metabolites, and environmental pollutants. AhR is expressed in many cell types and engages in crosstalk with other signaling pathways, and therefore provides a molecular pathway that integrates environmental cues and metabolic processes. Fibrosis, which is defined as an aberrant extracellular matrix formation, is a reparative process in the terminal stage of chronic diseases. Both environmental and internal factors have been shown to participate in the pathogenesis of fibrosis; however, the underlying mechanisms still remain elusive. In this review, the potential role of AhR in the process of fibrosis, as well as potential opportunities and challenges in the development of AhR targeting therapeutics, are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zhuotong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jiangfan Yu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Bingsi Tang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Department of Rheumatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Rong Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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66
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Goto K, Ishikawa M, Aizawa D, Muramatsu K, Naka M, Sugino T. Nuclear β-catenin immunoexpression in scars. J Cutan Pathol 2020; 48:18-23. [PMID: 32652763 DOI: 10.1111/cup.13806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Histopathologically, scars can mimic superficial fibromatoses. Superficial fibromatoses are known to show nuclear β-catenin immunoexpression, although the tumor types do not harbor CTNNB1 or APC alterations. This study aimed to evaluate nuclear β-catenin immunoexpression in scars compared to that in superficial fibromatoses. METHODS Immunostaining with an anti-β-catenin antibody, clone 14, was performed on 8 superficial fibromatoses and 22 scars. The extent of β-catenin nuclear staining was classified as negative (<10%), focally positive (10-49%), or diffusely positive (50-100%). β-catenin staining intensity was semi-quantitatively graded as weak, moderate, or strong. RESULTS In 21 (95%) scars, nuclear β-catenin immunoexpression was detected in fibroblasts/myofibroblasts, with mainly diffuse (16/21) and moderate (14/21) to strong (5/21) staining. In contrast, seven (88%) of the eight superficial fibromatoses expressed β-catenin in the nuclei of the lesional spindle cells, at varying levels of staining intensity. Fibroblasts in normal papillary dermis always showed nuclear β-catenin expression to varying degrees but those in the reticular dermis did not. CONCLUSIONS Scars typically exhibit nuclear β-catenin expression similar to that in superficial fibromatoses. Thus, β-catenin immunohistochemistry is not suitable for distinguishing superficial fibromatoses from scars.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keisuke Goto
- Department of Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Disease Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Pathology, Itabashi Central Clinical Laboratory, Tokyo, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto, Japan.,Department of Diagnostic Pathology and Cytology, Osaka International Cancer Institute, Osaka, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, Hyogo Cancer Center, Akashi, Japan
| | - Misawo Ishikawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Kainan Hospital, Yatomi, Japan
| | - Daisuke Aizawa
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto, Japan.,Department of Pathology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koji Muramatsu
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto, Japan
| | - Miho Naka
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto, Japan
| | - Takashi Sugino
- Department of Diagnostic Pathology, Shizuoka Cancer Center Hospital, Sunto, Japan
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Ledein L, Léger B, Dees C, Beyer C, Distler A, Vettori S, Boukaiba R, Bidouard JP, Schaefer M, Pernerstorfer J, Ruetten H, Jagerschmidt A, Janiak P, Distler JHW, Distler O, Illiano S. Translational engagement of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 in skin fibrosis: from dermal fibroblasts of patients with scleroderma to tight skin 1 mouse. Br J Pharmacol 2020; 177:4296-4309. [PMID: 32627178 PMCID: PMC7443477 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Genetic deletion and pharmacological studies suggest a role for lysophosphatidic acid (LPA1) receptor in fibrosis. We investigated the therapeutic potential in systemic sclerosis (SSc) of a new orally active selective LPA1 receptor antagonist using dermal fibroblasts from patients and an animal model of skin fibrosis. Experimental Approach Dermal fibroblast and skin biopsies from systemic sclerosis patients were used. Myofibroblast differentiation, gene expression and cytokine secretion were measured following LPA and/or SAR100842 treatment. Pharmacolgical effect of SAR100842 was assessed in the tight skin 1 (Tsk1) mouse model. Key Results SAR100842 is equipotent against various LPA isoforms. Dermal fibroblasts and skin biopsies from patients with systemic sclerosis expressed high levels of LPA1 receptor. The LPA functional response (Ca2+) in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts was fully antagonized with SAR100842. LPA induced myofibroblast differentiation in systemic sclerosis dermal and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis lung fibroblasts and the secretion of inflammatory markers and activated Wnt markers. Results from systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts mirror those obtained in a mouse Tsk1 model of skin fibrosis. Using a therapeutic protocol, SAR100842 consistently reversed dermal thickening, inhibited myofibroblast differentiation and reduced skin collagen content. Inflammatory and Wnt pathway markers were also inhibited by SAR100842 in the skin of Tsk1 mice. Conclusion and Implications The effects of SAR100842 on LPA‐induced inflammation and on mechanisms linked to fibrosis like myofibroblast differentiation and Wnt pathway activation indicate that LPA1 receptor activation plays a key role in skin fibrosis. Our results support the therapeutic potential of LPA1 receptor antagonists in systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Ledein
- Cardiovascular & Metabolism Unit, Sanofi, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Bertrand Léger
- Cardiovascular & Metabolism Unit, Sanofi, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christian Beyer
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alfiya Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Serena Vettori
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Philip Janiak
- Cardiovascular & Metabolism Unit, Sanofi, Chilly-Mazarin, France
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Stéphane Illiano
- Cardiovascular & Metabolism Unit, Sanofi, Chilly-Mazarin, France
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Gaikwad AV, Eapen MS, McAlinden KD, Chia C, Larby J, Myers S, Dey S, Haug G, Markos J, Glanville AR, Sohal SS. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Rev Respir Med 2020; 14:1027-1043. [PMID: 32659128 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2020.1795832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible fibrotic disease associated with respiratory failure. The disease remains idiopathic, but repeated alveolar epithelium injury, disruption of alveolar-capillary integrity, abnormal vascular repair, and pulmonary vascular remodeling are considered possible pathogenic mechanisms. Also, the development of comorbidities such as pulmonary hypertension (PH) could further impact disease outcome, quality of life and survival rates in IPF. AREAS COVERED The current review provides a comprehensive literature survey of the mechanisms involved in the development and manifestations of IPF and their links to PH pathology. This review also provides the current understanding of molecular mechanisms that link the two pathologies and will specifically decipher the role of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) along with the possible triggers of EndMT. The possibility of targeting EndMT as a therapeutic option in IPF is discussed. EXPERT OPINION With a steady increase in prevalence and mortality, IPF is no longer considered a rare disease. Thus, it is of utmost importance and urgency that the underlying profibrotic pathways and mechanisms are fully understood, to enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Vijay Gaikwad
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Mathew Suji Eapen
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Kielan D McAlinden
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Collin Chia
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Josie Larby
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Stephen Myers
