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Dobie R, West CC, Henderson BEP, Wilson-Kanamori JR, Markose D, Kitto LJ, Portman JR, Beltran M, Sohrabi S, Akram AR, Ramachandran P, Yong LY, Davidson D, Henderson NC. Deciphering Mesenchymal Drivers of Human Dupuytren's Disease at Single-Cell Level. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:114-123.e8. [PMID: 34274346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a common, progressive fibroproliferative disease affecting the palmar fascia of the hands, causing fingers to irreversibly flex toward the palm with significant loss of function. Surgical treatments are limited; therefore, effective new therapies for DD are urgently required. To identify the key cellular and molecular pathways driving DD, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing, profiling the transcriptomes of 35,250 human single cells from DD, nonpathogenic fascia, and healthy dermis. We identify a DD-specific population of pathogenic PDPN+/FAP+ mesenchymal cells displaying an elevated expression of fibrillar collagens and profibrogenic genes. In silico trajectory analysis reveals resident fibroblasts to be the source of this pathogenic population. To resolve the processes governing DD progression, genes differentially expressed during fibroblast differentiation were identified, including upregulated TNFRSF12A and transcription factor SCX. Knockdown of SCX and blockade of TNFRSF12A inhibited the proliferation and altered the profibrotic gene expression of cultured human FAP+ mesenchymal cells, demonstrating a functional role for these genes in DD. The power of single-cell RNA sequencing is utilized to identify the major pathogenic mesenchymal subpopulations driving DD and the key molecular pathways regulating the DD-specific myofibroblast phenotype. Using this precision medicine approach, inhibition of TNFRSF12A has shown potential clinical utility in the treatment of DD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ross Dobie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Chris C West
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery, St John's Hospital, Livingston, United Kingdom; Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Beth E P Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - John R Wilson-Kanamori
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Dyana Markose
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Laura J Kitto
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jordan R Portman
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Mariana Beltran
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Sadaf Sohrabi
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ahsan R Akram
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Prakash Ramachandran
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Li Yenn Yong
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery, St John's Hospital, Livingston, United Kingdom
| | - Dominique Davidson
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Burns Surgery, St John's Hospital, Livingston, United Kingdom
| | - Neil C Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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152
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Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signalling controls multiple cell fate decisions during development and tissue homeostasis; hence, dysregulation of this pathway can drive several diseases, including cancer. Here we discuss the influence that TGFβ exerts on the composition and behaviour of different cell populations present in the tumour immune microenvironment, and the context-dependent functions of this cytokine in suppressing or promoting cancer. During homeostasis, TGFβ controls inflammatory responses triggered by exposure to the outside milieu in barrier tissues. Lack of TGFβ exacerbates inflammation, leading to tissue damage and cellular transformation. In contrast, as tumours progress, they leverage TGFβ to drive an unrestrained wound-healing programme in cancer-associated fibroblasts, as well as to suppress the adaptive immune system and the innate immune system. In consonance with this key role in reprogramming the tumour microenvironment, emerging data demonstrate that TGFβ-inhibitory therapies can restore cancer immunity. Indeed, this approach can synergize with other immunotherapies - including immune checkpoint blockade - to unleash robust antitumour immune responses in preclinical cancer models. Despite initial challenges in clinical translation, these findings have sparked the development of multiple therapeutic strategies that inhibit the TGFβ pathway, many of which are currently in clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele V F Tauriello
- Department of Cell Biology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Elena Sancho
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eduard Batlle
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Barcelona, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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153
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Xie H, Jiao Y, Zhou X, Liao X, Chen J, Chen H, Chen L, Yu S, Deng Q, Sun L, Xu X, Wang J. Integrin αvβ6 contributes to the development of intestinal fibrosis via the FAK/AKT signaling pathway. Exp Cell Res 2021; 411:113003. [PMID: 34979108 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.113003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is one of the most severe complications of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and frequently requires surgery due to intestinal obstruction. Integrin αvβ6, which is mainly regulated by the integrin β6 subunit gene (ITGB6), is a special integrin subtype expressed only in epithelial cells. In our previous study, we found integrin αvβ6 can promote the development of IBD, but the role of integrin αvβ6 in intestinal fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, we observed a gradual increase of ITGB6 mRNA expression from normal region to stenotic region of IBD patients' intestinal specimens. Next, we established a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced intestinal fibrosis model and a heterotopic intestinal transplant model, and found intestinal fibrosis was decreased in ITGB6-deficient mice compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Furthermore, we performed RNA-sequencing and KEGG pathway analysis on intestinal tissues from ITGB6-overexpressing transgenic mice and WT mice, and found multiple pathways containing ITGB6, are related to the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK); finding was confirmed by Western blot. At last, we generated a heterotopic intestinal transplant model found the FAK/AKT pathway was inhibited in ITGB6-deficient mice. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that integrin αvβ6 promotes the pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis by FAK/AKT pathway, making integrin αvβ6 a potential therapeutic target to prevent this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiting Xie
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yurong Jiao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinbin Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiujun Liao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiyan Chen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liubo Chen
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaoju Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qun Deng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lifeng Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoming Xu
- Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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154
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Barta BA, Ruppert M, Fröhlich KE, Cosenza-Contreras M, Oláh A, Sayour AA, Kovács K, Karvaly GB, Biniossek M, Merkely B, Schilling O, Radovits T. Sex-related differences of early cardiac functional and proteomic alterations in a rat model of myocardial ischemia. J Transl Med 2021; 19:507. [PMID: 34895263 PMCID: PMC8666068 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03164-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced cardiovascular risk in premenopausal women has been the focus of research in recent decades. Previous hypothesis-driven experiments have highlighted the role of sex hormones on distinct inflammatory responses, mitochondrial proteins, extracellular remodeling and estrogen-mediated cardioprotective signaling pathways related to post-ischemic recovery, which were associated with better cardiac functional outcomes in females. We aimed to investigate the early, sex-specific functional and proteomic changes following myocardial ischemia in an unbiased approach. METHODS Ischemia was induced in male (M-Isch) and female (F-Isch) rats with sc. injection of isoproterenol (85 mg/kg) daily for 2 days, while controls (M-Co, F-Co) received sc. saline solution. At 48 h after the first injection pressure-volume analysis was carried out to assess left ventricular function. FFPE tissue slides were scanned and analyzed digitally, while myocardial proteins were quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using isobaric labeling. Concentrations of circulating steroid hormones were measured with LC-MS/MS. Feature selection (PLS and PLS-DA) was used to examine associations among functional, proteomic and hormonal datasets. RESULTS Induction of ischemia resulted in 38% vs 17% mortality in M-Isch and F-Isch respectively. The extent of ischemic damage to surviving rats was comparable between the sexes. Systolic dysfunction was more pronounced in males, while females developed a more severe impairment of diastolic function. 2224 proteins were quantified, with 520 showing sex-specific differential regulation. Our analysis identified transcriptional, cytoskeletal, contractile, and mitochondrial proteins, molecular chaperones and the extracellular matrix as sources of disparity between the sexes. Bioinformatics highlighted possible associations of estrogens and their metabolites with early functional and proteomic alterations. CONCLUSIONS Our study has highlighted sex-specific alterations in systolic and diastolic function shortly after ischemia, and provided a comprehensive look at the underlying proteomic changes and the influence of estrogens and their metabolites. According to our bioinformatic analysis, inflammatory, mitochondrial, chaperone, cytoskeletal, extracellular and matricellular proteins are major sources of intersex disparity, and may be promising targets for early sex-specific pharmacologic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bálint András Barta
- Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary. .,Institute of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany. .,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Mihály Ruppert
- Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Klemens Erwin Fröhlich
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Miguel Cosenza-Contreras
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.,Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,MeInBio Graduate School, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Attila Oláh
- Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Alex Ali Sayour
- Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Kovács
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gellért Balázs Karvaly
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Martin Biniossek
- Center for Biological Systems Analysis, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Béla Merkely
- Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
| | - Oliver Schilling
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Tamás Radovits
- Experimental Research Laboratory, Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Városmajor u. 68, Budapest, 1122, Hungary
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155
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Distinct roles of KLF4 in mesenchymal cell subtypes during lung fibrogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:7179. [PMID: 34893592 PMCID: PMC8664937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-27499-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
During lung fibrosis, the epithelium induces signaling to underlying mesenchyme to generate excess myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix; herein, we focus on signaling in the mesenchyme. Our studies indicate that platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR)-β+ cells are the predominant source of myofibroblasts and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 4 is upregulated in PDGFR-β+ cells, inducing TGFβ pathway signaling and fibrosis. In fibrotic lung patches, KLF4 is down-regulated, suggesting KLF4 levels decrease as PDGFR-β+ cells transition into myofibroblasts. In contrast to PDGFR-β+ cells, KLF4 reduction in α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)+ cells non-cell autonomously exacerbates lung fibrosis by inducing macrophage accumulation and pro-fibrotic effects of PDGFR-β+ cells via a Forkhead box M1 to C-C chemokine ligand 2-receptor 2 pathway. Taken together, in the context of lung fibrosis, our results indicate that KLF4 plays opposing roles in PDGFR-β+ cells and SMA+ cells and highlight the importance of further studies of interactions between distinct mesenchymal cell types.
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156
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Suppression of the fibrotic encapsulation of silicone implants by inhibiting the mechanical activation of pro-fibrotic TGF-β. Nat Biomed Eng 2021; 5:1437-1456. [PMID: 34031559 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-021-00722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The fibrotic encapsulation of implants involves the mechanical activation of myofibroblasts and of pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). Here, we show that both softening of the implant surfaces and inhibition of the activation of TGF-β1 reduce the fibrotic encapsulation of subcutaneous silicone implants in mice. Conventionally stiff silicones (elastic modulus, ~2 MPa) coated with a soft silicone layer (elastic modulus, ~2 kPa) reduced collagen deposition as well as myofibroblast activation without affecting the numbers of macrophages and their polarization states. Instead, fibroblasts around stiff implants exhibited enhanced intracellular stress, increased the recruitment of αv and β1 integrins, and activated TGF-β1 signalling. In vitro, the recruitment of αv integrin to focal adhesions and the activation of β1 integrin and of TGF-β were higher in myofibroblasts grown on latency-associated peptide (LAP)-coated stiff silicones than on soft silicones. Antagonizing αv integrin binding to LAP through the small-molecule inhibitor CWHM-12 suppressed active TGF-β signalling, myofibroblast activation and the fibrotic encapsulation of stiff subcutaneous implants in mice.
