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Gerrits T, Dijkstra KL, Bruijn JA, Scharpfenecker M, Bijkerk R, Baelde HJ. Antisense oligonucleotide-mediated terminal intron retention of endoglin: A potential strategy to inhibit renal interstitial fibrosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167186. [PMID: 38642778 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
TGF-β is considered an important cytokine in the development of interstitial fibrosis in chronic kidney disease. The TGF-β co-receptor endoglin (ENG) tends to be upregulated in kidney fibrosis. ENG has two membrane bound isoforms generated via alternative splicing. Long-ENG was shown to enhance the extent of renal fibrosis in an unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse model, while short-ENG inhibited renal fibrosis. Here we aimed to achieve terminal intron retention of endoglin using antisense-oligo nucleotides (ASOs), thereby shifting the ratio towards short-ENG to inhibit the TGF-β1-mediated pro-fibrotic response. We isolated mRNA from kidney biopsies of patients with chronic allograft disease (CAD) (n = 12) and measured total ENG and short-ENG mRNA levels. ENG mRNA was upregulated 2.3 fold (p < 0.05) in kidneys of CAD patients compared to controls, while the percentage short-ENG of the total ENG mRNA was significantly lower (1.8 fold; p < 0.05). Transfection of ASOs that target splicing regulatory sites of ENG into TK173 fibroblasts led to higher levels of short-ENG (2 fold; p < 0.05). In addition, we stimulated these cells with TGF-β1 and measured a decrease in upregulation of ACTA2, COL1A1 and FN1 mRNA levels, and protein expression of αSMA, collagen type I, and fibronectin. These results show a potential for ENG ASOs as a therapy to reduce interstitial fibrosis in CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Gerrits
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands.
| | - Kyra L Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Jan Anthonie Bruijn
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Marion Scharpfenecker
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Roel Bijkerk
- Department of Nephrology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hans J Baelde
- Department of Pathology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2333 ZA Leiden, Netherlands
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2
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Leung DH, Devaraj S, Goodrich NP, Chen X, Rajapakshe D, Ye W, Andreev V, Minard CG, Guffey D, Molleston JP, Bass LM, Karpen SJ, Kamath BM, Wang KS, Sundaram SS, Rosenthal P, McKiernan P, Loomes KM, Jensen MK, Horslen SP, Bezerra JA, Magee JC, Merion RM, Sokol RJ, Shneider BL, Alonso E, Bass L, Kelly S, Riordan M, Melin-Aldana H, Bezerra J, Bove K, Heubi J, Miethke A, Tiao G, Denlinger J, Chapman E, Sokol R, Feldman A, Mack C, Narkewicz M, Suchy F, Sundaram SS, Van Hove J, Garcia B, Kauma M, Kocher K, Steinbeiss M, Lovell M, Loomes KM, Piccoli D, Rand E, Russo P, Spinner N, Erlichman J, Stalford S, Pakstis D, King S, Squires R, Sindhi R, Venkat V, Bukauskas K, McKiernan P, Haberstroh L, Squires J, Rosenthal P, Bull L, Curry J, Langlois C, Kim G, Teckman J, Kociela V, Nagy R, Patel S, Cerkoski J, Molleston JP, Bozic M, Subbarao G, Klipsch A, Sawyers C, Cummings O, Horslen SP, Murray K, Hsu E, Cooper K, Young M, Finn L, Kamath BM, Ng V, Quammie C, Putra J, Sharma D, Parmar A, Guthery S, Jensen K, Rutherford A, Lowichik A, Book L, Meyers R, Hall T, Wang KS, Michail S, Thomas D, Goodhue C, Kohli R, Wang L, Soufi N, Thomas D, Karpen S, Gupta N, Romero R, Vos MB, Tory R, Berauer JP, Abramowsky C, McFall J, Shneider BL, Harpavat S, Hertel P, Leung D, Tessier M, Schady D, Cavallo L, Olvera D, Banks C, Tsai C, Thompson R, Doo E, Hoofnagle J, Sherker A, Torrance R, Hall S, Magee J, Merion R, Spino C, Ye W. Serum biomarkers correlated with liver stiffness assessed in a multicenter study of pediatric cholestatic liver disease. Hepatology 2023; 77:530-545. [PMID: 36069569 PMCID: PMC10151059 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Detailed investigation of the biological pathways leading to hepatic fibrosis and identification of liver fibrosis biomarkers may facilitate early interventions for pediatric cholestasis. APPROACH AND RESULTS A targeted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based panel of nine biomarkers (lysyl oxidase, tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], IL-8, endoglin, periostin, Mac-2-binding protein, MMP-3, and MMP-7) was examined in children with biliary atresia (BA; n = 187), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AT; n = 78), and Alagille syndrome (ALGS; n = 65) and correlated with liver stiffness (LSM) and biochemical measures of liver disease. Median age and LSM were 9 years and 9.5 kPa. After adjusting for covariates, there were positive correlations among LSM and endoglin ( p = 0.04) and IL-8 ( p < 0.001) and MMP-7 ( p < 0.001) in participants with BA. The best prediction model for LSM in BA using clinical and lab measurements had an R2 = 0.437; adding IL-8 and MMP-7 improved R2 to 0.523 and 0.526 (both p < 0.0001). In participants with A1AT, CTGF and LSM were negatively correlated ( p = 0.004); adding CTGF to an LSM prediction model improved R2 from 0.524 to 0.577 ( p = 0.0033). Biomarkers did not correlate with LSM in ALGS. A significant number of biomarker/lab correlations were found in participants with BA but not those with A1AT or ALGS. CONCLUSIONS Endoglin, IL-8, and MMP-7 significantly correlate with increased LSM in children with BA, whereas CTGF inversely correlates with LSM in participants with A1AT; these biomarkers appear to enhance prediction of LSM beyond clinical tests. Future disease-specific investigations of change in these biomarkers over time and as predictors of clinical outcomes will be important.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel H Leung
