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Abel TR, Kosarek NN, Parvizi R, Jarnagin H, Torres GM, Bhandari R, Huang M, Toledo DM, Smith A, Popovich D, Mariani MP, Yang H, Wood T, Garlick J, Pioli PA, Whitfield ML. Single-cell epigenomic dysregulation of Systemic Sclerosis fibroblasts via CREB1/EGR1 axis in self-assembled human skin equivalents. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.22.586316. [PMID: 38585776 PMCID: PMC10996484 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.22.586316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by skin fibrosis, internal organ involvement and vascular dropout. We previously developed and phenotypically characterized an in vitro 3D skin-like tissue model of SSc, and now analyze the transcriptomic (scRNA-seq) and epigenetic (scATAC-seq) characteristics of this model at single-cell resolution. SSc 3D skin-like tissues were fabricated using autologous fibroblasts, macrophages, and plasma from SSc patients or healthy control (HC) donors. SSc tissues displayed increased dermal thickness and contractility, as well as increased α-SMA staining. Single-cell transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses identified keratinocytes, macrophages, and five populations of fibroblasts (labeled FB1 - 5). Notably, FB1 APOE-expressing fibroblasts were 12-fold enriched in SSc tissues and were characterized by high EGR1 motif accessibility. Pseudotime analysis suggests that FB1 fibroblasts differentiate from a TGF-β1-responsive fibroblast population and ligand-receptor analysis indicates that the FB1 fibroblasts are active in macrophage crosstalk via soluble ligands including FGF2 and APP. These findings provide characterization of the 3D skin-like model at single cell resolution and establish that it recapitulates subsets of fibroblasts and macrophage phenotypes observed in skin biopsies.
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Lloyd SM, He Y. Exploring Extracellular Matrix Crosslinking as a Therapeutic Approach to Fibrosis. Cells 2024; 13:438. [PMID: 38474402 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050438] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) provides structural support for tissues and regulatory signals for resident cells. ECM requires a careful balance between protein accumulation and degradation for homeostasis. Disruption of this balance can lead to pathological processes such as fibrosis in organs across the body. Post-translational crosslinking modifications to ECM proteins such as collagens alter ECM structure and function. Dysregulation of crosslinking enzymes as well as changes in crosslinking composition are prevalent in fibrosis. Because of the crucial roles these ECM crosslinking pathways play in disease, the enzymes that govern crosslinking events are being explored as therapeutic targets for fibrosis. Here, we review in depth the molecular mechanisms underlying ECM crosslinking, how ECM crosslinking contributes to fibrosis, and the therapeutic strategies being explored to target ECM crosslinking in fibrosis to restore normal tissue structure and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Lloyd
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Yupeng He
- AbbVie Inc., 1 North Waukegan Rd., North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
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3
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Rimmer SN, Chandy RJ, Khan D, Feldman SR. Recurrence rates in the treatment of keloids and hypertrophic scars with intralesional triamcinolone combined with other intralesional agents. Arch Dermatol Res 2023; 315:2757-2767. [PMID: 37432467 DOI: 10.1007/s00403-023-02662-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars (HTS) and keloids are pathologic scars that are products of a wound healing pathway error attributed to genetic and inflammatory causes (Leventhal et al., Arch Facial Plast Surg 8(6):362-368. https://doi.org/10.1001/archfaci.8.6.362 , 2006). Methods of pathologic scar treatment include intralesional agents, cryotherapy, surgical excision, pressure dressings, topical agents, laser resurfacing, radiotherapy, and other investigational therapies (Leventhal et al. 2006). The recurrence of pathologic scar is high across all treatment modalities, including the use of intralesional agents (Trisliana Perdanasari et al., Arch Plast Surg 41(6):620-629. https://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2014.41.6.620 , 2014). In the treatment of pathologic scar, combination approaches using intralesional agents, such as triamcinolone (TAC), 5-fluorouracil (5FU), verapamil (VER), bleomycin (BLM), and botulinum toxin (BTX), are superior therapies when compared to monotherapy (Yosipovitch et al., J Dermatol Treat 12(2):87-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/095466301317085363 , 2001; Yang et al., Front Med 8:691628. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.691628 , 2021; Sun et al., Aesthetic Plast Surg 45(2):791-805. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-019-01570-8 , 2021). This review assesses recurrence and the reporting of recurrence in pathologic scar after treatment with intralesional triamcinolone (TAC) in combination with another intralesional agent. A literature review was conducted using research journals from PubMed using the following search terms: [(keloid) AND (triamcinolone) AND (combination) AND (intralesional)], as well as [(keloid) AND (triamcinolone) AND (combination)]. Articles were reviewed and included if the article analyzed or compared intralesional agents for pathologic scar treatment within the last 10 years. The average follow-up period of included articles (n = 14) that utilized combination intralesional therapy (TAC-X) was approximately 11 months (range 1-24 months). Consistent recurrence rate reporting across studies was lacking. The combination agent with the highest recurrence rate was TAC-5FU (23.3%). The range of reported recurrence rates was 7.5-23.3%. Six studies using various intralesional combination regimens reported 0% recurrence over the follow-up period (TAC-5FU, TAC-BTX, TAC-BLM, TAC-CRY). Three studies did not report recurrence rates. While the efficacy of combination therapy is typically assessed via scar scales, the assessment of recurrence across studies of combination therapy is inconsistent and inadequate, with truncated follow-up periods. While scar recurrence can take place during 1-year post-treatment, long-term follow-up (18-24 months) is needed to characterize recurrence in the treatment of pathologic scar using various intralesional agents. Long-term follow-up periods allow patients to receive accurate prognostic information regarding recurrence after combination intralesional therapy. There are limitations to this review in that comparisons were made across studies with varying outcome variables, including scar size, injection concentration and interval, and follow-up period. Standardized follow-up periods and recurrence rate reporting are integral to furthering the understanding of these therapies and enhancing patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Rimmer