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Surajit Dey
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Greg Haug
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - James Markos
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Allan R Glanville
- Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Thoracic Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital , Sydney, Australia
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease in which there is an activation of fibroblast to a myofibroblast that secretes huge amounts of extracellular matrix. Currently, no treatment exists that modifies the fibrosis elements and new therapeutic targets are badly needed. This review examines the current state of treatments and emerging therapeutics. RECENT FINDINGS Nintedanib was found to significantly reduce the rate of decline in SSc associated FVC, although it has no benefit on skin fibrosis. New cannabinoid receptor2 agonist has shown superb effects in phase II and results in phase III are anticipated. Other targets are currently being tested in clinical trials and new targets that are yet to be tested are increasing in the SSc literature. Nintedanib is now licenced for SSc interstitial lung disease but this does not modify the skin fibrosis. Current ongoing trials will determine the role of various targets. New targets are emerging as we gain a deeper understanding of disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Hinchcliff
- Section of Rheumatology and allergy, Yale School of medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Steven O'Reilly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Stockton Road, Durham, UK. steven.o'
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Yousefi F, Shabaninejad Z, Vakili S, Derakhshan M, Movahedpour A, Dabiri H, Ghasemi Y, Mahjoubin-Tehran M, Nikoozadeh A, Savardashtaki A, Mirzaei H, Hamblin MR. TGF-β and WNT signaling pathways in cardiac fibrosis: non-coding RNAs come into focus. Cell Commun Signal 2020; 18:87. [PMID: 32517807 PMCID: PMC7281690 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00555-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis describes the inappropriate proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), leading to accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the cardiac muscle, which is found in many pathophysiological heart conditions. A range of molecular components and cellular pathways, have been implicated in its pathogenesis. In this review, we focus on the TGF-β and WNT signaling pathways, and their mutual interaction, which have emerged as important factors involved in cardiac pathophysiology. The molecular and cellular processes involved in the initiation and progression of cardiac fibrosis are summarized. We focus on TGF-β and WNT signaling in cardiac fibrosis, ECM production, and myofibroblast transformation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are one of the main players in the regulation of multiple pathways and cellular processes. MicroRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and circular long non-coding RNAs can all interact with the TGF-β/WNT signaling axis to affect cardiac fibrosis. A better understanding of these processes may lead to new approaches for diagnosis and treatment of many cardiac conditions. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Yousefi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shabaninejad
- Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sina Vakili
- Biochemistry Department, Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Derakhshan
- Department of Pathology, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Movahedpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Student research committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hamed Dabiri
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Stem Cell and Development Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Younes Ghasemi
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Maryam Mahjoubin-Tehran
- Student Research Committee, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Azin Nikoozadeh
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine,Mashhad Univesity of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. .,Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR, Iran.
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 40 Blossom Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. .,Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa.
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71
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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Romano E, Wang Y, Guiducci S, Zhang G, Manetti M, Matucci-Cerinic M. The contribution of epigenetics to the pathogenesis and gender dimorphism of systemic sclerosis: a comprehensive overview. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2020; 12:1759720X20918456. [PMID: 32523636 PMCID: PMC7236401 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x20918456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a life-threatening connective tissue disorder of unknown etiology characterized by widespread vascular injury and dysfunction, impaired angiogenesis, immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Over the past few years, a new trend of investigations is increasingly reporting aberrant epigenetic modifications in genes related to the pathogenesis of SSc, suggesting that, besides genetics, epigenetics may play a pivotal role in disease development and clinical manifestations. Like many other autoimmune diseases, SSc presents a striking female predominance, and even if the reason for this gender imbalance has yet to be completely understood, it appears that the X chromosome, which contains many gender and immune-related genes, could play a role in such gender-biased prevalence. Besides a short summary of the genetic background of SSc, in this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent insights into the epigenetic modifications which underlie the pathophysiology of SSc. A particular focus is given to genetic variations in genes located on the X chromosome as well as to the main X-linked epigenetic modifications that can influence SSc susceptibility and clinical phenotype. On the basis of the most recent advances, there is realistic hope that integrating epigenetic data with genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses may provide in the future a better picture of their functional implications in SSc, paving the right way for a better understanding of disease pathogenesis and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini
6, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC),Florence, Italy
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and
Histology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence,
Italy
| | - Yukai Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology,
Shantou Central Hospital, Shantou, China
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence,
Italy
| | - Guohong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shantou University
Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence,
Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical
Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence and Scleroderma
Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC), Florence,
Italy
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Chung MP, Chung L. Drugs in phase I and phase II clinical trials for systemic sclerosis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:349-362. [PMID: 32178544 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1743973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease that is characterized by excessive collagen deposition, vascular dysfunction, and fibrosis of cutaneous and visceral organs. Current therapeutic options are limited and provide only modest benefit.Areas covered: This review summarizes investigational agents in recent Phase I and II clinical trials evaluated for the treatment of SSc with a focus on skin in patients with early diffuse disease and interstitial lung disease. We performed a search on Pubmed and https://clinicaltrials.gov with keywords systemic sclerosis, Phase I clinical trial, and Phase II clinical trial to identify relevant studies from 2015 to 2019.Expert opinion: Therapeutic interventions in SSc should be guided by the level of disease activity and the degree of organ involvement. While most novel agents have failed to meet the primary endpoints of reducing skin thickening as measured by the modified Rodnan skin score, some have shown promise in improving the Composite Response Index for Clinical Trials in Early Diffuse Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (CRISS), reducing lung function decline, or improving patient-reported outcomes. However, most of the current evidence is based on small or open-label clinical trials. Well-designed, large, randomized, Phase III clinical trials are necessary to define the roles of investigational agents in treating SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melody P Chung