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157
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Kim JH, Kim K, Yeom J, Lee E, Kang MJ, Lee SH, Kim K, Lee SY, Hong SB, Oh DK, Lee K, Choi SJ, Yang MJ, Kim J, Hong SJ. Integrative multi-omics approach for mechanism of humidifier disinfectant-associated lung injury. Clin Transl Med 2021; 11:e562. [PMID: 34841713 PMCID: PMC8567041 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Hyun Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwoneel Kim
- Department of Biology, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeonghun Yeom
- Convergence Medicine Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Jin Kang
- Asan Medical Center, Humidifier Disinfectant Health Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Hwa Lee
- Department of Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyunggon Kim
- Department of Convergence Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - So-Yeon Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma Atopy Center, Humidifier Disinfectant Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Bum Hong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Kyu Oh
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyuhong Lee
- National Center for Efficacy Evaluation of Respiratory Disease Product, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea.,Department of Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong-Jin Choi
- Department of Inhalation Toxicology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Mi-Jin Yang
- Department of Pathology Research, Korea Institute of Toxicology, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyeon Kim
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo-Jong Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Childhood Asthma Atopy Center, Humidifier Disinfectant Health Center, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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158
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Cell-Type-Specific Profibrotic Scores across Multi-Organ Systems Predict Cancer Prognosis. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13236024. [PMID: 34885134 PMCID: PMC8656778 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13236024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Fibrosis is a major player and contributor in the tumor microenvironment. Profibrotic changes precede the early development and establishment of a variety of human diseases, such as fibrosis and cancer. Being able to measure such early signals at the single cell level is critically useful for identifying new mechanisms and potential drug targets for a wide range of diseases. This study was designed to computationally identify profibrotic cell populations using single-cell transcriptomic data and to identify gene signatures that could predict cancer prognosis. Abstract Fibrosis is a major cause of mortality. Key profibrotic mechanisms are common pathways involved in tumorigenesis. Characterizing the profibrotic phenotype will help reveal the underlying mechanisms of early development and progression of a variety of human diseases, such as fibrosis and cancer. Fibroblasts have been center stage in response to various stimuli, such as viral infections. However, a comprehensive catalog of cell types involved in this process is currently lacking. Here, we deployed single-cell transcriptomic data across multi-organ systems (i.e., heart, kidney, liver, and lung) to identify novel profibrotic cell populations based on ECM pathway activity at single-cell resolution. In addition to fibroblasts, we also reported that epithelial, endothelial, myeloid, natural killer T, and secretory cells, as well as proximal convoluted tubule cells of the nephron, were significantly actively involved. Cell-type-specific gene signatures were enriched in viral infection pathways, enhanced glycolysis, and carcinogenesis, among others; they were validated using independent datasets in this study. By projecting the signatures into bulk TCGA tumor samples, we could predict prognosis in the patients using profibrotic scores. Our profibrotic cellular phenotype is useful for identifying new mechanisms and potential drug targets at the cell-type level for a wide range of diseases involved in ECM pathway activation.
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159
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Kossatz S, Beer AJ, Notni J. It's Time to Shift the Paradigm: Translation and Clinical Application of Non-αvβ3 Integrin Targeting Radiopharmaceuticals. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13235958. [PMID: 34885066 PMCID: PMC8657165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13235958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cancer cells often present a different set of proteins on their surface than normal cells. This also applies to integrins, a class of 24 cell surface receptors which mainly are responsible for physically anchoring cells in tissues, but also fulfil a plethora of other functions. If a certain integrin is found on tumor cells but not on normal ones, radioactive molecules (named tracers) that specifically bind to this integrin will accumulate in the cancer lesion if injected into the blood stream. The emitted radiation can be detected from outside the body and allows for localization and thus, diagnosis, of cancer. Only one of the 24 integrins, the subtype αvβ3, has hitherto been thoroughly investigated in this context. We herein summarize the most recent, pertinent research on other integrins, and argue that some of these approaches might ultimately improve the clinical management of the most lethal cancers, such as pancreatic carcinoma. Abstract For almost the entire period of the last two decades, translational research in the area of integrin-targeting radiopharmaceuticals was strongly focused on the subtype αvβ3, owing to its expression on endothelial cells and its well-established role as a biomarker for, and promoter of, angiogenesis. Despite a large number of translated tracers and clinical studies, a clinical value of αvβ3-integrin imaging could not be defined yet. The focus of research has, thus, been moving slowly but steadily towards other integrin subtypes which are involved in a large variety of tumorigenic pathways. Peptidic and non-peptidic radioligands for the integrins α5β1, αvβ6, αvβ8, α6β1, α6β4, α3β1, α4β1, and αMβ2 were first synthesized and characterized preclinically. Some of these compounds, targeting the subtypes αvβ6, αvβ8, and α6β1/β4, were subsequently translated into humans during the last few years. αvβ6-Integrin has arguably attracted most attention because it is expressed by some of the cancers with the worst prognosis (above all, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma), which substantiates a clinical need for the respective theranostic agents. The receptor furthermore represents a biomarker for malignancy and invasiveness of carcinomas, as well as for fibrotic diseases, such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and probably even for Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) related syndromes. Accordingly, the largest number of recent first-in-human applications has been reported for radiolabeled compounds targeting αvβ6-integrin. The results indicate a substantial clinical value, which might lead to a paradigm change and trigger the replacement of αvβ3 by αvβ6 as the most popular integrin in theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Kossatz
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany;
- Central Institute for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Johannes Notni
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- TRIMT GmbH, 01454 Radeberg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-4140-6075; Fax: +49-89-4140-6949
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160
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Yokosaki Y, Nishimichi N. New Therapeutic Targets for Hepatic Fibrosis in the Integrin Family, α8β1 and α11β1, Induced Specifically on Activated Stellate Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312794. [PMID: 34884600 PMCID: PMC8657911 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A huge effort has been devoted to developing drugs targeting integrins over 30 years, because of the primary roles of integrins in the cell-matrix milieu. Five αv-containing integrins, in the 24 family members, have been a central target of fibrosis. Currently, a small molecule against αvβ1 is undergoing a clinical trial for NASH-associated fibrosis as a rare agent aiming at fibrogenesis. Latent TGFβ activation, a distinct talent of αv-integrins, has been intriguing as a therapeutic target. None of the αv-integrin inhibitors, however, has been in the clinical market. αv-integrins commonly recognize an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, and thus the pharmacophore of inhibitors for the 5-integrins is based on the same RGD structure. The RGD preference of the integrins, at the same time, dilutes ligand specificity, as the 5-integrins share ligands containing RGD sequence such as fibronectin. With the inherent little specificity in both drugs and targets, "disease specificity" has become less important for the inhibitors than blocking as many αv-integrins. In fact, an almighty inhibitor for αv-integrins, pan-αv, was in a clinical trial. On the contrary, approved integrin inhibitors are all specific to target integrins, which are expressed in a cell-type specific manner: αIIbβ3 on platelets, α4β1, α4β7 and αLβ2 on leukocytes. Herein, "disease specific" integrins would serve as attractive targets. α8β1 and α11β1 are selectively expressed in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and distinctively induced upon culture activation. The exceptional specificity to activated HSCs reflects a rather "pathology specific" nature of these new integrins. The monoclonal antibodies against α8β1 and α11β1 in preclinical examinations may illuminate the road to the first medical agents.
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Li T, Liu J, Wang Y, Zhou C, Shi Q, Huang S, Yang C, Chen Y, Bai Y, Xiong B. Liver fibrosis promotes immunity escape but limits the size of liver tumor in a rat orthotopic transplantation model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:22846. [PMID: 34819565 PMCID: PMC8613241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02155-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis plays a crucial role in promoting tumor immune escape and tumor aggressiveness for liver cancer. However, an interesting phenomenon is that the tumor size of liver cancer patients with liver fibrosis is smaller than that of patients without liver fibrosis. In this study, 16 SD rats were used to establish orthotopic liver tumor transplantation models with Walker-256 cell lines, respectively on the fibrotic liver (n = 8, LF group) and normal liver (n = 8, control group). MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) was used to monitor the size of the tumors. All rats were executed at the third week after modeling, and the immunohistochemical staining was used to reflect the changes in the tumor microenvironment. The results showed that, compared to the control group, the PD-L1 (programmed cell death protein receptor-L1) expression was higher, and the neutrophil infiltration increased while the effector (CD8+) T cell infiltration decreased in the LF group. Additionally, the expression of MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9) of tumor tissue in the LF group increased. Three weeks after modeling, the size of tumors in the LF group was significantly smaller than that in the control group (382.47 ± 195.06 mm3 vs. 1736.21 ± 657.25 mm3, P < 0.001). Taken together, we concluded that liver fibrosis facilitated tumor immunity escape but limited the expansion of tumor size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongqiang Li
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jiacheng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yingliang Wang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Qin Shi
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Songjiang Huang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Chongtu Yang
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Yaowei Bai
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Radiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Jiefang Avenue #1277, Wuhan, 430022, China.
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Wuhan, 430022, China.
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The Combined Influence of Viscoelastic and Adhesive Cues on Fibroblast Spreading and Focal Adhesion Organization. Cell Mol Bioeng 2021; 14:427-440. [PMID: 34777602 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-021-00672-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Tissue fibrosis is characterized by progressive extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening and loss of viscoelasticity that ultimately impairs organ functionality. Cells bind to the ECM through integrins, where αv integrin engagement in particular has been correlated with fibroblast activation into contractile myofibroblasts that drive fibrosis progression. There is a significant unmet need for in vitro hydrogel systems that deconstruct the complexity of native tissues to better understand the individual and combined effects of stiffness, viscoelasticity, and integrin engagement on fibroblast behavior. Methods We developed hyaluronic acid hydrogels with independently tunable cell-instructive properties (stiffness, viscoelasticity, ligand presentation) to address this challenge. Hydrogels with mechanics matching normal or fibrotic lung tissue were synthesized using a combination of covalent crosslinks and supramolecular interactions to tune viscoelasticity. Cell adhesion was mediated through incorporation of either RGD peptide or engineered fibronectin fragments promoting preferential integrin engagement via αvβ3 or α5β1. Results On fibrosis-mimicking stiff elastic hydrogels, preferential αvβ3 engagement promoted increased spreading, actin stress fiber organization, and focal adhesion maturation as indicated by paxillin organization in human lung fibroblasts. In contrast, preferential α5β1 binding suppressed these metrics. Viscoelasticity, mimicking the mechanics of healthy tissue, largely curtailed fibroblast spreading and focal adhesion organization independent of adhesive ligand type, highlighting its role in reducing fibroblast-activating behaviors. Conclusions Together, these results provide new insights into how mechanical and adhesive cues collectively guide disease-relevant cell behaviors. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-021-00672-1.
