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Xi Q, Liu L, Zhao Q, Zhu S. KLF13 Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Alveolar Epithelial Cell Damage by Regulating Mitochondrial Quality Control via Binding PGC-1α. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2024. [PMID: 38949897 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2023.0234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Sepsis is a clinically life-threatening syndrome, and acute lung injury is the earliest and most serious complication. We aimed to assess the role of kruppel-like factor 13 (KLF13) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human alveolar type II epithelial cell damage and to reveal the possible mechanism related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ co-activator 1-α (PGC-1α). In LPS-treated A549 cells with or without KLF13 overexpression or PGC-1α knockdown, cell viability was measured by a cell counting kit-8 assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits detected the levels of inflammatory factors, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling staining measured cell apoptosis. Besides, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (MitoSOX) and mitochondrial membrane potential were detected using MitoSOX red- and JC-1 staining. Expression of proteins related to mitochondrial quality control (MQC) was evaluated by western blot. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay was used to analyze the interaction between KLF13 and PGC-1α. Results indicated that KLF13 was highly expressed in LPS-treated A549 cells. KLF13 upregulation elevated the viability and reduced the levels of inflammatory factors in A549 cells exposed to LPS. Moreover, KLF13 gain-of-function inhibited LPS-induced apoptosis of A549 cells, accompanied by upregulated BCL2 expression and downregulated Bax and cleaved caspase3 expression. Furthermore, MQC was improved by KLF13 overexpression, as evidenced by decreased MitoSOX, JC-1 monomers and increased JC-1 aggregates, coupled with the changes of proteins related to MQC. In addition, Co-IP assay confirmed the interaction between KLF13 and PGC-1α. PGC-1α deficiency restored the impacts of KLF13 upregulation on the inflammation, apoptosis, and MQC in LPS-treated A549 cells. In conclusion, KLF13 attenuated LPS-induced alveolar epithelial cell inflammation and apoptosis by regulating MQC via binding PGC-1α.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Xi
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shan Zhu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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2
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Shi Y, Yao M, Shen S, Wang L, Yao D. Abnormal expression of Krüppel-like transcription factors and their potential values in lung cancer. Heliyon 2024; 10:e28292. [PMID: 38560274 PMCID: PMC10979174 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer still is one of the most common malignancy tumors in the world. However, the mechanisms of its occurrence and development have not been fully elucidated. Zinc finger protein family (ZNFs) is the largest transcription factor family in human genome. Recently, the more and more basic and clinical evidences have confirmed that ZNFs/Krüppel-like factors (KLFs) refer to a group of conserved zinc finger-containing transcription factors that are involved in lung cancer progression, with the functions of promotion, inhibition, dual roles and unknown classifications. Based on the recent literature, some of the oncogenic KLFs are promising molecular biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis or therapeutic targets of lung cancer. Interestingly, a novel computational approach has been proposed by using machine learning on features calculated from primary sequences, the XGBoost-based model with accuracy of 96.4 % is efficient in identifying KLF proteins. This paper reviews the recent some progresses of the oncogenic KLFs with their potential values for diagnosis, prognosis and molecular target in lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Shi
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yancheng, Yancheng 224001, China
| | - Min Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Shuijie Shen
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Li Wang
- Research Center for Intelligent Information Technology, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengfu Yao
- Research Center of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University & Department of Medical Immunology, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
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Simmen FA, Alhallak I, Simmen RCM. Krüppel-like Factor-9 and Krüppel-like Factor-13: Highly Related, Multi-Functional, Transcriptional Repressors and Activators of Oncogenesis. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5667. [PMID: 38067370 PMCID: PMC10705314 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15235667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Specificity Proteins/Krüppel-like Factors (SP/KLF family) are a conserved family of transcriptional regulators. These proteins share three highly conserved, contiguous zinc fingers in their carboxy-terminus, requisite for binding to cis elements in DNA. Each SP/KLF protein has unique primary sequence within its amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal regions, and it is these regions which interact with co-activators, co-repressors, and chromatin-modifying proteins to support the transcriptional activation and repression of target genes. Krüppel-like Factor 9 (KLF9) and Krüppel-like Factor 13 (KLF13) are two of the smallest members of the SP/KLF family, are paralogous, emerged early in metazoan evolution, and are highly conserved. Paradoxically, while most similar in primary sequence, KLF9 and KLF13 display many distinct roles in target cells. In this article, we summarize the work that has identified the roles of KLF9 (and to a lesser degree KLF13) in tumor suppression or promotion via unique effects on differentiation, pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways, oxidative stress, and tumor immune cell infiltration. We also highlight the great diversity of miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circular RNAs which provide mechanisms for the ubiquitous tumor-specific suppression of KLF9 mRNA and protein. Elucidation of KLF9 and KLF13 in cancer biology is likely to provide new inroads to the understanding of oncogenesis and its prevention and treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank A. Simmen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (I.A.); (R.C.M.S.)
- The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Iad Alhallak
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (I.A.); (R.C.M.S.)
| | - Rosalia C. M. Simmen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA; (I.A.); (R.C.M.S.)
