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Gu L, Li A, He C, Xiao R, Liao J, Xu L, Mu J, Wang X, Yang M, Jiang J, Bai Y, Jin X, Xiao M, Zhang X, Tan T, Xiao Y, Lin J, Li Y, Guo S. Profibrotic role of the SOX9-MMP10-ECM biosynthesis axis in the tracheal fibrosis after injury and repair. Genes Dis 2024; 11:101040. [PMID: 38993791 PMCID: PMC11237849 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2023.06.012] [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: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition play an important role in the tracheal abnormal repair process and fibrosis. As a transcription factor, SOX9 is involved in fibroblast activation and ECM deposition. However, the mechanism of how SOX9 regulates fibrosis after tracheal injury remains unclear. We investigated the role of SOX9 in TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation and ECM deposition in rat tracheal fibroblast (RTF) cells. SOX9 overexpression adenovirus (Ad-SOX9) and siRNA were transfected into RTF cells. We found that SOX9 expression was up-regulated in RTF cells treated with TGF-β1. SOX9 overexpression activated fibroblasts and promoted ECM deposition. Silencing SOX9 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and ECM deposition, induced G2 arrest, and increased apoptosis in RTF cells. RNA-seq and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) assays identified MMP10, a matrix metalloproteinase involved in ECM deposition, as a direct target of SOX9, which promotes ECM degradation by increasing MMP10 expression through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, in vivo, SOX9 knockdown ameliorated granulation proliferation and tracheal fibrosis, as manifested by reduced tracheal stenosis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that SOX9 can drive fibroblast activation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis resistance in tracheal fibrosis via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The SOX9-MMP10-ECM biosynthesis axis plays an important role in tracheal injury and repair. Targeting SOX9 and its downstream target MMP10 may represent a promising therapeutic approach for tracheal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Gu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Anmao Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Chunyan He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jiaxin Liao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Li Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Junhao Mu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Mingjin Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jinyue Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yang Bai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xingxing Jin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Meiling Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Xia Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Tairong Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Lin
- Department of Infection Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yishi Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Shuliang Guo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
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Wang X, Chang HC, Gu X, Han W, Mao S, Lu L, Jiang S, Ding H, Han S, Qu X, Bao Z. Renal lipid accumulation and aging linked to tubular cells injury via ANGPTL4. Mech Ageing Dev 2024; 219:111932. [PMID: 38580082 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2024.111932] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Renal tubular epithelial cells are vulnerable to stress-induced damage, including excessive lipid accumulation and aging, with ANGPTL4 potentially playing a crucial bridging role between these factors. In this study, RNA-sequencing was used to identify a marked increase in ANGPTL4 expression in kidneys of diet-induced obese and aging mice. Overexpression and knockout of ANGPTL4 in renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) was used to investigate the underlying mechanism. Subsequently, ANGPTL4 expression in plasma and kidney tissues of normal young controls and elderly individuals was analyzed using ELISA and immunohistochemical techniques. RNA sequencing results showed that ANGPTL4 expression was significantly upregulated in the kidney tissue of diet-induced obesity and aging mice. In vitro experiments demonstrated that overexpression of ANGPTL4 in HK-2 cells led to increased lipid deposition and senescence. Conversely, the absence of ANGPTL4 appears to alleviate the impact of free fatty acids (FFA) on aging in HK-2 cells. Additionally, aging HK-2 cells exhibited elevated ANGPTL4 expression, and stress response markers associated with cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, our clinical evidence revealed dysregulation of ANGPTL4 expression in serum and kidney tissue samples obtained from elderly individuals compared to young subjects. Our study findings indicate a potential association between ANGPTL4 and age-related metabolic disorders, as well as injury to renal tubular epithelial cells. This suggests that targeting ANGPTL4 could be a viable strategy for the clinical treatment of renal aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Wang
- Department of Gerontology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Hung-Chen Chang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Cardiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Xuchao Gu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Wanlin Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Cardiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Shihang Mao
- Department of ENT Institute and Otorhinolaryngology, Eye & ENT Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lili Lu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Thoracic Surgery, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Haiyong Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Urologic Surgery, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Shisheng Han
- Department of Nephrology, Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xinkai Qu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Department of Cardiology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
| | - Zhijun Bao
- Department of Gerontology, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Geriatric Medicine, Huadong Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China.
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Wang Y, Gao M, Zhang M, Pang Y, Xu Z, Zeng L, Yuan S. Tgfb1 deficiency impairs the self-renewal capacity of murine hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in vivo. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 703:149686. [PMID: 38367513 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149686] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFB1) refers to a pleiotropic cytokine exerting contrasting roles in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) functions in vitro and in vivo. However, the understanding of hematopoiesis in vivo, when TGFB1 is constantly deactivated, is still unclear, mainly due to significant embryonic lethality and the emergence of a fatal inflammatory condition, which makes doing these investigations challenging. Our study aims to find the specific role of TGFB1 in regulating hematopoiesis in vivo. We engineered mice strains (Vav1 or Mx1 promoter-driven TGFB1 knockout) with conditional knockout of TGFB1 to study its role in hematopoiesis in vivo. In fetal and adult hematopoiesis, TGFB1 KO mice displayed deficiency and decreased self-renewal capacity of HSCs with myeloid-biased differentiation. The results were different from the regulating role of TGFB1 in vitro. Additionally, our results showed that TGFB1 deficiency from fetal hematopoiesis stage caused more severe defect of HSCs than in the adult stage. Mechanistically, our findings identified TGFB1-SOX9-FOS/JUNB/TWIST1 signal axis as an essential regulating pathway in HSCs homeostasis. Our study may provide a scientific basis for clinical HSC transplantation and expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Wang
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Mingming Gao
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Ye Pang
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zihan Xu
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lingyu Zeng
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Shengnan Yuan
- Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; School of Medical Technology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Blood Diseases Institute, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China; Department of Hematology, The Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China.
