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Zhou Z, Zhang R, Li X, Zhang W, Zhan Y, Lang Z, Tao Q, Yu J, Yu S, Yu Z, Zheng J. Circular RNA cVIM promotes hepatic stellate cell activation in liver fibrosis via miR-122-5p/miR-9-5p-mediated TGF-β signaling cascade. Commun Biol 2024; 7:113. [PMID: 38243118 PMCID: PMC10798957 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-05797-3] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is considered as a central driver of liver fibrosis and effective suppression of HSC activation contributes to the treatment of liver fibrosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported to be important in tumor progression. However, the contributions of circRNAs in liver fibrosis remain largely unclear. The liver fibrosis-specific circRNA was explored by a circRNA microarray and cVIM (a circRNA derived from exons 4 to 8 of the vimentin gene mmu_circ_32994) was selected as the research object. Further studies revealed that cVIM, mainly expressed in the cytoplasm, may act as a sponge for miR-122-5p and miR-9-5p to enhance expression of type I TGF-β receptor (TGFBR1) and TGFBR2 and promotes activation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway, thereby accelerating the progression of liver fibrosis. Our results demonstrate a vital role for cVIM in promoting liver fibrosis progression and provide a fresh perspective on circRNAs in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxu Zhou
- Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Rongrong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Xinmiao Li
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Weizhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Yating Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhichao Lang
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Qiqi Tao
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Jinglu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Suhui Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhengping Yu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Jianjian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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Cáceres-Ayala C, Mira RG, Acuña MJ, Brandan E, Cerpa W, Rebolledo DL. Episodic Binge-like Ethanol Reduces Skeletal Muscle Strength Associated with Atrophy, Fibrosis, and Inflammation in Young Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021655. [PMID: 36675170 PMCID: PMC9861047 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Binge Drinking (BD) corresponds to episodes of ingestion of large amounts of ethanol in a short time, typically ≤2 h. BD occurs across all populations, but young and sports-related people are especially vulnerable. However, the short- and long-term effects of episodic BD on skeletal muscle function have been poorly explored. Young rats were randomized into two groups: control and episodic Binge-Like ethanol protocol (BEP) (ethanol 3 g/kg IP, 4 episodes of 2-days ON-2-days OFF paradigm). Muscle function was evaluated two weeks after the last BEP episode. We found that rats exposed to BEP presented decreased muscle strength and increased fatigability, compared with control animals. Furthermore, we observed that skeletal muscle from rats exposed to BEP presented muscle atrophy, evidenced by reduced fiber size and increased expression of atrophic genes. We also observed that BEP induced fibrotic and inflammation markers, accompanied by mislocalization of nNOSµ and high levels of protein nitration. Our findings suggest that episodic binge-like ethanol exposure alters contractile capacity and increases fatigue by mechanisms involving atrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation, which remain for at least two weeks after ethanol clearance. These pathological features are common to several neuromuscular diseases and might affect muscle performance and health in the long term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constanza Cáceres-Ayala
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Rodrigo G. Mira
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - María José Acuña
- Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O’Higgins, Santiago 8370854, Chile
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
| | - Enrique Brandan
- Centro Científico y Tecnológico de Excelencia Ciencia & Vida, Santiago 7780272, Chile
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Santiago 7510157, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Waldo Cerpa
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Laboratorio de Función y Patología Neuronal, Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (D.L.R.)
| | - Daniela L. Rebolledo
- Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6213515, Chile
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8331150, Chile
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (D.L.R.)
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Kubota S, Kawata K, Hattori T, Nishida T. Molecular and Genetic Interactions between CCN2 and CCN3 behind Their Yin-Yang Collaboration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23115887. [PMID: 35682564 PMCID: PMC9180607 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23115887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular communication network factor (CCN) 2 and 3 are the members of the CCN family that conduct the harmonized development of a variety of tissues and organs under interaction with multiple biomolecules in the microenvironment. Despite their striking structural similarities, these two members show contrastive molecular functions as well as temporospatial emergence in living tissues. Typically, CCN2 promotes cell growth, whereas CCN3 restrains it. Where CCN2 is produced, CCN3 disappears. Nevertheless, these two proteins collaborate together to execute their mission in a yin–yang fashion. The apparent functional counteractions of CCN2 and CCN3 can be ascribed to their direct molecular interaction and interference over the cofactors that are shared by the two. Recent studies have revealed the mutual negative regulation systems between CCN2 and CCN3. Moreover, the simultaneous and bidirectional regulatory system of CCN2 and CCN3 is also being clarified. It is of particular note that these regulations were found to be closely associated with glycolysis, a fundamental procedure of energy metabolism. Here, the molecular interplay and metabolic gene regulation that enable the yin–yang collaboration of CCN2 and CCN3 typically found in cartilage development/regeneration and fibrosis are described.