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163
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Shihan MH, Novo SG, Wang Y, Sheppard D, Atakilit A, Arnold TD, Rossi NM, Faranda AP, Duncan MK. αVβ8 integrin targeting to prevent posterior capsular opacification. JCI Insight 2021; 6:145715. [PMID: 34554928 PMCID: PMC8663568 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.145715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic posterior capsular opacification (PCO), a major complication of cataract surgery, is driven by transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β). Previously, αV integrins were found to be critical for the onset of TGF-β–mediated PCO in vivo; however, the functional heterodimer was unknown. Here, β8 integrin–conditional knockout (β8ITG-cKO) lens epithelial cells (LCs) attenuated their fibrotic responses, while both β5 and β6 integrin–null LCs underwent fibrotic changes similar to WT at 5 days post cataract surgery (PCS). RNA-Seq revealed that β8ITG-cKO LCs attenuated their upregulation of integrins and their ligands, as well as known targets of TGF-β–induced signaling, at 24 hours PCS. Treatment of β8ITG-cKO eyes with active TGF-β1 at the time of surgery rescued the fibrotic response. Treatment of WT mice with an anti-αVβ8 integrin function blocking antibody at the time of surgery ameliorated both canonical TGF-β signaling and LC fibrotic response PCS, and treatment at 5 days PCS, after surgically induced fibrotic responses were established, largely reversed this fibrotic response. These data suggest that αVβ8 integrin is a major regulator of TGF-β activation by LCs PCS and that therapeutics targeting αVβ8 integrin could be effective for fibrotic PCO prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahbubul H Shihan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Samuel G Novo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas D Arnold
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Nicole M Rossi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Adam P Faranda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Melinda K Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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164
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Li Z, Kuppe C, Ziegler S, Cheng M, Kabgani N, Menzel S, Zenke M, Kramann R, Costa IG. Chromatin-accessibility estimation from single-cell ATAC-seq data with scOpen. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6386. [PMID: 34737275 PMCID: PMC8568974 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26530-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A major drawback of single-cell ATAC-seq (scATAC-seq) is its sparsity, i.e., open chromatin regions with no reads due to loss of DNA material during the scATAC-seq protocol. Here, we propose scOpen, a computational method based on regularized non-negative matrix factorization for imputing and quantifying the open chromatin status of regulatory regions from sparse scATAC-seq experiments. We show that scOpen improves crucial downstream analysis steps of scATAC-seq data as clustering, visualization, cis-regulatory DNA interactions, and delineation of regulatory features. We demonstrate the power of scOpen to dissect regulatory changes in the development of fibrosis in the kidney. This identifies a role of Runx1 and target genes by promoting fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation driving kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Li
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Christoph Kuppe
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Susanne Ziegler
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Mingbo Cheng
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Nazanin Kabgani
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Sylvia Menzel
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Martin Zenke
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany
- Helmholtz Institute for Biomedical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Rafael Kramann
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Nephrology and Transplantation, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015GD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ivan G Costa
- Institute for Computational Genomics, Joint Research Center for Computational Biomedicine, RWTH Aachen University Medical School, 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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165
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An GH, Lee J, Jin X, Chung J, Kim JC, Park JH, Kim M, Han C, Kim JH, Woo DH. Truncated Milk Fat Globule-EGF-like Factor 8 Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis via Inhibition of Integrin-TGFβ Receptor Interaction. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111529. [PMID: 34829758 PMCID: PMC8615163 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8) protein is known as an immunomodulator in various diseases, and we previously demonstrated the anti-fibrotic role of MFG-E8 in liver disease. Here, we present a truncated form of MFG-E8 that provides an advanced therapeutic benefit in treating liver fibrosis. The enhanced therapeutic potential of the modified MFG-E8 was demonstrated in various liver fibrosis animal models, and the efficacy was further confirmed in human hepatic stellate cells and a liver spheroid model. In the subsequent analysis, we found that the modified MFG-E8 more efficiently suppressed transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling than the original form of MFG-E8, and it deactivated the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells in the liver disease environment through interfering with the interactions between integrins (αvβ3 & αvβ5) and TGF-βRI. Furthermore, the protein preferentially delivered in the liver after administration, and the safety profiles of the protein were demonstrated in male and female rat models. Therefore, in conclusion, this modified MFG-E8 provides a promising new therapeutic strategy for treating fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geun Ho An
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Science Campus, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
| | - Jaehun Lee
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
| | - Xiong Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Henan University, Jin Ming Ave, Kaifeng 475004, China;
| | - Jinwoo Chung
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
| | - Joon-Chul Kim
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
| | - Jung-Hyuck Park
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
| | - Minkyung Kim
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
| | - Choongseong Han
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
| | - Jong-Hoon Kim
- Laboratory of Stem Cells and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Science Campus, Korea University, 145 Anam-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 02841, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-H.K.); (D.-H.W.)
| | - Dong-Hun Woo
- Department of New Drug Development, NEXEL Co., Ltd., 8th Floor, 55 Magokdong-ro, Gangseo-gu, Seoul 07802, Korea; (G.H.A.); (J.L.); (J.C.); (J.-C.K.); (J.-H.P.); (M.K.); (C.H.)
- Correspondence: (J.-H.K.); (D.-H.W.)
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166
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Han H, Zhang Y, Peng G, Li L, Yang J, Yuan Y, Xu Y, Liu ZR. Extracellular PKM2 facilitates organ-tissue fibrosis progression. iScience 2021; 24:103165. [PMID: 34693222 PMCID: PMC8517170 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Persistent activation of fibroblasts and resistance of myofibroblasts to turnover play important roles in organ-tissue fibrosis development and progression. The mechanism that mediates apoptosis resistance of myofibroblasts is not understood. Here, we report that myofibroblasts express and secrete PKM2. Extracellular PKM2 (EcPKM2) facilitates progression of fibrosis by protecting myofibroblasts from apoptosis. EcPKM2 upregulates arginase-1 expression in myofibroblasts and therefore facilitates proline biosynthesis and subsequent collagen production. EcPKM2 interacts with integrin αvβ3 on myofibroblasts to activate FAK-PI3K signaling axis. Activation of FAK-PI3K by EcPKM2 activates downstream NF-κB survival pathway to prevent myofibroblasts from apoptosis. On the other hand, activation of FAK- PI3K by EcPKM2 suppresses PTEN to subsequently upregulate arginase-1 in myofibroblasts. Our studies uncover an important mechanism for organ fibrosis progression. More importantly, an antibody disrupting the interaction between PKM2 and integrin αvβ3 is effective in reversing fibrosis, suggesting a possible therapeutic strategy and target for treatment of organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Han
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yinwei Zhang
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Guangda Peng
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Liangwei Li
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Jenny Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yi Yuan
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yiting Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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167
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Decaris ML, Schaub JR, Chen C, Cha J, Lee GG, Rexhepaj M, Ho SS, Rao V, Marlow MM, Kotak P, Budi EH, Hooi L, Wu J, Fridlib M, Martin SP, Huang S, Chen M, Muñoz M, Hom TF, Wolters PJ, Desai TJ, Rock F, Leftheris K, Morgans DJ, Lepist EI, Andre P, Lefebvre EA, Turner SM. Dual inhibition of α vβ 6 and α vβ 1 reduces fibrogenesis in lung tissue explants from patients with IPF. Respir Res 2021; 22:265. [PMID: 34666752 PMCID: PMC8524858 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01863-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE αv integrins, key regulators of transforming growth factor-β activation and fibrogenesis in in vivo models of pulmonary fibrosis, are expressed on abnormal epithelial cells (αvβ6) and fibroblasts (αvβ1) in fibrotic lungs. OBJECTIVES We evaluated multiple αv integrin inhibition strategies to assess which most effectively reduced fibrogenesis in explanted lung tissue from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS Selective αvβ6 and αvβ1, dual αvβ6/αvβ1, and multi-αv integrin inhibitors were characterized for potency, selectivity, and functional activity by ligand binding, cell adhesion, and transforming growth factor-β cell activation assays. Precision-cut lung slices generated from lung explants from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis or bleomycin-challenged mouse lungs were treated with integrin inhibitors or standard-of-care drugs (nintedanib or pirfenidone) and analyzed for changes in fibrotic gene expression or TGF-β signaling. Bleomycin-challenged mice treated with dual αvβ6/αvβ1 integrin inhibitor, PLN-74809, were assessed for changes in pulmonary collagen deposition and Smad3 phosphorylation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Inhibition of integrins αvβ6 and αvβ1 was additive in reducing type I collagen gene expression in explanted lung tissue slices from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. These data were replicated in fibrotic mouse lung tissue, with no added benefit observed from inhibition of additional αv integrins. Antifibrotic efficacy of dual αvβ6/αvβ1 integrin inhibitor PLN-74809 was confirmed in vivo, where dose-dependent inhibition of pulmonary Smad3 phosphorylation and collagen deposition was observed. PLN-74809 also, more potently, reduced collagen gene expression in fibrotic human and mouse lung slices than clinically relevant concentrations of nintedanib or pirfenidone. CONCLUSIONS In the fibrotic lung, dual inhibition of integrins αvβ6 and αvβ1 offers the optimal approach for blocking fibrogenesis resulting from integrin-mediated activation of transforming growth factor-β.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Chun Chen
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jacob Cha
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gail G Lee
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Steve S Ho
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vikram Rao
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Prerna Kotak
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Erine H Budi
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Hooi
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jianfeng Wu
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Shaoyi Huang
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ming Chen
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Manuel Muñoz
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Paul J Wolters
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tushar J Desai
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | | | - David J Morgans
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Maze Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Patrick Andre
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA, USA
- Acceleron Pharma, Cambridge, MA, USA
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Sadoughi F, Hallajzadeh J, Mirsafaei L, Asemi Z, Zahedi M, Mansournia MA, Yousefi B. Cardiac fibrosis and curcumin: a novel perspective on this natural medicine. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:7597-7608. [PMID: 34648140 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06768-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to WHO statistics, cardiovascular disease are the leading causes of death in the world. One of the main factors which is causing heart failure, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, and arrythmias is a condition named cardiac fibrosis. This condition is defined by the accumulation of fibroblast-produced ECM in myocardium layer of the heart. OBJECTIVE Accordingly, the current review aims to depict the role of curcumin in the regulation of different signaling pathways that are involved in cardiac fibrosis. RESULTS A great number of cellular and molecular mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammation, and mechanical stress are acknowledged to be involved in cardiac fibrosis. Despite the available therapeutic procedures which are designed to target these mechanisms in order to prevent cardiac fibrosis, still, effective therapeutic methods are needed. Curcumin is a natural Chinese medicine which currently has been declared to have therapeutic properties such as anti-oxidant and immunomodulatory activities. In this review, we have gathered several experimental studies in order to represent diverse impacts of this turmeric derivative on pathogenic factors of cardiac fibrosis. CONCLUSION Curcumin might open new avenues in the field of cardiovascular treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Sadoughi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Jamal Hallajzadeh
- Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran.