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Rithi J Chandy
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Danyaal Khan
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Steven R Feldman
- Department of Dermatology, Center for Dermatology Research, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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4
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Zhou X, Trinh-Minh T, Matei AE, Györfi AH, Hong X, Bergmann C, Schett G, Atkinson J, Bowcutt R, Patel J, Johnson TS, Distler JHW. Amelioration of Fibrotic Remodeling of Human 3-Dimensional Full-Thickness Skin by Transglutamase 2 Inhibition. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:1619-1627. [PMID: 37057394 DOI: 10.1002/art.42518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fibrotic tissues are characterized by excessive crosslinking between extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, rendering them more resistant to degradation. Although increased crosslinking of ECM is thought to play an important role for progression of tissue fibrosis, enhanced ECM crosslinking has not yet been targeted therapeutically in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Here, we investigated the role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2), a central crosslinking enzyme, in the activation of SSc fibroblasts. METHODS We assessed TG2 expression and activity using TG2 staining, Western blotting, and TG2 activity assays. We inhibited TG2 in fibroblasts cultured under standard 2-dimensional conditions and in a 3-dimensional full-thickness equivalent skin model using monoclonal inhibitory anti-TG2 antibodies. RESULTS TG2 expression was increased in the skin of patients with SSc compared with healthy controls, with levels particularly high in patients with SSc-associated interstitial lung disease. TG2 expression and TG2 activity were also increased in SSc dermal fibroblasts. Moreover, the levels of circulating TG2 in the plasma samples from SSc patients were increased versus samples from healthy controls. Anti-TG2 antibodies did not show consistent antifibrotic effects across different fibroblast cell lines under 2-dimensional culture conditions; however, anti-TG2 antibodies effectively reduced transforming growth factor β-induced dermal thickening, myofibroblast differentiation, and collagen accumulation in the 3-dimensional full-thickness model of human skin. CONCLUSION We provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that inhibition of TG2 might be a potential antifibrotic approach in SSc. Our findings have translational potential as anti-TG2 antibodies are currently evaluated in a phase II clinical trial in chronic allograft injury and would thus be available for clinical studies in SSc (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04335578).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- Clinic for Rheumatology University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, and Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Thuong Trinh-Minh
- Clinic for Rheumatology University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, and Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Alexandru-Emil Matei
- Clinic for Rheumatology University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, and Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andrea-Hermina Györfi
- Clinic for Rheumatology University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, and Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Xuezhi Hong
- Clinic for Rheumatology University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, and Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, and Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, and Deutsches Zentrum Immuntherapie (DZI), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Jörg H W Distler
- Clinic for Rheumatology University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, and Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Waldrep KM, Rodgers JI, Garrett SM, Wolf BJ, Feghali-Bostwick CA. The Role of SOX9 in IGF-II-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11234. [PMID: 37510994 PMCID: PMC10378869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in significant morbidity and mortality. We previously reported that insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is overexpressed in lung tissues and fibroblasts from SSc patients, and IGF-II fosters fibrosis by upregulating collagen type I, fibronectin, and TGFβ. We now show that IGF-II augments mRNA levels of profibrotic signaling molecules TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01) and TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), collagen type III (p ≤ 0.01), and the collagen posttranslational modification enzymes P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.05), P3H2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOX (p = 0.065), LOXL2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05) in primary human lung fibroblasts. IGF-II increases protein levels of TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01), as well as COL3A1, P4HA2, P4Hβ, and LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, IGF-II decreases mRNA levels of the collagen degradation enzymes cathepsin (CTS) K, CTSB, and CTSL and protein levels of CTSK (p ≤ 0.05). The SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is overexpressed in SSc lung tissues at the mRNA (p ≤ 0.05) and protein (p ≤ 0.01) levels compared to healthy controls. IGF-II induces SOX9 in lung fibroblasts (p ≤ 0.05) via the IGF1R/IR hybrid receptor, and SOX9 regulates TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.05), TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), COL3A1 (p ≤ 0.01), and P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.001) downstream of IGF-II. Our results identify a novel IGF-II signaling axis and downstream targets that are regulated in a SOX9-dependent and -independent manner. Our findings provide novel insights on the role of IGF-II in promoting pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy M Waldrep