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Jansen J, Reimer KC, Nagai JS, Varghese FS, Overheul GJ, de Beer M, Roverts R, Daviran D, Fermin LA, Willemsen B, Beukenboom M, Djudjaj S, von Stillfried S, van Eijk LE, Mastik M, Bulthuis M, Dunnen WD, van Goor H, Hillebrands JL, Triana SH, Alexandrov T, Timm MC, van den Berge BT, van den Broek M, Nlandu Q, Heijnert J, Bindels EM, Hoogenboezem RM, Mooren F, Kuppe C, Miesen P, Grünberg K, Ijzermans T, Steenbergen EJ, Czogalla J, Schreuder MF, Sommerdijk N, Akiva A, Boor P, Puelles VG, Floege J, Huber TB, van Rij RP, Costa IG, Schneider RK, Smeets B, Kramann R, Achdout H, Aimon A, Bar-David E, Barr H, Ben-Shmuel A, Bennett J, Boby ML, Borden B, Bowman GR, Brun J, BVNBS S, Calmiano M, Carbery A, Cattermole E, Chernychenko E, Choder JD, Clyde A, Coffland JE, Cohen G, Cole J, Contini A, Cox L, Cvitkovic M, Dias A, Donckers K, Dotson DL, Douangamath A, Duberstein S, Dudgeon T, Dunnett L, Eastman PK, Erez N, Eyermann CJ, Fairhead M, Fate G, Fearon D, Federov O, Ferla M, Fernandes RS, Ferrins L, Foster R, Foster H, Gabizon R, Garcia-Sastre A, Gawriljuk VO, Gehrtz P, Gileadi C, Giroud C, Glass WG, Glen R, Itai glinert, Godoy AS, Gorichko M, Gorrie-Stone T, Griffen EJ, Hart SH, Heer J, Henry M, Hill M, Horrell S, Hurley MF, Israely T, Jajack A, Jnoff E, Jochmans D, John T, De Jonghe S, Kantsadi AL, Kenny PW, Kiappes J, Koekemoer L, Kovar B, Krojer T, Lee AA, Lefker BA, Levy H, London N, Lukacik P, Macdonald HB, Maclean B, Malla TR, Matviiuk T, McCorkindale W, McGovern BL, Melamed S, Michurin O, Mikolajek H, Milne BF, Morris A, Morris GM, Morwitzer MJ, Moustakas D, Nakamura AM, Neto JB, Neyts J, Nguyen L, Noske GD, Oleinikovas V, Oliva G, Overheul GJ, Owen D, Psenak V, Pai R, Pan J, Paran N, Perry B, Pingle M, Pinjari J, Politi B, Powell A, Puni R, Rangel VL, Reddi RN, Reid SP, Resnick E, Ripka EG, Robinson MC, Robinson RP, Rodriguez-Guerra J, Rosales R, Rufa D, Schofield C, Shafeev M, Shaikh A, Shi J, Shurrush K, Sing S, Sittner A, Skyner R, Smalley A, Smilova MD, Solmesky LJ, Spencer J, Strain-Damarell C, Swamy V, Tamir H, Tennant R, Thompson W, Thompson A, Thompson W, Tomasia S, Tumber A, Vakonakis I, van Rij RP, van Geel L, Varghese FS, Vaschetto M, Vitner EB, Voelz V, Volkamer A, von Delft F, von Delft A, Walsh M, Ward W, Weatherall C, Weiss S, White KM, Wild CF, Wittmann M, Wright N, Yahalom-Ronen Y, Zaidmann D, Zidane H, Zitzmann N. SARS-CoV-2 infects the human kidney and drives fibrosis in kidney organoids. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 29:217-231.e8. [PMID: 35032430 PMCID: PMC8709832 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Kidney failure is frequently observed during and after COVID-19, but it remains elusive whether this is a direct effect of the virus. Here, we report that SARS-CoV-2 directly infects kidney cells and is associated with increased tubule-interstitial kidney fibrosis in patient autopsy samples. To study direct effects of the virus on the kidney independent of systemic effects of COVID-19, we infected human-induced pluripotent stem-cell-derived kidney organoids with SARS-CoV-2. Single-cell RNA sequencing indicated injury and dedifferentiation of infected cells with activation of profibrotic signaling pathways. Importantly, SARS-CoV-2 infection also led to increased collagen 1 protein expression in organoids. A SARS-CoV-2 protease inhibitor was able to ameliorate the infection of kidney cells by SARS-CoV-2. Our results suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can directly infect kidney cells and induce cell injury with subsequent fibrosis. These data could explain both acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients and the development of chronic kidney disease in long COVID. COVID-19 patients present tubulo-interstitial kidney fibrosis compared with controls SARS-CoV-2 infection stimulates profibrotic signaling in human kidney organoids SARS-CoV-2 infection can be inhibited by a protease blocker in human kidney organoids
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Györfi AH, Matei AE, Fuchs M, Liang C, Rigau AR, Hong X, Zhu H, Luber M, Bergmann C, Dees C, Ludolph I, Horch RE, Distler O, Wang J, Bengsch B, Schett G, Kunz M, Distler JH. Engrailed 1 coordinates cytoskeletal reorganization to induce myofibroblast differentiation. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20201916. [PMID: 34259830 PMCID: PMC8288503 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a key mediator of fibroblast activation in fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis. Here we show that Engrailed 1 (EN1) is reexpressed in multiple fibroblast subpopulations in the skin of SSc patients. We characterize EN1 as a molecular amplifier of TGFβ signaling in myofibroblast differentiation: TGFβ induces EN1 expression in a SMAD3-dependent manner, and in turn, EN1 mediates the profibrotic effects of TGFβ. RNA sequencing demonstrates that EN1 induces a profibrotic gene expression profile functionally related to cytoskeleton organization and ROCK activation. EN1 regulates gene expression by modulating the activity of SP1 and other SP transcription factors, as confirmed by ChIP-seq experiments for EN1 and SP1. Functional experiments confirm the coordinating role of EN1 on ROCK activity and the reorganization of cytoskeleton during myofibroblast differentiation, in both standard fibroblast culture systems and in vitro skin models. Consistently, mice with fibroblast-specific knockout of En1 demonstrate impaired fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and are partially protected from experimental skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea-Hermina Györfi