| | - Liaosadat Mirsafaei
- Department of Cardiology, Ramsar Campus, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Mahdi Zahedi
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgān, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Yousefi
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Li X, Zhang J, Du C, Jiang Y, Zhang W, Wang S, Zhu X, Gao J, Zhang X, Ren D, Zheng Y, Tang J. Polyhexamethylene guanidine aerosol triggers pulmonary fibrosis concomitant with elevated surface tension via inhibiting pulmonary surfactant. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126642. [PMID: 34329089 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Environmental chemicals inhalation exposure could induce pulmonary fibrosis, which is characterized by the excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and accumulation of extracellular matrix components, in which surface tension usually plays vital roles. Polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) was first recognized as a potential hazard ingredient in humidifier disinfectants, which caused an outbreak of pulmonary fibrosis in South Korea. However, the underlying mechanisms involved in PHMG-induced pulmonary fibrosis have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, this study mainly focuses on the effect of PHMG on surface tension to unveil the influence and involved mechanisms in PHMG-induced pulmonary fibrosis. C57BL/6J mice were exposed to sub-acute PHMG aerosol for 8 weeks. The results indicated that PHMG induced pulmonary fibrosis combined with elevated surface tension. Results from in vitro study further confirmed PHMG elevated surface tension by inhibited pulmonary surfactant. Mechanistically, PHMG suppressed the key surfactant protein SP-B and SP-C by inhibiting protein expression and block their active sites. The present study, for the first time, revealed the molecular mechanism of PHMG-induced pulmonary fibrosis based on pulmonary surfactant inhibition mediated surface tension elevated. And pulmonary surfactant may be a potential target for further intervention to prevent PHMG-induced fibrosis or alleviate the symptom of relevant patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jianzhong Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Chao Du
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yingying Jiang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wanjun Zhang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Zhu
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jinling Gao
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Xinru Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Dunqiang Ren
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266021, China
| | - Yuxin Zheng
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jinglong Tang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
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170
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Soliman H, Theret M, Scott W, Hill L, Underhill TM, Hinz B, Rossi FMV. Multipotent stromal cells: One name, multiple identities. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1690-1707. [PMID: 34624231 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are vital for development, maintenance, function, and regeneration of most tissues. They can differentiate along multiple connective lineages, but unlike most other stem/progenitor cells, they carry out various other functions while maintaining their developmental potential. MSCs function as damage sensors, respond to injury by fostering regeneration through secretion of trophic factors as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, and contribute to fibrotic reparative processes when regeneration fails. Tissue-specific MSC identity, fate(s), and function(s) are being resolved through fate mapping coupled with single cell "omics," providing unparalleled insights into the secret lives of tissue-resident MSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hesham Soliman
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Aspect Biosystems, Vancouver, BC V6P 6P2, Canada
| | - Marine Theret
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Wilder Scott
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Lesley Hill
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Tully Michael Underhill
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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171
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Matrix stiffness drives stromal autophagy and promotes formation of a protumorigenic niche. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2105367118. [PMID: 34588305 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105367118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased stiffness of solid tissues has long been recognized as a diagnostic feature of several pathologies, most notably malignant diseases. In fact, it is now well established that elevated tissue rigidity enhances disease progression and aggressiveness and is associated with a poor prognosis in patients as documented, for instance, for lung fibrosis or the highly desmoplastic cancer of the pancreas. The underlying mechanisms of the interplay between physical properties and cellular behavior are, however, not very well understood. Here, we have found that switching culture conditions from soft to stiff substrates is sufficient to evoke (macro) autophagy in various fibroblast types. Mechanistically, this is brought about by stiffness-sensing through an Integrin αV-focal adhesion kinase module resulting in sequestration and posttranslational stabilization of the metabolic master regulator AMPKα at focal adhesions, leading to the subsequent induction of autophagy. Importantly, stiffness-induced autophagy in stromal cells such as fibroblasts and stellate cells critically supports growth of adjacent cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. This process is Integrin αV dependent, opening possibilities for targeting tumor-stroma crosstalk. Our data thus reveal that the mere change in mechanical tissue properties is sufficient to metabolically reprogram stromal cell populations, generating a tumor-supportive metabolic niche.
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172
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Phillips AT, Boumil EF, Castro N, Venkatesan A, Gallo E, Adams JJ, Sidhu SS, Bernstein AM. USP10 Promotes Fibronectin Recycling, Secretion, and Organization. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2021; 62:15. [PMID: 34665194 PMCID: PMC8543399 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.62.13.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Integrins play a central role in myofibroblast pathological adhesion, over-contraction, and TGFβ activation. Previously, we demonstrated that after corneal wounding, αv integrins are protected from intracellular degradation by upregulation of the deubiquitinase USP10, leading to cell-surface integrin accumulation. Because integrins bind to and internalize extracellular matrix (ECM), we tested whether extracellular fibronectin (FN) accumulation can result from an increase in integrin and matrix recycling in primary human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs). Methods Primary HCFs were isolated from cadaver eyes. HCFs were transfected with either USP10 cDNA or control cDNA by nucleofection. Internalized FN was quantified with a FN ELISA. Recycled extracellular integrin and FN were detected with streptavidin-488 by live cell confocal microscopy (Zeiss LSM 780). Endogenous FN extra domain A was detected by immunocytochemistry. Cell size and removal of FN from the cell surface was determined by flow cytometry. Results USP10 overexpression increased α5β1 (1.9-fold; P < 0.001) and αv (1.7-fold; P < 0.05) integrin recycling, with a concomitant increase in biotinylated FN internalization (2.1-fold; P < 0.05) and recycling over 4 days (1.7–2.2-fold; P < 0.05). The dependence of FN recycling on integrins was demonstrated by α5β1 and αv integrin blocking antibodies, which, compared with control IgG, decreased biotinylated FN recycling (62% and 84%, respectively; P < 0.05). Overall, we established that extracellular FN was composed of approximately 1/3 recycled biotinylated FN and 2/3 endogenously secreted FN. Conclusions Our data suggest that reduced integrin degradation with a subsequent increase in integrin/FN recycling after wounding may be a newly identified mechanism for the characteristic accumulation of ECM in corneal scar tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew T Phillips
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Edward F Boumil
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Nileyma Castro
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States.,Syracuse VA Medical Center, New York VA Health Care, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Arunkumar Venkatesan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States
| | - Eugenio Gallo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jarrett J Adams
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sachdev S Sidhu
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Audrey M Bernstein
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, United States.,Syracuse VA Medical Center, New York VA Health Care, Syracuse, New York, United States
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173
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Wang ZY, Keogh A, Waldt A, Cuttat R, Neri M, Zhu S, Schuierer S, Ruchti A, Crochemore C, Knehr J, Bastien J, Ksiazek I, Sánchez-Taltavull D, Ge H, Wu J, Roma G, Helliwell SB, Stroka D, Nigsch F. Single-cell and bulk transcriptomics of the liver reveals potential targets of NASH with fibrosis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19396. [PMID: 34588551 PMCID: PMC8481490 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98806-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by the excessive production of collagen and other extracellular matrix (ECM) components and represents a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Previous studies of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with fibrosis were largely restricted to bulk transcriptome profiles. Thus, our understanding of this disease is limited by an incomplete characterization of liver cell types in general and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in particular, given that activated HSCs are the major hepatic fibrogenic cell population. To help fill this gap, we profiled 17,810 non-parenchymal cells derived from six healthy human livers. In conjunction with public single-cell data of fibrotic/cirrhotic human livers, these profiles enable the identification of potential intercellular signaling axes (e.g., ITGAV-LAMC1, TNFRSF11B-VWF and NOTCH2-DLL4) and master regulators (e.g., RUNX1 and CREB3L1) responsible for the activation of HSCs during fibrogenesis. Bulk RNA-seq data of NASH patient livers and rodent models for liver fibrosis of diverse etiologies allowed us to evaluate the translatability of candidate therapeutic targets for NASH-related fibrosis. We identified 61 liver fibrosis-associated genes (e.g., AEBP1, PRRX1 and LARP6) that may serve as a repertoire of translatable drug target candidates. Consistent with the above regulon results, gene regulatory network analysis allowed the identification of CREB3L1 as a master regulator of many of the 61 genes. Together, this study highlights potential cell-cell interactions and master regulators that underlie HSC activation and reveals genes that may represent prospective hallmark signatures for liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong-Yi Wang
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
| | - Adrian Keogh
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Annick Waldt
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Rachel Cuttat
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marilisa Neri
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shanshan Zhu
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Sven Schuierer
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Ruchti
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Judith Knehr
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Julie Bastien
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Iwona Ksiazek
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Sánchez-Taltavull
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Hui Ge
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jing Wu
- China Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Guglielmo Roma
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Stephen B Helliwell
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland
- Rejuveron Life Sciences AG, 8952, Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Deborah Stroka
- Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Florian Nigsch
- Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, 4056, Basel, Switzerland.
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174
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Garlatti V, Lovisa S, Danese S, Vetrano S. The Multiple Faces of Integrin-ECM Interactions in Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10439. [PMID: 34638778 PMCID: PMC8508809 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) comprises a series of chronic and relapsing intestinal diseases, with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis being the most common. The abundant and uncontrolled deposition of extracellular matrix, namely fibrosis, is one of the major hallmarks of IBD and is responsible for the progressive narrowing and closure of the intestine, defined as stenosis. Although fibrosis is usually considered the product of chronic inflammation, the substantial failure of anti-inflammatory therapies to target and reduce fibrosis in IBD suggests that fibrosis might be sustained in an inflammation-independent manner. Pharmacological therapies targeting integrins have recently shown great promise in the treatment of IBD. The efficacy of these therapies mainly relies on their capacity to target the integrin-mediated recruitment and functionality of the immune cells at the damage site. However, by nature, integrins also act as mechanosensitive molecules involved in the intracellular transduction of signals and modifications originating from the extracellular matrix. Therefore, understanding integrin signaling in the context of IBD may offer important insights into mechanisms of matrix remodeling, which are uncoupled from inflammation and could underlie the onset and persistency of intestinal fibrosis. In this review, we present the currently available knowledge on the role of integrins in the etiopathogenesis of IBD, highlighting their role in the context of immune-dependent and independent mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Garlatti
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (S.L.); (S.D.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Piemonte Orientale ‘A. Avogadro’, 28100 Novara, Italy
| | - Sara Lovisa
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (S.L.); (S.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Silvio Danese
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (S.L.); (S.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Vetrano
- IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy; (V.G.); (S.L.); (S.D.)