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Sridevi Devaraj
- Department of Pathology and Immunology , Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Nathan P Goodrich
- Arbor Research Collaborative for Health , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Xinpu Chen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology , Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Deepthi Rajapakshe
- Department of Pathology and Immunology , Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Wen Ye
- Department of Biostatistics , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Victor Andreev
- Arbor Research Collaborative for Health , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Charles G Minard
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Danielle Guffey
- Institute for Clinical and Translational Research , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
| | - Jean P Molleston
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics , Riley Hospital for Children , Indiana University , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA
| | - Lee M Bass
- Department of Pediatrics , Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago , Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine , Chicago , Illinois , USA
| | - Saul J Karpen
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics , Emory University School of Medicine , Atlanta , Georgia , USA
| | - Binita M Kamath
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto , Toronto , Ontario , Canada
| | - Kasper S Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery , Children's Hospital Los Angeles , Los Angeles , California , USA
| | - Shikha S Sundaram
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , Colorado , USA
| | - Philip Rosenthal
- Department of Pediatrics , University of California, San Francisco , San Francisco , California , USA
| | - Patrick McKiernan
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh , Pittsburg , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - Kathleen M Loomes
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics , The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , USA
| | - M Kyle Jensen
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , University of Utah School of Medicine , Salt Lake City , Utah , USA
| | - Simon P Horslen
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington School of Medicine , Seattle , Washington , USA
| | - Jorge A Bezerra
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , Cincinnati Children's Medical Center, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine , Cincinnati , Ohio , USA
| | - John C Magee
- University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Robert M Merion
- Arbor Research Collaborative for Health , Ann Arbor , Michigan , USA
| | - Ronald J Sokol
- Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition , Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine , Aurora , Colorado , USA
| | - Benjamin L Shneider
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Texas Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , Texas , USA
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Schoonderwoerd MJA, Hakuno SK, Sassen M, Kuhlemaijer EB, Paauwe M, Slingerland M, Fransen MF, Hawinkels LJAC. Targeting Endoglin Expressing Cells in the Tumor Microenvironment Does Not Inhibit Tumor Growth in a Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model. Onco Targets Ther 2021; 14:5205-5220. [PMID: 34744438 PMCID: PMC8565992 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s322276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal forms of cancer and is known to have low immunogenicity and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. It is also characterized by high accumulation of dense stroma, composed of mostly cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Multiple subsets of CAFs are described, with one of them expressing the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β co-receptor endoglin. In previous work, we and others have shown that endoglin-expressing CAFs stimulate tumor progression and metastasis. Therefore, in this study, we set out to investigate the role of endoglin-expressing CAFs in pancreatic cancer progression. Methods First, we investigated the expression of endoglin on CAFs in both human tissues as well as a mouse model for PDAC. Since CAF-specific endoglin expression was high, we targeted endoglin by using the endoglin neutralizing antibody TRC105 in the murine KPC model for PDAC. Results Although some signs of immune activation were observed, TRC105 did not affect tumor growth. Since 90% of the CD8+ T-cells expressed the immune checkpoint PD-1, we investigated the combination with a PD1 checkpoint inhibitor, which did not enhance therapeutic responses. Finally, genetic deletion of endoglin from collagen 1a1 expressing cells also did not affect the growth of the mouse KPC tumors. Conclusion Our results show that although endoglin is highly expressed on PDAC-CAFs and signaling is efficiently inhibited by TRC105, this does not result in decreased tumor growth in the KPC model for pancreatic cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J A Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sarah K Hakuno
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn Sassen
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Eleonore B Kuhlemaijer