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandru-Emil Matei
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Fuchs
- Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Chunguang Liang
- Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aleix Rius Rigau
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xuezhi Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Markus Luber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ingo Ludolph
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raymund E. Horch
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bertram Bengsch
- Department of Medicine II: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Disease, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Meik Kunz
- Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H.W. Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Cussonneau L, Boyer C, Brun C, Deval C, Loizon E, Meugnier E, Gueret E, Dubois E, Taillandier D, Polge C, Béchet D, Gauquelin-Koch G, Evans AL, Arnemo JM, Swenson JE, Blanc S, Simon C, Lefai E, Bertile F, Combaret L. Concurrent BMP Signaling Maintenance and TGF-β Signaling Inhibition Is a Hallmark of Natural Resistance to Muscle Atrophy in the Hibernating Bear. Cells 2021; 10:cells10081873. [PMID: 34440643 PMCID: PMC8393865 DOI: 10.3390/cells10081873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Muscle atrophy arises from a multiplicity of physio-pathological situations and has very detrimental consequences for the whole body. Although knowledge of muscle atrophy mechanisms keeps growing, there is still no proven treatment to date. This study aimed at identifying new drivers for muscle atrophy resistance. We selected an innovative approach that compares muscle transcriptome between an original model of natural resistance to muscle atrophy, the hibernating brown bear, and a classical model of induced atrophy, the unloaded mouse. Using RNA sequencing, we identified 4415 differentially expressed genes, including 1746 up- and 2369 down-regulated genes, in bear muscles between the active versus hibernating period. We focused on the Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β and the Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) pathways, respectively, involved in muscle mass loss and maintenance. TGF-β- and BMP-related genes were overall down- and up-regulated in the non-atrophied muscles of the hibernating bear, respectively, and the opposite occurred for the atrophied muscles of the unloaded mouse. This was further substantiated at the protein level. Our data suggest TGF-β/BMP balance is crucial for muscle mass maintenance during long-term physical inactivity in the hibernating bear. Thus, concurrent activation of the BMP pathway may potentiate TGF-β inhibiting therapies already targeted to prevent muscle atrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Cussonneau
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (L.C.); Tel.: +(33)4-7362-4824 (Lydie Combaret)
| | - Christian Boyer
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Charlotte Brun
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.B.); (S.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Christiane Deval
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Emmanuelle Loizon
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRAE 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France; (E.L.); (E.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Emmanuelle Meugnier
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRAE 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France; (E.L.); (E.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Elise Gueret
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (E.G.); (E.D.)
- Montpellier GenomiX, France Génomique, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Emeric Dubois
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle (IGF), University Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, 34094 Montpellier, France; (E.G.); (E.D.)
- Montpellier GenomiX, France Génomique, 34095 Montpellier, France
| | - Daniel Taillandier
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Cécile Polge
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Daniel Béchet
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
| | | | - Alina L. Evans
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway; (A.L.E.); (J.M.A.)
| | - Jon M. Arnemo
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Evenstad, NO-2480 Koppang, Norway; (A.L.E.); (J.M.A.)
- Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-901 83 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Jon E. Swenson
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, NO-1432 Ås, Norway;
| | - Stéphane Blanc
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.B.); (S.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Chantal Simon
- CarMen Laboratory, INSERM 1060, INRAE 1397, University of Lyon, F-69600 Oullins, France; (E.L.); (E.M.); (C.S.)
| | - Etienne Lefai
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
| | - Fabrice Bertile
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; (C.B.); (S.B.); (F.B.)
| | - Lydie Combaret
- INRAE, Unité de Nutrition Humaine, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR 1019, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France; (C.B.); (C.D.); (D.T.); (C.P.); (D.B.); (E.L.)