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Trogisch FA, Abouissa A, Keles M, Birke A, Fuhrmann M, Dittrich GM, Weinzierl N, Wink E, Cordero J, Elsherbiny A, Martin-Garrido A, Grein S, Hemanna S, Hofmann E, Nicin L, Bibli SI, Airik R, Kispert A, Kist R, Quanchao S, Kürschner SW, Winkler M, Gretz N, Mogler C, Korff T, Koch PS, Dimmeler S, Dobreva G, Heineke J. Endothelial cells drive organ fibrosis in mice by inducing expression of the transcription factor SOX9. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eabq4581. [PMID: 38416842 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq4581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a hallmark of chronic disease. Although fibroblasts are involved, it is unclear to what extent endothelial cells also might contribute. We detected increased expression of the transcription factor Sox9 in endothelial cells in several different mouse fibrosis models. These models included systolic heart failure induced by pressure overload, diastolic heart failure induced by high-fat diet and nitric oxide synthase inhibition, pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin treatment, and liver fibrosis due to a choline-deficient diet. We also observed up-regulation of endothelial SOX9 in cardiac tissue from patients with heart failure. To test whether SOX9 induction was sufficient to cause disease, we generated mice with endothelial cell-specific overexpression of Sox9, which promoted fibrosis in multiple organs and resulted in signs of heart failure. Endothelial Sox9 deletion prevented fibrosis and organ dysfunction in the two mouse models of heart failure as well as in the lung and liver fibrosis mouse models. Bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing of mouse endothelial cells across multiple vascular beds revealed that SOX9 induced extracellular matrix, growth factor, and inflammatory gene expression, leading to matrix deposition by endothelial cells. Moreover, mouse endothelial cells activated neighboring fibroblasts that then migrated and deposited matrix in response to SOX9, a process partly mediated by the secreted growth factor CCN2, a direct SOX9 target; endothelial cell-specific Sox9 deletion reversed these changes. These findings suggest a role for endothelial SOX9 as a fibrosis-promoting factor in different mouse organs during disease and imply that endothelial cells are an important regulator of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix A Trogisch
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Aya Abouissa
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Merve Keles
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Anne Birke
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Manuela Fuhrmann
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Gesine M Dittrich
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Nina Weinzierl
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Elvira Wink
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Julio Cordero
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Adel Elsherbiny
- ECAS, Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Abel Martin-Garrido
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Steve Grein
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Shruthi Hemanna
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ellen Hofmann
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Luka Nicin
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sofia-Iris Bibli
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Vascular Signaling, Centre for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Rannar Airik
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Andreas Kispert
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Kist
- School of Dental Sciences, Biosciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BW, UK
| | - Sun Quanchao
- Medical Research Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sina W Kürschner
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Manuel Winkler
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Norbert Gretz
- Medical Research Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Carolin Mogler
- Institute of Pathology, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Korff
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Heidelberg University, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Philipp-Sebastian Koch
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University Medical Center and Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, and Center of Excellence in Dermatology, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Adjunct Faculty, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefanie Dimmeler
- Institute for Cardiovascular Regeneration, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Cardiopulmonary Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- DZHK, partner site Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gergana Dobreva
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- ECAS, Department of Cardiovascular Genomics and Epigenomics, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Joerg Heineke
- ECAS (European Center for Angioscience), Department of Cardiovascular Physiology, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
- CFPM (Core Facility Platform Mannheim), Cardiac Imaging Center, Mannheim Faculty of Medicine, Heidelberg University, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
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Marstrand-Jørgensen AB, Sembach FE, Bak ST, Ougaard M, Christensen-Dalsgaard M, Rønn Madsen M, Jensen DM, Secher T, Heimbürger SMN, Fink LN, Hansen D, Hansen HH, Østergaard MV, Christensen M, Dalbøge LS. Shared and Distinct Renal Transcriptome Signatures in 3 Standard Mouse Models of Chronic Kidney Disease. Nephron Clin Pract 2024; 148:487-502. [PMID: 38354720 DOI: 10.1159/000535918] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Several mouse models with diverse disease etiologies are used in preclinical research for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we performed a head-to-head comparison of renal transcriptome signatures in standard mouse models of CKD to assess shared and distinct molecular changes in three mouse models commonly employed in preclinical CKD research and drug discovery. METHODS All experiments were conducted on male C57BL/6J mice. Mice underwent sham, unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO), or unilateral ischemic-reperfusion injury (uIRI) surgery and were terminated two- and 6-weeks post-surgery, respectively. The adenine-supplemented diet-induced (ADI) model of CKD was established by feeding with adenine diet for 6 weeks and compared to control diet feeding. For all models, endpoints included plasma biochemistry, kidney histology, and RNA sequencing. RESULTS All models displayed increased macrophage infiltration (F4/80 IHC) and fibrosis (collagen 1a1 IHC). Compared to corresponding controls, all models were characterized by an extensive number of renal differentially expressed genes (≥11,000), with a notable overlap in transcriptomic signatures across models. Gene expression markers of fibrosis, inflammation, and kidney injury supported histological findings. Interestingly, model-specific transcriptome signatures included several genes representing current drug targets for CKD, emphasizing advantages and limitations of the three CKD models in preclinical target and drug discovery. CONCLUSION The UUO, uIRI, and ADI mouse models of CKD have significant commonalities in their renal global transcriptome profile. Model-specific renal transcriptional signatures should be considered when selecting the specific model in preclinical target and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Thomas Secher
- Gubra A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark
- Cell Imaging and Pharmacology, Cell Therapy R&D, Novo Nordisk A/S, Måløv, Denmark
| | | | - Lisbeth N Fink
- Gubra A/S, Hørsholm, Denmark
- Biotherapeutics Screening, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Kastrup, Denmark
| | - Ditte Hansen
- Department of Nephrology, Herlev-Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Herlev, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hadpech S, Thongboonkerd V. Epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in kidney fibrosis. Genesis 2024; 62:e23529. [PMID: 37345818 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important biological process contributing to kidney fibrosis and chronic kidney disease. This process is characterized by decreased epithelial phenotypes/markers and increased mesenchymal phenotypes/markers. Tubular epithelial cells (TECs) are commonly susceptible to EMT by various stimuli, for example, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), cellular communication network factor 2, angiotensin-II, fibroblast growth factor-2, oncostatin M, matrix metalloproteinase-2, tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), plasmin, interleukin-1β, and reactive oxygen species. Similarly, glomerular podocytes can undergo EMT via these stimuli and by high glucose condition in diabetic kidney disease. EMT of TECs and podocytes leads to tubulointerstitial fibrosis and glomerulosclerosis, respectively. Signaling pathways involved in EMT-mediated kidney fibrosis are diverse and complex. TGF-β1/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways are the major venues triggering EMT in TECs and podocytes. These two pathways thus serve as the major therapeutic targets against EMT-mediated kidney fibrosis. To date, a number of EMT inhibitors have been identified and characterized. As expected, the majority of these EMT inhibitors affect TGF-β1/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. In addition to kidney fibrosis, these EMT-targeted antifibrotic inhibitors are expected to be effective for treatment against fibrosis in other organs/tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudarat Hadpech
- Medical Proteomics Unit, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Visith Thongboonkerd