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Madelon Paauwe
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Marieke F Fransen
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Lukas J A C Hawinkels
- Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Jeng KS, Sheen IS, Lin SS, Leu CM, Chang CF. The Role of Endoglin in Hepatocellular Carcinoma. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22063208. [PMID: 33809908 PMCID: PMC8004096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22063208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Endoglin (CD105) is a type-1 integral transmembrane glycoprotein and coreceptor for transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) ligands. The endoglin/TGF-β signaling pathway regulates hemostasis, cell proliferation/migration, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and angiogenesis. Angiogenesis contributes to early progression, invasion, postoperative recurrence, and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most widespread malignancies globally. Endoglin is overexpressed in newly formed HCC microvessels. It increases microvessel density in cirrhotic and regenerative HCC nodules. In addition, circulating endoglin is present in HCC patients, suggesting potential for use as a diagnostic or prognostic factor. HCC angiogenesis is dynamic and endoglin expression varies by stage. TRC105 (carotuximab) is an antibody against endoglin, and three of its clinical trials were related to liver diseases. A partial response was achieved when combining TRC105 with sorafenib. Although antiangiogenic therapy still carries some risks, combination therapy with endoglin inhibitors or other targeted therapies holds promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Shyang Jeng
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 22060, Taiwan; (K.-S.J.); (S.-S.L.)
| | - I-Shyan Sheen
- Department of Hepatogastroenterology, Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center, Chang-Gung University, Taoyuan city 33305, Taiwan;
| | - Shu-Sheng Lin
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 22060, Taiwan; (K.-S.J.); (S.-S.L.)
| | - Chuen-Miin Leu
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang-Ming Chiao-Tung University, Taipei city 11221, Taiwan;
| | - Chiung-Fang Chang
- Division of General Surgery, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei 22060, Taiwan; (K.-S.J.); (S.-S.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-7728-4564
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Vicen M, Igreja Sá IC, Tripská K, Vitverová B, Najmanová I, Eissazadeh S, Micuda S, Nachtigal P. Membrane and soluble endoglin role in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders related to metabolic syndrome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2405-2418. [PMID: 33185696 PMCID: PMC11072708 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Membrane endoglin (Eng, CD105) is a transmembrane glycoprotein essential for the proper function of vascular endothelium. It might be cleaved by matrix metalloproteinases to form soluble endoglin (sEng), which is released into the circulation. Metabolic syndrome comprises conditions/symptoms that usually coincide (endothelial dysfunction, arterial hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity-related insulin resistance, and hypercholesterolemia), and are considered risk factors for cardiometabolic disorders such as atherosclerosis, type II diabetes mellitus, and liver disorders. The purpose of this review is to highlight current knowledge about the role of Eng and sEng in the disorders mentioned above, in vivo and in vitro extent, where we can find a wide range of contradictory results. We propose that reduced Eng expression is a hallmark of endothelial dysfunction development in chronic pathologies related to metabolic syndrome. Eng expression is also essential for leukocyte transmigration and acute inflammation, suggesting that Eng is crucial for the regulation of endothelial function during the acute phase of vascular defense reaction to harmful conditions. sEng was shown to be a circulating biomarker of preeclampsia, and we propose that it might be a biomarker of metabolic syndrome-related symptoms and pathologies, including hypercholesterolemia, hyperglycemia, arterial hypertension, and diabetes mellitus as well, despite the fact that some contradictory findings have been reported. Besides, sEng can participate in the development of endothelial dysfunction and promote the development of arterial hypertension, suggesting that high levels of sEng promote metabolic syndrome symptoms and complications. Therefore, we suggest that the treatment of metabolic syndrome should take into account the importance of Eng in the endothelial function and levels of sEng as a biomarker and risk factor of related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matej Vicen
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Ivone Cristina Igreja Sá
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Katarína Tripská
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Vitverová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Iveta Najmanová
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Samira Eissazadeh
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Stanislav Micuda
- Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Department of Pharmacology, Charles University, Simkova 870, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Nachtigal
- Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Charles University, Heyrovskeho 1203, Hradec Kralove, 500 03, Czech Republic.