- Correspondence: (L.C.); (L.C.); Tel.: +(33)4-7362-4824 (Lydie Combaret)
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7
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Xie X, Urabe G, Marcho L, Williams C, Guo LW, Kent KC. Smad3 Regulates Neuropilin 2 Transcription by Binding to its 5' Untranslated Region. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e015487. [PMID: 32306814 PMCID: PMC7428547 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.015487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background Vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic change and consequential intimal hyperplasia (IH) cause arterial stenosis and posttreatment restenosis. Smad3 is a master transcription factor, yet its underlying functional mechanisms in this disease context are not well defined. Methods and Results In cultured smooth muscle cells, Smad3 silencing and overexpression respectively reduced and increased the mRNA and protein of NRP2 (neuropilin 2), a recently reported pro-IH signaling factor. Smad3 silencing attenuated pro-IH smooth muscle cell phenotypes including proliferation, migration, and dedifferentiation (reduced smooth muscle α-actin). While increased Smad3 enhanced these phenotypes, NRP2 silencing abolished this enhancement. Interestingly, the 5' untranslated region but not the promoter of NRP2 was indispensable for Smad3-enhanced transcriptional activity (luciferase assay); both chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed predominant Smad3 binding in the +51 to +78 bp region of NRP2's 5' untranslated region. In vivo, Smad3 haploinsufficiency reduced NRP2 (immunostaining) and IH (by 47%) in wire-injured mouse femoral arteries. Conclusions Smad3 controls NRP2 expression by occupying its 5' untranslated region in promoting smooth muscle cell phenotypic change in vitro. This and in vivo results shed new light on the long-debated role of Smad3 in IH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujie Xie
- Department of Surgery College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH
| | - Go Urabe
- Department of Surgery College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH.,Department of Physiology & Cell Biology College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH.,Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute Wexner Medical Center The Ohio State University Columbus OH
| | - Lynn Marcho
- Department of Surgery College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH.,Department of Physiology & Cell Biology College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH.,Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute Wexner Medical Center The Ohio State University Columbus OH
| | - Corey Williams
- Department of Surgery College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH
| | - Lian-Wang Guo
- Department of Surgery College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH.,Department of Physiology & Cell Biology College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH.,Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute Wexner Medical Center The Ohio State University Columbus OH
| | - K Craig Kent
- Department of Surgery College of Medicine The Ohio State University Columbus OH
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8
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Valle-Tenney R, Rebolledo D, Acuña MJ, Brandan E. HIF-hypoxia signaling in skeletal muscle physiology and fibrosis. J Cell Commun Signal 2020; 14:147-158. [PMID: 32088838 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-020-00553-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxia refers to the decrease in oxygen tension in the tissues, and the central effector of the hypoxic response is the transcription factor Hypoxia-Inducible Factor α (HIF1-α). Transient hypoxia in acute events, such as exercising or regeneration after damage, play an important role in skeletal muscle physiology and homeostasis. However, sustained activation of hypoxic signaling is a feature of skeletal muscle injury and disease, which can be a consequence of chronic damage but can also increase the severity of the pathology and worsen its outcome. Here, we review evidence that supports the idea that hypoxia and HIF-1α can contribute to the establishment of fibrosis in skeletal muscle through its crosstalk with other profibrotic factors, such as Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), the induction of profibrotic cytokines expression, as is the case of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CTGF/CCN2), or being the target of the Renin-angiotensin system (RAS).
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Valle-Tenney
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniela Rebolledo
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile.,Centro de Excelencia en Biomedicina de Magallanes (CEBIMA), Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas, Chile.,Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José Acuña
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile.,Centro Integrativo de Biología y Química Aplicada (CIBQA), Universidad Bernardo O Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Enrique Brandan
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC, Santiago, Chile. .,Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile. .,Fundación Ciencia & Vida, Santiago, Chile. .,Department Cell and Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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9
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Role of hypoxia in skeletal muscle fibrosis: Synergism between hypoxia and TGF-β signaling upregulates CCN2/CTGF expression specifically in muscle fibers. Matrix Biol 2019; 87:48-65. [PMID: 31669521 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Several skeletal muscle diseases are characterized by fibrosis, the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) are two profibrotic factors augmented in fibrotic skeletal muscle, together with signs of reduced vasculature that implies a decrease in oxygen supply. We observed that fibrotic muscles are characterized by the presence of positive nuclei for hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a key mediator of the hypoxia response. However, it is not clear how a hypoxic environment could contribute to the fibrotic phenotype in skeletal muscle. We evaluated the role of hypoxia and TGF-β on CCN2 expression in vitro. Fibroblasts, myoblasts and differentiated myotubes were incubated with TGF-β1 under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia and TGF-β1 induced CCN2 expression synergistically in myotubes but not in fibroblasts or undifferentiated muscle progenitors. This induction requires HIF-1α and the Smad-independent TGF-β signaling pathway. We performed in vivo experiments using pharmacological stabilization of HIF-1α or hypoxia-induced via hindlimb ischemia together with intramuscular injections of TGF-β1, and we found increased CCN2 expression. These observations suggest that hypoxic signaling together with TGF-β signaling, which are both characteristics of a fibrotic skeletal muscle environment, induce the expression of CCN2 in skeletal muscle fibers and myotubes.