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Lorinda Chung
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Zhang M, Haughey M, Wang NY, Blease K, Kapoun AM, Couto S, Belka I, Hoey T, Groza M, Hartke J, Bennett B, Cain J, Gurney A, Benish B, Castiglioni P, Drew C, Lachowicz J, Carayannopoulos L, Nathan SD, Distler J, Brenner DA, Hariharan K, Cho H, Xie W. Targeting the Wnt signaling pathway through R-spondin 3 identifies an anti-fibrosis treatment strategy for multiple organs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0229445. [PMID: 32160239 PMCID: PMC7065809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0229445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway has been implicated in human proliferative diseases such as cancer and fibrosis. The functions of β-catenin and several other components of this pathway have been investigated in fibrosis. However, the potential role of R-spondin proteins (RSPOs), enhancers of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling, has not been described. A specific interventional strategy targeting this pathway for fibrosis remains to be defined. We developed monoclonal antibodies against members of the RSPO family (RSPO1, 2, and 3) and probed their potential function in fibrosis in vivo. We demonstrated that RSPO3 plays a critical role in the development of fibrosis in multiple organs. Specifically, an anti-RSPO3 antibody, OMP-131R10, when dosed therapeutically, attenuated fibrosis in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis, bleomycin-induced pulmonary and skin fibrosis models. Mechanistically, we showed that RSPO3 induces multiple pro-fibrotic chemokines and cytokines in Kupffer cells and hepatocytes. We found that the anti-fibrotic activity of OMP-131R10 is associated with its inhibition of β-catenin activation in vivo. Finally, RSPO3 was found to be highly elevated in the active lesions of fibrotic tissues in mouse models of fibrosis and in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Together these data provide an anti-fibrotic strategy for targeting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway through RSPO3 blockade and support that OMP-131R10 could be an important therapeutic agent for fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjun Zhang
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Michael Haughey
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Nai-Yu Wang
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Kate Blease
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Ann M. Kapoun
- OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Redwood City, CA, United States of America
| | - Suzana Couto
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Igor Belka
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Timothy Hoey
- OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Redwood City, CA, United States of America
| | - Matthew Groza
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - James Hartke
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Brydon Bennett
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Jennifer Cain
- OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Redwood City, CA, United States of America
| | - Austin Gurney
- OncoMed Pharmaceuticals, Redwood City, CA, United States of America
| | - Brent Benish
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Clifton Drew
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Jean Lachowicz
- Celgene Corporation, Summit, NJ, United States of America
| | | | - Steven D. Nathan
- Advanced Lung Disease and Transplant Program, Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, VA, United States of America
| | - Jorg Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David A. Brenner
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Ho Cho
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
| | - Weilin Xie
- Celgene Corporation, San Diego, CA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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74
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Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has the highest cause-specific mortality of all the connective tissue diseases, and the aetiology of this complex and heterogeneous condition remains an enigma. Current disease-modifying therapies for SSc predominantly target inflammatory and vascular pathways but have variable and unpredictable clinical efficacy, and none is curative. Moreover, many of these therapies possess undesirable safety profiles and have no appreciable effect on long-term mortality. This Review describes the most promising of the existing therapeutic targets for SSc and places them in the context of our evolving understanding of the pathophysiology of this disease. As well as taking an in-depth look at the immune, inflammatory, vascular and fibrotic pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc, this Review discusses emerging treatment targets and therapeutic strategies. The article concludes with an overview of important unanswered questions in SSc research that might inform the design of future studies of treatments aimed at modifying the course of this disease.
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75
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Yang D, Li S, Duan X, Ren J, Liang S, Yakoumatos L, Kang Y, Uriarte SM, Shang J, Li W, Wang H. TLR4 induced Wnt3a-Dvl3 restrains the intensity of inflammation and protects against endotoxin-driven organ failure through GSK3β/β-catenin signaling. Mol Immunol 2020; 118:153-164. [PMID: 31884387 PMCID: PMC7035959 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests a regulatory role of Wnt proteins in innate immune responses. However, the effects of Wnt3a signaling on TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses are controversial and the signaling crosstalk between TLR4 and Wnt3a remains uncertain. METHODS Gain- and Loss- of function approaches were utilized to determine the function of Wnt3a signaling in TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses. Cytokine production at protein and mRNA levels and phosphorylation of signaling molecules were measured by ELISA, qRT-PCR, and Western Blot, respectively. Endotoxemia mouse model was employed to assess the effect of Wnt3a on systemic inflammatory cytokine levels and neutrophil infiltration. RESULTS LPS stimulation leads to an increase of Wnt3a expression and its downstream molecule, Dvl3, in primary monocytes. Inhibition or silence of Wnt3a or Dvl3 significantly increases the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12, IL-6, TNFα), robustly reduces β-catenin accumulation, and enhances the phosphorylation of NF-κB P65 and its DNA binding activity. These results were confirmed by multiple gain- and loss- of function approaches including specific siRNA and ectopic expression of Dvl3, GSK3β, and β-catenin in monocytes. Moreover, in vivo relevance was established in a murine endotoxin model, in which Wnt3a inhibition enhances the inflammatory responses by augmenting the systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and neutrophil infiltration. CONCLUSIONS TLR4 activation promotes Wnt3a-Dvl3 signaling, which acts as rheostats to restrain the intensity of inflammation through regulating GSK3β-β-catenin signaling and NF-κB activity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE Wnt3a-Dvl3-β-catenin signaling axis could be a potential interventional target for manipulating the direction and intensity of inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqiang Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - ShuJian Li
- Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Xiaoxian Duan
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Junling Ren
- VCU Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Shuang Liang
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Lan Yakoumatos
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Yi Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Silvia M Uriarte
- Department of Oral Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Jia Shang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Neurology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital (People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University), Zhengzhou 450003, China
| | - Huizhi Wang
- VCU Philips Institute for Oral Health Research, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology, Richmond, VA, USA.