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, 20072 Milan, Italy
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175
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Slack RJ, Macdonald SJF, Roper JA, Jenkins RG, Hatley RJD. Emerging therapeutic opportunities for integrin inhibitors. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2021; 21:60-78. [PMID: 34535788 PMCID: PMC8446727 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-021-00284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Integrins are cell adhesion and signalling proteins crucial to a wide range of biological functions. Effective marketed treatments have successfully targeted integrins αIIbβ3, α4β7/α4β1 and αLβ2 for cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel disease/multiple sclerosis and dry eye disease, respectively. Yet, clinical development of others, notably within the RGD-binding subfamily of αv integrins, including αvβ3, have faced significant challenges in the fields of cancer, ophthalmology and osteoporosis. New inhibitors of the related integrins αvβ6 and αvβ1 have recently come to the fore and are being investigated clinically for the treatment of fibrotic diseases, including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. The design of integrin drugs may now be at a turning point, with opportunities to learn from previous clinical trials, to explore new modalities and to incorporate new findings in pharmacological and structural biology. This Review intertwines research from biological, clinical and medicinal chemistry disciplines to discuss historical and current RGD-binding integrin drug discovery, with an emphasis on small-molecule inhibitors of the αv integrins. Integrins are key signalling molecules that are present on the surface of subsets of cells and are therefore good potential therapeutic targets. In this Review, Hatley and colleagues discuss the development of integrin inhibitors, particularly the challenges in developing inhibitors for integrins that contain an αv-subunit, and suggest how these challenges could be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - R G Jenkins
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
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176
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Humphries DC, Mills R, Dobie R, Henderson NC, Sethi T, Mackinnon AC. Selective Myeloid Depletion of Galectin-3 Offers Protection Against Acute and Chronic Lung Injury. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:715986. [PMID: 34526900 PMCID: PMC8435800 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.715986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is an immune regulator and an important driver of fibrosis in chronic lung injury, however, its role in acute lung injury (ALI) remains unknown. Previous work has shown that global deletion of galectin-3 reduces collagen deposition in a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis model (MacKinnon et al., Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., 2012, 185, 537–46). An inhaled Gal-3 inhibitor, GB0139, is undergoing Phase II clinical development for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). This work aims to elucidate the role of Gal-3 in the myeloid and mesenchymal compartment on the development of acute and chronic lung injury. Methods:LgalS3fl/fl mice were generated and crossed with mice expressing the myeloid (LysM) and mesenchymal (Pdgfrb) cre drivers to yield LysM-cre+/-/LgalS3fl/fl and Pdgfrb-cre+/-/LgalS3fl/fl mice. The response to acute (bleomycin or LPS) or chronic (bleomycin) lung injury was compared to globally deficient Gal-3−/− mice. Results: Myeloid depletion of Gal-3 led to a significant reduction in Gal-3 expression in alveolar macrophages and neutrophils and a reduction in neutrophil recruitment into the interstitium but not into the alveolar space. The reduction in interstitial neutrophils corelated with decreased levels of pulmonary inflammation following acute bleomycin and LPS administration. In addition, myeloid deletion decreased Gal-3 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and reduced lung fibrosis induced by chronic bleomycin. In contrast, no differences in BAL Gal-3 levels or fibrosis were observed in Pdgfrb-cre+/-/LgalS3fl/flmice. Conclusions: Myeloid cell derived Galectin-3 drives acute and chronic lung inflammation and supports direct targeting of galectin-3 as an attractive new therapy for lung inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duncan C Humphries
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Mills
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Dobie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil C Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Alison C Mackinnon
- Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Galecto Inc, Copenhagen, Denmark
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177
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Shen X, Hu L, Li Z, Wang L, Pang X, Wen CY, Tang B. Extracellular Calcium Ion Concentration Regulates Chondrocyte Elastic Modulus and Adhesion Behavior. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810034. [PMID: 34576195 PMCID: PMC8468569 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular calcium ion concentration levels increase in human osteoarthritic (OA) joints and contribute to OA pathogenesis. Given the fact that OA is a mechanical problem, the effect of the extracellular calcium level ([Ca2+]) on the mechanical behavior of primary human OA chondrocytes remains to be elucidated. Here, we measured the elastic modulus and cell–ECM adhesion forces of human primary chondrocytes with atomic force microscopy (AFM) at different extracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]) levels. With the [Ca2+] level increasing from the normal baseline level, the elastic modulus of chondrocytes showed a trend of an increase and a subsequent decrease at the level of [Ca2+], reaching 2.75 mM. The maximum increment of the elastic modulus of chondrocytes is a 37% increase at the peak point. The maximum unbinding force of cell-ECM adhesion increased by up to 72% at the peak point relative to the baseline level. qPCR and immunofluorescence also indicated that dose-dependent changes in the expression of myosin and integrin β1 due to the elevated [Ca2+] may be responsible for the variations in cell stiffness and cell-ECM adhesion. Scratch assay showed that the chondrocyte migration ability was modulated by cell stiffness and cell-ECM adhesion: as chondrocyte’s elastic modulus and cell-ECM adhesion force increased, the migration speed of chondrocytes decreased. Taken together, our results showed that [Ca2+] could regulate chondrocytes stiffness and cell-ECM adhesion, and consequently, influence cell migration, which is critical in cartilage repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingyu Shen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.S.); (L.H.)
| | - Liqiu Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.S.); (L.H.)
| | - Zhen Li
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China;
| | - Liyun Wang
- Center for Biomechanical Research, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA;
| | - Xiangchao Pang
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China;
| | - Chun-Yi Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Bin Tang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; (X.S.); (L.H.)
- Correspondence:
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178
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Turaga RC, Satyanarayana G, Sharma M, Yang JJ, Wang S, Liu C, Li S, Yang H, Grossniklaus H, Farris AB, Gracia-Sancho J, Liu ZR. Targeting integrin αvβ3 by a rationally designed protein for chronic liver disease treatment. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1087. [PMID: 34531529 PMCID: PMC8445973 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02611-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Liver Diseases (CLD) are characterized by abnormal accumulation of collagen fibrils, neo-angiogenesis, and sinusoidal remodeling. Collagen deposition along with intrahepatic angiogenesis and sinusoidal remodeling alters sinusoid structure resulting in portal hypertension, liver failure, and other complications. Efforts were made to develop treatments for CLDs. However, the success of such treatments is limited and unpredictable. We report a strategy for CLD treatment by induction of integrin αvβ3 mediated cell apoptosis using a rationally designed protein (ProAgio). ProAgio is designed to target integrin αvβ3 at a novel site. Integrin αvβ3 is highly expressed in activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC), angiogenic endothelium, and capillarized Liver Sinusoidal Endothelial Cells (LSEC). ProAgio induces apoptosis of these disease causative cells. Tests with liver fibrosis mouse models demonstrate that ProAgio reverses liver fibrosis and relieves blood flow resistance by depleting activated HSC and capillarized LSEC. Our studies demonstrate an effective approach for CLD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Chakra Turaga
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30324, USA
| | | | - Malvika Sharma
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30324, USA
| | - Jenny J Yang
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | | | | | - Sun Li
- Department of Chemistry, Georgia State University, Atlanta, USA
| | - Hua Yang
- Department Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | | | | | | | - Zhi-Ren Liu
- Department of Biology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30324, USA.
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179
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Freise C, Lee H, Chronowski C, Chan D, Cziomer J, Rühl M, Dagdelen T, Lösekann M, Erben U, Catic A, Tegge W, Schuppan D, Somasundaram R, Sahin E. Alpha-single chains of collagen type VI inhibit the fibrogenic effects of triple helical collagen VI in hepatic stellate cells. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254557. [PMID: 34473704 PMCID: PMC8412337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254557] [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: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The interaction of extracellular matrix (ECM) components with hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is thought to perpetuate fibrosis by stimulating signaling pathways that drive HSC activation, survival and proliferation. Consequently, disrupting the interaction between ECM and HSCs is considered a therapeutical avenue although respective targets and underlying mechanisms remain to be established. Here we have interrogated the interaction between type VI collagen (CVI) and HSCs based on the observation that CVI is 10-fold upregulated during fibrosis, closely associates with HSCs in vivo and promotes cell proliferation and cell survival in cancer cell lines. We exposed primary rat HSCs and a rat hepatic stellate cell line (CFSC) to soluble CVI and determined the rate of proliferation, apoptosis and fibrogenesis in the absence of any additional growth factors. We find that CVI in nanomolar concentrations prevents serum starvation-induced apoptosis. This potent anti-apoptotic effect is accompanied by induction of proliferation and acquisition of a pronounced pro-fibrogenic phenotype characterized by increased α-smooth muscle actin, TGF-β, collagen type I and TIMP-1 expression and diminished proteolytic MMP-13 expression. The CVI-HSC interaction can be disrupted with the monomeric α2(VI) and α3(VI) chains and abrogates the activating CVI effects. Further, functional relevant α3(VI)—derived 30 amino acid peptides lead to near-complete inhibition of the CVI effect. In conclusion, CVI serves as a potent mitogen and activating factor for HSCs. The antagonistic effects of the CVI monomeric chains and peptides point to linear peptide sequences that prevent activation of CVI receptors which may allow a targeted antifibrotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Freise
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Radiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hyunho Lee
- Huffington Center On Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christopher Chronowski
- Huffington Center On Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Doug Chan
- Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jessica Cziomer
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Rühl
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tarkan Dagdelen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Maik Lösekann
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ulrike Erben
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andre Catic
- Huffington Center On Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Werner Tegge
- Department of Chemical Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Detlef Schuppan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Institute of Translational Immunology and Research Center for Immune Therapy, University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany
| | - Rajan Somasundaram
- Department of Gastroenterology, Infectious Diseases and Rheumatology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ergun Sahin
- Huffington Center On Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
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180
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Wang SS, Tang XT, Lin M, Yuan J, Peng YJ, Yin X, Shang G, Ge G, Ren Z, Zhou BO. Perivenous Stellate Cells Are the Main Source of Myofibroblasts and Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Formed After Chronic Liver Injuries. Hepatology 2021; 74:1578-1594. [PMID: 33817801 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Studies of the identity and pathophysiology of fibrogenic HSCs have been hampered by a lack of genetic tools that permit specific and inducible fate-mapping of these cells in vivo. Here, by single-cell RNA sequencing of nonparenchymal cells from mouse liver, we identified transcription factor 21 (Tcf21) as a unique marker that restricted its expression to quiescent HSCs. APPROACH AND RESULTS Tracing Tcf21+ cells by Tcf21-CreER (Cre-Estrogen Receptor fusion protein under the control of Tcf21 gene promoter) targeted ~10% of all HSCs, most of which were located at periportal and pericentral zones. These HSCs were quiescent under steady state but became activated on injuries, generating 62%-67% of all myofibroblasts in fibrotic livers and ~85% of all cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in liver tumors. Conditional deletion of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 2 (Tgfbr2) by Tcf21-CreER blocked HSC activation, compromised liver fibrosis, and inhibited liver tumor progression. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, Tcf21-CreER-targeted perivenous stellate cells are the main source of myofibroblasts and CAFs in chronically injured livers. TGF-β signaling links HSC activation to liver fibrosis and tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan-Shan Wang
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Thomas Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Minghui Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Yuan
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Jacky Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiujuan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - GuoGuo Shang
- Department of Pathology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Gaoxiang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhenggang Ren
- Department of Hepatic Oncology, Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo O Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China
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181
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Interplay between extracellular matrix components and cellular and molecular mechanisms in kidney fibrosis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1999-2029. [PMID: 34427291 DOI: 10.1042/cs20201016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in renal structures. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is observed in glomerular diseases as well as in the regeneration failure of acute kidney injury (AKI). Therefore, finding antifibrotic therapies comprises an intensive research field in Nephrology. Nowadays, ECM is not only considered as a cellular scaffold, but also exerts important cellular functions. In this review, we describe the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in kidney fibrosis, paying particular attention to ECM components, profibrotic factors and cell-matrix interactions. In response to kidney damage, activation of glomerular and/or tubular cells may induce aberrant phenotypes characterized by overproduction of proinflammatory and profibrotic factors, and thus contribute to CKD progression. Among ECM components, matricellular proteins can regulate cell-ECM interactions, as well as cellular phenotype changes. Regarding kidney fibrosis, one of the most studied matricellular proteins is cellular communication network-2 (CCN2), also called connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), currently considered as a fibrotic marker and a potential therapeutic target. Integrins connect the ECM proteins to the actin cytoskeleton and several downstream signaling pathways that enable cells to respond to external stimuli in a coordinated manner and maintain optimal tissue stiffness. In kidney fibrosis, there is an increase in ECM deposition, lower ECM degradation and ECM proteins cross-linking, leading to an alteration in the tissue mechanical properties and their responses to injurious stimuli. A better understanding of these complex cellular and molecular events could help us to improve the antifibrotic therapies for CKD.