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jessalyn I Rodgers
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Sara M Garrett
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Bethany J Wolf
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Carol A Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Liu Z, Hui Mingalone CK, Gnanatheepam E, Hollander JM, Zhang Y, Meng J, Zeng L, Georgakoudi I. Label-free, multi-parametric assessments of cell metabolism and matrix remodeling within human and early-stage murine osteoarthritic articular cartilage. Commun Biol 2023; 6:405. [PMID: 37055483 PMCID: PMC10102009 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04738-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the progressive deterioration of articular cartilage, involving complicated cell-matrix interactions. Systematic investigations of dynamic cellular and matrix changes during OA progression are lacking. In this study, we use label-free two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging to assess cellular and extracellular matrix features of murine articular cartilage during several time points at early stages of OA development following destabilization of medial meniscus surgery. We detect significant changes in the organization of collagen fibers and crosslink-associated fluorescence of the superficial zone as early as one week following surgery. Such changes become significant within the deeper transitional and radial zones at later time-points, highlighting the importance of high spatial resolution. Cellular metabolic changes exhibit a highly dynamic behavior, and indicate metabolic reprogramming from enhanced oxidative phosphorylation to enhanced glycolysis or fatty acid oxidation over the ten-week observation period. The optical metabolic and matrix changes detected within this mouse model are consistent with differences identified in excised human cartilage specimens from OA and healthy cartilage specimens. Thus, our studies reveal important cell-matrix interactions at the onset of OA that may enable improved understanding of OA development and identification of new potential treatment targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyi Liu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering; International Research Center for Advanced Photonics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
- Intelligent Optics & Photonics Research Center, Jiaxing Research Institute, Zhejiang University, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, 314000, China
| | - Carrie K Hui Mingalone
- Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | | | - Judith M Hollander
- Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA
| | - Jia Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Optical Instrumentation, College of Optical Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310027, China
| | - Li Zeng
- Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Irene Georgakoudi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
- Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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Renaud L, Waldrep KM, da Silveira WA, Pilewski JM, Feghali-Bostwick CA. First Characterization of the Transcriptome of Lung Fibroblasts of SSc Patients and Healthy Donors of African Ancestry. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3645. [PMID: 36835058 PMCID: PMC9966000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disorder that results in fibrosis of the skin and visceral organs. SSc-associated pulmonary fibrosis (SSc-PF) is the leading cause of death amongst SSc patients. Racial disparity is noted in SSc as African Americans (AA) have a higher frequency and severity of disease than European Americans (EA). Using RNAseq, we determined differentially expressed genes (DEGs; q < 0.1, log2FC > |0.6|) in primary pulmonary fibroblasts from SSc lungs (SScL) and normal lungs (NL) of AA and EA patients to characterize the unique transcriptomic signatures of AA-NL and AA-SScL fibroblasts using systems-level analysis. We identified 69 DEGs in "AA-NL vs. EA-NL" and 384 DEGs in "AA-SScL vs. EA-SScL" analyses, and a comparison of disease mechanisms revealed that only 7.5% of DEGs were commonly deregulated in AA and EA patients. Surprisingly, we also identified an SSc-like signature in AA-NL fibroblasts. Our data highlight differences in disease mechanisms between AA and EA SScL fibroblasts and suggest that AA-NL fibroblasts are in a "pre-fibrosis" state, poised to respond to potential fibrotic triggers. The DEGs and pathways identified in our study provide a wealth of novel targets to better understand disease mechanisms leading to racial disparity in SSc-PF and develop more effective and personalized therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludivine Renaud
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kristy M. Waldrep
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Willian A. da Silveira
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Education, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DF, UK
| | - Joseph M. Pilewski
- Department of Medicine, Pulmonary, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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8