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Galant C, Marchandise J, Stoenoiu MS, Ducreux J, De Groof A, Pirenne S, Van den Eynde B, Houssiau FA, Lauwerys BR. Overexpression of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 15 in systemic sclerosis fibroblasts increases response to transforming growth factor β. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2020; 58:708-718. [PMID: 30608617 PMCID: PMC6434377 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/key401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Ubiquitination of proteins leads to their degradation by the proteasome, and is regulated by ubiquitin ligases and substrate-specific ubiquitin-specific peptidases (USPs). The ubiquitination process also plays important roles in the regulation of cell metabolism and cell cycle. Here, we found that the expression of several USPs is increased in SSc tenosynovial and skin biopsies, and we demonstrated that USP inhibition decreases TGF-β signalling in primary fibroblast cell lines. Methods High-density transcriptomic studies were performed using total RNA obtained from SSc tenosynovial samples. Confirmatory immunostaining experiments were performed on tenosynovial and skin samples. In vitro experiments were conducted in order to study the influence of USP modulation on responses to TGF-β stimulation. Results Tenosynovial biopsies from SSc patients overexpressed known disease-associated gene pathways: fibrosis, cytokines and chemokines, and Wnt/TGF-β signalling, but also several USPs. Immunohistochemistry experiments confirmed the detection of USPs in the same samples, and in SSc skin biopsies. Exposure of primary fibroblast cell lines to TGF-β induced USP gene expression. The use of a pan-USP inhibitor decreased SMAD3 phosphorylation, and expression of COL1A1, COL3A1 and fibronectin gene expression in TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts. The effect of the USP inhibitor resulted in increased SMAD3 ubiquitination, and was blocked by a proteasome inhibitor, thereby confirming the specificity of its action. Conclusion Overexpression of several USPs, including USP15, amplifies fibrotic responses induced by TGF-β, and is a potential therapeutic target in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine Galant
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Joel Marchandise
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Maria S Stoenoiu
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Julie Ducreux
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
| | - Aurélie De Groof
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
| | - Sophie Pirenne
- Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Benoit Van den Eynde
- Institut de Duve, Department of Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy, Université catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frédéric A Houssiau
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
| | - Bernard R Lauwerys
- Pôle de Pathologies Rhumatismales Inflammatoires et Systémiques, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Rheumatology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Belgium
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Zhang Y, Distler JHW. Therapeutic molecular targets of SSc-ILD. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2020; 5:17-30. [DOI: 10.1177/2397198319899013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a fibrosing chronic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. A major hallmark of systemic sclerosis is the uncontrolled and persistent activation of fibroblasts, which release excessive amounts of extracellular matrix, lead to organ dysfunction, and cause high mobility and motility of patients. Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease is one of the most common fibrotic organ manifestations in systemic sclerosis and a major cause of death. Treatment options for systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease and other fibrotic manifestations, however, remain very limited. Thus, there is a huge medical need for effective therapies that target tissue fibrosis, vascular alterations, inflammation, and autoimmune disease in systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease. In this review, we discuss data suggesting therapeutic ways to target different genes in distinct tissues/organs that contribute to the development of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg HW Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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78
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Dufour AM, Borowczyk-Michalowska J, Alvarez M, Truchetet ME, Modarressi A, Brembilla NC, Chizzolini C. IL-17A Dissociates Inflammation from Fibrogenesis in Systemic Sclerosis. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:103-112.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ota Y, Kuwana M. Endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Eur J Rheumatol 2019; 7:S139-S146. [PMID: 31922471 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease characterized by excessive fibrosis, microvasculopathy, and autoimmunity. Endothelial cell (EC) injury and subsequent endothelial cell dysfunction is believed to be an initial event that eventually leads to a vicious pathogenic cycle. This process is further enhanced by defective angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, as the vascular repair machinery does not work properly. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are functionally and quantitatively insufficient to recover the endothelium in SSc patients. The dysfunctional ECs and EPCs not only trigger the formation of typical vascular lesions, such as progressive intimal fibrosis in small arteries and the loss of capillaries, but also promote a series of inflammatory and profibrotic processes, such as endothelial-mesenchymal transition and recruitment and accumulation of monocytic EPCs with profibrotic properties. These processes together contribute to the accumulation of extracellular matrix in the affected tissue. This review features current insights into the roles of ECs and EPCs in the pathogenesis of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Ota
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masataka Kuwana
- Department of Allergy and Rheumatology, Nippon Medical School Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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80
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Asano Y, Varga J. Rationally-based therapeutic disease modification in systemic sclerosis: Novel strategies. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 101:146-160. [PMID: 31859147 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a highly challenging chronic condition that is dominated by the pathogenetic triad of vascular damage, immune dysregulation/autoimmunity and fibrosis in multiple organs. A hallmark of SSc is the remarkable degree of molecular and phenotypic disease heterogeneity, which surpasses that of other complex rheumatic diseases. Disease trajectories in SSc are unpredictable and variable from patient to patient. Disease-modifying therapies for SSc are lacking, long-term morbidity is considerable and mortality remains unacceptably high. Currently-used empirical approaches to disease modification have modest and variable clinical efficacy and impact on survival, are expensive and frequently associated with unfavorable side effects, and none can be considered curative. However, research during the past several years is yielding significant advances with therapeutic potential. In particular, the application of unbiased omics-based discovery technologies to large and well-characterized SSc patient cohorts, coupled with hypothesis-testing experimental research using a variety of model systems is revealing new insights into SSc that allow formulation of a more nuanced appreciation of disease heterogeneity, and a deepening understanding of pathogenesis. Indeed, we are now presented with numerous novel and rationally-based strategies for targeted SSc therapy, several of which are currently, or expected to be shortly, undergoing clinical evaluation. In this review, we discuss promising novel therapeutic targets and rationally-based approaches to disease modification that have the potential to improve long-term outcomes in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John Varga
- Northwestern Scleroderma Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, United States.