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182
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Sun T, Huang Z, Liang WC, Yin J, Lin WY, Wu J, Vernes JM, Lutman J, Caplazi P, Jeet S, Wong T, Wong M, DePianto DJ, Morshead KB, Sun KH, Modrusan Z, Vander Heiden JA, Abbas AR, Zhang H, Xu M, N'Diaye EN, Roose-Girma M, Wolters PJ, Yadav R, Sukumaran S, Ghilardi N, Corpuz R, Emson C, Meng YG, Ramalingam TR, Lupardus P, Brightbill HD, Seshasayee D, Wu Y, Arron JR. TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 isoforms drive fibrotic disease pathogenesis. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:13/605/eabe0407. [PMID: 34349032 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abe0407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a key driver of fibrogenesis. Three TGFβ isoforms (TGFβ1, TGFβ2, and TGFβ3) in mammals have distinct functions in embryonic development; however, the postnatal pathological roles and activation mechanisms of TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 have not been well characterized. Here, we show that the latent forms of TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 can be activated by integrin-independent mechanisms and have lower activation thresholds compared to TGFβ1. Unlike TGFB1, TGFB2 and TGFB3 expression is increased in human lung and liver fibrotic tissues compared to healthy control tissues. Thus, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 may play a pathological role in fibrosis. Inducible conditional knockout mice and anti-TGFβ isoform-selective antibodies demonstrated that TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 are independently involved in mouse fibrosis models in vivo, and selective TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 inhibition does not lead to the increased inflammation observed with pan-TGFβ isoform inhibition. A cocrystal structure of a TGFβ2-anti-TGFβ2/3 antibody complex reveals an allosteric isoform-selective inhibitory mechanism. Therefore, inhibiting TGFβ2 and/or TGFβ3 while sparing TGFβ1 may alleviate fibrosis without toxicity concerns associated with pan-TGFβ blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianhe Sun
- Department of Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
| | - Zhiyu Huang
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Wei-Ching Liang
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jianping Yin
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Wei Yu Lin
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jia Wu
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jean-Michel Vernes
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jeff Lutman
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Patrick Caplazi
- Department of Pathology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Surinder Jeet
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Tiffany Wong
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Manda Wong
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Daryle J DePianto
- Department of Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Katrina B Morshead
- Department of Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Kai-Hui Sun
- Department of Protein Sciences, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Zora Modrusan
- Department of Protein Sciences, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Jason A Vander Heiden
- Department of OMNI Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Alexander R Abbas
- Department of OMNI Bioinformatics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Elsa-Noah N'Diaye
- Department of Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Meron Roose-Girma
- Department of Molecular Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Paul J Wolters
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Rajbharan Yadav
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Siddharth Sukumaran
- Department of Preclinical and Translational Pharmacokinetics, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Nico Ghilardi
- Department of Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Racquel Corpuz
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Claire Emson
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Y Gloria Meng
- Department of Biochemical and Cellular Pharmacology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Thirumalai R Ramalingam
- Department of Biomarker Discovery OMNI, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Patrick Lupardus
- Department of Structural Biology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hans D Brightbill
- Department of Translational Immunology, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Dhaya Seshasayee
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Antibody Engineering, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Joseph R Arron
- Department of Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA.
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183
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CG223, a novel BET inhibitor, exerts TGF-β1-mediated antifibrotic effects in a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Pulm Pharmacol Ther 2021; 70:102057. [PMID: 34425215 DOI: 10.1016/j.pupt.2021.102057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. In this study, we evaluated the potential therapeutic effects of CG223, a novel inhibitor of bromodomain and extra-terminal motif (BET) proteins, on pulmonary fibrosis by focusing on the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) pathway. In a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, CG223 attenuated fibrosis while reducing the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the lungs. Fibroblasts expressing BRD4, a member of the BET protein family, were enriched in the tissue regions corresponding to bleomycin-induced fibrotic lesions. Additionally, pulmonary fibroblasts isolated from bleomycin-instilled mice showed a significantly increased association of BRD4 with the promoters of two pro-fibrotic genes linked to the entry into the TGF-β1 autocrine/paracrine loop, thrombospondin 1 (Thbs1) and integrin β3 (Itgb3), as well as with the promoter of a myofibroblast marker gene, actin alpha 2 (Acta2). Subsequent in vitro studies with murine primary lung fibroblasts showed that the mRNA induction of Thbs1, Itgb3, and Acta2 by TGF-β1 can be inhibited by CG223 in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, CG223-induced BRD4 inhibition suppressed lung fibrogenesis by affecting multiple genes, including those involved in the triggering of the TGF-β1 autocrine/paracrine loop.
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184
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Arora S, Thompson PJ, Wang Y, Bhattacharyya A, Apostolopoulou H, Hatano R, Naikawadi RP, Shah A, Wolters PJ, Koliwad S, Bhattacharya M, Bhushan A. Invariant Natural Killer T cells coordinate removal of senescent cells. MED 2021; 2:938-950. [PMID: 34617070 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Background The failure of immune surveillance to remove senescent cells drive age-related diseases. Here, we target an endogenous immune surveillance mechanism that can promote elimination of senescent cells and reverse disease progression. Methods We identify a class of lipid-activated T cells, invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) are involved in the removal of pathologic senescent cells. We use two disease models in which senescent cells accumulate to test whether activation of iNKT cells was sufficient to eliminate senescent cells in vivo. Findings Senescent preadipocytes accumulate in white adipose tissue of chronic high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice, and activation of iNKT cells with the prototypical glycolipid antigen alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) led to a reduction of these cells with improved glucose control. Similarly, senescent cells accumulate within the lungs of mice injured by inhalational bleomycin, and αGalCer-induced activation of iNKT cells greatly limited this accumulation, decreased the lung fibrosis and improved survival. Furthermore, co-culture experiments showed that the preferential cytotoxic activity of iNKT cells to senescent cells is conserved in human cells. Conclusions These results uncover a senolytic capacity of tissue-resident iNKT cells and pave the way for anti-senescence therapies that target these cells and their mechanism of activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shivani Arora
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Peter J Thompson
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Yao Wang
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Aritra Bhattacharyya
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143.,The Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
| | - Hara Apostolopoulou
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Rachel Hatano
- Deciduous Therapeutics, MBC Biolabs, San Francisco, CA, USA 94107
| | - Ram P Naikawadi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Ajit Shah
- Deciduous Therapeutics, MBC Biolabs, San Francisco, CA, USA 94107
| | - Paul J Wolters
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Suneil Koliwad
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
| | - Mallar Bhattacharya
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143.,The Sandler Asthma Basic Research Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA 94143
| | - Anil Bhushan
- Diabetes Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA 94143
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185
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Lagares D, Hinz B. Animal and Human Models of Tissue Repair and Fibrosis: An Introduction. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2299:277-290. [PMID: 34028750 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1382-5_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reductionist cell culture systems are not only convenient but essential to understand molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast activation and action in carefully controlled conditions. However, tissue myofibroblasts do not act in isolation and the complexity of tissue repair and fibrosis in humans cannot be captured even by the most elaborate culture models. Over the past five decades, numerous animal models have been developed to study different aspects of myofibroblast biology and interactions with other cells and extracellular matrix. The underlying principles can be broadly classified into: (1) organ injury by trauma such as prototypical full thickness skin wounds or burns; (2) mechanical challenges, such as pressure overload of the heart by ligature of the aorta or the pulmonary vein; (3) toxic injury, such as administration of bleomycin to lungs and carbon tetrachloride to the liver; (4) organ infection with viruses, bacteria, and parasites, such as nematode infections of liver; (5) cytokine and inflammatory models, including local delivery or viral overexpression of active transforming growth factor beta; (6) "lifestyle" and metabolic models such as high-fat diet; and (7) various genetic models. We will briefly summarize the most widely used mouse models used to study myofibroblasts in tissue repair and fibrosis as well as genetic tools for manipulating myofibroblast repair functions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lagares
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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186
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Integrin αv and Vitronectin Prime Macrophage-Related Inflammation and Contribute the Development of Dry Eye Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168410. [PMID: 34445121 PMCID: PMC8395123 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell signaling mediated by the αv integrin plays a pivotal role in macrophage activation in various inflammatory processes, but its involvement in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease (DED) remains unclear. In a murine model of DED, we found increased αv integrin expression in ocular surface macrophages. The αv integrins inhibitor c(RGDfK) ameliorated the corneal damage caused by DED, suggesting a pathogenic role for αv integrin. Because tear hyperosmolarity induces ocular inflammation in DED, a hyperosmolar culture of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) is used to reproduce inflammation in vitro. However, the expression of proinflammatory cytokine mRNA was minimal, even though αv integrin was induced. In searching for components that are involved in αv integrin-mediated inflammation but that are missing from the culture model, we showed that the levels of vitronectin (VTN), a binding ligand of αv integrins, were increased in the tear fluid and conjunctival stroma of DED animals. The addition of VTN prominently enhanced hyperosmolarity-induced inflammation in BMDMs. Mechanistically, we showed that VTN/αv integrins mediated NF-κB activation to induce inflammatory gene expression in the BMDMs. Our findings indicate that interaction the of VTN with αv integrins is a crucial step in the inflammatory process in DED and suggests a novel therapeutic target.
