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Ambhore NS, Balraj P, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS, Sathish V. Estrogen receptors differentially modifies lamellipodial and focal adhesion dynamics in airway smooth muscle cell migration. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 579:112087. [PMID: 37827228 PMCID: PMC10842142 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Sex-steroid signaling, especially estrogen, has a paradoxical impact on regulating airway remodeling. In our previous studies, we demonstrated differential effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) towards estrogen receptors (ERs: α and β) in regulating airway smooth muscle (ASM) cell proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. However, the role of ERs and their signaling on ASM migration is still unexplored. In this study, we examined how ERα versus ERβ affects the mitogen (Platelet-derived growth factor, PDGF)-induced human ASM cell migration as well as the underlying mechanisms involved. We used Lionheart-FX automated microscopy and transwell assays to measure cell migration and found that activating specific ERs had differential effects on PDGF-induced ASM cell migration. Pharmacological activation of ERβ or shRNA mediated knockdown of ERα and specific activation of ERβ blunted PDGF-induced cell migration. Furthermore, specific ERβ activation showed inhibition of actin polymerization by reducing the F/G-actin ratio. Using Zeiss confocal microscopy coupled with three-dimensional algorithmic ZEN-image analysis showed an ERβ-mediated reduction in PDGF-induced expressions of neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP) and actin-related proteins-2/3 (Arp2/3) complex, thereby inhibiting actin-branching and lamellipodia. In addition, ERβ activation also reduces the clustering of actin-binding proteins (vinculin and paxillin) at the leading edge of ASM cells. However, cells treated with E2 or ERα agonists do not show significant changes in actin/lamellipodial dynamics. Overall, these findings unveil the significance of ERβ activation in regulating lamellipodial and focal adhesion dynamics to regulate ASM cell migration and could be a novel target to blunt airway remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Premanand Balraj
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
| | - Christina M Pabelick
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Y S Prakash
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA.
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Borkar NA, Ambhore NS, Balraj P, Ramakrishnan YS, Sathish V. Kisspeptin regulates airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in a mouse model of asthma. J Pathol 2023; 260:339-352. [PMID: 37171283 PMCID: PMC10759912 DOI: 10.1002/path.6086] [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: 09/06/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Asthma is a multifactorial disease of origin characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway remodeling. Several pieces of evidence from other pathologies suggest that Kisspeptins (Kp) regulate cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, mechanisms that are highly relevant to asthma. Our recent in vitro studies show Kp-10 (active peptide of Kp), via its receptor, KISS1R, inhibits human airway smooth muscle cell proliferation. Here, we hypothesize a crucial role for Kp-10 in regulating AHR and airway remodeling in vivo. Utilizing C57BL/6J mice, we assessed the effect of chronic intranasal Kp-10 exposure on mixed allergen (MA)-induced mouse model of asthma. MA-challenged mice showed significant deterioration of lung function compared to those exposed to vehicle (DPBS); Kp-10 treatment significantly improved the MA-altered lung functions. Mice treated with Kp-10 alone did not show any notable changes in lung functions. MA-exposed mice showed a significant reduction in KISS1R expression as compared to vehicle alone. MA-challenged mice showed significant alterations in immune cell infiltration in the airways and remodeling changes. Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly increased upon MA exposure, an effect abrogated by Kp-10 treatment. Furthermore, biochemical and histological studies showed Kp-10 exposure significantly reduced MA-induced smooth muscle mass and soluble collagen in the lung. Overall, our findings highlight the effect of chronic Kp-10 exposure in regulating MA-induced AHR and remodeling. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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Warren KJ, Deering-Rice C, Huecksteadt T, Trivedi S, Venosa A, Reilly C, Sanders K, Clayton F, Wyatt TA, Poole JA, Heller NM, Leung D, Paine R. Steady-state estradiol triggers a unique innate immune response to allergen resulting in increased airway resistance. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:2. [PMID: 36609358 PMCID: PMC9817388 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-022-00483-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Asthma is a chronic airway condition that occurs more often in women than men during reproductive years. Population studies have collectively shown that long-term use of oral contraceptives decreased the onset of asthma in women of reproductive age. In the current study, we hypothesized that steady-state levels of estrogen would reduce airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine challenge. METHODS Ovariectomized BALB/c mice (Ovx) were implanted with subcutaneous hormone pellets (estrogen, OVX-E2) that deliver consistent levels of estrogen [68 ± 2 pg/mL], or placebo pellets (OVX-Placebo), followed by ovalbumin sensitization and challenge. In conjunction with methacholine challenge, immune phenotyping was performed to correlate inflammatory proteins and immune populations with better or worse pulmonary outcomes measured by invasive pulmonary mechanics techniques. RESULTS Histologic analysis showed an increase in total cell infiltration