- Medical Proteomics Unit, Research Department, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Wang X, Chen G, Du Y, Yang J, Wang W. Transcription Factor Sox9 Exacerbates Kidney Injury through Inhibition of MicroRNA-96-5p and Activation of the Trib3/IL-6 Axis. Kidney Blood Press Res 2023; 48:611-627. [PMID: 37717559 PMCID: PMC10614512 DOI: 10.1159/000533544] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Our study investigated the possible mechanisms of the role of the transcription factor Sox9 in the development and progression of kidney injury through regulation of the miR-96-5p/Trib3/IL-6 axis. METHODS Bioinformatics analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes in kidney injury and normal tissues. An in vivo animal model of kidney injury and an in vitro cellular model of kidney injury were constructed using LPS induction in 8-week-old female C57BL/6 mice and human normal renal tubular epithelial cells HK-2 for studying the possible roles of Sox9, miR-96-5p, Trib3, and IL-6 in kidney injury. RESULTS Sox9 was highly expressed in both mouse and cellular models of kidney injury. Sox9 was significantly enriched in the promoter region of miR-96-5p and repressed miR-96-5p expression. Trib3 was highly expressed in both mouse and cellular models of kidney injury and promoted inflammatory responses and kidney injury. In addition, Trib3 promoted IL-6 expression, which was highly expressed in kidney injury, and promoted the inflammatory response and extent of injury in kidney tissue. In vivo and in vitro experiments confirmed that the knockdown of Sox9 improved the inflammatory response and fibrosis of mouse kidney tissues and HK-2 cells, while the ameliorative effect of silencing Sox9 was inhibited by overexpression of IL-6. CONCLUSION Collectively, Sox9 up-regulates miR-96-5p-mediated Trib3 and activates the IL-6 signaling pathway to exacerbate the inflammatory response, ultimately promoting the development and progression of kidney injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Wang
- Department of Urology, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, China
| | - Guang Chen
- Department of Urology, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, China
| | - Yongqiang Du
- Department of Urology, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, China
| | - Jiajia Yang
- Department of Urology, Fuyang People’s Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Fuyang, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
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Gluba-Sagr A, Franczyk B, Rysz-Górzyńska M, Ławiński J, Rysz J. The Role of miRNA in Renal Fibrosis Leading to Chronic Kidney Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2358. [PMID: 37760798 PMCID: PMC10525803 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important health concern that is expected to be the fifth most widespread cause of death worldwide by 2040. The presence of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, ischemia, etc., stimulates the development and progression of CKD. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a common pathomechanism of renal dysfunction, irrespective of the primary origin of renal injury. With time, fibrosis leads to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Many studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are involved in the onset and development of fibrosis and CKD. miRNAs are vital regulators of some pathophysiological processes; therefore, their utility as therapeutic agents in various diseases has been suggested. Several miRNAs were demonstrated to participate in the development and progression of kidney disease. Since renal fibrosis is an important problem in chronic kidney disease, many scientists have focused on the determination of miRNAs associated with kidney fibrosis. In this review, we present the role of several miRNAs in renal fibrosis and the potential pathways involved. However, as well as those mentioned above, other miRs have also been suggested to play a role in this process in CKD. The reports concerning the impact of some miRNAs on fibrosis are conflicting, probably because the expression and regulation of miRNAs occur in a tissue- and even cell-dependent manner. Moreover, different assessment modes and populations have been used. There is a need for large studies and clinical trials to confirm the role of miRs in a clinical setting. miRNAs have great potential; thus, their analysis may improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gluba-Sagr
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Beata Franczyk
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Rysz-Górzyńska
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
| | - Janusz Ławiński
- Department of Urology, Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-055 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Jacek Rysz
- Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Family Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, 90-549 Lodz, Poland
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9
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Waldrep KM, Rodgers JI, Garrett SM, Wolf BJ, Feghali-Bostwick CA. The Role of SOX9 in IGF-II-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11234. [PMID: 37510994 PMCID: PMC10378869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in significant morbidity and mortality. We previously reported that insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is overexpressed in lung tissues and fibroblasts from SSc patients, and IGF-II fosters fibrosis by upregulating collagen type I, fibronectin, and TGFβ. We now show that IGF-II augments mRNA levels of profibrotic signaling molecules TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01) and TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), collagen type III (p ≤ 0.01), and the collagen posttranslational modification enzymes P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.05), P3H2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOX (p = 0.065), LOXL2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05) in primary human lung fibroblasts. IGF-II increases protein levels of TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01), as well as COL3A1, P4HA2, P4Hβ, and LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, IGF-II decreases mRNA levels of the collagen degradation enzymes cathepsin (CTS) K, CTSB, and CTSL and protein levels of CTSK (p ≤ 0.05). The SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is overexpressed in SSc lung tissues at the mRNA (p ≤ 0.05) and protein (p ≤ 0.01) levels compared to healthy controls. IGF-II induces SOX9 in lung fibroblasts (p ≤ 0.05) via the IGF1R/IR hybrid receptor, and SOX9 regulates TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.05), TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), COL3A1 (p ≤ 0.01), and P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.001) downstream of IGF-II. Our results identify a novel IGF-II signaling axis and downstream targets that are regulated in a SOX9-dependent and -independent manner. Our findings provide novel insights on the role of IGF-II in promoting pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy M. Waldrep
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Jessalyn I. Rodgers
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Sara M. Garrett
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Bethany J. Wolf
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
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10
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Paw M, Wnuk D, Madeja Z, Michalik M. PPARδ Agonist GW501516 Suppresses the TGF-β-Induced Profibrotic Response of Human Bronchial Fibroblasts from Asthmatic Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097721. [PMID: 37175437 PMCID: PMC10178673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The airway wall remodeling observed in asthma is associated with subepithelial fibrosis and enhanced activation of human bronchial fibroblasts (HBFs) in the fibroblast to myofibroblast transition (FMT), induced mainly by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The relationships between asthma severity, obesity, and hyperlipidemia suggest the involvement of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) in the remodeling of asthmatic bronchi. In this study, we investigated the effect of PPARδ ligands (GW501516 as an agonist, and GSK0660 as an antagonist) on the FMT potential of HBFs derived from asthmatic patients cultured in vitro. This report shows, for the first time, the inhibitory effect of a PPARδ agonist on the number of myofibroblasts and the expression of myofibroblast-related markers-α-smooth muscle actin, collagen 1, tenascin C, and connexin 43-in asthma-related TGF-β-treated HBF populations. We suggest that actin cytoskeleton reorganization and Smad2 transcriptional activity altered by GW501516 lead to the attenuation of the FMT in HBF populations derived from asthmatics. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that a PPARδ agonist stimulates antifibrotic effects in an in vitro model of bronchial subepithelial fibrosis. This suggests its potential role in the development of a possible novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of subepithelial fibrosis during asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Paw
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Dawid Wnuk
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Madeja
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Michalik
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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11