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Bhandari R, Yang H, Kosarek NN, Smith AE, Garlick JA, Hinchcliff M, Whitfield ML, Pioli PA. Human dermal fibroblast-derived exosomes induce macrophage activation in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:SI114-SI124. [PMID: 35946522 PMCID: PMC9910573 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Prior work demonstrates that co-cultured macrophages and fibroblasts from patients with SSc engage in reciprocal activation. However, the mechanism by which these cell types communicate and contribute to fibrosis and inflammation in SSc is unknown. METHODS Fibroblasts were isolated from skin biopsies obtained from 7 SSc patients or 6 healthy age and gender-matched control subjects following written informed consent. Human donor-derived macrophages were cultured with exosomes isolated from control or SSc fibroblasts for an additional 48 h. Macrophages were immunophenotyped using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR and multiplex. For mutual activation studies, exosome-activated macrophages were co-cultured with SSc or healthy fibroblasts using Transwells. RESULTS Macrophages activated with dermal fibroblast-derived exosomes from SSc patients upregulated surface expression of CD163, CD206, MHC Class II and CD16 and secreted increased levels of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40 and TNF compared with macrophages incubated with healthy control fibroblasts (n = 7, P < 0.05). Exosome-stimulated macrophages and SSc fibroblasts engaged in reciprocal activation, as production of collagen and fibronectin was significantly increased in SSc fibroblasts receiving signals from SSc exosome-stimulated macrophages (n = 7, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In this work, we demonstrate for the first time that human SSc dermal fibroblasts mediate macrophage activation through exosomes. Our findings suggest that macrophages and fibroblasts engage in cross-talk in SSc skin, resulting in mutual activation, inflammation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Collectively, these studies implicate macrophages and fibroblasts as cooperative mediators of fibrosis in SSc and suggest therapeutic targeting of both cell types may provide maximal benefit in ameliorating disease in SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heetaek Yang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
| | - Noelle N Kosarek
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
| | - Avi E Smith
- Department of Diagnostic Science, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Jonathan A Garlick
- Department of Diagnostic Science, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Monique Hinchcliff
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Michael L Whitfield
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The cellular pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders including systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains largely speculative. Currently, the altered function of endothelial cells and fibroblasts under the influence of an inappropriate immune response are considered central pathogenic events in SSc. Adding to this complexity, novel evidence here reviewed suggests that keratinocytes may concur in the development of skin fibrosis. RECENT FINDINGS Epidermal equivalents (EE) generated from primary SSc keratinocytes display a distinct gene expression program when compared to healthy donor (HD) EE. SSc-EE, among others, exhibited enhanced oxidative and metabolic response pathways. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated similarities between SSc-EE and SSc epidermis including altered keratinocyte differentiation, enhanced expression of activation markers, and reduced rate of basal keratinocytes proliferation. SSc-EE supernatants more than HD-EE modified the inflammatory and extracellular matrix deposition/resorption program of dermal fibroblasts. Further evidence indicated that the relative lack rather than the excess of interleukin-25 in keratinocytes may contribute to enhanced dermal fibrotic changes. Overall, these data support keratinocyte-intrinsic SSc-related modifications. SUMMARY Improved methods for engineering epidermal and skin equivalents are helping to address the question whether keratinocyte alterations in SSc are primary and capable to dysregulate dermal homeostasis or secondary following dermal fibrotic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Russo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva University
- Dermatology Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolò C. Brembilla
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva University
- Dermatology Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Chizzolini
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva University
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10
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Brunner G, Roux MS, Falk T, Bresch M, Böhm V, Blödorn-Schlicht N, Meiners T. The Peripheral Lymphatic System Is Impaired by the Loss of Neuronal Control Associated with Chronic Spinal Cord Injury. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2022; 192:1448-1457. [PMID: 35843264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is associated with venous vascular dysfunction below the level of injury, resulting in dysregulation of tissue fluid homeostasis in afflicted skin. The purpose of this study was to determine whether loss of neuronal control in chronic SCI also affects the skin lymphatic system. Morphology of lymphatics was characterized by immunohistochemistry and lymphatic gene expression profiles determined by DNA microarray analysis. In SCI, skin lymphatic function appeared to be impaired, because the ratio of functionally dilated versus collapsed lymphatic vessels was decreased 10-fold compared with control. Consequently, the average lumen area of lymphatic vessels was almost halved, possibly due to the known impaired connective tissue integrity of SCI skin. In fact, collagenases were found to be overexpressed in SCI skin, and dermal collagen structure was impaired. Molecular profiling also suggested an SCI-specific phenotype of increased connective tissue turnover and decreased lymphatic contractility. The total number of lymphatic vessels in SCI skin, however, was doubled, pointing to enhanced lymphangiogenesis. In conclusion, these data show, for the first time, that lymphatic function and development in human skin are under neuronal control. Because peripheral venous and lymphatic vascular defects are associated with disturbed fluid homeostasis, inappropriate wound healing reactions, and impaired skin immunity, they might contribute to the predisposition of afflicted individuals to pressure ulcer formation and wound healing disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Brunner
- Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Werner Wicker Hospital, Bad Wildungen, Germany; Department of Cancer Research, Fachklinik Hornheide, Münster, Germany.
