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Shen J, Yu SF, Peng M, Lai DH, Hide G, Wu ZD, Lun ZR. iNOS is essential to maintain a protective Th1/Th2 response and the production of cytokines/chemokines against Schistosoma japonicum infection in rats. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2022; 16:e0010403. [PMID: 35584107 PMCID: PMC9116669 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0010403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans and a wide range of mammals are generally susceptible to Schistosoma infection, while some rodents such as Rattus rats and Microtus spp are not. We previously demonstrated that inherent high expression levels of nitric oxide (NO), produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), plays an important role in blocking the growth and development of Schistosoma japonicum in wild-type rats. However, the potential regulatory effects of NO on the immune system and immune response to S. japonicum infection in rats are still unknown. In this study, we used iNOS-knockout (KO) rats to determine the role of iNOS-derived NO in the immune system and immunopathological responses to S. japonicum infection in rats. Our data showed that iNOS deficiency led to weakened immune activity against S. japonicum infection. This was characterized by the impaired T cell responses and a significant decrease in S. japonicum-elicited Th2/Th1 responses and cytokine and chemokine-producing capability in the infected iNOS-KO rats. Unlike iNOS-KO mice, Th1-associated cytokines were also decreased in the absence of iNOS in rats. In addition, a profile of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrogenic cytokines was detected in serum associated with iNOS deficiency. The alterations in immune responses and cytokine patterns were correlated with a slower clearance of parasites, exacerbated granuloma formation, and fibrosis following S. japonicum infection in iNOS-KO rats. Furthermore, we have provided direct evidence that high levels of NO in rats can promote the development of pulmonary fibrosis induced by egg antigens of S. japonicum, but not inflammation, which was negatively correlated with the expression of TGF-β3. These studies are the first description of the immunological and pathological profiles in iNOS-KO rats infected with S. japonicum and demonstrate key differences between the responses found in mice. Our results significantly enhance our understanding of the immunoregulatory effects of NO on defensive and immunopathological responses in rats and the broader nature of resistance to pathogens such as S. japonicum. Schistosomiasis is a zoonosis that affects more than 200 million people worldwide. A wide range of mammals, including mice, are permissive hosts of Schistosoma and develop chronic disease characterized by egg-granuloma formation and fibrosis after infection. Rats, on the other hand, are non-permissive hosts and develop efficient immune responses to eliminate the worms. Interestingly, schistosome eggs elicit a dominant Th2 immune response within mouse hosts, whereas rats with schistosomiasis develop a significant Th2 response in the absence of available egg production. The Th2 response in rats seems to play an essential role in the protection of the host against Schistosoma. So far, the factors that lead to the different immune responses to Schistosoma infection in both hosts have not been demonstrated. In this study, our results show that an iNOS-dependent mechanism maintains the function of the immune system in rats by modulating CD4+ T cell-mediated Th1/Th2-associated cytokine responses and chemokine production. Additionally, the absence of iNOS led to slow clearance of parasites, increases in the development of worms, and an exacerbation of granuloma formation and fibrosis in rats. Furthermore, high levels of NO in rats can promote the development of fibrosis induced by inflammation (rapid inflammatory repair). Therefore, this study demonstrates that the difference in iNOS levels between mice and rats is responsible for the different immune responses and outcomes induced by schistosome infection in both hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Shen
- Department of Parasitology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Si-fei Yu
- Clinical Research Institute, The First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, P.R. China
| | - Mei Peng
- Department of Parasitology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - De-Hua Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
| | - Geoff Hide
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Centre and Biomedical Research Centre, School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom
| | - Zhong-Dao Wu
- Department of Parasitology and Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control (SYSU), Ministry of Education, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Biological Vector Control, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (Z-DW); (Z-RL)
| | - Zhao-Rong Lun
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, P.R. China
- * E-mail: (Z-DW); (Z-RL)
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Escasany E, Lanzón B, García-Carrasco A, Izquierdo-Lahuerta A, Torres L, Corrales P, Rodríguez Rodríguez AE, Luis-Lima S, Martínez Álvarez C, Javier Ruperez F, Ros M, Porrini E, Rydén M, Medina-Gómez G. Transforming growth factor β3 deficiency promotes defective lipid metabolism and fibrosis in murine kidney. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:271939. [PMID: 34431499 PMCID: PMC8489029 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.048249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis are pathological features of chronic kidney disease. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a key player in the development of fibrosis. However, of the three known TGFβ isoforms, only TGFβ1 has an established role in fibrosis, and the pathophysiological relevance of TGFβ2 and TGFβ3 is unknown. Because Tgfb3 deficiency in mice results in early postnatal lethality, we analyzed the kidney phenotype of heterozygous Tgfb3-knockout mice (Tgfb3+/−) and compared it with that of matched wild-type mice. Four-month-old Tgfb3+/− mice exhibited incipient renal fibrosis with epithelial–mesenchymal transition, in addition to glomerular basement membrane thickening and podocyte foot process effacement associated with albuminuria. Also evident was insulin resistance and oxidative stress at the renal level, together with aberrant renal lipid metabolism and mitochondrial function. Omics analysis revealed toxic species, such as diacylglycerides and ceramides, and dysregulated mitochondrial metabolism in Tgfb3+/− mice. Kidneys of Tgfb3+/− mice showed morphological alterations of mitochondria and overactivation of non-canonical MAPK ERK1/2 and JNK cascades. Our study indicates that renal TGFβ3 might have antifibrotic and renoprotective properties, opposing or counteracting the activity of TGFβ1. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper. Summary: Our study describes the renal abnormalities of heterozygous Tgfb3-targeted mice and suggests that TGFβ3 is renoprotective and may counteract the activity of TGFβ1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Escasany
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Borja Lanzón
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena García-Carrasco
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adriana Izquierdo-Lahuerta
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucía Torres
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Corrales
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Sergio Luis-Lima
- IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Departamento de Nefrología e Hipertensión, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Concepción Martínez Álvarez
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Ruperez
- Centro de Metabolómica y Bioanálisis (CEMBIO), Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, Boadilla del Monte, 28660 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Ros
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | - Esteban Porrini
- Universidad La Laguna, Instituto Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), 38200 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Mikael Rydén
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, 141 86 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gema Medina-Gómez
- Lipobeta group, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain.,LAFEMEX laboratory, Área de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Avda. de Atenas s/n, Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
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Establishment and gene expression analysis of disease-derived induced pluripotent stem cells of scleroderma. J Dermatol Sci 2016; 84:186-196. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2016.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 07/16/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Cipriani P, Di Benedetto P, Dietrich H, Ruscitti P, Liakouli V, Carubbi F, Pantano I, Berardicurti O, Sgonc R, Giacomelli R. Searching for a good model for systemic sclerosis: the molecular profile and vascular changes occurring in UCD-200 chickens strongly resemble the early phase of human systemic sclerosis. Arch Med Sci 2016; 12:828-43. [PMID: 27478465 PMCID: PMC4947628 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2016.60970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vascular injury and endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis are the earliest events in systemic sclerosis (SSc), before the onset of fibrosis, and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGFA), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and platelet-derived growth factors (PDGF-BB) represent the key molecules to study the link between vascular injury and fibrosis during SSc. The University of California at Davis line 200 (UCD-200) chickens display the same hallmarks of human SSc: vascular occlusion, perivascular lymphocytic infiltration and fibrosis of skin and internal organs. In this study we assessed both cytokines and growth factors involved in the early phases of the UCD-200 chickens' skin lesions, to determine whether these animals might represent an appropriate experimental model to study the pathogenesis of SSc. MATERIAL AND METHODS Immunofluorescence analysis was performed on human SSc skin, human healthy control (hHC) skin, UCD-200 combs and HC H.B15 chicken (cHC) combs, using anti-SDF-1, CXCR4, VEGFA, VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1), VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), ET-1, ET receptor A (ETAR), ET receptor B (ETBR), PDGF-BB, and PDGF receptor (PDGFR) antibodies. The plasma concentrations of SDF-1, VEGFA, ET-1 and PDGF-BB were determined by ELISA. RESULTS All the molecules analyzed showed higher levels in SSc patients and UCD-200 chickens than in hHC and cHC. Furthermore, the levels of the assessed molecules paralleled the severity of comb involvement. CONCLUSIONS The molecular similarities between avian and human SSc, observed in this study, suggest that the UCD-200 chickens are an interesting model for translational approaches to SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Cipriani
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Paola Di Benedetto
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Hermann Dietrich
- Central Laboratory Animal Facilities, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Piero Ruscitti
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Vasiliki Liakouli
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Francesco Carubbi
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Ilenia Pantano
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Onorina Berardicurti
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Roswitha Sgonc
- Division of Experimental Pathophysiology and Immunology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Roberto Giacomelli
- Department of Applied Clinical Sciences and Biotechnology, Rheumatology Unit, School of Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