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Srivastava A, Tomar B, Sharma D, Rath SK. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress: Role in chronic kidney disease. Life Sci 2023; 319:121432. [PMID: 36706833 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121432] [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: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a variety of distinct disease processes that permanently change the function and structure of the kidney across months or years. CKD is characterized as a glomerular filtration defect or proteinuria that lasts longer than three months. In most instances, CKD leads to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), necessitating kidney transplantation. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a typical response to damage in CKD patients. Despite the abundance of mitochondria in the kidneys, variations in mitochondrial morphological and functional characteristics have been associated with kidney inflammatory responses and injury during CKD. Despite these variations, CKD is frequently used to define some classic signs of mitochondrial dysfunction, including altered mitochondrial shape and remodeling, increased mitochondrial oxidative stress, and a marked decline in mitochondrial biogenesis and ATP generation. With a focus on the most significant developments and novel understandings of the involvement of mitochondrial remodeling in the course of CKD, this article offers a summary of the most recent advances in the sources of procured mitochondrial dysfunction in the advancement of CKD. Understanding mitochondrial biology and function is crucial for developing viable treatment options for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjali Srivastava
- Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Bhawna Tomar
- Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Divyansh Sharma
- Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India
| | - Srikanta Kumar Rath
- Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226031, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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12
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Huang R, Fu P, Ma L. Kidney fibrosis: from mechanisms to therapeutic medicines. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:129. [PMID: 36932062 PMCID: PMC10023808 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01379-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 91.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is estimated to affect 10-14% of global population. Kidney fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition leading to scarring, is a hallmark manifestation in different progressive CKD; However, at present no antifibrotic therapies against CKD exist. Kidney fibrosis is identified by tubule atrophy, interstitial chronic inflammation and fibrogenesis, glomerulosclerosis, and vascular rarefaction. Fibrotic niche, where organ fibrosis initiates, is a complex interplay between injured parenchyma (like tubular cells) and multiple non-parenchymal cell lineages (immune and mesenchymal cells) located spatially within scarring areas. Although the mechanisms of kidney fibrosis are complicated due to the kinds of cells involved, with the help of single-cell technology, many key questions have been explored, such as what kind of renal tubules are profibrotic, where myofibroblasts originate, which immune cells are involved, and how cells communicate with each other. In addition, genetics and epigenetics are deeper mechanisms that regulate kidney fibrosis. And the reversible nature of epigenetic changes including DNA methylation, RNA interference, and chromatin remodeling, gives an opportunity to stop or reverse kidney fibrosis by therapeutic strategies. More marketed (e.g., RAS blockage, SGLT2 inhibitors) have been developed to delay CKD progression in recent years. Furthermore, a better understanding of renal fibrosis is also favored to discover biomarkers of fibrotic injury. In the review, we update recent advances in the mechanism of renal fibrosis and summarize novel biomarkers and antifibrotic treatment for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rongshuang Huang
- Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Ping Fu
- Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
| | - Liang Ma
- Kidney Research Institute, Division of Nephrology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
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13
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Kha M, Krawczyk K, Choong OK, De Luca F, Altiparmak G, Källberg E, Nilsson H, Leandersson K, Swärd K, Johansson ME. The injury-induced transcription factor SOX9 alters the expression of LBR, HMGA2, and HIPK3 in the human kidney. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2023; 324:F75-F90. [PMID: 36454702 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00196.2022] [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: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Induction of SRY box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) has been shown to occur in response to kidney injury in rodents, where SOX9-positive cells proliferate and regenerate the proximal tubules of injured kidneys. Additionally, SOX9-positive cells demonstrate a capacity to differentiate toward other nephron segments. Here, we characterized the role of SOX9 in normal and injured human kidneys. SOX9 expression was found to colocalize with a proportion of so-called scattered tubular cells in the uninjured kidney, a cell population previously shown to be involved in kidney injury and regeneration. Following injury and in areas adjacent to inflammatory cell infiltrates, SOX9-positive cells were increased in number. With the use of primary tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) obtained from human kidney tissue, SOX9 expression was spontaneously induced in culture and further increased by transforming growth factor-β1, whereas it was suppressed by interferon-γ. siRNA-mediated knockdown of SOX9 in PTECs followed by analysis of differential gene expression, immunohistochemical expression, and luciferase promoter assays suggested lamin B receptor (LBR), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), and homeodomain interacting protein kinase 3 (HIPK3) as possible target genes of SOX9. Moreover, a kidney explant model was used to demonstrate that only SOX9-positive cells survive the massive injury associated with kidney ischemia and that the surviving SOX9-positive cells spread and repopulate the tubules. Using a wound healing assay, we also showed that SOX9 positively regulated the migratory capacity of PTECs. These findings shed light on the functional and regulatory aspects of SOX9 activation in the human kidney during injury and regeneration.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Recent studies using murine models have shown that SRY box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is activated during repair of renal tubular cells. In this study, we showed that SOX9-positive cells represent a proportion of scattered tubular cells found in the uninjured human kidney. Furthermore, we suggest that expression of LBR, HMGA2, and HIPK3 is altered by SOX9 in the kidney tubular epithelium, suggesting the involvement of these gene products in kidney injury and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Kha
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Krzysztof Krawczyk
- Center for Molecular Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Oi Kuan Choong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Francesco De Luca
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gülay Altiparmak
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Källberg
- Cancer Immunology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Helén Nilsson
- Center for Molecular Pathology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Karin Leandersson
- Cancer Immunology, Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin E Johansson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Center for Cancer Research, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Pathology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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14
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Wu J, Huang H, Tu M, Yu H, Wei T, Huang X, Jia Y, Mo T, Li Y, Zhang H. Acute toxicological study: EZY-1 with potent therapeutic effects of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and its mechanisms. J Food Biochem 2022; 46:e14483. [PMID: 36226766 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14483] [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: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
EZY-1 is an antifibrosis peptide purified from Eucheuma. In this study, we explored the acute toxicology of EZY-1 and the signaling pathways involved in its antifibrotic role. The mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin. Pathological changes in lung tissue could be effectively inhibited by EZY-1. Acute toxicity and cell proliferation tests indicated that EZY-1 had no apparent toxicity to mice and cells. We identified proteins that could bind directly to EZY-1 in vitro on the basis of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis. EZY-1 inhibited pulmonary fibrosis via Wnt/β-catenin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/ mammalian target of rapamycin, and activator of transcription 3 and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer pathways. A transwell micropore experiment showed that EZY-1 could inhibit cell migration and invasion. Western blotting analysis on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced A549 pulmonary fibrosis cell model suggested that EZY-1 could downregulate p-Smad3 (Ser423/Ser425), Smad4, β-catenin, vimentin, and N-cadherin expression. ELISA showed that EZY-1 could inhibit collagen-I secretion. EZY-1 alleviated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through regulating TGF-β/Smad pathways, epithelial-mesenchymal transition processes, and collagen secretion, which provides a potential foundation for theoretical development of EZY-1 as a potential drug against IPF. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: We isolated a new 16-amino-acid peptide derived from the polypeptide extract of Eucheuma, named EZY-1. In vitro and in vivo assays show peptide EZY-1 is safe. The EZY-1 peptide alleviates IPF at lower doses than pirfenidone. EZY-1 alleviated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through regulating TGF-β/Smad pathways, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) processes, and collagen secretion, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of EZY-1 as a potential drug against IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Hui Huang
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Mingjin Tu
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Huajun Yu