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81
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Distler JHW, Györfi AH, Ramanujam M, Whitfield ML, Königshoff M, Lafyatis R. Shared and distinct mechanisms of fibrosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2019; 15:705-730. [DOI: 10.1038/s41584-019-0322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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82
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Kawagishi-Hotta M, Hasegawa S, Igarashi T, Date Y, Ishii Y, Inoue Y, Hasebe Y, Yamada T, Arima M, Iwata Y, Kobayashi T, Nakata S, Sugiura K, Akamatsu H. Increase of gremlin 2 with age in human adipose-derived stromal/stem cells and its inhibitory effect on adipogenesis. Regen Ther 2019; 11:324-330. [PMID: 31709279 PMCID: PMC6831850 DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2019.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) have attracted attention as a promising material for regenerative medicine. Previously, we reported an age-related decrease in the adipogenic potential of ASCs from human subjects and found that the individual difference in this potential increased with age, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Recently, other groups demonstrated that a secreted antagonist of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, Gremlin 2 (GREM2), inhibits the differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts and the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cell. Here, we examined the effects of GREM2 on the differentiation of ASCs into adipocytes. Methods To examine changes in GREM2 expression levels with age, immunohistochemistry was performed on subcutaneous adipose tissues from subjects 12–97 years of age. Next, GREM2 gene expression levels in ASCs collected from subjects 5–90 years of age were examined by RT-PCR, and the change with age and correlation between the expression level and the adipogenic potential of ASCs were analyzed. In addition, to assess whether GREM2 affects adipogenesis, ASCs (purchased from a vendor) were cultured to induce adipogenesis with recombinant GREM2 protein, and siRNA-induced GREM2 knockdown experiment was also performed using aged ASCs. Results In adipose tissues, GREM2 expression was observed in cells, including ASCs, but not in mature adipocytes, and the expression level per cell increased with age. GREM2 expression levels in ASCs cultured in vitro also increased with age, and the individual differences in the level increased with age. Of note, partial correlation analysis controlled for age revealed that the adipogenic potential of ASCs and the GREM2 gene expression level were negatively correlated. Furthermore, based on a GREM2 addition experiment, GREM2 has inhibitory effects on the adipogenesis of ASCs through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. On the other hand, GREM2 knockdown in aged ASCs promoted adipogenesis. Conclusions The GREM2 expression level was confirmed to play a role in the age-related decrease in adipogenic potential observed in ASCs isolated from adipose tissues as well as in the enhancement of the individual difference, which increased with age. GREM2 in adipose tissues increased with age, which suggested that GREM2 functions as an inhibitory factor of adipogenesis in ASCs. GREM2 in human adipose tissues increase with age. GREM2 expression in adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) increased with age. In ASCs, adipogenic potential and GREM2 expression showed a negative correlation. Recombinant GREM2 inhibited the adipogenesis of ASCs. GREM2 knockdown in aged ASCs restored adipogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mika Kawagishi-Hotta
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Nagoya University-MENARD Collaborative Research Chair, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.,Department of Applied Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Seiji Hasegawa
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Nagoya University-MENARD Collaborative Research Chair, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Toshio Igarashi
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan
| | - Yasushi Date
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Nagoya University-MENARD Collaborative Research Chair, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yoshie Ishii
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Department of Applied Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yu Inoue
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Nagoya University-MENARD Collaborative Research Chair, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yuichi Hasebe
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Nagoya University-MENARD Collaborative Research Chair, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Takaaki Yamada
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan.,Department of Applied Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan.,Department of Dermatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Masaru Arima
- Department of Dermatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Yohei Iwata
- Department of Dermatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Tsukane Kobayashi
- Department of Dermatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Satoru Nakata
- Research Laboratories, Nippon Menard Cosmetic Co., Ltd, Japan
| | - Kazumitsu Sugiura
- Department of Dermatology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
| | - Hirohiko Akamatsu
- Department of Applied Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Japan
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Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in systemic sclerosis provides novel targets to understand disease pathogenesis. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:144. [PMID: 31651337 PMCID: PMC6813992 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that both genetic susceptibilities and changes in DNA methylation influence pivotal biological pathways and thereby contribute to the disease. The role of DNA methylation in SSc has not been fully elucidated, because existing investigations of DNA methylation predominantly focused on nucleotide CpGs within restricted genic regions, and were performed on samples containing mixed cell types. Methods We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing on purified CD4+ T lymphocytes from nine SSc patients and nine controls in a pilot study, and then profiled genome-wide cytosine methylation as well as genetic variations. We adopted robust statistical methods to identify differentially methylated genomic regions (DMRs). We then examined pathway enrichment associated with genes located in these DMRs. We also tested whether changes in CpG methylation were associated with adjacent genetic variation. Results We profiled DNA methylation at more than three million CpG dinucleotides genome-wide. We identified 599 DMRs associated with 340 genes, among which 54 genes exhibited further associations with adjacent genetic variation. We also found these genes were associated with pathways and functions that are known to be abnormal in SSc, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, skin lesion formation and progression, and angiogenesis. Conclusion The CD4+ T cell DNA cytosine methylation landscape in SSc involves crucial genes in disease pathogenesis. Some of the methylation patterns are also associated with genetic variation. These findings provide essential foundations for future studies of epigenetic regulation and genome-epigenome interaction in SSc.
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A novel miRNA-4484 is up-regulated on microarray and associated with increased MMP-21 expression in serum of systemic sclerosis patients. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14264. [PMID: 31582779 PMCID: PMC6776520 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50695-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex, heterogeneous connective tissue disease, characterized by fibrosis and ECM deposition in skin and internal organs, autoimmunity, and changes in the microvasculature. Profiling of circulating miRNAs in serum has been found to be changed in pathological states, creating new possibilities for molecular diagnostics as blood-based biomarkers. This study was designed to identify miRNAs that are differentially expressed in SSc and might be potentially contributing to the disease etiopathogenesis or be used for diagnostic purposes. Thus, we compared the expression pattern of multiple miRNAs in serum of 10 SSc patients to 6 healthy controls using microarray analysis, and RT-qPCR to confirm the obtained results. In addition, bioinformatics analysis was performed to explore miRNAs target genes and the signaling pathways that may be potentially involved in SSc pathogenesis. Our study shows a different expression of 15 miRNAs in SSc patients. We identified that miR-4484, located on chromosome 10q26.2, was an 18-fold up-regulated in SSc patients compared to a control group. Bioinformatics analysis of the miR-4484 target genes and the signaling pathways showed that it might be potentially involved in the TGF-β signaling pathway, ECM-receptor interaction, and metalloproteinases expression. Based on the chromosomal location, the most interesting target gene of miR-4484 may be MMP-21. We found that the expression of MMP-21 significantly increased in SSc patients compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that miR-4484, and MMP-21 might be novel serum biomarkers that may correspond to pathological fibrosis in SSc, but it needs to be validated in further studies.