| | - Meike S Roux
- Department of Cancer Research, Fachklinik Hornheide, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Falk
- Department of Dermatohistopathology, Dermatologikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martina Bresch
- Department of Dermatohistopathology, Dermatologikum Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Volker Böhm
- Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Werner Wicker Hospital, Bad Wildungen, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Meiners
- Center for Spinal Cord Injuries, Werner Wicker Hospital, Bad Wildungen, Germany
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11
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Pan-Lysyl Oxidase Inhibitor PXS-5505 Ameliorates Multiple-Organ Fibrosis by Inhibiting Collagen Crosslinks in Rodent Models of Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105533. [PMID: 35628342 PMCID: PMC9146019 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by progressive multiple organ fibrosis leading to morbidity and mortality. Lysyl oxidases play a vital role in the cross-linking of collagens and subsequent build-up of fibrosis in the extracellular matrix. As such, their inhibition provides a novel treatment paradigm for SSc. A novel small molecule pan-lysyl oxidase inhibitor, PXS-5505, currently in clinical development for myelofibrosis treatment was evaluated using in vivo rodent models resembling the fibrotic conditions in SSc. Both lysyl oxidase and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) expression were elevated in the skin and lung of SSc patients. The oral application of PXS-5505 inhibited lysyl oxidase activity in the skin and LOXL2 activity in the lung. PXS-5505 exhibited anti-fibrotic effects in the SSc skin mouse model, reducing dermal thickness and α-smooth muscle actin. Similarly, in the bleomycin-induced mouse lung model, PXS-5505 reduced pulmonary fibrosis toward normal levels, mediated by its ability to normalise collagen/elastin crosslink formation. PXS-5505 also reduced fibrotic extent in models of the ischaemia-reperfusion heart, the unilateral ureteral obstruction kidney, and the CCl4-induced fibrotic liver. PXS-5505 consistently demonstrates potent anti-fibrotic efficacy in multiple models of organ fibrosis relevant to the pathogenesis of SSc, suggesting that it may be efficacious as a novel approach for treating SSc.
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Huang M, Smith A, Watson M, Bhandari R, Baugh LM, Ivanovska I, Watkins T, Lang I, Trojanowska M, Black LD, Pioli PA, Garlick J, Whitfield ML. Self-Assembled Human Skin Equivalents Model Macrophage Activation of Cutaneous Fibrogenesis in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74:1245-1256. [PMID: 35212485 DOI: 10.1002/art.42097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The development of precision therapeutics for systemic sclerosis (SSc) has been hindered by the lack of models that accurately mimic the disease in vitro. This study was undertaken to design and test a self-assembled skin equivalent (saSE) system that recapitulates the cross-talk between macrophages and fibroblasts in cutaneous fibrosis. METHODS SSc-derived dermal fibroblasts (SScDFs) and normal dermal fibroblasts (NDFs) were cultured with CD14+ monocytes from SSc patients or healthy controls to allow de novo stroma formation. Monocyte donor-matched plasma was introduced at week 3 prior to seeding keratinocytes to produce saSE with a stratified epithelium. Tissue was characterized by immunohistochemical staining, atomic force microscopy, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Stroma synthesized de novo from NDFs and SScDFs supported a fully stratified epithelium to form saSE. A thicker and stiffer dermis was generated by saSE with SScDFs, and more interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) was secreted by saSE with SScDFs compared to saSE with NDFs, regardless of the inclusion of monocytes. Tissue with SSc monocytes and plasma had amplified dermal thickness and stiffness relative to control tissue. Viable CD163+ macrophages were found within the stroma of saSE 5 weeks after seeding. Additionally, SSc saSE contained greater numbers of CD163+ and CD206+ macrophages compared to control saSE. TGFβ blockade inhibited stromal stiffness to a greater extent in SSc saSE compared to control saSE. CONCLUSION These data suggest reciprocal activation between macrophages and fibroblasts that increases tissue thickness and stiffness, which is dependent in part on TGFβ activation. The saSE system may serve as a platform for preclinical therapeutic testing and for molecular characterization of SSc skin pathology through recapitulation of the interactions between macrophages and fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Huang
- Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire, and University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Avi Smith
- Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Rajan Bhandari
- Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, New Hampshire
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Perryman L, Gray SG. Fibrosis in Mesothelioma: Potential Role of Lysyl Oxidases. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14040981. [PMID: 35205728 PMCID: PMC8870010 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies (such as checkpoint inhibitors) and standard chemotherapies (such as cisplatin) have limitations in the successful treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Fibrosis is the accumulation of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues, making them denser than that of healthy tissues and thereby affecting drug delivery and immune cell infiltration. Moreover, fibrosis severely affects the patient's breathing and quality of life. The production of collagen and its assembly is highly regulated by various enzymes such as lysyl oxidases. Many solid tumors aberrantly express the family of lysyl oxidases (LOX/LOXL). This review examines how LOX/LOXLs were found to be dysregulated in noncancerous and cancerous settings, discusses their roles in solid tumor fibrosis and pathogenesis and explores the role of fibrosis in the development and poor clinical outcomes of patients with MPM. We examine the current preclinical status of drugs targeting LOX/LOXLs and how the incorporation of such drugs may have therapeutic benefits in the treatment and management of patients with MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Perryman