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Laboratory Animal Centre, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ting Wei
- Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xiaoqin Huang
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yufang Jia
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Ting Mo
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Yuanqi Li
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Haitao Zhang
- Peptide and Protein Research and Application Key Laboratory of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China.,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhanjiang), Zhanjiang, China
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15
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Wong TLM, Wong TL, Zhou L, Man K, Purcell J, Lee TK, Yun JP, Ma S. Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7 (PTK7) Promotes Metastasis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma via SOX9 Regulation and TGF-β Signaling. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 15:13-37. [PMID: 36202326 PMCID: PMC9672488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Metastasis is found in most advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and it drives tumor recurrence and systemic failure. There is no effective treatment owing to its complex biological features. Many of the molecular drivers of metastasis are crucial players in normal physiology but behave unconventionally during cancer progression. Targeting these molecular drivers for therapy and differentiating them from a physiological background require a detailed examination of the novel mechanisms involved in their activation during metastasis. METHODS Publicly available transcriptomic data such as that of TCGA-LIHC and Gene Expression Omnibus were utilized to identify novel targets upregulated in advanced and metastatic HCC. Validation of candidates was assisted by immunohistochemistry performed on tissue microarrays derived from more than 100 HCC patients. Expression of protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) was studied under the treatment of transforming growth factor-β1 and knockdown of SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9 (SOX9) to delineate upstream regulation, while CRISPR-mediated knockout and lentiviral overexpression of PTK7 in HCC cells were performed to study their functional and signaling consequences. Manipulated HCC cells were injected into mice models either by orthotopic or tail-vein injection to observe for any in vivo pro-metastatic effects. RESULTS PTK7 was discovered to be the kinase most significantly upregulated in advanced and metastatic HCC, at both transcriptomic and proteomic level. Bioinformatic analyses and functional assays performed in HCC cell lines revealed transforming growth factor-β signaling and SOX9 to be important activators of PTK7 expression. Functionally, enrichment of PTK7 expression could positively regulate metastatic potential of HCC cells in vitro and in lung metastasis models performed in immunodeficient mice. The up-regulation of PTK7 recruited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition components, zinc finger protein SNAI2 (SLUG) and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). CONCLUSIONS Our study proposes PTK7 as a novel molecular driver in metastatic HCC, particularly in a transforming growth factor-β-activated microenvironment. The preferential expression of PTK7 resulted in a previously unobserved regulatory effect on the recruitment of epithelial-mesenchymal transition components, which established PTK7 as a potential determinant of specific epithelial-mesenchymal transition status. Therefore, our data support the continual development of PTK7-targeted agents as antimetastatic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsz Lam Matthew Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tin-Lok Wong
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong,State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Lei Zhou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Kwan Man
- Department of Surgery, Queen Mary Hospital, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Terence K. Lee
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Jing-Ping Yun
- Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China
| | - Stephanie Ma
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory of Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
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16
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Shirpoor A, Naderi R. Maternal Ethanol Exposure-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis is Associated with Changes in TGF-β and SIRT1/FOXO3a Signaling in Male Rat Offspring: A Three-Month Follow-up Study. Cardiovasc Toxicol 2022; 22:858-865. [PMID: 35900665 DOI: 10.1007/s12012-022-09761-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Ethanol exposure during pregnancy induces cardiac fibrosis in the fetal heart. However, the mechanisms by which consumption of ethanol induces fibrotic changes are not known. Pregnant rats were received ethanol 4.5 g/kg BW once per day from the 7th day of pregnancy (GD7) throughout lactation. Our findings demonstrated that, area of fibrosis increased in cardiac tissue in the pups on both postnatal day twenty one (PN21) and postnatal day ninety (PN90) after prenatal and early postnatal period ethanol treatment compared with the controls. It was accompanied by a decline in the expression of SIRT1 protein along with the elevation of FOXO3a and TGF-β protein expressions which were determined by western blot. Overall, our data reveal that prenatal alcohol usage increase in fibrotic regions in the pup hearts possibly by regulating TGF-β, FOXO3a and SIRT1 protein levels. These are potential therapeutic molecular targets that can be modulated to protect heart against maternal ethanol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Shirpoor
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.,Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Roya Naderi
- Nephrology and Kidney Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran. .,Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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17
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Bellidifolin Inhibits SRY-Related High Mobility Group-Box Gene 9 to Block TGF-β Signalling Activation to Ameliorate Myocardial Fibrosis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:6841276. [PMID: 35586685 PMCID: PMC9110156 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6841276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis is the main morphological change of ventricular remodelling caused by cardiovascular diseases, mainly manifested due to the excessive production of collagen proteins. SRY-related high mobility group-box gene 9 (SOX9) is a new target regulating myocardial fibrosis. Bellidifolin (BEL), the active component of G. acuta, can prevent heart damage. However, it is unclear whether BEL can regulate SOX9 to alleviate myocardial fibrosis. The mice were subjected to isoproterenol (ISO) to establish myocardial fibrosis, and human myocardial fibroblasts (HCFs) were activated by TGF-β1 in the present study. The pathological changes of cardiac tissue were observed by HE staining. Masson staining was applied to reveal the collagen deposition in the heart. The measurement for expression of fibrosis-related proteins, SOX9, and TGF-β1 signalling molecules adopted Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The effects of BEL on HCFs, activity were detected by CCK-8. The result showed that BEL did not affect cell viability. And, the data indicated that BEL inhibited the elevations in α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III by decreasing SOX9 expression. Additionally, SOX9 suppression by siRNA downregulated the TGF-β1 expression and prevented Smad3 phosphorylation, as supported by reducing the expression of α-SMA, Collagen I, and Collagen III. In vivo study verified that BEL ameliorated myocardial fibrosis by inhibiting SOX9. Therefore, BEL inhibited SOX9 to block TGF-β1 signalling activation to ameliorate myocardial fibrosis.
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18
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Chen YY, Chen XG, Zhang S. Druggability of lipid metabolism modulation against renal fibrosis. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:505-519. [PMID: 33990764 PMCID: PMC8888625 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00660-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis contributes to progressive damage to renal structure and function. It is a common pathological process as chronic kidney disease develops into kidney failure, irrespective of diverse etiologies, and eventually leads to death. However, there are no effective drugs for renal fibrosis treatment at present. Lipid aggregation in the kidney and consequent lipotoxicity always accompany chronic kidney disease and fibrosis. Numerous studies have revealed that restoring the defective fatty acid oxidation in the kidney cells can mitigate renal fibrosis. Thus, it is an important strategy to reverse the dysfunctional lipid metabolism in the kidney, by targeting critical regulators of lipid metabolism. In this review, we highlight the potential "druggability" of lipid metabolism to ameliorate renal fibrosis and provide current pre-clinical evidence, exemplified by some representative druggable targets and several other metabolic regulators with anti-renal fibrosis roles. Then, we introduce the preliminary progress of noncoding RNAs as promising anti-renal fibrosis drug targets from the perspective of lipid metabolism. Finally, we discuss the prospects and deficiencies of drug targeting lipid reprogramming in the kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-yuan Chen
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union medical college, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Xiao-guang Chen
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union medical college, Beijing, 100050 China
| | - Sen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union medical college, Beijing, 100050, China.