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Igreja Sá IC, Tripska K, Hroch M, Hyspler R, Ticha A, Lastuvkova H, Schreiberova J, Dolezelova E, Eissazadeh S, Vitverova B, Najmanova I, Vasinova M, Pericacho M, Micuda S, Nachtigal P. Soluble Endoglin as a Potential Biomarker of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Development, Participating in Aggravation of NASH-Related Changes in Mouse Liver. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9021. [PMID: 33261044 PMCID: PMC7731045 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is characterized by hepatic steatosis with inflammation and fibrosis. Membrane endoglin (Eng) expression is shown to participate in fibrosis, and plasma concentrations of soluble endoglin (sEng) are increased in patients with hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We hypothesize that NASH increases both hepatic Eng expression and sEng in blood and that high levels of sEng modulate cholesterol and bile acid (BA) metabolism and affect NASH progression. Three-month-old transgenic male mice overexpressing human sEng and their wild type littermates are fed for six months with either a high-saturated fat, high-fructose high-cholesterol (FFC) diet or a chow diet. Evaluation of NASH, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) analysis of BA, hepatic expression of Eng, inflammation, fibrosis markers, enzymes and transporters involved in hepatic cholesterol and BA metabolism are assessed using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. The FFC diet significantly increases mouse sEng levels and increases hepatic expression of Eng. High levels of human sEng results in increased hepatic deposition of cholesterol due to reduced conversion into BA, as well as redirects the metabolism of triglycerides (TAG) to its accumulation in the liver, via reduced TAG elimination by β-oxidation combined with reduced hepatic efflux. We propose that sEng might be a biomarker of NASH development, and the presence of high levels of sEng might support NASH aggravation by impairing the essential defensive mechanism protecting NASH liver against excessive TAG and cholesterol accumulation, suggesting the importance of high sEng levels in patients prone to develop NASH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivone Cristina Igreja Sá
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Katarina Tripska
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Milos Hroch
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic;
| | - Radomir Hyspler
- Centrum for Research and Development University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Alena Ticha
- Centrum for Research and Development University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (R.H.); (A.T.)
| | - Hana Lastuvkova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Jolana Schreiberova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Eva Dolezelova
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Samira Eissazadeh
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Barbora Vitverova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Iveta Najmanova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Martina Vasinova
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
| | - Miguel Pericacho
- Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca and Renal and Cardiovascular Physiopathology Unit, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, 370 06 Salamanca, Spain;
| | - Stanislav Micuda
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (H.L.); (J.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Petr Nachtigal
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Kralove, Charles University, 500 05 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; (I.C.I.S.); (K.T.); (S.E.); (B.V.); (I.N.); (M.V.)
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Endoglin Promotes Myofibroblast Differentiation and Extracellular Matrix Production in Diabetic Nephropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21207713. [PMID: 33081058 PMCID: PMC7589772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21207713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a complication of diabetes mellitus that can lead to proteinuria and a progressive decline in renal function. Endoglin, a co-receptor of TGF-β, is known primarily for regulating endothelial cell function; however, endoglin is also associated with hepatic, cardiac, and intestinal fibrosis. This study investigates whether endoglin contributes to the development of interstitial fibrosis in DN. Kidney autopsy material from 80 diabetic patients was stained for endoglin and Sirius Red and scored semi-quantitatively. Interstitial endoglin expression was increased in samples with DN and was correlated with Sirius Red staining (p < 0.001). Endoglin expression was also correlated with reduced eGFR (p = 0.001), increased creatinine (p < 0.01), increased systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), hypertension (p < 0.05), and higher IFTA scores (p < 0.001). Biopsy samples from DN patients were also co-immunostained for endoglin together with CD31, CD68, vimentin, or α-SMA Endoglin co-localized with both the endothelial marker CD31 and the myofibroblast marker α-SMA. Finally, we used shRNA to knockdown endoglin expression in a human kidney fibroblast cell line. We found that TGF-β1 stimulation upregulated SERPINE1, CTGF, and ACTA2 mRNA and α-SMA protein, and that these effects were significantly reduced in fibroblasts after endoglin knockdown. Taken together, these data suggest that endoglin plays a role in the pathogenesis of interstitial fibrosis in DN.