- The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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Xiao T, Gao D, Gu X, Zhang Y, Zhu Y, Zhang Z, He Y, Wei L, Li H, Zhou H, Yang C. Flavokawain A ameliorates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway and CXCL12/CXCR4 axis. Eur J Pharmacol 2023; 958:175981. [PMID: 37579968 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2023.175981] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive fibrotic lung disease characterized by myofibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition that has a high mortality rate and limited therapeutic options. Flavokawain A(FKA) is the major component of chalcone in kava extract. FKA has been reported to inhibit TGF-β1-induced cardiomyocyte fibrosis by suppressing ROS production in A7r5 cells, but the role and mechanism of FKA in pulmonary fibrosis are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of FKA on pulmonary fibrosis using an animal model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and showed that FKA alleviated the development of pulmonary fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner and improved lung function as well as collagen deposition and extracellular matrix accumulation in mice. In vitro studies showed that FKA inhibited myofibroblast activation and lung fibrosis progression by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signaling in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we identified CXCL12 as a potential target of FKA through target prediction. Molecular docking, CETSA(cellular thermal displacement assay) and silver staining assays further demonstrated that FKA could interact with CXCL12 and that FKA could inhibit CXCL12 dimerization in vitro. Further analysis revealed that FKA could inhibit fibroblast activation and reduce extracellular matrix (ECM) production and collagen deposition by blocking CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling, and knocking down CXCR4 expression could weaken the inhibitory effect of FKA on CXCL12/CXCR4 signal transduction. In conclusion, our study showed that FKA inhibited CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling by inhibiting CXCL12 dimerization, blocked the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway and inhibited the TGF-β1-mediated signaling pathway to ameliorate pulmonary fibrosis, and FKA is a promising therapeutic agent for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China.
| | - Dandi Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300457, China.
| | - Xiaoting Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China.
| | - Yanping Zhang
- The Second Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, 050000, China.
| | - Yuxin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Zihui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China
| | - Yiming He
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin, 300457, China
| | - Luqing Wei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, No. 7 Beiyi Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Beichen Hospital, No. 7 Beiyi Road, Beichen District, Tianjin, 300400, China.
| | - Honggang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China.
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Biology, College of Pharmacy and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300353, China.
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Yang S, Xiang J, Ma C, Yang G, Wang X, Liu H, Fan G, Kang L, Liang Z. Sp1-like protein KLF13 acts as a negative feedback regulator of TGF-β signaling and fibrosis. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112367. [PMID: 37029927 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is the primary factor that drives fibrosis in most forms of chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to identify endogenous regulators of TGF-β signaling and fibrosis. Here, we show that tubulointerstitial fibrosis is aggravated by global deletion of KLF13 and attenuated by adeno-associated virus-mediated KLF13 overexpression in renal tubular epithelial cells. KLF13 recruits a repressor complex comprising SIN3A and histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) to the TGF-β target genes, limiting the profibrotic effects of TGF-β. Temporary upregulation of TGF-β induces KLF13 expression, creating a negative feedback loop that triggers the anti-fibrotic effect of KLF13. However, persistent activation of TGF-β signaling reduces KLF13 levels through FBXW7-mediated ubiquitination degradation and HDAC-dependent mechanisms to inhibit KLF13 transcription and offset the anti-fibrotic effect of KLF13. Collectively, our data demonstrate a role of KLF13 in regulating TGF-β signaling and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Yang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaqing Xiang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuanrui Ma
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin 300381, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China
| | - Guangyan Yang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hanyong Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Guanwei Fan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin 300381, China; Haihe Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
| | - Lin Kang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; The Biobank of National Innovation Center for Advanced Medical Devices, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Zhen Liang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Southern University of Science and Technology (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong 518020, China; Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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6
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Ding Y, Xu Y, Fu Y, Zhang H, Zhao L, Fan X. Kruppel-like factor 13 inhibits cell proliferation of gastric cancer by inducing autophagic degradation of β-catenin. Discov Oncol 2022; 13:121. [PMID: 36336731 PMCID: PMC9637683 DOI: 10.1007/s12672-022-00587-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc protein KLF13 is a tumor-suppressive member of Kruppel-like factors family, and yet the effect of KLF13 on gastric cancer has not been reported. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of KLF13 in gastric cancer and explored underlying molecular mechanisms. Firstly, it was found that KLF13 expression was significantly decreased in gastric cancer tissues and cancer cells compared with adjacent normal tissues and normal gastric epithelial cells, respectively. KEGG_Pathway and GO_BP analyses suggested that KLF13 was associated with CELL_CYCLE and CELL_PROLIFERATION. Then, our results further demonstrated that KLF13 could obviously inhibit gastric cancer proliferation and induce cell arrest at G2/M phase. Mechanistically, KLF13 decreased expressions of β-catenin and its target genes, CCND1 and MYC, via triggering autophagic degradation of β-catenin. KLF13 up-regulation facilitated co-localization and binding of β-catenin with autophagy protein p62, and exogenous overexpression of β-catenin or blocking autophagy process appeared to reverse KLF13-induced inhibition of gastric cancer proliferation. Furthermore, KLF13 overexpression promoted the expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2, Ubc13 which is responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of 'Lys-63'-linked polyubiquitin chains and increased the binding of β-catenin with E3 ubiquitin ligase, TRAF6. In vivo, KLF13 overexpression also suppressed xenograft tumor growth of gastric cancer and down-regulated expressions of Ki67, β-catenin, Cyclin D1, and c-Myc in tumor tissues. Collectively, these data firstly demonstrated the involvement of KLF13 in inhibiting cell proliferation of gastric cancer through promoting autophagy-dependent degradation of β-catenin, which reinforced the evidence for suppressive roles of KLF13 in human tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youxiang Ding