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Sureshbabu A, Muhsin SA, Choi ME. TGF-β signaling in the kidney: profibrotic and protective effects. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2016; 310:F596-F606. [PMID: 26739888 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00365.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is generally considered as a central mediator of fibrotic diseases. Indeed, much focus has been placed on inhibiting TGF-β and its downstream targets as ideal therapeutic strategies. However, pharmacological blockade of TGF-β has not yet translated into successful therapy for humans, which may be due to pleiotropic effects of TGF-β signaling. Equally, TGF-β signaling as a protective response in kidney injury has been relatively underexplored. An emerging body of evidence from experimental kidney disease models indicates multifunctionality of TGF-β capable of inducing profibrotic and protective effects. This review discusses recent advances highlighting the diverse roles of TGF-β in promoting not only renal fibrosis but also protective responses of TGF-β signaling. We review, in particular, growing evidence that supports protective effects of TGF-β by mechanisms which include inhibiting inflammation and induction of autophagy. Additional detailed studies are required to fully understand the diverse mechanisms of TGF-β actions in renal fibrosis and inflammation that will likely direct toward effective antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angara Sureshbabu
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York; and
| | - Saif A Muhsin
- New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Mary E Choi
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Joan and Sanford I. Weill Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York; and .,New York-Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York
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Arts MR, Baron M, Chokr N, Fritzler MJ, Servant MJ. Systemic sclerosis immunoglobulin induces growth and a pro-fibrotic state in vascular smooth muscle cells through the epidermal growth factor receptor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100035. [PMID: 24927197 PMCID: PMC4057313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It has been suggested that autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis (SSc) may induce the differentiation of cultured fibroblasts into myofibroblasts through platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) activation. The present study aims to characterize the effects of SSc IgG on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and to determine if stimulatory autoantibodies directed to the PDGFR can be detected, and whether they induce a profibrotic response in primary cultured VSMCs. METHODS Cultured VSMCs were exposed to IgG fractions purified from SSc-patient or control sera. VSMC responses were then analyzed for ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation, PDGFR immunoprecipitation, cellular proliferation, protein synthesis, and pro-fibrotic changes in mRNA expression. RESULTS Stimulatory activity in IgG fractions was more prevalent and intense in the SSc samples. SSc IgG immunoprecipitated the PDGFR with greater avidity than control IgG. Interestingly, activation of downstream signaling events (e.g. Akt, ERK1/2) was independent of PDGFR activity, but required functional EGFR. We also detected increased protein synthesis in response to SSc IgG (p<0.001) and pro-fibrotic changes in gene expression (Tgfb1 +200%; Tgfb2 -23%; p<0.001)) in VSMCs treated with SSc IgG. CONCLUSION When compared to control IgG, SSc IgG have a higher stimulation index in VSMCs. Although SSc IgG interact with the PDGFR, the observed remodeling signaling events occur through the EGFR in VSMC. Our data thus favour a model of transactivation of the EGFR by SSc-derived PDGFR autoantibodies and suggest the use of EGFR inhibitors in future target identification studies in the field of SSc.
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MESH Headings
- Adult
- Animals
- Cell Proliferation/drug effects
- Cells, Cultured
- ErbB Receptors/physiology
- Female
- Fibrosis/chemically induced
- Humans
- Immunoglobulin G/pharmacology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/drug effects
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Rats
- Rats, Wistar
- Scleroderma, Systemic/immunology
- Scleroderma, Systemic/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique R. Arts
- Université de Montréal, Faculté de Pharmacie, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill University, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Murray Baron
- McGill University, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nidaa Chokr
- Université de Montréal, Faculté de Pharmacie, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Marc J. Servant
- Université de Montréal, Faculté de Pharmacie, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Over, and underexpression of endothelin 1 and TGF-beta family ligands and receptors in lung tissue of broilers with pulmonary hypertension. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 2013:190382. [PMID: 24286074 PMCID: PMC3826341 DOI: 10.1155/2013/190382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 07/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF β ) is a family of genes that play a key role in mediating tissue remodeling in various forms of acute and chronic lung disease. In order to assess their role on pulmonary hypertension in broilers, we determined mRNA expression of genes of the TGF β family and endothelin 1 in lung samples from 4-week-old chickens raised either under normal or cold temperature conditions. Both in control and cold-treated groups of broilers, endothelin 1 mRNA expression levels in lungs from ascitic chickens were higher than levels from healthy birds (P < 0.05), whereas levels in animals with cardiac failure were intermediate. Conversely, TGF β 2 and TGF β 3 gene expression in lungs were higher in healthy animals than in ascitic animals in both groups (P < 0.05). TGF β 1, T β RI, and T β RII mRNA gene expression among healthy, ascitic, and chickens with cardiac failure showed no differences (P > 0.05). BAMBI mRNA gene expression was lowest in birds with ascites only in the control group as compared with the values from healthy birds (P < 0.05).