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19
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Sun Y, Cai H, Ge J, Shao F, Huang Z, Ding Z, Dong L, Chen J, Zhang J, Zang Y. Tubule-derived INHBB promotes interstitial fibroblast activation and renal fibrosis. J Pathol 2022; 256:25-37. [PMID: 34543458 DOI: 10.1002/path.5798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Upstream stimuli for myofibroblast activation are of considerable interest for understanding the mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis. Activin B, a member of the TGF-β family, exists as a homodimer of inhibin subunit beta B (INHBB), but its role in renal fibrosis remains unknown. We found that INHBB expression was significantly increased in various renal fibrosis models and human chronic kidney disease specimens with renal fibrosis. Notably, the increase of INHBB occurred mainly in the tubular epithelial cells (TECs). In vivo, inhibiting INHBB blocked the activation of interstitial fibroblasts and ameliorated the renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction or ischemia-reperfusion injury, while ectopic expression of INHBB in the TECs was able to activate interstitial fibroblasts and initiate interstitial fibrosis. In vitro, overexpression of INHBB in TECs led to the secretion of activin B, thereby promoting the proliferation and activation of interstitial fibroblasts through activin B/Smad signaling. Furthermore, inhibition of activin B/Smad signaling attenuated the fibrotic response caused by tubular INHBB. Mechanistically, the upregulation of INHBB depended on the transcription factor Sox9 in the injured TECs. Clinical analyses also identified a positive correlation between Sox9 and INHBB expression in human specimens, suggesting the Sox9/INHBB axis as a positive regulator of renal fibrosis. In conclusion, tubule-derived INHBB is implicated in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis by activating the surrounding fibroblasts in a paracrine manner, thereby exhibiting as a potential therapeutic target. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Huimin Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jia Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fang Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jiangning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yuhui Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
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20
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Gajjala PR, Kasam RK, Soundararajan D, Sinner D, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Dysregulated overexpression of Sox9 induces fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e152503. [PMID: 34520400 PMCID: PMC8564901 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease associated with unremitting fibroblast activation including fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT), migration, resistance to apoptotic clearance, and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the distal lung parenchyma. Aberrant activation of lung-developmental pathways is associated with severe fibrotic lung disease; however, the mechanisms through which these pathways activate fibroblasts in IPF remain unclear. Sry-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) is a member of the high-mobility group box family of DNA-binding transcription factors that are selectively expressed by epithelial cell progenitors to modulate branching morphogenesis during lung development. We demonstrate that Sox9 is upregulated via MAPK/PI3K-dependent signaling and by the transcription factor Wilms' tumor 1 in distal lung-resident fibroblasts in IPF. Mechanistically, using fibroblast activation assays, we demonstrate that Sox9 functions as a positive regulator of FMT, migration, survival, and ECM production. Importantly, our in vivo studies demonstrate that fibroblast-specific deletion of Sox9 is sufficient to attenuate collagen deposition and improve lung function during TGF-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Using a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we show that myofibroblast-specific Sox9 overexpression augments fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, Sox9 functions as a profibrotic transcription factor in activating fibroblasts, illustrating the potential utility of targeting Sox9 in IPF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathibha R Gajjala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Divyalakshmi Soundararajan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Debora Sinner
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
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21
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Abstract
Epigenetics examines heritable changes in DNA and its associated proteins except mutations in gene sequence. Epigenetic regulation plays fundamental roles in kidney cell biology through the action of DNA methylation, chromatin modification via epigenetic regulators and non-coding RNA species. Kidney diseases, including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease and renal fibrosis are multistep processes associated with numerous molecular alterations even in individual kidney cells. Epigenetic alterations, including anomalous DNA methylation, aberrant histone alterations and changes of microRNA expression all contribute to kidney pathogenesis. These changes alter the genome-wide epigenetic signatures and disrupt essential pathways that protect renal cells from uncontrolled growth, apoptosis and development of other renal associated syndromes. Molecular changes impact cellular function within kidney cells and its microenvironment to drive and maintain disease phenotype. In this chapter, we briefly summarize epigenetic mechanisms in four kidney diseases including acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, diabetic kidney disease and renal fibrosis. We primarily focus on current knowledge about the genome-wide profiling of DNA methylation and histone modification, and epigenetic regulation on specific gene(s) in the pathophysiology of these diseases and the translational potential of identifying new biomarkers and treatment for prevention and therapy. Incorporating epigenomic testing into clinical research is essential to elucidate novel epigenetic biomarkers and develop precision medicine using emerging therapies.
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22
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Xia WP, Chen X, Ru F, He Y, Liu PH, Gan Y, Zhang B, Li Y, Dai GY, Jiang ZX, Chen Z. Knockdown of lncRNA XIST inhibited apoptosis and inflammation in renal fibrosis via microRNA-19b-mediated downregulation of SOX6. Mol Immunol 2021; 139:87-96. [PMID: 34461493 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2021.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Kidney damage often develops into renal fibrosis. Apoptosis and inflammatory response are the main factors driving the process of renal fibrosis. Here we showed that lncRNA XIST/ miR-19b / SOX6 signal axis regulated apoptosis and inflammation of renal fibrosis. METHODS HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-β1 to construct cell fibrosis model, and UUO surgery was performed to construct mouse renal fibrosis model. The expression of XIST, miR-19b and SOX6 were examined by qPCR. And levels of fibrosis-related proteins were detected by western blotting. Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were assessed by qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Renal pathology and fibrosis were evaluated by HE and Masson staining. Flow cytometry and TUNEL staining were employed to evaluate cell apoptosis in cell fibrosis model and mouse renal fibrosis model, respectively. Besides, dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to verify whether XIST had a binding site to miR-19b, and whether miR-19b had a binding site to SOX6. RESULTS Here we showed that XIST and SOX6 were upregulated in both HK-2 cells treatment of TGF-β1 and kidneys of UUO mice, while miR-19b was downregulated. Dual luciferase reporter assay displayed that XIST directly bound to miR-19b, and SOX6 was the target of miR-19b. Knockdown of XIST inhibited apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis in HK-2 cells treatment of TGF-β1 via miR-19b-mediated downregulation of SOX6, while inhibition of miR-19b reversed the effect. Similarly, knockdown of XIST in vivo inhibited apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis in kidneys of UUO mice via miR-19b-mediated downregulation of SOX6. DISCUSSION These results provided evidence that knockdown of XIST inhibited apoptosis and inflammation of renal fibrosis via miR-19b-mediated downregulation of SOX6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ping Xia
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Feng Ru
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yao He
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Pei-Hua Liu
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yu Gan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang 421000, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Guo-Yu Dai
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Ze-Xiang Jiang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China
| | - Zhi Chen
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, Hunan Province, PR China.
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23
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Wang C, Deng J, Deng H, Kang Z, Huang Z, Ding Z, Dong L, Chen J, Zhang J, Zang Y. A Novel Sox9/lncRNA H19 Axis Contributes to Hepatocyte Death and Liver Fibrosis. Toxicol Sci 2021; 177:214-225. [PMID: 32579217 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfaa097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sox9 has been previously characterized as a transcription factor responsible for the extracellular matrix production during liver fibrosis. However, the deregulation and functional role of hepatocyte Sox9 in the progression of liver fibrosis remains elusive. Here, we found a significant increase of Sox9 in the hepatocytes isolated from CCl4-induced fibrotic liver and showed that antisense oligoribonucleotides depletion of Sox9 was sufficient to attenuate CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Notably, the increase of Sox9 in hepatocyte was associated with the upregulation of long noncoding RNA H19 in both in vitro and in vivo systems. Mechanistic studies revealed that Sox9 induced H19 by binding to a conserved promoter region of H19. In vitro, hepatocyte injury triggered the increase of Sox9/H19 axis, whereas silence of H19 greatly alleviated the H2O2-induced hepatocyte apoptosis, suggesting that H19 functions as a downstream effector of Sox9 signaling and is involved in hepatocyte apoptosis. In animal experiments, inhibition of H19 alleviated the activation of hepatic stellate cells and reduced the extent of liver fibrosis, whereas ectopic expression of H19 abolished the inhibitory effects of Sox9 depletion on liver fibrosis, suggesting that the profibrotic effect of hepatocyte Sox9 depends on H19. Finally, we investigated the clinical relevance of Sox9/H19 axis to liver fibrosis and identified the increase of Sox9/H19 axis in liver cirrhosis patients. In conclusion, our findings link Sox9/H19 axis to the intrinsic mechanisms of hepatocyte apoptosis and may represent a hitherto unknown paradigm in hepatocyte injury associated with the progression of liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Jia Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Hao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Zhiqian Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Zhen Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Zhi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Lei Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Jiangning Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University.,State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Sciences and Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Life Sciences, Nanjing 210093, P.R. China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
| | - Yuhui Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Science, Nanjing University
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24
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Fang Y, Zou L, He W. miR‑30a‑5p mitigates autophagy by regulating the Beclin‑1/ATG16 pathway in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury. Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:144. [PMID: 34080645 PMCID: PMC8175063 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury often occurs during multiple organ failure and sepsis, and autophagy may serve a role in I/R injury. The aim of the present study was to explore the effect of microRNA (miR)-30a-5p on autophagy in renal I/R injury. miR-30a-5p and autophagy-related protein expression levels in renal I/R injury mouse models and in hypoxia/re-oxygenation HK-2 cell models were determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR or western blotting; apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry. The effects of miR-30a-5p, Beclin-1 and autophagy-related gene 16 (ATG16) on the proliferation and autophagy of HK-2 cells were analyzed through gain- and loss-of-function studies. miR-30a-5p expression was significantly decreased after renal I/R injury in the in vivo and in vitro experiments. Renal I/R injury led to upregulated expression of autophagy-related proteins microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3)-II and Beclin-1, and downregulated expression of p62. miR-30a-5p overexpression decreased the number of LC3 punctae, decreased HK-2 cell apoptosis, increased p62 expression and decreased LC3-II and Beclin-1 expression. Inhibition of miR-30a-5p exhibited the opposite effects. A luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-30a-5p targeted Beclin-1. Beclin-1 overexpression led to a significant increase in LC3-II expression and a decrease in p62 expression, as well as a significant increase in apoptosis. Beclin-1 overexpression also increased the protein expression level of ATG16. Downregulation of Beclin-1 decreased the expression of LC3-II, elevated the p62 level and decreased apoptosis. ATG16 knockdown showed similar effects as those of Beclin-1 downregulation. In conclusion, miR-30a-5p was increased in renal I/R injury and might mitigate autophagy by regulating the Beclin-1/ATG16 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Fang