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Schoonderwoerd MJA, Goumans MJTH, Hawinkels LJAC. Endoglin: Beyond the Endothelium. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10020289. [PMID: 32059544 PMCID: PMC7072477 DOI: 10.3390/biom10020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Keywords: endoglin; CD105 TGF-β; BMP9; ALK-1; TRC105; tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. A. Schoonderwoerd
- Department of Gastrenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Lukas J. A. C. Hawinkels
- Department of Gastrenterology-Hepatology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-71-526-6736
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About F, Bibert S, Jouanguy E, Nalpas B, Lorenzo L, Rattina V, Zarhrate M, Hanein S, Munteanu M, Müllhaupt B, Semela D, Semmo N, Casanova JL, Theodorou I, Sultanik P, Poynard T, Pol S, Bochud PY, Cobat A, Abel L. Identification of an Endoglin Variant Associated With HCV-Related Liver Fibrosis Progression by Next-Generation Sequencing. Front Genet 2019; 10:1024. [PMID: 31749832 PMCID: PMC6844190 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.01024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the astonishing progress in treating chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral agents, liver fibrosis remains a major health concern in HCV infected patients, in particular due to the treatment cost and insufficient HCV screening in many countries. Only a fraction of patients with chronic HCV infection develop liver fibrosis. While there is evidence that host genetic factors are involved in the development of liver fibrosis, the common variants identified so far, in particular by genome-wide association studies, were found to have limited effects. Here, we conducted an exome association study in 88 highly selected HCV-infected patients with and without fibrosis. A strategy focusing on TGF-β pathway genes revealed an enrichment in rare variants of the endoglin gene (ENG) in fibrosis patients. Replication studies in additional cohorts (617 patients) identified one specific ENG variant, Thr5Met, with an overall odds ratio for fibrosis development in carriers of 3.04 (1.39-6.69). Our results suggest that endoglin, a key player in TGF-β signaling, is involved in HCV-related liver fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédégonde About
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Stéphanie Bibert
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Emmanuelle Jouanguy
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Bertrand Nalpas
- Inserm Scientific Information and Communication Department, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Lazaro Lorenzo
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Vimel Rattina
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Mohammed Zarhrate
- Genomics Core Facility, Imagine Institute, Research Federative Structure Necker, Inserm U1163 and Inserm US24/CNRS UMS3633, Paris Descartes Sorbonne Paris Cite University, Paris, France
| | - Sylvain Hanein
- Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.,Translational Genetics Platform, Inserm U1163, Imagine Institute, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France
| | | | - Beat Müllhaupt
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service, University Hospital of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David Semela
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kantonsspital Sankt Gallen, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Nasser Semmo
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Department of Hepatology, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Laurent Casanova
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.,St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, NY, United States.,Pediatric Hematology-Immunology Unit, Necker Hospital for Sick Children, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Ioannis Theodorou
- Center for Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Inserm UMR S 1135, Pierre et Marie Curie University, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Sultanik
- Université Paris Centre; U1223, Institut Pasteur; Liver Department, Hôpital Cochin, APHP; Paris, France
| | - Thierry Poynard
- Hepatology Department, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris, France.,Saint-Antoine Research Center & Institute of Cardiometabolism and Nutrition (ICAN), Inserm, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Stanislas Pol
- Université Paris Centre; U1223, Institut Pasteur; Liver Department, Hôpital Cochin, APHP; Paris, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Bochud
- Infectious Diseases Service, University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aurélie Cobat
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France
| | - Laurent Abel
- Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Necker Branch, Inserm U1163, Paris, France.,Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute, Paris, France.,St. Giles Laboratory of Human Genetics of Infectious Diseases, Rockefeller Branch, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
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10