- Drug Discovery Department, Pharmaxis Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia;
| | - Steven G. Gray
- Thoracic Oncology, Labmed Directorate, St James’s Hospital, D08 RX0X Dublin, Ireland
- Correspondence:
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Fearon AE, Slabber CF, Kuklin A, Bachofner M, Tortola L, Pohlmeier L, Pantasis S, Hornemann T, Chen L, Kopf M, Werner S. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 in hepatocytes protects from toxin-induced liver injury and fibrosis. iScience 2021; 24:103143. [PMID: 34646985 PMCID: PMC8497853 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103143] [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: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The liver's remarkable regenerative capacity is orchestrated by several growth factors and cytokines. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (Fgfr3) is frequently overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes cancer aggressiveness, whereas its role in liver homeostasis, repair and regeneration is unknown. We show here that Fgfr3 is expressed by hepatocytes in the healthy liver. Its major ligand, Fgf9, is mainly expressed by non-parenchymal cells and upregulated upon injury. Mice lacking Fgfr3 in hepatocytes exhibit increased tissue necrosis after acute toxin treatment and more excessive fibrosis after long-term injury. This was not a consequence of immunological alterations in the non-injured liver as revealed by comprehensive flow cytometry analysis. Rather, loss of Fgfr3 altered the expression of metabolic and pro-fibrotic genes in hepatocytes. These results identify a paracrine Fgf9-Fgfr3 signaling pathway that protects from toxin-induced cell death and the resulting liver fibrosis and suggests a potential use of FGFR3 ligands for therapeutic purposes. Fgfr3 is important for hepatocyte survival following CCl4-induced liver injury Fgfr3 in hepatocytes regulates expression of metabolic and pro-fibrotic genes Fgfr3 protects from extensive fibrosis after chronic CCl4 treatment Fgf receptors have unique, but also overlapping functions in hepatocytes
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Affiliation(s)
- Abbie E Fearon
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Coenraad F Slabber
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrii Kuklin
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marc Bachofner
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Luigi Tortola
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lea Pohlmeier
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sophia Pantasis
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thorsten Hornemann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lin Chen
- Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Trauma Center, Institute of Surgery Research, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Manfred Kopf
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Werner
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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Yang S, Luo YJ, Luo C. Network Meta-Analysis of Different Clinical Commonly Used Drugs for the Treatment of Hypertrophic Scar and Keloid. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:691628. [PMID: 34568361 PMCID: PMC8458741 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.691628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: There is no uniform treatment for pathological scars, including keloids and hypertrophic scars, in clinic currently. Previously, multiple randomized controlled trials have examined the clinical efficacy of different treatments. Nonetheless, the results are inconsistent, and many treatments have not been directly compared. This makes it difficult to conclude which approach is more favorable, in terms of efficacy and safety, for the treatment of pathological scarring. This study aimed at evaluating the efficacy of different injection and topical treatment strategies for hypertrophic scar and keloid. Methods: Relevant literature from PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CCRCT), and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO-ICTRP) were searched, from database inception through November 2020. Randomized clinical trials evaluating different treatment strategies of pathological scars, including triamcinolone acetonide (TAC), verapamil (VER), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), botulinum toxin A (BTA), bleomycin (BLM), and silicone gels were included in the study. Results: The network meta-analysis included a total of 2,009 patients from 29 studies. A network meta-analysis of injection and topical treatment strategies showed that the efficacy of TAC combined with BTA was best in the treatment of pathological scars. Combination therapies of TAC with 5-FU and TAC with BTA significantly improved the clinical efficiency. However, there was no statistically significant difference between other treatment strategies. The order of efficacy predicted by the surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) curve was as follows: TAC+BTA (82.2%) > TAC+5-FU (69.8%) > BTA (67.3%) > 5-FU+silicone (59.4%) > TAC+silicone (58.3%) > 5-FU (49.8%) > BLM (42.0%) > TAC (26.7%) > VER (26.2%) > silicone (18.3%). There was no publication bias revealed based on the funnel diagram. Conclusion: This study recommends intralesional injection of TAC-BTA and TAC-5-FU combined therapies. But for patients who cannot tolerate the side effects, the use of silicone gels in combination with TAC is recommended. However, these conclusions need to be further confirmed by more randomized controlled trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sha Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Stem Cell Therapy, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yujia J Luo