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187
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Henderson J, O'Reilly S. The emerging role of metabolism in fibrosis. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2021; 32:639-653. [PMID: 34024695 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2021.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The metabolic shift that cancer cells undergo towards aerobic glycolysis was identified as a defining feature in tumours almost 100 years ago; however, it has only recently become apparent that similar metabolic reprogramming is a key feature in other diseases - with fibrosis now entering the fray. In this perspective, an overview of the recent evidence implicating increased glycolysis and glutaminolysis as mediators of fibrosis is presented, with a particular emphasis on the novel therapeutic possibilities this introduces. Furthermore, the impact that metabolic reprogramming has on redox homeostasis is discussed, providing an insight into how this often-overlooked mechanism may drive the pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Henderson
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
| | - Steven O'Reilly
- Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK. steven.o'
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188
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Myofibroblasts: Function, Formation, and Scope of Molecular Therapies for Skin Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081095. [PMID: 34439762 PMCID: PMC8391320 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are contractile, α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells with multiple roles in pathophysiological processes. Myofibroblasts mediate wound contractions, but their persistent presence in tissues is central to driving fibrosis, making them attractive cell targets for the development of therapeutic treatments. However, due to shared cellular markers with several other phenotypes, the specific targeting of myofibroblasts has long presented a scientific and clinical challenge. In recent years, myofibroblasts have drawn much attention among scientific research communities from multiple disciplines and specialisations. As further research uncovers the characterisations of myofibroblast formation, function, and regulation, the realisation of novel interventional routes for myofibroblasts within pathologies has emerged. The research community is approaching the means to finally target these cells, to prevent fibrosis, accelerate scarless wound healing, and attenuate associated disease-processes in clinical settings. This comprehensive review article describes the myofibroblast cell phenotype, their origins, and their diverse physiological and pathological functionality. Special attention has been given to mechanisms and molecular pathways governing myofibroblast differentiation, and updates in molecular interventions.
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189
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Xu D, Li T, Wang R, Mu R. Expression and Pathogenic Analysis of Integrin Family Genes in Systemic Sclerosis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:674523. [PMID: 34355002 PMCID: PMC8329247 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.674523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Emerging evidence shows that integrin members are involved in inflammation and fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study aimed at evaluating the expression of integrin family genes in the skin tissue from SSc patients and exploring the potential pathogenic mechanism. Methods: We utilized the public datasets of SSc skin tissue from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database to analyze the expression and clinical significance of integrin family genes in SSc. The expression of integrin members in skin tissue was also assessed by immunohistochemistry. In addition, functional enrichment and pathway analysis were conducted. Results: Compared with healthy controls, the mRNA and protein levels of ITGA5, ITGB2, and ITGB5 were upregulated in the skin of SSc patients. Further analysis indicated that the mRNA expression levels of ITGA5, ITGB2, and ITGB5 were positively correlated with modified Rodnan skin thickness score (mRSS). Functional enrichment and pathway analysis showed that integrin members may play multiple roles in the pathogenesis of SSc. Among them, ITGA5, ITGB2, and ITGB5 might synergistically promote SSc through affecting extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, ECM–receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and leukocyte trans-endothelial migration, while ITGA5 and ITGB5 also might affect angiogenesis and endothelial cell function. In addition, ITGA5, ITGB2, and ITGA5 were associated with different pathways, respectively. ITGA5 was uniquely enriched for actin organization, while ITGB5 was for TGF-β signaling and ITGB2 for immune cell activation. Conclusion: Our results implied that the abnormal expression of integrin family genes including ITGA5, ITGB2, and ITGB5 may participate in multiple pathological processes in SSc. Further investigations are required for confirming this speculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ting Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ruikang Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Mu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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190
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Implant Fibrosis and the Underappreciated Role of Myofibroblasts in the Foreign Body Reaction. Cells 2021; 10:cells10071794. [PMID: 34359963 PMCID: PMC8304203 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Body implants and implantable medical devices have dramatically improved and prolonged the life of countless patients. However, our body repair mechanisms have evolved to isolate, reject, or destroy any object that is recognized as foreign to the organism and inevitably mounts a foreign body reaction (FBR). Depending on its severity and chronicity, the FBR can impair implant performance or create severe clinical complications that will require surgical removal and/or replacement of the faulty device. The number of review articles discussing the FBR seems to be proportional to the number of different implant materials and clinical applications and one wonders, what else is there to tell? We will here take the position of a fibrosis researcher (which, coincidentally, we are) to elaborate similarities and differences between the FBR, normal wound healing, and chronic healing conditions that result in the development of peri-implant fibrosis. After giving credit to macrophages in the inflammatory phase of the FBR, we will mainly focus on the activation of fibroblastic cells into matrix-producing and highly contractile myofibroblasts. While fibrosis has been discussed to be a consequence of the disturbed and chronic inflammatory milieu in the FBR, direct activation of myofibroblasts at the implant surface is less commonly considered. Thus, we will provide a perspective how physical properties of the implant surface control myofibroblast actions and accumulation of stiff scar tissue. Because formation of scar tissue at the surface and around implant materials is a major reason for device failure and extraction surgeries, providing implant surfaces with myofibroblast-suppressing features is a first step to enhance implant acceptance and functional lifetime. Alternative therapeutic targets are elements of the myofibroblast mechanotransduction and contractile machinery and we will end with a brief overview on such targets that are considered for the treatment of other organ fibroses.
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191
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Richter ML, Deligiannis IK, Yin K, Danese A, Lleshi E, Coupland P, Vallejos CA, Matchett KP, Henderson NC, Colome-Tatche M, Martinez-Jimenez CP. Single-nucleus RNA-seq2 reveals functional crosstalk between liver zonation and ploidy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4264. [PMID: 34253736 PMCID: PMC8275628 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24543-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Single-cell RNA-seq reveals the role of pathogenic cell populations in development and progression of chronic diseases. In order to expand our knowledge on cellular heterogeneity, we have developed a single-nucleus RNA-seq2 method tailored for the comprehensive analysis of the nuclear transcriptome from frozen tissues, allowing the dissection of all cell types present in the liver, regardless of cell size or cellular fragility. We use this approach to characterize the transcriptional profile of individual hepatocytes with different levels of ploidy, and have discovered that ploidy states are associated with different metabolic potential, and gene expression in tetraploid mononucleated hepatocytes is conditioned by their position within the hepatic lobule. Our work reveals a remarkable crosstalk between gene dosage and spatial distribution of hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Richter
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - I K Deligiannis
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - K Yin
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - A Danese
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - E Lleshi
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - P Coupland
- University of Cambridge, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - C A Vallejos
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - K P Matchett
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - N C Henderson
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics & Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - M Colome-Tatche
- Institute of Computational Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
- TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany.
- Biomedical Center (BMC), Physiological Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
| | - C P Martinez-Jimenez
- Helmholtz Pioneer Campus (HPC), Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.
- TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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192
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Kocic G, Gajic M, Tomovic K, Hadzi-Djokic J, Anderluh M, Smelcerovic A. Purine adducts as a presumable missing link for aristolochic acid nephropathy-related cellular energy crisis, potential anti-fibrotic prevention and treatment. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:4411-4427. [PMID: 34235731 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Aristolochic acid nephropathy is a progressive exposome-induced disease characterized by tubular atrophy and fibrosis culminating in end-stage renal disease and malignancies. The molecular mechanisms of the energy crisis as a putative cause of fibrosis have not yet been elucidated. In light of the fact that aristolochic acid forms DNA and RNA adducts by covalent binding of aristolochic acid metabolites to exocyclic amino groups of (deoxy)adenosine and (deoxy)guanosine, we hypothesize here that similar aristolochic acid adducts may exist with other purine-containing molecules. We also provide new insights into the aristolochic acid-induced energy crisis and presumably a link between already known mechanisms. In addition, an overview of potential targets in fibrosis treatment is provided, which is followed by recommendations on possible preventive measures that could be taken to at least postpone or partially alleviate aristolochic acid nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordana Kocic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Mihajlo Gajic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Katarina Tomovic
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | | | - Marko Anderluh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrija Smelcerovic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia
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193
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Reductions in AFP and PIVKA-II can predict the efficiency of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in HCC patients. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:775. [PMID: 34218801 PMCID: PMC8254996 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08428-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Few biomarkers can predict the efficiency of PD-1 blockade in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of AFP and PIVKA-II in HCC patients receiving anti-PD-1 immunotherapy. METHODS A total of 235 HCC patients treated with PD-1 blockade were enrolled. Serum AFP and PIVKA-II levels were collected before and after treatments. The patients were divided into groups based on the reduction in AFP and PIVKA-II: AFP reduction ≤50% vs AFP reduction > 50% and PIVKA-II reduction ≤50% vs PIVKA-II reduction > 50%. The primary endpoints included objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Binary logistic regression analyses were used to explore the related factors of ORR. A Cox proportional hazards model was employed to identify the potential prognostic factors of PFS and OS. RESULTS Among all the patients, 34.9% (82/235) achieved a complete or partial response. There was a positive correlation between AFP reduction > 50% or PIVKA-II reduction> 50% and the ORR of PD-1 blockade (P < 0.001 and = 0.003). PFS was significantly improved in patients with AFP reduction > 50% and PIVKA-II reduction > 50% (p < 0.001 and = 0.021). In addition, AFP reduction > 50% and PIVKA-II reduction> 50% were positively correlated with longer OS (p = 0.003 and 0.006). CONCLUSION Early reductions in AFP and PIVKA-II can be predictors of the efficacy of PD-1 blockade in HCC patients.