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Kasprzak A, Adamek A. Role of Endoglin (CD105) in the Progression of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Anti-Angiogenic Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E3887. [PMID: 30563158 PMCID: PMC6321450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The liver is perfused by both arterial and venous blood, with a resulting abnormal microenvironment selecting for more-aggressive malignancies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary liver cancer, the sixth most common cancer globally, and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. HCC is characterized by its hypervascularization. Improving the efficiency of anti-angiogenic treatment and mitigation of anti-angiogenic drug resistance are the top priorities in the development of non-surgical HCC therapies. Endoglin (CD105), a transmembrane glycoprotein, is one of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) co-receptors. Involvement of that protein in angiogenesis of solid tumours is well documented. Endoglin is a marker of activated endothelial cells (ECs), and is preferentially expressed in the angiogenic endothelium of solid tumours, including HCC. HCC is associated with changes in CD105-positive ECs within and around the tumour. The large spectrum of endoglin effects in the liver is cell-type- and HCC- stage-specific. High expression of endoglin in non-tumour tissue suggests that this microenvironment might play an especially important role in the progression of HCC. Evaluation of tissue expression, as well as serum concentrations of this glycoprotein in HCC, tends to confirm its role as an important biomarker in HCC diagnosis and prognosis. The role of endoglin in liver fibrosis and HCC progression also makes it an attractive therapeutic target. Despite these facts, the exact molecular mechanisms of endoglin functioning in hepatocarcinogenesis are still poorly understood. This review summarizes the current data concerning the role and signalling pathways of endoglin in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression, and provides an overview of the strategies available for a specific targeting of CD105 in anti-angiogenic therapy in HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldona Kasprzak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 60-781, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Adamek
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hepatology and Acquired Immunodeficiencies, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań 61-285, Poland.
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11
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Puerarin Mitigates Diabetic Hepatic Steatosis and Fibrosis by Inhibiting TGF- β Signaling Pathway Activation in Type 2 Diabetic Rats. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:4545321. [PMID: 30057680 PMCID: PMC6051041 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4545321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Revised: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Lipid metabolism disorder and inflammation are essential promoters in pathogenesis of liver injury in type 2 diabetes. Puerarin (PUR) has been reported to exert beneficial effects on many diabetic cardiovascular diseases and chemical-induced liver injuries, but its effects on diabetic liver injury and its mechanism are still unclear. The current study was designed to explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of PUR on liver injury in a type 2 diabetic rat model induced by a high-fat diet combined with low-dose streptozotocin. The diabetic rats were treated with or without PUR (100 mg/kg/day) by gavaging for 8 weeks, and biochemical and histological changes in liver were examined. Results showed that treatment with PUR significantly attenuated hepatic steatosis by regulating blood glucose and ameliorating lipid metabolism disorder. Liver fibrosis was relieved by PUR treatment. PUR inhibited oxidative stress and inflammation which was associated with inactivation of NF-κB signaling, thereby blocking the upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α) and chemokine (MCP-1). This protection of PUR on diabetic liver injury is possibly related with inhibition on TGF-β/Smad signaling. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that PUR attenuated type 2 diabetic liver injury by inhibiting NF-κB-driven liver inflammation and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
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12
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Endothelial transcription factor KLF2 negatively regulates liver regeneration via induction of activin A. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:3993-3998. [PMID: 28348240 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1613392114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells (ECs) not only are important for oxygen delivery but also act as a paracrine source for signals that determine the balance between tissue regeneration and fibrosis. Here we show that genetic inactivation of flow-induced transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) in ECs results in reduced liver damage and augmentation of hepatocyte proliferation after chronic liver injury by treatment with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Serum levels of GLDH3 and ALT were significantly reduced in CCl4-treated EC-specific KLF2-deficient mice. In contrast, transgenic overexpression of KLF2 in liver sinusoidal ECs reduced hepatocyte proliferation. KLF2 induced activin A expression and secretion from endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo, which inhibited hepatocyte proliferation. However, loss or gain of KLF2 expression did not change capillary density and liver fibrosis, but significantly affected hepatocyte proliferation. Taken together, the data demonstrate that KLF2 induces an antiproliferative secretome, including activin A, which attenuates liver regeneration.