and mucus staining around the airways leading to an increased inflammatory score in ovarectomized (OVX) animals with steady-state estrogen pellets (OVX-E2-OVA) as compared to other groups including female-sham operated (F-INTACT-OVA) and OVX implanted with a placebo pellet (OVX-Pl-OVA). Airway resistance (Rrs) and lung elastance (Ers) were increased in OVX-E2-OVA in comparison to F-INTACT-OVA following aerosolized intratracheal methacholine challenges. Immune phenotyping revealed that steady-state estrogen reduced CD3+ T cells, CD19+ B cells, ILC2 and eosinophils in the BAL across all experiments. While these commonly described allergic cells were reduced in the BAL, or airways, we found no changes in neutrophils, CD3+ T cells or CD19+ B cells in the remaining lung tissue. Similarly, inflammatory cytokines (IL-5 and IL-13) were also decreased in OVX-E2-OVA-treated animals in comparison to Female-INTACT-OVA mice in the BAL, but in the lung tissue IL-5, IL-13 and IL-33 were comparable in OVX-E2-OVA and F-INTACT OVA mice. ILC2 were sorted from the lungs and stimulated with exogenous IL-33. These ILC2 had reduced cytokine and chemokine expression when they were isolated from OVX-E2-OVA animals, indicating that steady-state estrogen suppresses IL-33-mediated activation of ILC2. CONCLUSIONS Therapeutically targeting estrogen receptors may have a limiting effect on eosinophils, ILC2 and potentially other immune populations that may improve asthma symptoms in those females that experience perimenstrual worsening of asthma, with the caveat, that long-term use of estrogens or hormone receptor modulators may be detrimental to the lung microenvironment over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristi J Warren
- George E Wahlen Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- The Division of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
| | - Cassandra Deering-Rice
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Tom Huecksteadt
- George E Wahlen Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Shubhanshi Trivedi
- George E Wahlen Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- The Division of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Alessandro Venosa
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Christopher Reilly
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Karl Sanders
- George E Wahlen Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- The Division of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Frederic Clayton
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Todd A Wyatt
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Jill A Poole
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Nicola M Heller
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Daniel Leung
- The Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Robert Paine
- George E Wahlen Salt Lake City VA Medical Center, 500 Foothill Dr., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- The Division of Respiratory, Critical Care, and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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Yang L, Zhang YM, Guo MN, Zhang H, Zhu XY, Xu C, Liu YJ. Matrine Attenuates Lung Injury by Modulating Macrophage Polarization and Suppressing Apoptosis. J Surg Res 2023; 281:264-274. [PMID: 36219938 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Persistent lung inflammation is a characteristic of sepsis-induced lung injury. Matrine, the active ingredient from Sophora flavescens, has exhibited anti-inflammatory activities. This study investigated the effects of prophylactic administration of matrine on macrophage polarization, apoptosis, and tissue injury in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced murine lung injury model. METHODS Mice were randomly allocated into four groups: Sham, CLP, Sham + Matrine, and CLP + Matrine. Lung tissues were collected at 24 h post-CLP. Histopathology and immunofluorescence analysis were performed to evaluate lung injury and macrophage infiltration in the lung, respectively. Caspase-3 activities, TUNEL staining, and anti-apoptotic proteins were examined to assess apoptosis. To determine the mechanism of action of matrine, protein levels of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), p53 and the messenger RNA levels of p53-mediated proapoptotic genes were examined to elucidate the associated signaling pathways. RESULTS Histopathological evaluation showed that matrine prophylaxis attenuated sepsis-induced lung injury. Matrine prophylaxis attenuated sepsis-induced infiltration of the total population of macrophages in the lung. Matrine inhibited M1 macrophage infiltration, but increased M2 macrophage infiltration, thus resulting in a decrease in the proportion of M1 to M2 macrophages in septic lung. Sepsis-induced lung injury was associated with apoptotic cell death as evidenced by increases in caspase-3 activity, TUNEL-positive cells, and decreases in antiapoptotic proteins, all of which were reversed by matrine prophylaxis. Matrine restored sepsis-induced downregulation of SIRT1 and deacetylation of NF-κB p65 subunit and p53, thus inactivating NF-κB pathway and suppressing p53-induced proapoptotic pathway in septic lung. CONCLUSIONS In summary, this study demonstrated that matrine exhibited pro-M2 macrophage polarization and antiapoptotic effects in sepsis-induced lung injury, which might be, at least partly, due to the modulation of SIRT1/NF-κB and SIRT1/p53 pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Yang
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China; Department of Burn Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Min Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meng-Nan Guo
- Department of Physiology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang Xu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yu-Jian Liu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Exercise and Metabolic Health, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China.