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Wick G, Grundtman C, Mayerl C, Wimpissinger TF, Feichtinger J, Zelger B, Sgonc R, Wolfram D. The immunology of fibrosis. Annu Rev Immunol 2013; 31:107-35. [PMID: 23516981 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-immunol-032712-095937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 233] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the production of excessive amounts of connective tissue, i.e., scar formation, in the course of reactive and reparative processes. Fibrosis develops as a consequence of various underlying diseases and presents a major diagnostically and therapeutically unsolved problem. In this review, we postulate that fibrosis is always a sequela of inflammatory processes and that the many different causes of fibrosis all channel into the same final stereotypical pathways. During the inflammatory phase, both innate and adaptive immune mechanisms are operative. This concept is exemplified by fibrotic diseases that develop as a consequence of tissue damage, primary inflammatory diseases, fibrotic alterations induced by foreign body implants, "spontaneous" fibrosis, and tumor-associated fibrotic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Wick
- Division of Experimental Pathophysiology and Immunology, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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Shimada H, Staten NR, Rajagopalan LE. TGF-β1 mediated activation of Rho kinase induces TGF-β2 and endothelin-1 expression in human hepatic stellate cells. J Hepatol 2011; 54:521-8. [PMID: 21087804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2009] [Revised: 06/22/2010] [Accepted: 07/06/2010] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS TGF-β1 a key pro-fibrotic factor activates signaling via the canonical ALK/SMAD as well as the Rho GTPase pathways. Rho kinase is a major downstream effector of Rho GTPase signaling. To understand the contribution of Rho kinase activation towards the synthesis of fibrotic mediators by hepatic stellate cells (HSC), we first profiled activated HSC and fibrotic liver tissues to identify common transcripts that were most significantly up-regulated across all samples. We then applied a pharmacologic as well as a genomics approach in a TGF-β1 activated human HSC line (LX-2) to study the involvement of Rho kinase signaling in the expression of a subset of these up-regulated fibrotic genes. METHODS Total RNA was profiled using microarray chips. Data analysis was performed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. LX-2 cells were activated with 10 ng/ml of TGF-β1 for 24 h. Activation of downstream pathways was assessed by Western blotting with phospho-specific target biomarker antibodies. Targeted knockdown of Rho kinase isoforms 1 and 2 was achieved with RNAi. Secreted levels of endothelin-1, TGF-β2, and thrombospondin-1 were measured by ELISA. RESULTS TGF-β1 activated Rho kinase and Smad pathways in LX-2 cells. The syntheses of endothelin-1 and TGF-β2 were significantly inhibited in TGF-β1 treated LX-2 cells, by isoform non-selective Rho kinase inhibitors. siRNA knockdown of each isoform suggested that endothelin-1 synthesis was largely mediated by the Rho kinase-1 isoform, while both isoforms contributed to the synthesis of TGF-β2. CONCLUSIONS The TGF-β1 mediated secretion of endothelin-1 and TGF-β2 is mediated by Rho kinase activation in human HSC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideaki Shimada
- Inflammation Research Unit, Pfizer Global Research and Development, Pfizer Inc., 700 Chesterfield Parkway West, Chesterfield, MO 63017, USA
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The immunology of fibrosis: innate and adaptive responses. Trends Immunol 2010; 31:110-9. [PMID: 20106721 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 119] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2009] [Revised: 11/30/2009] [Accepted: 12/07/2009] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is an important health problem, and its pathogenetic principles are still largely unknown. It can develop either spontaneously, or, more frequently, as a consequence of various underlying diseases. Irrespective of the primary cause, however, fibrotic tissue is always infiltrated by mononuclear immune cells. In most instances the reason for the attraction of these cells to fibrotic tissue and their proliferation remains to be determined; however their cytokine profile shows clear-cut proinflammatory and profibrotic characteristics. In this review, we discuss the innate and adaptive immune reactions associated with the development of fibrosis and the molecular basis of the profibrotic mechanisms taking place in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), arteriosclerosis and peri-silicone mammary implant fibrosis.