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Chen Q, Chen L, Kong D, Shao J, Wu L, Zheng S. Dihydroartemisinin alleviates bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell activation by interfering with the PDGF-βR/ERK signaling pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 34:250-258. [PMID: 27038258 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2016] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis represents a frequent event following chronic insult to trigger wound healing responses in the liver. Activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which is a pivotal event during liver fibrogenesis, is accompanied by enhanced expressions of a series of marker proteins and pro-fibrogenic signaling molecules. Artemisinin, a powerful antimalarial medicine, is extracted from the Chinese herb Artemisia annua L., and can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA), the major active metabolite of artemisinin, is able to attenuate lung injury and fibrosis. However, the effect of DHA on liver fibrosis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of DHA on bile duct ligation-induced injury and fibrosis in rats. DHA improved the liver histological architecture and attenuated collagen deposition in the fibrotic rat liver. Experiments in vitro showed that DHA inhibited the proliferation of HSCs and arrested the cell cycle at the S checkpoint by altering several cell-cycle regulatory proteins. Moreover, DHA reduced the protein expressions of a-SMA, α1 (I) collagen and fibronectin, being associated with interference of the platelet-derived growth factor β receptor (PDGF-βR)-mediated ERK pathway. These data collectively revealed that DHA relieved liver fibrosis possibly by targeting HSCs via the PDGF-βR/ERK pathway. DHA may be a therapeutic antifibrotic agent for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lianyun Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Desong Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China; Department of Science, Technology and Education, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210001, China
| | - Jiangjuan Shao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Li Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shizhong Zheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, Jiangsu Province, China; National First-Class Key Discipline for Traditional Chinese Medicine of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Pharmacology and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Material Medical, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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14
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Overexpression of the short endoglin isoform reduces renal fibrosis and inflammation after unilateral ureteral obstruction. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2016; 1862:1801-14. [PMID: 27321931 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is one of the most studied cytokines involved in renal tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, which is characterized by myofibroblast abundance and proliferation, and high buildup of extracellular matrix in the tubular interstitium leading to organ failure. Endoglin (Eng) is a 180-kDa homodimeric transmembrane protein that regulates a great number of TGF-β1 actions in different biological processes, including ECM synthesis. High levels of Eng have been observed in experimental models of renal fibrosis or in biopsies from patients with chronic kidney disease. In humans and mice, two Eng isoforms are generated by alternative splicing, L-Eng and S-Eng that differ in the length and composition of their cytoplasmic domains. We have previously described that L-Eng overexpression promotes renal fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). However, the role of S-Eng in renal fibrosis is unknown and its study would let us analyze the possible function of the cytoplasmic domain of Eng in this process. For this purpose, we have generated a mice strain that overexpresses S-Eng (S-ENG(+)) and we have performed an UUO in S-ENG(+) and their wild type (WT) control mice. Our results indicate that obstructed kidney of S-ENG(+) mice shows lower levels of tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, less inflammation and less interstitial cell proliferation than WT littermates. Moreover, S-ENG(+) mice show less activation of Smad1 and Smad2/3 pathways. Thus, S-Eng overexpression reduces UUO-induced renal fibrosis and some associated mechanisms. As L-Eng overexpression provokes renal fibrosis we conclude that Eng-mediated induction of renal fibrosis in this model is dependent on its cytoplasmic domain.
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15
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Bi J, Ge S. Potential roles of BMP9 in liver fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:20656-67. [PMID: 25393508 PMCID: PMC4264188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms151120656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Revised: 10/13/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a common phenomenon that is associated with several pathologies and is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition that leads to progressive liver dysfunction. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is the most recently discovered member of the BMP family. BMP9 bound with high affinity to activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) and endoglin in non-parenchymal liver cells. In addition, BMP9 activated Smad1/Smad5/Smad8 and induced the expression of the target genes inhibitor of differentiation 1 (Id1), hepcidin, Snail and the co-receptor endoglin in liver cells. Although the role of BMP9 in liver fibrosis is currently poorly understood, the presence of BMP9-activated proteins and its target genes have been reported to be associated with liver fibrosis development. This review summarizes the indirect connection between BMP9 and liver fibrosis, with a focus on the BMP9 signaling pathway members ALK1, endoglin, Id1, hepcidin and Snail. The observations on the role of BMP9 in regulating liver fibrosis may help in understanding the pathology mechanisms of liver disease. Furthermore, BMP9 could be served as a potent biomarker and the target of potential therapeutic drugs to treat hepatocytes fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Bi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Shengfang Ge
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China.