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10
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Zhu HF, Liu YP, Liu DL, Ma YD, Hu ZY, Wang XY, Gu CS, Zhong Y, Long T, Kan HP, Li ZG. Role of TGFβ3-Smads-Sp1 axis in DcR3-mediated immune escape of hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncogenesis 2019; 8:43. [PMID: 31409774 PMCID: PMC6692328 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-019-0152-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of tumour-associated mortality worldwide, but no significant improvement in treating HCC has been reported with currently available systemic therapies. Immunotherapy represents a new frontier in tumour therapy. Therefore, the immunobiology of hepatocarcinoma has been under intensive investigation. Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3), a member of the tumour necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily, is an immune suppressor associated with tumourigenesis and cancer metastasis. However, little is known about the role of DcR3 in the immunobiology of hepatocarcinoma. In this study, we found that overexpression of DcR3 in HCC is mediated by the TGFβ3-Smad-Sp1 signalling pathway, which directly targets DcR3 promoter regions. Moreover, overexpression of DcR3 in HCC tissues is associated with tumour invasion and metastasis and significantly promotes the differentiation and secretion of Th2 and Treg cells while inhibiting the differentiation and secretion of Th1 cells. Conversely, knockdown of DcR3 expression in HCC significantly restored the immunity of CD4+ T cells. Inhibition of DcR3 expression may provide a novel immunotherapeutic approach to restoring immunity in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Fang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yan-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ding-Li Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Road, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yi-Dan Ma
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhi-Yan Hu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Wang
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuan-Sha Gu
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, 601 Jinsui Road, 453003, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Yan Zhong
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Long
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - He-Ping Kan
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zu-Guo Li
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, 1023 South Shatai Rd, Baiyun District, 510515, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. .,Department of Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1333 Xin-hu Road, Bao'an District, 518100, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. .,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Viral Oncology, The Clinical Innovation & Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, 1333 Xin-hu Road, Bao'an District, 518100, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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11
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Petrosino JM, Leask A, Accornero F. Genetic manipulation of CCN2/CTGF unveils cell-specific ECM-remodeling effects in injured skeletal muscle. FASEB J 2019; 33:2047-2057. [PMID: 30216109 PMCID: PMC6338641 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800622rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
In skeletal muscle, extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling can either support the complete regeneration of injured muscle or facilitate pathologic fibrosis and muscle degeneration. Muscular dystrophy (MD) is a group of genetic disorders that results in a progressive decline in muscle function and is characterized by the abundant deposition of fibrotic tissue. Unlike acute injury, where ECM remodeling is acute and transient, in MD, remodeling persists until fibrosis obstructs the regenerative efforts of diseased muscles. Thus, understanding how ECM is deposited and organized is critical in the context of muscle repair. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF or CCN2) is a matricellular protein expressed by multiple cell types in response to tissue injury. Although used as a general marker of fibrosis, the cell type-dependent role of CTGF in dystrophic muscle has not been elucidated. To address this question, a conditional Ctgf myofiber and fibroblast-knockout mouse lines were generated and crossed to a dystrophic background. Only myofiber-selective inhibition of CTGF protected δ-sarcoglycan-null ( Sgcd-/-) mice from the dystrophic phenotype, and it did so by affecting collagen organization in a way that allowed for improvements in dystrophic muscle regeneration and function. To confirm that muscle-specific CTGF functions to mediate collagen organization, we generated mice with transgenic muscle-specific overexpression of CTGF. Again, genetic modulation of CTGF in muscle was not sufficient to drive fibrosis, but altered collagen content and organization after injury. Our results show that the myofibers are critical mediators of the deleterious effects associated with CTGF in MD and acutely injured skeletal muscle.-Petrosino, J. M., Leask, A., Accornero, F. Genetic manipulation of CCN2/CTGF unveils cell-specific ECM-remodeling effects in injured skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M. Petrosino
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew Leask
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Federica Accornero
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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12
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Ramazani Y, Knops N, Elmonem MA, Nguyen TQ, Arcolino FO, van den Heuvel L, Levtchenko E, Kuypers D, Goldschmeding R. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) from basics to clinics. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:44-66. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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13
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Zhao Y, Ma J, Fan Y, Wang Z, Tian R, Ji W, Zhang F, Niu R. TGF-β transactivates EGFR and facilitates breast cancer migration and invasion through canonical Smad3 and ERK/Sp1 signaling pathways. Mol Oncol 2018; 12:305-321. [PMID: 29215776 PMCID: PMC5830653 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) functions as a potent proliferation inhibitor and apoptosis inducer in the early stages of breast cancer, yet promotes cancer aggressiveness in the advanced stages. The dual effect of TGF-β on cancer development is known as TGF-β paradox, and the remarkable functional conversion of TGF-β is a pivotal and controversial phenomenon that has been widely investigated for decades. This phenomenon may be attributed to the cross talk between TGF-β signaling and other pathways, including EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling during cancer progression. However, the underlying mechanism by which TGF-β shifts its role from a tumor suppressor to a cancer promoter remains elusive. In this study, TGF-β is positively correlated with EGFR expression in breast cancer tissues, and a functional linkage is observed between TGF-β signaling and EGFR transactivation in breast cancer cell lines. TGF-β promotes the migration and invasion abilities of breast cancer cells, along with the increase in EGFR expression. EGFR is also essential for TGF-β-induced enhancement of these abilities of breast cancer cells. Canonical Smad3 signaling and ERK/Sp1 signaling pathways mediate TGF-β-induced EGFR upregulation. Hence, our study provided insights into a novel mechanism by which TGF-β supports breast cancer progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Zhao
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Jing Ma
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Yanling Fan
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Zhiyong Wang
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Ran Tian
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Wei Ji
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Fei Zhang
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
| | - Ruifang Niu
- Public LaboratoryNational Clinical Research Center for CancerTianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and HospitalChina
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and TherapyTianjinChina