- Priority Medical Department, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Lin Zou
- Priority Medical Department, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
| | - Wei He
- Priority Medical Department, General Hospital of Central Theater Command, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, P.R. China
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25
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Zheng B, Yuan M, Wang S, Tan Y, Xu Y, Ye J, Gao Y, Sun X, Wang T, Kong L, Wu X, Xu Q. Fraxinellone alleviates kidney fibrosis by inhibiting CUG-binding protein 1-mediated fibroblast activation. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 420:115530. [PMID: 33845055 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2021.115530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a serious threat to human health. In addition, kidney fibrosis is a key pathogenic intermediate for the progression of CDK. Moreover, excessive activation of fibroblasts is key to the development of kidney fibrosis and this process is difficult to control. Notably, fraxinellone is a natural compound isolated from Dictamnus dasycarpus and has a variety of pharmacological activities, including hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. However, the effect of fraxinellone on kidney fibrosis is largely unknown. The present study showed that fraxinellone could alleviate folic acid-induced kidney fibrosis in mice in a dose dependent manner. Additionally, the results revealed that fraxinellone could effectively down-regulate the expression of CUGBP1, which was highly up-regulated in human and murine fibrotic renal tissues. Furthermore, expression of CUGBP1 was selectively induced by the Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) through p38 and JNK signaling in kidney fibroblasts. On the other hand, downregulating the expression of CUGBP1 significantly inhibited the activation of kidney fibroblasts. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that fraxinellone might be a new drug candidate and CUGBP1 could be a promising target for the treatment of kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfeng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Manman Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shenglan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yang Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yizhu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yanjie Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xueqing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tianyi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lingdong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xingxin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Qiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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26
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Small molecules against the origin and activation of myofibroblast for renal interstitial fibrosis therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 139:111386. [PMID: 34243594 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) is a common pathological response in a broad range of prevalent chronic kidney diseases and ultimately leads to renal failure and death. Although RIF causes a high morbi-mortality worldwide, effective therapeutic drugs are urgently needed. Myofibroblasts are identified as the main effector during the process of RIF. Multiple types of cells, including fibroblasts, epithelial cells, endothelial cells, macrophages and pericytes, contribute to renal myofibroblasts origin, and lots of mediators, including signaling pathways (Transforming growth factor-β1, mammalian target of rapamycin and reactive oxygen species) and epigenetic modifications (Histone acetylation, microRNA and long non-coding RNA) are participated in renal myofibroblasts activation during renal fibrogenesis, suggesting that these mediators may be the promising targets for treating RIF. In addition, many small molecules show profound therapeutic effects on RIF by suppressing the origin and activation of renal myofibroblasts. Taken together, the review focuses on the mechanisms of the origin and activation of renal myofibroblasts in RIF and the small molecules against them improving RIF, which will provide a new insight for RIF therapy.
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27
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Liu Y, Nie H, Ding Y, Hou Y, Mao K, Cui Y. MiRNA, a New Treatment Strategy for Pulmonary Fibrosis. Curr Drug Targets 2021; 22:793-802. [PMID: 32988351 DOI: 10.2174/1874609813666200928141822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is the most common chronic, progressive interstitial lung disease, mainly occurring in the elderly, with a median survival of 2-4 years after diagnosis. Its high mortality rate attributes to the delay in diagnosis due to its generic symptoms, and more importantly, to the lack of effective treatments. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that are involved in many essential cellular processes, including extracellular matrix remodeling, alveolar epithelial cell apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, etc. We summarized the dysregulated miRNAs in TGF-β signaling pathway-mediated PF in recent years with dual effects, such as anti-fibrotic let-7 family and pro-fibrotic miR-21 members. Therefore, this review will set out the latest application of miRNAs to provide a new direction for PF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Liu
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hongguang Nie
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yapeng Hou
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Kejun Mao
- Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Department of Anesthesiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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28
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Raza S, Jokl E, Pritchett J, Martin K, Su K, Simpson K, Birchall L, Mullan AF, Athwal VS, Doherty DT, Zeef L, Henderson NC, Kalra PA, Hanley NA, Piper Hanley K. SOX9 is required for kidney fibrosis and activates NAV3 to drive renal myofibroblast function. Sci Signal 2021; 14:14/672/eabb4282. [PMID: 33653921 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abb4282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a common end point for kidney injury and many chronic kidney diseases. Fibrogenesis depends on the sustained activation of myofibroblasts, which deposit the extracellular matrix that causes progressive scarring and organ failure. Here, we showed that the transcription factor SOX9 was associated with kidney fibrosis in humans and required for experimentally induced kidney fibrosis in mice. From genome-wide analysis, we identified Neuron navigator 3 (NAV3) as acting downstream of SOX9 in kidney fibrosis. NAV3 increased in abundance and colocalized with SOX9 after renal injury in mice, and both SOX9 and NAV3 were present in diseased human kidneys. In an in vitro model of renal pericyte transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, we demonstrated that NAV3 was required for multiple aspects of fibrogenesis, including actin polymerization linked to cell migration and sustained activation of the mechanosensitive transcription factor YAP1. In summary, our work identifies a SOX9-NAV3-YAP1 axis involved in the progression of kidney fibrosis and points to NAV3 as a potential target for pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayyid Raza
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Elliot Jokl
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - James Pritchett
- School of Healthcare Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - Katherine Martin
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Kim Su
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Kara Simpson
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Lindsay Birchall
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Aoibheann F Mullan
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Varinder S Athwal
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.,Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Daniel T Doherty
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Leo Zeef
- Bioinformatics Core Facility, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Neil C Henderson
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, Queen's Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Philip A Kalra
- Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Stott Lane, Salford, UK
| | - Neil A Hanley
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK.,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.,Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK
| | - Karen Piper Hanley
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PT, UK. .,Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Gastroenterology, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
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29
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Liu C, Gao J, Cui X, Li Z, Chen L, Yuan Y, Zhang Y, Mei L, Zhao L, Cai D, Hu M, Zhou B, Li Z, Qin T, Si H, Li G, Lin Z, Xu Y, Zhu C, Yin Y, Zhang C, Xu W, Li Q, Wang K, Gilbert MTP, Heller R, Wang W, Huang J, Qiu Q. A towering genome: Experimentally validated adaptations to high blood pressure and extreme stature in the giraffe. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/12/eabe9459. [PMID: 33731352 PMCID: PMC7968835 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe9459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The suite of adaptations associated with the extreme stature of the giraffe has long interested biologists and physiologists. By generating a high-quality chromosome-level giraffe genome and a comprehensive comparison with other ruminant genomes, we identified a robust catalog of giraffe-specific mutations. These are primarily related to cardiovascular, bone growth, vision, hearing, and circadian functions. Among them, the giraffe FGFRL1 gene is an outlier with seven unique amino acid substitutions not found in any other ruminant. Gene-edited mice with the giraffe-type FGFRL1 show exceptional hypertension resistance and higher bone mineral density, both of which are tightly connected with giraffe adaptations to high stature. Our results facilitate a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism underpinning distinct giraffe traits, and may provide insights into the study of hypertension in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Liu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Jianbo Gao
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Xinxin Cui
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Lei Chen
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Yaolei Zhang
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao 266555, China
| | - Liangwei Mei
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China
| | - Lan Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory for Animal Conservation, College of Life Sciences, Xi'an 710069, China
| | - Dan Cai
- BGI-Qingdao, BGI-Shenzhen, Qingdao 266555, China
| | - Mingliang Hu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Botong Zhou
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Zihe Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Tao Qin
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Huazhe Si
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Guangyu Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Zeshan Lin
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Yicheng Xu
- Jiaxing SynBioLab. Co. Ltd., Jiaxing 314000, China
| | - Chenglong Zhu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Yuan Yin
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Chenzhou Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Wenjie Xu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - Qingjie Li
- Research Center of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Kun Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 5-7, Copenhagen 1350, Denmark
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology, University Museum, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Rasmus Heller
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen N 2200, Denmark.