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Sgonc R, Wick G. Pro- and anti-fibrotic effects of TGF-beta in scleroderma. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2009; 47 Suppl 5:v5-7. [PMID: 18784145 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/ken275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The University of California at Davis 200 and 206 (UCD-200/206) lines of chickens have proven to be the animal model that best reflects the situation in human SSc. We have demonstrated a misbalance of pro-fibrotic (TGF-beta1) and anti-fibrotic (TGF-beta2 and -beta3) TGF-beta isoforms as a possible cause for fibrotic alterations in this model. This opens new avenues for diagnosis and therapy for this still intractable condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sgonc
- Division of Experimental Pathophysiology and Immunology, Laboratory of Autoimmunity, Biocenter, Medical University of Innsbruck, Peter-Mayr-Strasse 4a, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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Ohtsuka T. Effect of γδ T cell supernatant on human skin fibroblast proliferation and collagen production - Possible role of transforming growth factor-β and basic fibroblast growth factor. Int J Dermatol 2008; 47:1135-40. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2008.03805.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Gu YS, Kong J, Cheema GS, Keen CL, Wick G, Gershwin ME. The immunobiology of systemic sclerosis. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2008; 38:132-60. [PMID: 18221988 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2007.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2007] [Revised: 08/08/2007] [Accepted: 10/07/2007] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic connective tissue disease characterized by vascular damage, autoimmunity, and excessive collagen deposition. Despite advances in disease-specific treatment of other rheumatologic diseases, disease-targeted treatment in SSc continues to be elusive. In this review, our goal was to place the contemporary immunobiology of SSc in the perspective of clinical medicine. METHODS We performed a PubMed search for the period from 1989 to 2007, using the keyword, "systemic sclerosis," resulting in a total of 9099 publications, including 1252 reviews. Articles were then selected based on their discussion of recent advances in the elusive pathogenesis of SSc. A final total of 259 articles were chosen for the review. RESULTS The SSc hallmarks of vascular damage, immunologic activation, and collagen deposition can be traced to 4 major factors: T-cells, fibroblasts, B-cells, and cytokines/chemokines. T-cells are a major component of the infiltrate in skin and lung, exhibiting increased expression of activation markers and showing signs of antigen-driven expansion. Preliminary data indicate that induction of oral tolerance with collagen, a target of SSc T-cell responses, is associated with clinical benefits. Although this suggests that T-cells participate in the pathogenesis of SSc, their precise role and antigen specificity largely remain to be elucidated. Defective numbers and functions of certain T-cell subsets, such as natural killer and gammadelta T-cells, may be involved in the failure to maintain tolerance. Other data suggest that gammadelta T-cells may themselves be effector cells in endothelial cell cytotoxicity. There are several lines of evidence for a pathogenic role of B-cells in SSc, in particular, through the production of autoantibodies. Antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity is a primary pathogenic event in an animal model of SSc and is likely to be involved in human SSc. Nonetheless, there is as yet no convincing evidence for the pathogenicity of SSc-specific antibodies. SSc fibroblasts exhibit a specific phenotype characterized not only by excessive collagen production but also by increased responsiveness to and production of cytokines and chemokines. This phenotype is induced by a complex network of cytokines and chemokines but appears to be maintained in the absence of exogenous stimuli via the autocrine production of some of these factors by SSc fibroblasts themselves, particularly transforming growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and interleukin-1. CONCLUSIONS Significant variations in laboratory data among patients suggest that the pathology reflects a heterogeneous disease. Nonetheless, the possibility of achieving clinical benefits by inducing oral tolerance highlights the importance of characterizing SSc T-cell antigens. It is hoped that the identification of some of the key players in the induction and maintenance of the SSc fibroblast phenotype may yield new disease-targeted treatment regimens for patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Stephanie Gu
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA
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Wick G, Andersson L, Hala K, Gershwin ME, Selmi C, Erf GF, Lamont SJ, Sgonc R. Avian models with spontaneous autoimmune diseases. Adv Immunol 2006; 92:71-117. [PMID: 17145302 PMCID: PMC3292797 DOI: 10.1016/s0065-2776(06)92002-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases in human patients only become clinically manifest when the disease process has developed to a stage where functional compensation by the afflicted organ or system is not possible anymore. In order to understand the initial etiologic and pathogenic events that are generally not yet accessible in humans, appropriate animal models are required. In this respect, spontaneously developing models--albeit rare--reflect the situation in humans much more closely than experimentally induced models, including knockout and transgenic mice. The present chapter describes three spontaneous chicken models for human autoimmune diseases, the Obese strain (OS) with a Hashimoto-like autoimmune thyroiditis, the University of California at Davis lines 200 and 206 (UCD-200 and -206) with a scleroderma-like disease, and the amelanotic Smyth line with a vitiligo-like syndrome (SLV). Special emphasis is given to the new opportunities to unravel the genetic basis of these diseases in view of the recently completed sequencing of the chicken genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Wick
- Division of Experimental Pathophysiology and Immunology, Biocenter, Innsbruck Medical University, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria
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