- Tianjin's Clinical Research Center for CancerChina
- Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and TherapyMinistry of EducationTianjin Medical UniversityChina
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14
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Smoktunowicz N, Platé M, Stern AO, D'Antongiovanni V, Robinson E, Chudasama V, Caddick S, Scotton CJ, Jarai G, Chambers RC. TGFβ upregulates PAR-1 expression and signalling responses in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:65471-65484. [PMID: 27566553 PMCID: PMC5323169 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The major high-affinity thrombin receptor, proteinase activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) is expressed at low levels by the normal epithelium but is upregulated in many types of cancer, including lung cancer. The thrombin-PAR-1 signalling axis contributes to the activation of latent TGFβ in response to tissue injury via an αvβ6 integrin-mediated mechanism. TGFβ is a pleiotropic cytokine that acts as a tumour suppressor in normal and dysplastic cells but switches into a tumour promoter in advanced tumours. In this study we demonstrate that TGFβ is a positive regulator of PAR-1 expression in A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells, which in turn increases the sensitivity of these cells to thrombin signalling. We further demonstrate that this effect is Smad3-, ERK1/2- and Sp1-dependent. We also show that TGFβ-mediated PAR-1 upregulation is accompanied by increased expression of integrin αv and β6 subunits. Finally, TGFβ pre-stimulation promotes increased migratory potential of A549 to thrombin. These data have important implications for our understanding of the interplay between coagulation and TGFβ signalling responses in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Smoktunowicz
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Manuela Platé
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Alejandro Ortiz Stern
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vanessa D'Antongiovanni
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Eifion Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Vijay Chudasama
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephen Caddick
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chris J Scotton
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
| | - Gabor Jarai
- Novartis Institutes of Biomedical Research, Horsham, UK
| | - Rachel C Chambers
- Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair, UCL Respiratory, University College London, London, UK
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15
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Kim KH, Park SH, Do KH, Kim J, Choi KU, Moon Y. NSAID-activated gene 1 mediates pro-inflammatory signaling activation and paclitaxel chemoresistance in type I human epithelial ovarian cancer stem-like cells. Oncotarget 2018; 7:72148-72166. [PMID: 27708225 PMCID: PMC5342151 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in developed countries. Chronic endogenous sterile pro-inflammatory responses are strongly linked to EOC progression and chemoresistance to anti-cancer therapeutics. In the present study, the activity of epithelial NF-κB, a key pro-inflammatory transcription factor, was enhanced with the progress of EOC. This result was mechanistically linked with an increased expression of NSAID-Activated Gene 1 (NAG-1) in MyD88-positive type I EOC stem-like cells, compared with that in MyD88-negative type II EOC cells. Elevated NAG-1 as a potent biomarker of poor prognosis in the ovarian cancer was positively associated with the levels of NF-κB activation, chemokines and stemness markers in type I EOC cells. In terms of signal transduction, NAG-1-activated SMAD-linked and non-canonical TGFβ-activated kinase 1 (TAK-1)-activated pathways contributed to NF-κB activation and the subsequent induction of some chemokines and cancer stemness markers. In addition to effects on NF-κB-dependent gene regulation, NAG-1 was involved in expression of EGF receptor and subsequent activation of EGF receptor-linked signaling. The present study also provided evidences for links between NAG-1-linked signaling and chemoresistance in ovarian cancer cells. NAG-1 and pro-inflammatory NF-κB were positively associated with resistance to paclitaxel in MyD88-positive type I EOC cells. Mechanistically, this chemoresistance occurred due to enhanced activation of the SMAD-4- and non-SMAD-TAK-1-linked pathways. All of the present data suggested NAG-1 protein as a crucial mediator of EOC progression and resistance to the standard first-line chemotherapy against EOC, particularly in MyD88-positive ovarian cancer stem-like cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hyung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.,Biomedical Research Institute and Pusan Cancer Center, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, South Korea.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, South Korea
| | - Seong-Hwan Park
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.,Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Kee Hun Do
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.,Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Juil Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.,Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Kyung Un Choi
- Biomedical Research Institute and Pusan Cancer Center, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, South Korea.,Department of Pathology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, South Korea
| | - Yuseok Moon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea.,Biomedical Research Institute and Pusan Cancer Center, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, South Korea.,Research Institute for Basic Sciences, Pusan National University, Busan, South Korea
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16
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Gu X, Xu D, Fu L, Wang Y, Mei C, Gao X. KLF 15 Works as an Early Anti-Fibrotic Transcriptional Regulator in Ang II-Induced Renal Fibrosis via Down-Regulation of CTGF Expression. Kidney Blood Press Res 2017; 42:999-1012. [PMID: 29179208 DOI: 10.1159/000485349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been regarded as an important profibrogenic cytokine in renal fibrosis. Krüppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) has been identified as an important negative transcription factor in renal fibrosis. However, little is known about the role of KLF15 in Ang II-induced renal fibrosis. METHODS In this study, we randomized mice into a control group, Ang II group or Ang II plus losartan group. KLF15 expression was examined with real-time PCR and immunofluorescence in these groups. In vitro, KLF15 expression was examined by Western blot in rat renal fibroblasts (NRK-49F) stimulated with Ang II, and the effect of altered KLF15 expression on the regulation of the profibrotic factor connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) was further explored with co-immunoprecipitation (CoIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analyses. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the murine model of Ang II-induced renal fibrosis demonstrated a significant decrease in renal KLF15 expression at 4 weeks and presented with progressive renal fibrosis at 6 weeks. Meanwhile, losartan, an angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, effectively prevented the down-regulation of KLF15 expression induced by Ang II infusion. In vitro, NRK-49F cells stimulated with Ang II exhibited a significant decrease in KLF15 expression, accompanied by a marked increase in the expression of profibrotic factors and in the production of extracellular matrix. The up-regulation of CTGF expression induced by Ang II stimulation was inhibited by KLF15 overexpression in NRK-49F cells, and losartan treatment prevented the down-regulation of KLF15 expression and the up-regulation of CTGF expression induced by Ang II stimulation. Furthermore, CoIP and ChIP assays revealed that the transcription regulator KLF15 directly bound to the co-activator P/CAF and repressed its recruitment to the CTGF promoter. CONCLUSIONS Ang II down-regulates KLF15 expression via the AT1 receptor, and KLF15 is likely to inhibit Ang II-induced CTGF expression by repressing the recruitment of the co-activator P/CAF to the CTGF promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangchen Gu