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Stem Cell Therapy, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Neurosurgeons, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Cong Luo
- Department of Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.,Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing Engineering Research Center of Stem Cell Therapy, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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De Pieri A, Korman BD, Jüngel A, Wuertz-Kozak K. Engineering Advanced In Vitro Models of Systemic Sclerosis for Drug Discovery and Development. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 5:e2000168. [PMID: 33852183 PMCID: PMC8717409 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202000168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex multisystem disease with the highest case-specific mortality among all autoimmune rheumatic diseases, yet without any available curative therapy. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic antifibrotic strategies that effectively decrease skin and organ fibrosis is needed. Existing animal models are cost-intensive, laborious and do not recapitulate the full spectrum of the disease and thus commonly fail to predict human efficacy. Advanced in vitro models, which closely mimic critical aspects of the pathology, have emerged as valuable platforms to investigate novel pharmaceutical therapies for the treatment of SSc. This review focuses on recent advancements in the development of SSc in vitro models, sheds light onto biological (e.g., growth factors, cytokines, coculture systems), biochemical (e.g., hypoxia, reactive oxygen species) and biophysical (e.g., stiffness, topography, dimensionality) cues that have been utilized for the in vitro recapitulation of the SSc microenvironment, and highlights future perspectives for effective drug discovery and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Pieri
- Dr. A. De Pieri, Prof. K. Wuertz-Kozak, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), 106 Lomb Memorial Rd., Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Benjamin D Korman
- Prof. B. D. Korman, Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
| | - Astrid Jüngel
- Prof. A. Jüngel, Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Clinic of Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
- Prof. A. Jüngel, Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, 8008, Switzerland
| | - Karin Wuertz-Kozak
- Dr. A. De Pieri, Prof. K. Wuertz-Kozak, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), 106 Lomb Memorial Rd., Rochester, NY, 14623, USA
- Prof. K. Wuertz-Kozak, Schön Clinic Munich Harlaching, Spine Center, Academic Teaching Hospital and Spine Research Institute of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg (Austria), Munich, 81547, Germany
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Russo B, Borowczyk J, Boehncke WH, Truchetet ME, Modarressi A, Brembilla NC, Chizzolini C. Dysfunctional Keratinocytes Increase Dermal Inflammation in Systemic Sclerosis: Results From Studies Using Tissue-Engineered Scleroderma Epidermis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:1311-1317. [PMID: 33497035 DOI: 10.1002/art.41659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Evidence suggests that keratinocyte-fibroblast interactions are abnormal in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The present study was undertaken to investigate potential epidermal dysfunction in SSc and its effects on dermal homeostasis. METHODS Epidermal equivalents (EEs) were generated using keratinocytes from 6 healthy donors and 4 individuals with SSc. Skin and EE expression of markers of proliferation, differentiation, and activation was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The transcriptomic profile of SSc EEs and healthy donor EEs was identified by RNA sequencing. EE conditioned medium (CM) was used to stimulate fibroblasts, and their production of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), type I collagen, and fibronectin was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Compared to healthy donor EEs, SSc EEs exhibited aberrant differentiation, enhanced expression of activation markers, and a lower rate of basal keratinocyte mitosis, reproducing most of the abnormalities observed in SSc epidermis. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that, compared to healthy donor EEs, SSc EEs were characterized by lower expression of homeobox gene family members and by enhanced metabolic and oxidative stress molecular pathways. EE CM enhanced fibroblast production of IL-6, IL-8, MMP-1, type I collagen, and fibronectin (P < 0.05). Except for type I collagen and fibronectin, this effect was 2-fold higher in the presence of CM generated form SSc EEs. IL-1 was responsible, at least in part, for keratinocyte-dependent fibroblast activation. CONCLUSION SSc EEs recapitulate the in vivo characteristics of SSc epidermis, demonstrating that SSc keratinocytes have an intrinsically altered differentiation program, possibly due to the dysregulation of genes from the homeobox family. The increased metabolic and oxidative stress associated with SSc epidermis may contribute to chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the dermis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Russo