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Solis O, Beccari AR, Iaconis D, Talarico C, Ruiz-Bedoya CA, Nwachukwu JC, Cimini A, Castelli V, Bertini R, Montopoli M, Cocetta V, Borocci S, Prandi IG, Flavahan K, Bahr M, Napiorkowski A, Chillemi G, Ooka M, Yang X, Zhang S, Xia M, Zheng W, Bonaventura J, Pomper MG, Hooper JE, Morales M, Rosenberg AZ, Nettles KW, Jain SK, Allegretti M, Michaelides M. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds and modulates estrogen receptors. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eadd4150. [PMID: 36449624 PMCID: PMC9710872 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add4150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein binds angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 as its primary infection mechanism. Interactions between S and endogenous proteins occur after infection but are not well understood. We profiled binding of S against >9000 human proteins and found an interaction between S and human estrogen receptor α (ERα). Using bioinformatics, supercomputing, and experimental assays, we identified a highly conserved and functional nuclear receptor coregulator (NRC) LXD-like motif on the S2 subunit. In cultured cells, S DNA transfection increased ERα cytoplasmic accumulation, and S treatment induced ER-dependent biological effects. Non-invasive imaging in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters localized lung pathology with increased ERα lung levels. Postmortem lung experiments from infected hamsters and humans confirmed an increase in cytoplasmic ERα and its colocalization with S in alveolar macrophages. These findings describe the discovery of a S-ERα interaction, imply a role for S as an NRC, and advance knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 biology and coronavirus disease 2019 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Solis
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | | | | | | | - Camilo A. Ruiz-Bedoya
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jerome C. Nwachukwu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122, USA
| | - Vanessa Castelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Monica Montopoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- VIMM- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata, Padova, Italy
| | - Veronica Cocetta
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Borocci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Ingrid G. Prandi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Kelly Flavahan
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Melissa Bahr
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Anna Napiorkowski
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Giovanni Chillemi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Masato Ooka
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Shiliang Zhang
- Neuronal Networks Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jody E. Hooper
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Neuronal Networks Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Avi Z. Rosenberg
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Kendall W. Nettles
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Sanjay K. Jain
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Marcello Allegretti
- Dompé farmaceutici S.p.A, L’Aquila, Italy
- Corresponding author. (M.M.); (M.A.)
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Corresponding author. (M.M.); (M.A.)
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Ambhore NS, Kumar A, Sathish V. Molecular determinants of airway smooth muscle cells in health and disease. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:1084. [PMID: 36388811 PMCID: PMC9652533 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-4478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashish Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
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7
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Solis O, Beccari AR, Iaconis D, Talarico C, Ruiz-Bedoya CA, Nwachukwu JC, Cimini A, Castelli V, Bertini R, Montopoli M, Cocetta V, Borocci S, Prandi IG, Flavahan K, Bahr M, Napiorkowski A, Chillemi G, Ooka M, Yang X, Zhang S, Xia M, Zheng W, Bonaventura J, Pomper MG, Hooper JE, Morales M, Rosenberg AZ, Nettles KW, Jain SK, Allegretti M, Michaelides M. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein binds and modulates estrogen receptors. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.05.21.492920. [PMID: 35665018 PMCID: PMC9164441 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.21.492920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike (S) protein binds angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) at the cell surface, which constitutes the primary mechanism driving SARS-CoV-2 infection. Molecular interactions between the transduced S and endogenous proteins likely occur post-infection, but such interactions are not well understood. We used an unbiased primary screen to profile the binding of full-length S against >9,000 human proteins and found significant S-host protein interactions, including one between S and human estrogen receptor alpha (ERα). After confirming this interaction in a secondary assay, we used bioinformatics, supercomputing, and experimental assays to identify a highly conserved and functional nuclear receptor coregulator (NRC) LXD-like motif on the S2 subunit and an S-ERα binding mode. In cultured cells, S DNA transfection increased ERα cytoplasmic accumulation, and S treatment induced ER-dependent biological effects and ACE2 expression. Noninvasive multimodal PET/CT imaging in SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters using [ 18 F]fluoroestradiol (FES) localized lung pathology with increased ERα lung levels. Postmortem experiments in lung tissues from SARS-CoV-2-infected hamsters and humans confirmed an increase in cytoplasmic ERα expression and its colocalization with S protein in alveolar macrophages. These findings describe the discovery and characterization of a novel S-ERα interaction, imply a role for S as an NRC, and are poised to advance knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 biology, COVID-19 pathology, and mechanisms of sex differences in the pathology of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Solis