- Kidney Institute of PLA, Department of Nephrology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Nephrology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Dechao Xu
- Kidney Institute of PLA, Department of Nephrology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Fu
- Kidney Institute of PLA, Department of Nephrology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changlin Mei
- Kidney Institute of PLA, Department of Nephrology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Kidney Institute of PLA, Department of Nephrology, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
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17
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Morales MG, Acuña MJ, Cabrera D, Goldschmeding R, Brandan E. The pro-fibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) correlates with the number of necrotic-regenerative foci in dystrophic muscle. J Cell Commun Signal 2017; 12:413-421. [PMID: 28887614 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-017-0409-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) has strong inflammatory and profibrotic activities. Its expression is enhanced in skeletal muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a myopathy characterized by exacerbated inflammation and fibrosis. In dystrophic tissue, necrotic-regenerative foci, myofibroblasts, newly-regenerated muscle fibers and necrosis all occur simultaneously. To determine if CCN2 is involved in the appearance of the foci, we studied their presence and characteristics in mdx mice (DMD mouse model) compared to mdx mice hemizygous for CCN2 (mdx-Ccn2+/-). We used laser capture microdissection followed by gene expression and immunofluorescence analyses to investigate fibrotic, inflammation and regeneration markers in damaged and non-damaged areas in mdx and mdx-Ccn2+/- skeletal muscle. Mdx mice foci express elevated mRNAs levels of transforming growth factor type beta, collagen, fibronectin, the myofribroblast marker α-SMA, and the myogenic transcription factor myogenin. Mdx foci also show elevated levels of MCP-1 and CD-68 positive cells, indicating that CCN2 could be inducing an inflammatory response. We found a significant reduction in the number of foci in mdx-Ccn2+/- mice muscle. Fibrotic and inflammatory markers were also decreased in these foci. We did not observe any difference in Pax7 mRNA levels, a marker for satellite cells, in mdx mice compared to mdx-Ccn2+/- mice. Thus, CCN2 appears to be involved in the fibrotic response as well as in the inflammatory response in the dystrophic skeletal muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Gabriela Morales
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC y Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - María José Acuña
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC y Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Daniel Cabrera
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC y Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roel Goldschmeding
- Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Enrique Brandan
- Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración, CARE Chile UC y Departamento de Biología Celular y Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
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Fibrosis development in early-onset muscular dystrophies: Mechanisms and translational implications. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 64:181-190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Delaney K, Kasprzycka P, Ciemerych MA, Zimowska M. The role of TGF-β1 during skeletal muscle regeneration. Cell Biol Int 2017; 41:706-715. [PMID: 28035727 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.10725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The injury of adult skeletal muscle initiates series of well-coordinated events that lead to the efficient repair of the damaged tissue. Any disturbances during muscle myolysis or reconstruction may result in the unsuccessful regeneration, characterised by strong inflammatory response and formation of connective tissue, that is, fibrosis. The switch between proper regeneration of skeletal muscle and development of fibrosis is controlled by various factors. Amongst them are those belonging to the transforming growth factor β family. One of the TGF-β family members is TGF-β1, a multifunctional cytokine involved in the regulation of muscle repair via satellite cells activation, connective tissue formation, as well as regulation of the immune response intensity. Here, we present the role of TGF-β1 in myogenic differentiation and muscle repair. The understanding of the mechanisms controlling these processes can contribute to the better understanding of skeletal muscle atrophy and diseases which consequence is fibrosis disrupting muscle function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Delaney
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Cytology, Institute of Zoology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa St., 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Kasprzycka
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Cytology, Institute of Zoology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa St., 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maria Anna Ciemerych
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Cytology, Institute of Zoology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa St., 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Zimowska
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Cytology, Institute of Zoology, University of Warsaw, 1 Miecznikowa St., 02-096 Warsaw, Poland
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Transient Shifts of Incubation Temperature Reveal Immediate and Long-Term Transcriptional Response in Chicken Breast Muscle Underpinning Resilience and Phenotypic Plasticity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162485. [PMID: 27611643 PMCID: PMC5017601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Variations in egg incubation temperatures can have acute or long-term effects on gene transcription in avian species. Altered gene expression may, in turn, affect muscle traits in poultry and indirectly influence commercial production. To determine how changes in eggshell temperature affect gene expression, incubation temperatures were varied [36.8°C (low), 37.8°C (control), 38.8°C (high)] at specific time periods reflecting two stages of myogenesis [embryonic days (ED) 7-10 and 10-13]. Gene expression was compared between interventions and matching controls by microarrays in broiler breast muscle at ED10 or ED13 and post-hatch at day 35. Early (ED7-10) high incubation temperature (H10ΔC) resulted in 1370 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in embryos. Ingenuity pathway analysis revealed temporary activation of cell maintenance, organismal development, and survival ability genes, but these effects were not maintained in adults. Late high incubation temperature (ED10-13) (H13ΔC) had slightly negative impacts on development of cellular components in embryos, but a cumulative effect was observed in adults, in which tissue development and nutrition metabolism were affected. Early low incubation temperature (L10ΔC) produced 368 DEGs, most of which were down-regulated and involved in differentiation and formation of muscle cells. In adults, this treatment down-regulated pathways of transcriptional processes, but up-regulated cell proliferation. Late low temperature incubation (L13ΔC) produced 795 DEGs in embryos, and activated organismal survival and post-transcriptional regulation pathways. In adults this treatment activated cellular and organ development, nutrition and small molecule activity, and survival rate, but deactivated size of body and muscle cells. Thermal interventions during incubation initiate immediate and delayed transcriptional responses that are specific for timing and direction of treatment. Interestingly, the transcriptional response to transiently decreased incubation temperature, which did not affect the phenotypes, prompts compensatory effects reflecting resilience. In contrast, higher incubation temperature triggers gene expression and has long-term effects on the phenotype. These mechanisms of considerable phenotypic plasticity contribute to the biodiversity and broaden the basis for managing poultry populations.