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Martinović Kaliterna D, Petrić M. Biomarkers of skin and lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2019; 15:1215-1223. [DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2020.1670062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marin Petrić
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Split, Split, Croatia
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Henry TW, Mendoza FA, Jimenez SA. Role of microRNA in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy. Autoimmun Rev 2019; 18:102396. [PMID: 31520794 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis involves multiple immunological, vascular and fibroproliferative abnormalities that contribute to a severe and complex clinical picture. Vasculopathy and fibroproliferative alterations are two hallmark pathological processes in SSc that are responsible for the most severe clinical manifestations of the disease and determine its clinical outcome and mortality. However, the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy and of the uncontrolled SSc fibrotic process remain incompletely understood. Recent investigations into the molecular pathways involved in these processes have identified an important role for epigenetic processes that contribute to overall disease progression and have emphasized microRNAs (miRNAs) as crucial epigenetic regulators. MiRNAs hold unique potential for elucidating SSc pathogenesis, improving diagnosis and developing effective targeted therapies for the disease. This review examines the important role that miRNAs play in the development and regulation of vascular and fibroproliferative alterations associated with SSc pathogenesis and their possible participation in the establishment of pathogenetic connections between these two processes. This review also emphasizes that further understanding of the involvement of miRNA in SSc fibrosis and vasculopathy will very likely provide novel future research directions and allow for the identification of groundbreaking therapeutic interventions within these processes. MiR-21, miR- 31, and miR-155 are of particular interest owing to their important involvement in both SSc vasculopathy and fibroproliferative alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler W Henry
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia 19107, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, USA
| | - Fabian A Mendoza
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, USA
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, USA.
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Jiao R, Chen H, Wan Q, Zhang X, Dai J, Li X, Yan L, Sun Y. Apigenin inhibits fibroblast proliferation and reduces epidural fibrosis by regulating Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway. J Orthop Surg Res 2019; 14:258. [PMID: 31412883 PMCID: PMC6694561 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-019-1305-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) is a common complication after the laminectomy. Epidural fibrosis is the major cause of lower back pain and other complications. Numerous studies have shown that apigenin (API) could treat various fibrotic diseases by regulating various signaling pathways, whereas no study has discussed whether API can inhibit fibroblast proliferation and reduce epidural fibrosis after the laminectomy by regulating Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway. METHODS Human fibroblasts were cultured and treated with API in different concentrations for 24 h. CCK-8 detection and EdU incorporation assay were performed to detect cell viability and cell proliferation. Western blotting analysis was applied to detect expressions of proliferative proteins, Wnt3a, and its downstream proteins. Moreover, the Wnt3a gene was overexpressed in fibroblasts to define the relationship between Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and fibroblast proliferation. Wnt3a overexpressed fibroblasts were treated with API to verify if it could reverse the effects of API treatment. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Laminectomy was performed and the rats were gavaged with different doses of API or 5% sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose (CMC-Na) solution for 1 month. The abilities of API to inhibit fibroblast proliferation and to reduce epidural fibrosis were evaluated using histological and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS CCK-8 detection and EdU incorporation assay demonstrated that API could inhibit the viability and proliferation rate of fibroblasts in a concentration-dependent manner. The Western blotting analysis revealed that API could inhibit the expressions of PCNA, cyclinD1, Wnt3a, and its downstream proteins. The overexpression of Wnt3a in fibroblasts could upregulate the expressions of proliferative proteins such as PCNA and cyclinD1. The inhibitory effect of API on PCNA, Wnt3a, and its downstream proteins was partially reversed by overexpression of Wnt3a. Moreover, the results of the histological and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that API could reduce the epidural fibrosis in rats by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS API can inhibit fibroblast proliferation and reduce epidural fibrosis by suppressing Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway, which can be adopted as a new option to prevent epidural fibrosis after the laminectomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jiao
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Jihang Dai
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Xiaolei Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Lianqi Yan
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Orthopedics, Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University, Orthopaedic Institute, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 225001, China.
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88
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Korman B. Evolving insights into the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Transl Res 2019; 209:77-89. [PMID: 30876809 PMCID: PMC6545260 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex multisystem disease characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and most notably, fibrosis. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate a variety of emerging cellular and molecular pathways which are relevant to fibrosis in SSc. The myofibroblast remains the key effector cell in SSc. Understanding the development, differentiation, and function of the myofibroblast is therefore crucial to understanding the fibrotic phenotype of SSc. Studies now show that (1) multiple cell types give rise to myofibroblasts, (2) fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are heterogeneous, and (3) that a large number of (primarily immune) cells have important influences on the transition of fibroblasts to an activated myofibroblasts. In SSc, this differentiation process involves multiple pathways, including well known signaling cascades such as TGF-β and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, as well as epigenetic reprogramming and a number of more recently defined cellular pathways. After reviewing the major and emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying SSc, this article looks to identify clinical applications where this new molecular knowledge may allow for targeted treatment and personalized medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korman
- Division of Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
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89
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Macrophages play key roles in tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance, mobilizing immune activation in response to microbial invasion and promoting wound healing to repair damaged tissue. However, failure to resolve macrophage activation can lead to chronic inflammation and fibrosis, and ultimately to pathology. Activated macrophages have been implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc), although the triggers that induce immune activation in SSc and the signaling pathways that underlie aberrant macrophage activation remain unknown. RECENT FINDINGS Macrophages are implicated in fibrotic activation in SSc. Targeted therapeutic interventions directed against SSc macrophages may ameliorate inflammation and fibrosis. While current studies have begun to elucidate the role of macrophages in disease initiation and progression, further work is needed to address macrophage subset heterogeneity within and among SSc end-target tissues to determine the disparate functions mediated by these subsets and to identify additional targets for therapeutic intervention.