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Yuting Xu
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211100, China
| | - Yao Fu
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211100, China
| | - Li Zhao
- School of Basic Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211100, China
| | - Xiangshan Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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Yang K, Huang N, Sun J, Dai W, Chen M, Zeng J. Transforming growth factor-β induced protein regulates pulmonary fibrosis via the G-protein signaling modulator 2 /Snail axis. Peptides 2022; 155:170842. [PMID: 35872259 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2022.170842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis, a severe condition that can progress to respiratory failure and death, is characterized by aberrant activation/proliferation of fibroblasts and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and has limited therapeutic options. Identifying novel mediators of pulmonary fibrosis is currently needed to facilitate the development of more effective therapeutic strategies targeting pulmonary fibrosis. The present study was designed to investigate whether transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) induced protein (TGFBI), an extracellular matrix protein, regulates pulmonary fibrosis in vitro and in vivo and the possible mechanism of actions. It was found that protein expressions of TGFBI were significantly upregulated and G-protein signaling modulator 2 (GPSM2) expression downregulated in fibrotic lung tissues from bleomycin (BLM)-induced rats and TGF-β1-stimulated human lung IMR-90 fibroblasts. Either silencing TGFBI with specific siRNA or treatment with the TGF-β signaling inhibitor SB431542 significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibrotic effects and dysregulation of GPSM2 and Snail expressions in IMR-90 fibroblasts. Moreover, GPSM2 overexpression also inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibrotic effects and Snail upregulation in IMR-90 fibroblasts. Silencing Snail with specific siRNA attenuated TGF-β1-induced fibrotic effects. Therefore, our findings suggest that the extracellular matrix protein TGFBI mediates pulmonary fibrosis through regulation of the GPSM2/Snail axis, which identifies TGFBI as a novel mediator of pulmonary fibrosis and may be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, No. 278, Baoguang Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China; Chengdu Medical College, No. 783, Xindu Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China
| | - Na Huang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, No. 278, Baoguang Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China; Chengdu Medical College, No. 783, Xindu Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, No. 278, Baoguang Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China
| | - Wenjing Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, No. 278, Baoguang Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China
| | - Meifeng Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, No. 278, Baoguang Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China
| | - Jun Zeng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, No. 278, Baoguang Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China; Chengdu Medical College, No. 783, Xindu Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, China.
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8
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Qu R, Liu J, Feng L, Li L, Liu J, Sun F, Sun L. Down-regulation of KLF9 ameliorates LPS-caused acute lung injury and inflammation in mice via reducing GSDMD expression. Autoimmunity 2022; 55:587-596. [PMID: 35993279 DOI: 10.1080/08916934.2022.2114465] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is considered as a severe respiratory disease with aggravated inflammatory responses. Krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9), a member of KLF family, has been reported to be involved in inflammatory disorders. However, the effect of KLF9 in ALI has not been elucidated. Here the present study was to clarify the role of KLF9 and its mechanism in ALI. The ALI in vitro model was established with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW264.7 cells. Mice were injected with LPS to conduct an ALI in vivo model. The expression of KLF9 and gasdermin D (GSDMD) was examined using quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, haematoxylin-eosin/immunohistochemistry staining and western blot assays. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines. JASPAR database was used to predict the recognition motif of KLF9, and the relationship between KLF9 and GSDMD was determined by luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis. The number of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as the wet/dry weight ratio was caculated. The results showed that The expression of KLF9 in lung was significantly increased in LPS-stimulated mice. Moreover, KLF9 knockout relieved the lung injury in ALI mice. GSDMD is one of targets genes of the transcription factor KLF9. KLF9 knockout induced a decreased expression of GSDMD in LPS-treated mice. Furthermore, in RAW264.7 cells after LPS administration, KLF9 knockdown reduced the levels of inflammatory factors and suppressed the expression of GSDMD. In summarise, these findings exhibited that KLF9 knockout could mitigate the lung injury and inflammatory responses in ALI mice by directly regulating GSDMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renliang Qu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Qishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Jingjing Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Qishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Lili Feng
- Department of Microbiology Laboratory, Huangdao District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Lianbing Li
- Health Center of Shuidao Town, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Junwei Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Qishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Fengnan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai, Shandong, China
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