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194
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Dodagatta-Marri E, Ma HY, Liang B, Li J, Meyer DS, Chen SY, Sun KH, Ren X, Zivak B, Rosenblum MD, Headley MB, Pinzas L, Reed NI, Del Cid JS, Hann BC, Yang S, Giddabasappa A, Noorbehesht K, Yang B, Dal Porto J, Tsukui T, Niessen K, Atakilit A, Akhurst RJ, Sheppard D. Integrin αvβ8 on T cells suppresses anti-tumor immunity in multiple models and is a promising target for tumor immunotherapy. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109309. [PMID: 34233193 PMCID: PMC8321414 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
αvβ8 integrin, a key activator of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), inhibits anti-tumor immunity. We show that a potent blocking monoclonal antibody against αvβ8 (ADWA-11) causes growth suppression or complete regression in syngeneic models of squamous cell carcinoma, mammary cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer, especially when combined with other immunomodulators or radiotherapy. αvβ8 is expressed at the highest levels in CD4+CD25+ T cells in tumors, and specific deletion of β8 from T cells is as effective as ADWA-11 in suppressing tumor growth. ADWA-11 increases expression of a suite of genes in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells normally inhibited by TGF-β and involved in tumor cell killing, including granzyme B and interferon-γ. The in vitro cytotoxic effect of tumor CD8 T cells is inhibited by CD4+CD25+ cells, and this suppressive effect is blocked by ADWA-11. These findings solidify αvβ8 integrin as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy. TGF-β suppresses anti-tumor immunity. Dodagatta-Marri, Ma et al. show that the TGF-β-activating integrin αvβ8 is expressed on CD25+CD4+ tumor T cells and suppresses anti-tumor immunity by CD8+ T cells. Blocking this integrin enhances tumor cell killing and synergizes with multiple immune modulators or radiotherapy to induce long-term anti-tumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eswari Dodagatta-Marri
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hsiao-Yen Ma
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Benjia Liang
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan 250021, Shandong, China
| | - John Li
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dominique S Meyer
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Szu-Ying Chen
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kai-Hui Sun
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xin Ren
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bahar Zivak
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael D Rosenblum
- Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark B Headley
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Pinzas
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Nilgun I Reed
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Joselyn S Del Cid
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Byron C Hann
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Sharon Yang
- Comparative Medicine, Pfizer Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Bing Yang
- Oncology Research Unit, Pfizer Inc., Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Joseph Dal Porto
- Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tatsuya Tsukui
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kyle Niessen
- Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Amha Atakilit
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Rosemary J Akhurst
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Department of Anatomy, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Dean Sheppard
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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195
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Dai X, Zeng Y, Zhang H, Gu Z, Gong Q, Luo K. Advances on Nanomedicines for Diagnosis and Theranostics of Hepatic Fibrosis. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202000091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xinghang Dai
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- West China School of Medicine Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Yujun Zeng
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Amgen Bioprocessing Centre Keck Graduate Institute CA 91711 USA
| | - Zhongwei Gu
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Qiyong Gong
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Kui Luo
- Huaxi MR Research Center (HMRRC) Department of Radiology Functional and molecular imaging Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province West China Hospital Sichuan University Chengdu 610041 China
- Research Unit of Psychoradiology Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Chengdu 610041 China
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196
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The mechanism of increased intestinal palmitic acid absorption and its impact on hepatic stellate cell activation in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13380. [PMID: 34183709 PMCID: PMC8239050 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92790-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Dietary palmitic acid (PA) promotes liver fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Herein, we clarified the intestinal absorption kinetics of dietary PA and effect of trans-portal PA on the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) involved in liver fibrosis in NASH. Blood PA levels after meals were significantly increased in patients with NASH compared to those in the control. Expression of genes associated with fat absorption and chylomicron formation, such as CD36 and MTP, was significantly increased in the intestine of NASH model rats compared with that in the controls. Plasma levels of glucagon-like peptide-2, involved in the upregulation of CD36 expression, were elevated in NASH rats compared with those in the controls. Furthermore, portal PA levels after meals in NASH rats were significantly higher than those in control and nonalcoholic fatty liver rats. Moreover, PA injection into the portal vein to the liver in control rats increased the mRNA levels associated with the activation of HSCs. Increased intestinal absorption of diet-derived PA was observed in NASH. Thus, the rapid increase in PA levels via the portal vein to the liver may activate HSCs and affect the development of liver fibrosis in NASH.
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197
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Kemper M, Schiecke A, Maar H, Nikulin S, Poloznikov A, Galatenko V, Tachezy M, Gebauer F, Lange T, Riecken K, Tonevitsky A, Aigner A, Izbicki J, Schumacher U, Wicklein D. Integrin alpha-V is an important driver in pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH : CR 2021; 40:214. [PMID: 34174926 PMCID: PMC8235815 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-021-01946-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Mesothelial E- and P-selectins substantially mediate the intraperitoneal spread of Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) cells in xenograft models. In the absence of selectins in the host, the integrin subunit alpha-V (ITGAV, CD51) was upregulated in the remaining metastatic deposits. Here we present the first experimental study to investigate if ITGAV plays a functional role in PDA tumor growth and progression with a particular focus on intraperitoneal carcinomatosis. Methods Knockdown of ITGAV was generated using an RNA interference-mediated approach in two PDA cell lines. Tumor growth, intraperitoneal and distant metastasis were analyzed in a xenograft model. Cell lines were characterized in vitro. Gene expression of the xenograft tumors was analyzed. Patient samples were histologically classified and associations to survival were evaluated. Results The knockdown of ITGAV in PDA cells strongly reduces primary tumor growth, peritoneal carcinomatosis and spontaneous pulmonary metastasis. ITGAV activates latent TGF-β and thereby drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Combined depletion of ITGAV on the tumor cells and E- and P-selectins in the tumor-host synergistically almost abolishes intraperitoneal spread. Accordingly, high expression of ITGAV in PDA cells was associated with reduced survival in patients. Conclusion Combined depletion of ITGAV in PDA cells and E- and P-selectins in host mice massively suppresses intraperitoneal carcinomatosis of PDA cells xenografted into immunodeficient mice, confirming the hypothesis of a partly redundant adhesion cascade of metastasizing cancer cells. Our data strongly encourage developing novel therapeutic approaches for the combined targeting of E- and P-selectins and ITGAV in PDA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13046-021-01946-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marius Kemper
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. .,Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Alina Schiecke
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hanna Maar
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sergey Nikulin
- Dmitry Rogachev Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrey Poloznikov
- Dmitry Rogachev Federal Research Center of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Galatenko
- Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Michael Tachezy
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Florian Gebauer
- Department of General, Visceral and Tumor Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Tobias Lange
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kristoffer Riecken
- Research Department Cell and Gene Therapy, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Tonevitsky
- Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Achim Aigner
- Rudolf-Boehm-Institute for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Clinical Pharmacology, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jakob Izbicki
- Department of General, Visceral and Thoracic Surgery, University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Udo Schumacher
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Wicklein
- Institute of Anatomy and Experimental Morphology, University Medical-Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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198
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Alsamman S, Christenson SA, Yu A, Ayad NME, Mooring MS, Segal JM, Hu JKH, Schaub JR, Ho SS, Rao V, Marlow MM, Turner SM, Sedki M, Pantano L, Ghoshal S, Ferreira DDS, Ma HY, Duwaerts CC, Espanol-Suner R, Wei L, Newcomb B, Mileva I, Canals D, Hannun YA, Chung RT, Mattis AN, Fuchs BC, Tager AM, Yimlamai D, Weaver VM, Mullen AC, Sheppard D, Chen JY. Targeting acid ceramidase inhibits YAP/TAZ signaling to reduce fibrosis in mice. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/557/eaay8798. [PMID: 32817366 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aay8798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) drive hepatic fibrosis. Therapies that inactivate HSCs have clinical potential as antifibrotic agents. We previously identified acid ceramidase (aCDase) as an antifibrotic target. We showed that tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) reduce hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting aCDase and increasing the bioactive sphingolipid ceramide. We now demonstrate that targeting aCDase inhibits YAP/TAZ activity by potentiating its phosphorylation-mediated proteasomal degradation via the ubiquitin ligase adaptor protein β-TrCP. In mouse models of fibrosis, pharmacologic inhibition of aCDase or genetic knockout of aCDase in HSCs reduces fibrosis, stromal stiffness, and YAP/TAZ activity. In patients with advanced fibrosis, aCDase expression in HSCs is increased. Consistently, a signature of the genes most down-regulated by ceramide identifies patients with advanced fibrosis who could benefit from aCDase targeting. The findings implicate ceramide as a critical regulator of YAP/TAZ signaling and HSC activation and highlight aCDase as a therapeutic target for the treatment of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Alsamman
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Stephanie A Christenson
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Amy Yu
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Nadia M E Ayad
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Meghan S Mooring
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Joe M Segal
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Jimmy Kuang-Hsien Hu
- Division of Oral Biology & Medicine, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | | | - Steve S Ho
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Vikram Rao
- Pliant Therapeutics, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | | | - Mai Sedki
- Internal Medicine, Kaiser Permanente, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA
| | - Lorena Pantano
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Sarani Ghoshal
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Diego Dos Santos Ferreira
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Institute for Innovation in Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Hsiao-Yen Ma
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Caroline C Duwaerts
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA.,Liver Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Regina Espanol-Suner
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Lan Wei
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Benjamin Newcomb
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Izolda Mileva
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Daniel Canals
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Yusuf A Hannun
- Departments of Medicine and Biochemistry and Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Aras N Mattis
- Liver Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Bryan C Fuchs
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrew M Tager
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Fibrosis Research Center, and Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Dean Yimlamai
- Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Valerie M Weaver
- Center for Bioengineering and Tissue Regeneration, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,UC Berkeley-UCSF Graduate Program in Bioengineering, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.,Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Alan C Mullen
- Liver Center, Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Dean Sheppard
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA. .,Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Jennifer Y Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94115, USA. .,Liver Center, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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199
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Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and systemic sclerosis: pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:5527-5542. [PMID: 34145462 PMCID: PMC8212897 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03874-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases take a very heavy toll in terms of morbidity and mortality equal to or even greater than that caused by metastatic cancer. In this review, we examine the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases, mainly addressing triggers for induction, processes that lead to progression, therapies and therapeutic trials. For the most part, we have focused on two fibrotic diseases with lung involvement, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, in which the contribution of inflammatory mechanisms may be secondary to non-immune triggers, and systemic sclerosis in which the contribution of adaptive immunity may be predominant.
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200
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Inhibition of Cancer Cell Adhesion, Migration and Proliferation by a Bispecific Antibody that Targets two Distinct Epitopes on αv Integrins. J Mol Biol 2021; 433:167090. [PMID: 34090922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2021.167090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Members of the αv family of integrins regulate activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and are directly involved in pro-tumorigenic phenotypes. Thus, αv integrins may be therapeutic targets for fibrosis and cancer, yet the isolation of selective inhibitors is currently a challenge. We generated synthetic antibodies selective for αv integrins by phage display selections on cell lines that displayed integrin heterodimers. We identified antibodies that targeted two distinct epitopes on cell-surface αv integrins and partially inhibited cell adhesion mediated by interactions between integrins and the latency-associated peptide, part of the pro-form of TGFβ. Using the isolated antibody paratope sequences we engineered a bispecific antibody capable of binding to both epitopes simultaneously; this antibody potently and completely inhibited cell adhesion mediated by integrins αvβ1, αvβ3 and αvβ5. In addition, the bispecific antibody inhibited proliferation and migration of lung carcinoma lines, where the highest and lowest potencies observed correlated with integrin-αv cell surface expression levels. Taken together, our results demonstrate that phage display selections with live cells can yield high quality anti-integrin antibodies, which we used as biparatopic building blocks to construct a bispecific antibody that strongly inhibited integrin function and may be a therapeutic candidate for cancer and fibrosis.
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