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90
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Teves ME, Strauss JF, Sapao P, Shi B, Varga J. The Primary Cilium: Emerging Role as a Key Player in Fibrosis. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2019; 21:29. [PMID: 31115730 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-019-0822-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The myofibroblast is the culprit in the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Activation of morphogen signaling pathways has been shown to be critically involved in organ fibrosis. Remarkably, the cellular receptors and key molecules from these signaling pathways are localized in the primary cilium. The primary cilium is a unique cellular organelle present in virtually all cells. This article summarizes recent studies evaluating the association between primary cilia and morphogen signaling driving myofibroblast transition and subsequent fibrosis. RECENT FINDINGS Emerging observations implicate dysfunctional primary cilia in fibrosis in many different tissues and organs. Primary cilia seem to be necessary for the initiation of the transition and sustained activation of myofibroblasts. We summarize recent progress in this field and propose the primary cilium as a potential mediator of fibrosis pathogenesis in SSc. Understanding the contributions of primary cilia in fibrosis may ultimately inform the development of entirely new approaches for fibrosis prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| | - Jerome F Strauss
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
| | - Paulene Sapao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1101 E Marshall Street, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.,Department of Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Bo Shi
- Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University, 240 East Huron St., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - John Varga
- Scleroderma Program, Division of Rheumatology, Northwestern University, 240 East Huron St., Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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91
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Gao S, Miao Y, Liu Y, Liu X, Fan X, Lin Y, Qian P, Zhou J, Dai Y, Xia L, Zhu P, Zhu J. Reciprocal Regulation Between O-GlcNAcylation and β-Catenin Facilitates Cell Viability and Inhibits Apoptosis in Liver Cancer. DNA Cell Biol 2019; 38:286-296. [PMID: 30762425 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2018.4447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sicheng Gao
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yun Miao
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yijie Liu
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xing Liu
- Department of Central Laboratory Medicine, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Xingliang Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yan Lin
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Pingan Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Yaoyao Dai
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Li Xia
- Department of Liver Disease, Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, P.R. China
| | - Po Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Minhang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Junfeng Zhu
- Department of Hepatology, Shanghai Municipal Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
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92
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Henderson J, Distler J, O'Reilly S. The Role of Epigenetic Modifications in Systemic Sclerosis: A Druggable Target. Trends Mol Med 2019; 25:395-411. [PMID: 30858032 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disorder characterised by skin fibrosis that often also affects internal organs, eventually resulting in mortality. Although management of the symptoms has extended lifespan, patients still suffer from poor quality of life, hence the need for improved therapies. Development of efficacious treatments has been stymied by the unknown aetiology, although recent advancements suggest a potentially key role for epigenetics - the regulation of gene expression by noncoding RNAs and chemical modifications to DNA or DNA-associated proteins. Herein, the evidence implicating epigenetics in the pathogenesis of SSc is discussed with an emphasis on the therapeutic potential this introduces to the field - particularly the repurposing of epigenetic targeting cancer therapeutics and newly emerging miRNA-based strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Henderson
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Tyne and Wear, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 8ST, UK
| | - Joerg Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Erlangen University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Steven O'Reilly
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Building, Tyne and Wear, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 8ST, UK.
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93
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Maria ATJ, Partouche L, Goulabchand R, Rivière S, Rozier P, Bourgier C, Le Quellec A, Morel J, Noël D, Guilpain P. Intriguing Relationships Between Cancer and Systemic Sclerosis: Role of the Immune System and Other Contributors. Front Immunol 2019; 9:3112. [PMID: 30687318 PMCID: PMC6335319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.03112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disorder, characterized by multisystem involvement, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. An increased risk of malignancy is observed in SSc (including breast and lung cancers), and in a subgroup of patients with specific autoantibodies (i.e., anti-RNA polymerase III and related autoantibodies), SSc could be a paraneoplastic syndrome and might be directly related to an immune response against cancer. Herein, we reviewed the literature, focusing on the most recent articles, and shed light onto the potential relationship between cancer and scleroderma regarding temporal and immunological dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Thibault Jacques Maria
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,IRMB, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Léo Partouche
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Radjiv Goulabchand
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Sophie Rivière
- Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Pauline Rozier
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,IRMB, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Céline Bourgier
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Radiation Oncology, INSERM U1194/IRCM, ICM-Val d'Aurelle, Montpellier, France
| | - Alain Le Quellec
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Jacques Morel
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Rheumatology, Lapeyronie Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Danièle Noël
- IRMB, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Guilpain
- Medical School, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,Department of Internal Medicine-Multiorganic Diseases, Local Referral Center for Auto-immune Diseases, Saint-Eloi Hospital, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France.,IRMB, INSERM, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier University, Montpellier, France
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94
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Lecarpentier Y, Gourrier E, Gobert V, Vallée A. Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: Crosstalk Between PPARγ, WNT/β-Catenin and TGF-β Pathways; The Potential Therapeutic Role of PPARγ Agonists. Front Pediatr 2019; 7:176. [PMID: 31131268 PMCID: PMC6509750 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2019.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a serious pulmonary disease which occurs in preterm infants. Mortality remains high due to a lack of effective treatment, despite significant progress in neonatal resuscitation. In BPD, a persistently high level of canonical WNT/β-catenin pathway activity at the canalicular stage disturbs the pulmonary maturation at the saccular and alveolar stages. The excessive thickness of the alveolar wall impairs the normal diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide, leading to hypoxia. Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) up-regulates canonical WNT signaling and inhibits the peroxysome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). This profile is observed in BPD, especially in animal models. Following a premature birth, hypoxia activates the canonical WNT/TGF-β axis at the expense of PPARγ. This gives rise to the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, which can lead to pulmonary fibrosis that impairs the respiratory function after birth, during childhood and even adulthood. Potential therapeutic treatment could target the inhibition of the canonical WNT/TGF-β pathway and the stimulation of PPARγ activity, in particular by the administration of nebulized PPARγ agonists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yves Lecarpentier
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien, Meaux, France
| | - Elizabeth Gourrier
- Service de néonatologie, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien, Meaux, France
| | - Vincent Gobert
- Centre de Recherche Clinique, Grand Hôpital de l'Est Francilien, Meaux, France
| | - Alexandre Vallée
- Diagnosis and Therapeutic Center, Hypertension and Cardiovascular Prevention Unit, Hôtel-Dieu Hospital, AP-HP Paris, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France
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95
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van Caam A, Vonk M, van den Hoogen F, van Lent P, van der Kraan P. Unraveling SSc Pathophysiology; The Myofibroblast. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2452. [PMID: 30483246 PMCID: PMC6242950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe auto-immune disease, characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of connective tissues. SSc has a high morbidity and mortality and unfortunately no disease modifying therapy is currently available. A key cell in the pathophysiology of SSc is the myofibroblast. Myofibroblasts are fibroblasts with contractile properties that produce a large amount of pro-fibrotic extracellular matrix molecules such as collagen type I. In this narrative review we will discuss the presence, formation, and role of myofibroblasts in SSc, and how these processes are stimulated and mediated by cells of the (innate) immune system such as mast cells and T helper 2 lymphocytes. Furthermore, current novel therapeutic approaches to target myofibroblasts will be highlighted for future perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arjan van Caam