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16
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Arno AI, Gauglitz GG, Barret JP, Jeschke MG. New molecular medicine-based scar management strategies. Burns 2014; 40:539-51. [PMID: 24438742 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2013.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Keloids and hypertrophic scars are prevalent disabling conditions with still suboptimal treatments. Basic science and molecular-based medicine research have contributed to unravel new bench-to-bedside scar therapies and to dissect the complex signalling pathways involved. Peptides such as the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily, with Smads, Ski, SnoN, Fussels, endoglin, DS-Sily, Cav-1p, AZX100, thymosin-β4 and other related molecules may emerge as targets to prevent and treat keloids and hypertrophic scars. The aim of this review is to describe the basic complexity of these new molecular scar management strategies and point out new fibrosis research lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I Arno
- Ross Tilley Burn Centre and Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Plastic Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gerd G Gauglitz
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Juan P Barret
- Plastic Surgery Department and Burn Unit, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc G Jeschke
- Ross Tilley Burn Centre and Sunnybrook Research Institute, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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17
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Sahebally SM, Burke JP, Chang KH, Kiernan MG, O'Connell PR, Coffey JC. Circulating fibrocytes and Crohn's disease. Br J Surg 2013; 100:1549-56. [DOI: 10.1002/bjs.9302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Despite advances in medical therapy, there remains no effective preventive or non-surgical therapeutic option for fibrostenotic Crohn's disease (CD). Symptomatic recurrences are common, necessitating reintervention. Intestinal fibroblasts mediate stricture formation, but their exact source is unclear. Recent evidence indicates that circulating fibrocytes drive fibrosis through differentiation into fibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix proteins. The aim of this review is to describe current understanding of the pathophysiology underlying fibrosis in CD, the cellular and molecular biology of fibrocytes and their role in CD.
Methods
The electronic literature (January 1972 to December 2012) on ‘circulating fibrocytes’ and ‘Crohn's fibrosis’ was reviewed.
Results
Circulating fibrocytes appear universally involved in organ fibrosis. A complex array of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors regulate fibrocyte biology, and these are associated with fibrogenesis in CD. The cytokines transforming growth factor β1, connective tissue growth factor and interleukin 13, overexpressed in the strictured Crohn's intestine, promote fibrocyte generation and/or differentiation.
Conclusion
Levels of circulating fibrocytes are raised in conditions marked by exaggerated fibrosis. These and other observations prompt a characterization of fibrocyte activity in CD with a view to investigating a pathogenic role.
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Affiliation(s)
- S M Sahebally
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- 4i Centre for Interventions In Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - J P Burke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - K H Chang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - M G Kiernan
- 4i Centre for Interventions In Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
| | - P R O'Connell
- Centre for Colorectal Disease, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
- School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J C Coffey
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, University Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
- 4i Centre for Interventions In Inflammation, Infection and Immunity, Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
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ALK1-Smad1/5 signaling pathway in fibrosis development: friend or foe? Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2013; 24:523-37. [PMID: 24055043 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2013.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 08/14/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common phenomenon associated with several pathologies, characterized by an excessive extracellular matrix deposition that leads to a progressive organ dysfunction. Thus fibrosis has a relevant role in chronic diseases affecting the kidney, the liver, lung, skin (scleroderma) and joints (arthritis), among others. The pathogenesis of fibrosis in different organs share numerous similarities, being one of them the presence of activated fibroblasts, denominated myofibroblast, which act as the main source of extracellular matrix proteins. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) is a profibrotic cytokine that plays a pivotal role in fibrosis. The TGF-β1/ALK5/Smad3 signaling pathway has been studied in fibrosis extensively. However, an increasing number of studies involving the ALK1/Smad1 pathway in the fibrotic process exist. In this review we offer a perspective of the function of ALK1/Smad1 pathway in renal fibrosis, liver fibrosis, scleroderma and osteoarthritis, suggesting this pathway as a powerful therapeutical target. We also propose several strategies to modulate the activity of this pathway and its consequences in the fibrotic process.
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