- University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julia Borowczyk
- University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Ali Modarressi
- University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolò C Brembilla
- University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Chizzolini
- University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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TGFβ-1 Induced Cross-Linking of the Extracellular Matrix of Primary Human Dermal Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22030984. [PMID: 33498156 PMCID: PMC7863744 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22030984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive cross-linking is a major factor in the resistance to the remodelling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) during fibrotic progression. The role of TGFβ signalling in impairing ECM remodelling has been demonstrated in various fibrotic models. We hypothesised that increased ECM cross-linking by TGFβ contributes to skin fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Proteomics was used to identify cross-linking enzymes in the ECM of primary human dermal fibroblasts, and to compare their levels following treatment with TGFβ-1. A significant upregulation and enrichment of lysyl-oxidase-like 1, 2 and 4 and transglutaminase 2 were found. Western blotting confirmed the upregulation of lysyl hydroxylase 2 in the ECM. Increased transglutaminase activity in TGFβ-1 treated ECM was revealed from a cell-based assay. We employed a mass spectrometry-based method to identify alterations in the ECM cross-linking pattern caused by TGFβ-1. Cross-linking sites were identified in collagens I and V, fibrinogen and fibronectin. One cross-linking site in fibrinogen alpha was found only in TGFβ-treated samples. In conclusion, we have mapped novel cross-links between ECM proteins and demonstrated that activation of TGFβ signalling in cultured dermal fibroblasts upregulates multiple cross-linking enzymes in the ECM.
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19
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Understanding Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis: Novel and Emerging Treatment Approaches. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020; 22:77. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-020-00953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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20
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Paterson YZ, Cribbs A, Espenel M, Smith EJ, Henson FMD, Guest DJ. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis reveals equine embryonic stem cell-derived tenocytes resemble fetal, not adult tenocytes. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:184. [PMID: 32430075 PMCID: PMC7238619 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01692-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tendon injuries occur frequently in human and equine athletes. Treatment options are limited, and the prognosis is often poor with functionally deficient scar tissue resulting. Fetal tendon injuries in contrast are capable of healing without forming scar tissue. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) may provide a potential cellular therapeutic to improve adult tendon regeneration; however, whether they can mimic the properties of fetal tenocytes is unknown. To this end, understanding the unique expression profile of normal adult and fetal tenocytes is crucial to allow validation of ESC-derived tenocytes as a cellular therapeutic. Methods Equine adult, fetal and ESC-derived tenocytes were cultured in a three-dimensional environment, with histological, morphological and transcriptomic differences compared. Additionally, the effects on gene expression of culturing adult and fetal tenocytes in either conventional two-dimensional monolayer culture or three-dimensional culture were compared using RNA sequencing. Results No qualitative differences in three-dimensional tendon constructs generated from adult, fetal and ESCs were found using histological and morphological analysis. However, genome-wide transcriptomic analysis using RNA sequencing revealed that ESC-derived tenocytes’ transcriptomic profile more closely resembled fetal tenocytes as opposed to adult tenocytes. Furthermore, this study adds to the growing evidence that monolayer cultured cells’ gene expression profiles converge, with adult and fetal tenocytes having only 10 significantly different genes when cultured in this manner. In contrast, when adult and fetal tenocytes were cultured in 3D, large distinctions in gene expression between these two developmental stages were found, with 542 genes being differentially expressed. Conclusion The information provided in this study makes a significant contribution to the investigation into the differences between adult reparative and fetal regenerative cells and supports the concept of using ESC-derived tenocytes as a cellular therapy. Comparing two- and three-dimensional culture also indicates three-dimensional culture as being a more physiologically relevant culture system for determining transcriptomic difference between the same cell types from different developmental stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Z Paterson
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK. .,Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK.
| | - A Cribbs
- Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7LD, UK
| | - M Espenel
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK
| | - E J Smith
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK
| | - F M D Henson
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ES, UK.,Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK
| | - D J Guest
- Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, CB8 7UU, UK
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