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Madelon Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Peter van Lent
- Experimental Rheumatology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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96
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Long Y, Chen W, Du Q, Zuo X, Zhu H. Ubiquitination in Scleroderma Fibrosis and Its Treatment. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2383. [PMID: 30386338 PMCID: PMC6199354 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc) is a highly heterogeneous rheumatic disease, and uncontrolled fibrosis in visceral organs is the major cause of death in patients. The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways, along with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), play crucial roles in this fibrotic process. Currently, no therapy is available that effectively arrests or reverses the progression of fibrosis in patients with SSc. Ubiquitination is an important post-translational modification that controls many critical cellular functions. Dysregulated ubiquitination events have been observed in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and fibrotic diseases. Inhibitors targeting the ubiquitination pathway have considerable potential for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. However, very few studies have examined the role and mechanism of ubiquitination in patients with SSc. In this review, we will summarize the molecular mechanisms of ubiquitination in patients with SSc and explore the potential targets for treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Long
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weilin Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qian Du
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaoxia Zuo
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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97
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Taylan A, Birlik M, Kenar G, Toprak B, Gundogdu B, Gurler O, Karakas B, Akıncı B, Sisman AR. Osteoprotegrin interacts with biomarkers and cytokines that have roles in osteoporosis, skin fibrosis, and vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis: A potential multifaceted relationship between OPG/RANKL/TRAIL and Wnt inhibitors. Mod Rheumatol 2018; 29:619-624. [PMID: 30001654 DOI: 10.1080/14397595.2018.1500736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: We explored the interactions of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with biomarkers of bone turnover and cytokines, including soluble receptor activator for nuclear factor kappa beta ligand (sRANKL), tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL), and Wnt inhibitors in osteoporosis, vasculopathy and fibrosis related to systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods: The study included 46 SSc patients and 30 healthy controls. Skin thickness, pulmonary fibrosis and/or hypertension, digital ulcers, and calcinosis cutis of SSc patients were assessed. We determined bone mineral density (BMD), and OPG, sRANKL, TRAIL, secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (sFRP-1), Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1), sclerostin in the serum of both patients and controls. Results: OPG, sclerostin, and sFRP-1 levels were similar between patients and controls (P > 0.05). Femoral neck and lumbar spine BMD and vitamin D levels were lower, and the OC, NTX, sRANKL, DKK1 and TRAIL levels were significantly higher, in patients than in controls (p < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, patients with higher modified Rodnan skin score (mRodnan) had higher DKK-1, sclerostin, and TRAIL levels (p < 0.05); those with diffuse SSc subtype had lower BMD values than those with limited SSc (p < 0.05). Skin and pulmonary fibrosis linked negatively with BMD measures. Conclusion: we showed that sRANKL levels were higher and correlated with bone turnover markers. It may be related to osteoporosis in SSc. The OPG level was unaltered in SSc patients. Higher TRAIL levels associated with skin thickness may indicate vascular dysfunction or injury. Higher DKK-1 and sclerostin levels may be related to a reactive increase in cells and be prominently linked to fibrosis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Taylan
- a Department of Rheumatology , Saglik Bilimleri University, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Merih Birlik
- b Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology , Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Gokce Kenar
- b Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology , Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Burak Toprak
- c Department of Biochemistry , Saglik Bilimleri University, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Barıs Gundogdu
- d Rheumatology Section , Medeniyet University , Istanbul , Turkey
| | - Oguz Gurler
- b Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology , Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Burak Karakas
- e Department of Internal Medicine , Saglik Bilimleri University, Izmir Tepecik Training and Research Hospital , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Barıs Akıncı
- f Department of Endocrinology , Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine , Izmir , Turkey
| | - Ali R Sisman
- g Department of Biochemistry , Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine , Izmir , Turkey
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98
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Thuan DTB, Zayed H, Eid AH, Abou-Saleh H, Nasrallah GK, Mangoni AA, Pintus G. A Potential Link Between Oxidative Stress and Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1985. [PMID: 30283435 PMCID: PMC6156139 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), an autoimmune disease that is associated with a number of genetic and environmental risk factors, is characterized by progressive fibrosis and microvasculature damage in the skin, lungs, heart, digestive system, kidneys, muscles, joints, and nervous system. These abnormalities are associated with altered secretion of growth factor and profibrotic cytokines, such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), interleukin-4 (IL-4), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and connective-tissue growth factor (CTGF). Among the cellular responses to this proinflammatory environment, the endothelial cells phenotypic conversion into activated myofibroblasts, a process known as endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), has been postulated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) might play a key role in SSs-associated fibrosis and vascular damage by mediating and/or activating TGF-β-induced EndMT, a phenomenon that has been observed in other disease models. In this review, we identified and critically appraised published studies investigating associations ROS and EndMT and the presence of EndMT in SSc, highlighting a potential link between oxidative stress and EndMT in this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duong Thi Bich Thuan
- Department of Biochemistry, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Hue, Hue, Vietnam
| | - Hatem Zayed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ali H Eid
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Haissam Abou-Saleh
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arduino A Mangoni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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99
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Cai Y, Yang W, Pan M, Wang C, Wu W, Zhu S. Wnt2 knock down by RNAi inhibits the proliferation of in vitro-cultured human keloid fibroblasts. Medicine (Baltimore) 2018; 97:e12167. [PMID: 30212944 PMCID: PMC6156062 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000012167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
To study the effect of knocking down wingless-related MMTV integration site 2 (Wnt2) expression by RNAi on the growth and signaling pathways of ex vitro-cultured keloid fibroblasts (KFB).Human KFB were isolated from 10 keloid patient specimens. The KFB cells were then transfected with 4 pairs of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting human Wnt2, respectively. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were conducted to verify the knock down of Wnt2, and the expression of β-catenin glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and cyclin D1 were examined.siRNA Wnt2 transfection (siWnt2) resulted in the significant inhibition of Wnt2 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. The expression of β-catenin, GSK-3β, p-GSK-3β, and cyclin D1 at the protein level also decreased in siWnt2 cells. siWnt2 resulted in a substantially slower growth and significant delay in cell doubling time of the KFB cells compared with control groups. Further, the siRNA knock down of GSK-3β and β-catenin resulted in slower proliferation rates, respectively.Wnt2 siRNA has an inhibitive effect on keloid fibroblast proliferation, which may be a potential therapeutic approach for keloid and other human fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumei Cai
- Department of Pathology, Quanzhou Medical College
| | - Weiqun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Quanzhou Medical College
| | | | - Chaoyang Wang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wenyi Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Shize Zhu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, China
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100
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Györfi AH, Matei AE, Distler JH. Targeting TGF-β signaling for the treatment of fibrosis. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:8-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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