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | - Camilo A. Ruiz-Bedoya
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jerome C. Nwachukwu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Annamaria Cimini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Vanessa Castelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, L’Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Monica Montopoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- VIMM- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata, Padova, Italy
| | - Veronica Cocetta
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Stefano Borocci
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Ingrid G. Prandi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Kelly Flavahan
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Melissa Bahr
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anna Napiorkowski
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Giovanni Chillemi
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems, DIBAF, University of Tuscia, Viterbo, Italy
| | - Masato Ooka
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Xiaoping Yang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shiliang Zhang
- Neuronal Networks Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Menghang Xia
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- Division of Preclinical Innovation, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Jordi Bonaventura
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Catalonia
| | - Martin G. Pomper
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jody E. Hooper
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marisela Morales
- Neuronal Networks Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
| | - Avi Z. Rosenberg
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kendall W. Nettles
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA
| | - Sanjay K. Jain
- Center for Infection and Inflammation Imaging Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1550 Orleans Street, CRB-II Room 109, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, Baltimore, 21224, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Borkar NA, Ambhore NS, Kalidhindi RSR, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS, Sathish V. Kisspeptins inhibit human airway smooth muscle proliferation. JCI Insight 2022; 7:152762. [PMID: 35420998 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex/gender disparity in asthma is recognized, and suggests a modulatory role for sex-steroids, particularly estrogen. However, studies including our own show a dichotomous role for estrogen in airway remodeling, making it unclear whether sex hormones are protective or detrimental in asthma, and suggesting a need to explore mechanisms upstream or independent of estrogen. We hypothesize that Kisspeptin (Kp)/KISS1R signaling serves this role. Airway smooth muscle (ASM) is a key structural cell type that contributes to remodeling in asthma. We explored the role of Kp/KISS1R in regulating ASM proliferation. We report novel data that Kp and KISS1R are expressed in human airways, especially ASM, with lower expression in ASM from females compared to males, and asthmatics showing lowest expression compared to non-asthmatics. Proliferation studies showed that cleaved forms of Kp, particularly Kp-10 mitigates PDGF-induced ASM proliferation. Pharmacological inhibition and shRNA knockdown of KISS1R increased basal ASM proliferation, further amplified by PDGF. The anti-proliferative effect of Kp-10 in ASM was found to be mediated by inhibition of MAPK-ERK-Akt pathways, with altered expression of PCNA, C/EBP-alpha, Ki-67, Cyclin-D1, and Cyclin-E leading to cell-cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase. Overall, we demonstrate the importance of Kp/KISS1R signaling in regulating ASM proliferation and a potentially novel therapeutic avenue to blunt remodeling in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niyati A Borkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, United States of America
| | - Nilesh Sudhakar Ambhore
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, United States of America
| | | | - Christina M Pabelick
- Department of Anesthesiology and Physiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States of America
| | - Y S Prakash
- Department of Anesthesiology and Physiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, United States of America
| | - Venkatachalem Sathish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, United States of America
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9
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Brandi ML. Are sex hormones promising candidates to explain sex disparities in the COVID-19 pandemic? Rev Endocr Metab Disord 2022; 23:171-183. [PMID: 34761329 PMCID: PMC8580578 DOI: 10.1007/s11154-021-09692-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggests that the novel Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is deadlier for men than women both in China and in Europe. Male sex is a risk factor for COVID-19 mortality. The meccanisms underlying the reduced morbidity and lethality in women are currently unclear, even though hypotheses have been posed (Brandi and Giustina in Trends Endocrinol Metab. 31:918-27, 2020). This article aims to describe the role of sex hormones in sex- and gender-related fatality of COVID-19. We discuss the possibility that potential sex-specific mechanisms modulating the course of the disease include both the androgen- and the estrogen-response cascade. Sex hormones regulate the respiratory function, the innate and adaptive immune responses, the immunoaging, the cardiovascular system, and the entrance of the virus in the cells. Recommendations for the future government policies and for the management of COVID-19 patients should include a dimorphic approach for males and females. As the estrogen receptor signaling appears critical for protection in women, more studies are needed to translate the basic knowledge into clinical actions. Understanding the etiological bases of sexual dimorphism in COVID-19 could help develop more effective strategies in individual patients in both sexes, including designing a good vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Luisa Brandi
- Fondazione Italiana Per La Ricerca Sulle Malattie Dell'Osso, Florence, Italy.