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Sundararaj K, Pleasant DL, Moschella PC, Panneerselvam K, Balasubramanian S, Kuppuswamy D. mTOR Complexes Repress Hypertrophic Agonist-Stimulated Expression of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Adult Cardiac Muscle Cells. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2016; 67:110-20. [PMID: 26371948 PMCID: PMC7334753 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a fibrogenic cytokine that promotes fibrosis in various organs. In the heart, both cardiomyocytes (CM) and cardiac fibroblasts have been reported as a source of CTGF expression, aiding cardiac fibrosis. Although the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) forms 2 distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, and plays a central role in integrating biochemical signals for protein synthesis and cellular homeostasis, we explored its role in CTGF expression in adult feline CM. CM were stimulated with 10 μM phenylephrine (PE), 200 nM angiotensin (Ang), or 100 nM insulin for 24 hours. PE and Ang, but not insulin, caused an increase in CTGF mRNA expression with the highest expression observed with PE. Inhibition of mTOR with torin1 but not rapamycin significantly enhanced PE-stimulated CTGF expression. Furthermore, silencing of raptor and rictor using shRNA adenoviral vectors to suppress mTORC1 and mTORC2, respectively, or blocking phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling with LY294002 (LY) or Akt signaling by dominant-negative Akt expression caused a substantial increase in PE-stimulated CTGF expression as measured by both mRNA and secreted protein levels. However, studies with dominant-negative delta isoform of protein kinase C demonstrate that delta isoform of protein kinase C is required for both agonist-induced CTGF expression and mTORC2/Akt-mediated CTGF suppression. Finally, PE-stimulated CTGF expression was accompanied with a corresponding increase in Smad3 phosphorylation and pretreatment of cells with SIS3, a Smad3 specific inhibitor, partially blocked the PE-stimulated CTGF expression. Therefore, a PI3K/mTOR/Akt axis plays a suppressive role on agonist-stimulated CTGF expression where the loss of this mechanism could be a contributing factor for the onset of cardiac fibrosis in the hypertrophying myocardium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamala Sundararaj
- Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425-2221
| | - Dorea L. Pleasant
- Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425-2221
| | - Phillip C. Moschella
- Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425-2221
| | - Kavin Panneerselvam
- Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425-2221
| | - Sundaravadivel Balasubramanian
- Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425-2221
| | - Dhandapani Kuppuswamy
- Cardiology Division of the Department of Medicine, Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425-2221
- Corresponding author at: Gazes Cardiac Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, 114 Doughty Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29425-2221 Telephone: 843-876 5067; Fax: 843-876 5068;
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Fan Z, Hao C, Li M, Dai X, Qin H, Li J, Xu H, Wu X, Zhang L, Fang M, Zhou B, Tian W, Xu Y. MKL1 is an epigenetic modulator of TGF-β induced fibrogenesis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2015; 1849:1219-28. [PMID: 26241940 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 07/31/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF-β) induced activation of portal fibroblast cells serves as a primary cause for liver fibrosis following cholestatic injury. The underlying epigenetic mechanism is not clear. We studied the role of a transcriptional modulator, megakaryoblastic leukemia 1 (MKL1) in this process. We report here that MKL1 deficiency ameliorated BDL-induced liver fibrosis in mice as assessed by histological stainings and expression levels of pro-fibrogenic genes. MKL1 silencing by small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated TGF-β induced transactivation of pro-fibrogenic genes in portal fibroblast cells. TGF-β stimulated the binding of MKL1 on the promoters of pro-fibrogenic genes and promoted the interaction between MKL1 and SMAD3. While SMAD3 was necessary for MKL1 occupancy on the gene promoters, MKL1 depletion impaired SMAD3 binding reciprocally. TGF-β treatment induced the accumulation of trimethylated histone H3K4 on the gene promoters by recruiting a methyltransferase complex. Knockdown of individual members of this complex significantly weakened the binding of SMAD3 and down-regulated the activation of portal fibroblast cells. In conclusion, we have identified an epigenetic pathway that dictates TGF-β induced pro-fibrogenic transcription in portal fibroblast thereby providing novel insights for the development of therapeutic solutions to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Fan
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenzhi Hao
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Dai
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Qin
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianfei Li
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huihui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liping Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Nursing, Jiangsu Jiankang Vocational University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bisheng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenfang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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