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10
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Zhang Z, Chen H, Yu P, Ge C, Fang M, Zhao X, Geng Q, Wang H. Inducible factors and interaction of pulmonary fibrosis induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure in offspring rats. Toxicol Lett 2022; 359:65-72. [PMID: 35143883 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.02.001] [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: 10/10/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the correlation between prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) and susceptibility to pulmonary fibrosis in offspring. Healthy female Wistar rats were given dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg.d) or an equal volume of normal saline subcutaneously from 9 to 20 days after conception. Some of their female offspring underwent ovariectomy (OV) at 22 weeks after birth. All animals were euthanized at 28 weeks after birth. The morphological changes related to pulmonary fibrosis and extracellular matrix-related gene expression were detected, and Two-way ANOVA analyzed the interaction between PDE and OV. The results showed that adult offspring rats in FD group (female rats with PDE treatment) had early pulmonary fibrosis changes, such as pulmonary interstitial thickening, and increased expression of type IV collagen (COL4), α -smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) in lung tissues compared with those in FC group (female rats with saline treatment). In addition, adult offspring rats in FDO group (female rats with PDE and OV treatment) showed signs of pulmonary fibrosis, including apparent extracellular matrix deposition, increased lung injury scores (P<0.01, P<0.05), and extracellular matrix related gene expression (P<0.01, P<0.05), compared with rats in FDS (female rats with PDE treatment alone) or rats in FCO group (female rats with OV treatment alone). Moreover, PDE and OV had an interactive effect on the development of pulmonary fibrosis in female adult offspring. This study first reported the correlation between PDE and susceptibility to pulmonary fibrosis in female offspring rats, as well as the synergistic effect of PDE and OV in this pathological event, which provided a basis for further understanding of the pathogenesis of fetal originated pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyao Zhang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Rd, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Huijun Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Pengxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Caiyun Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Man Fang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xiaoqi Zhao
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Qing Geng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, No.238 Jiefang Rd, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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11
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Sex, Allergic Diseases and Omalizumab. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020328. [PMID: 35203537 PMCID: PMC8869622 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Gender differences are increasingly emerging in every area of medicine including drug therapy; however, specific gender-targeted studies are infrequent. Sex is a fundamental variable, which cannot be neglected. When optimizing therapies, gender pharmacology must always be considered in order to improve the effectiveness and safety of the use of drugs. Knowledge of gender differences promotes appropriate use of therapies and greater health protection for both genders. Further development of gender research would make it possible to report on differences in the assimilation and response of the female organism as compared to the male, in order to identify potential risks and benefits that can be found between genders. Furthermore, a better understanding of sex/gender-related influences, with regard to pharmacological activity, would allow the development of personalized “tailor-made” medicines. Here, we summarize the state of knowledge on the role of sex in several allergic diseases and their treatment with omalizumab, the first biologic drug authorized for use in the field of allergology.
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Investigation of the role of the autophagic protein LC3B in the regulation of human airway epithelium cell differentiation in COPD using a biomimetic model. Mater Today Bio 2021; 13:100182. [PMID: 34917923 PMCID: PMC8668979 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2021.100182] [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: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most lethal chronic disease worldwide; however, the establishment of reliable in vitro models for exploring the biological mechanisms of COPD remains challenging. Here, we determined the differences in the expression and characteristics of the autophagic protein LC3B in normal and COPD human small airway epithelial cells and found that the nucleus of COPD cells obviously accumulated LC3B. We next established 3D human small airway tissues with distinct disease characteristics by regulating the biological microenvironment, extracellular matrix, and air-liquid interface culture methods. Using this biomimetic model, we found that LC3B affects the differentiation of COPD cells into basal, secretory, mucous, and ciliated cells. Moreover, although chloroquine and ivermectin effectively inhibited the expression of LC3B in the nucleus, chloroquine specifically maintained the performance of LC3B in cytoplasm, thereby contributing to the differentiation of ciliated cells and subsequent improvement in the beating functions of the cilia, whereas ivermectin only facilitated differentiation of goblet cells. We demonstrated that the autophagic mechanism of LC3B in the nucleus is one factor regulating the ciliary differentiation and function of COPD cells. Our innovative model can be used to further analyze the physiological mechanisms in the in vitro airway environment.
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