| | - Wen Wang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.
- Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Jinghui Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, China.
| | - Qiang Qiu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, China.
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30
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Anti-epileptic drug topiramate upregulates TGFβ1 and SOX9 expression in primary embryonic palatal mesenchyme cells: Implications for teratogenicity. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0246989. [PMID: 33577554 PMCID: PMC7880431 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Topiramate is an anti-epileptic drug that is commonly prescribed not just to prevent seizures but also migraine headaches, with over 8 million prescriptions dispensed annually. Topiramate use during pregnancy has been linked to significantly increased risk of babies born with orofacial clefts (OFCs). However, the exact molecular mechanism of topiramate teratogenicity is unknown. In this study, we first used an unbiased antibody array analysis to test the effect of topiramate on human embryonic palatal mesenchyme (HEPM) cells. This analysis identified 40 differentially expressed proteins, showing strong connectivity to known genes associated with orofacial clefts. However, among known OFC genes, only TGFβ1 was significantly upregulated in the antibody array analysis. Next, we validated that topiramate could increase expression of TGFβ1 and of downstream target phospho-SMAD2 in primary mouse embryonic palatal mesenchyme (MEPM) cells. Furthermore, we showed that topiramate treatment of primary MEPM cells increased expression of SOX9. SOX9 overexpression in chondrocytes is known to cause cleft palate in mouse. We propose that topiramate mediates upregulation of TGFβ1 signaling through activation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the palate. TGFβ1 and SOX9 play critical roles in orofacial morphogenesis, and their abnormal overexpression provides a plausible etiologic molecular mechanism for the teratogenic effects of topiramate.
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31
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Matsushita K, Toyoda T, Yamada T, Morikawa T, Ogawa K. Specific expression of survivin, SOX9, and CD44 in renal tubules in adaptive and maladaptive repair processes after acute kidney injury in rats. J Appl Toxicol 2020; 41:607-617. [PMID: 32969066 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is thought to be a reversible condition; however, growing evidence has suggested that AKI may be associated with subsequent development of chronic kidney disease. Although renal tubules have intrinsic regeneration capacity, disruption of the regeneration mechanisms leads to irreversible interstitial fibrosis. In this study, we investigated immunohistochemical markers of renal tubules in adaptive and maladaptive repair processes to predict AKI reversibility. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that regenerative tubules and dilated tubules were observed in the kidneys of AKI model rats after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Regenerative tubules gradually redifferentiated after I/R, whereas dilated tubules exhibited no tendency for redifferentiation. In fibrotic areas of the kidney in renal fibrosis model rats subjected to I/R, renal tubules were dilated or atrophied. There results suggested that the histopathological features of renal tubules in the maladaptive repair were dilation or atrophy. From microarray data of regenerative tubules, survivin, SOX9, and CD44 were extracted as candidate markers. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that survivin and SOX9 were expressed in regenerative tubules, whereas SOX9 was also detected in renal tubules in fibrotic areas. These findings indicated that survivin and SOX9 contributed to renal tubular regeneration, whereas sustained SOX9 expression may be associated to fibrosis. CD44 was expressed in dilated tubules in the kidneys of AKI model rats and in the tubules of fibrotic areas of renal fibrosis model rats, suggesting that CD44 was expressed in renal tubules in maladaptive repair. Thus, these factors could be useful markers for detecting disruption of the regenerative mechanisms of renal tubules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kohei Matsushita
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takeshi Toyoda
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takanori Yamada
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan.,Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomi Morikawa
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kumiko Ogawa
- Division of Pathology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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32
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Zong M, Zhao H, Li Q, Li Y, Zhang J. Irbesartan ameliorates myocardial fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy rats by inhibiting the TGFβ1/Smad2/3 pathway. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:117. [PMID: 33005243 PMCID: PMC7523283 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is an important pathological change in diabetic cardiomyopathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether irbesartan serves a role in improving MF in a diabetic rat model. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured in rats using biochemical methods. Heart weight index (HWI), left ventricular weight index (LVWI), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were also measured, whilst type I collagen and hydroxyproline content in myocardial tissue was quantified. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1), phosphorylated (p)-Smad2/3 and collagen type I α 1 chain (COL1A1) inmyocardial tissues or rat cardiac fibroblast (RCF) cells. Cell proliferation was measured using EdU staining. Procollagen type III N-terminal peptide (PIIINP) content, FBG, TC, TG and LDL-C levels were found to be significantly higher, whilst HDL-C levels were found to be significantly lower in rats in the diabetic group. Those in the diabetic group also exhibited significantly elevated HWI, LVWI, LVEDP, myocardial tissue type I collagen content and hydroxyproline content values, but significantly reduced LVSP. Changes in the aforementioned indicators were reversed after treatment with irbesartan, where the protein expression levels of TGFβ1 and p-Smad2/3 in myocardial tissue were also significantly reduced. In RCF cells, irbesartan significantly reversed high glucose-induced upregulation of TGFβ1 expression, Smad2/3 phosphorylation and COL1A1 expression, as well as reducing cell proliferation and rat type I PICP and PIIINP levels. Application of pirfenidone produced additive effects on reducing the expression levels of the proteins aforementioned when combined with irbesartan. Therefore, the present results demonstrated that irbesartan reduced the activity of the TGFβ1/Smad2/3 pathway and ameliorated diabetic MF by downregulating the expression of TGFβ1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zong
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, P.R. China
| | - Hua Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Li
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, P.R. China
| | - Yanbing Li
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, P.R. China
| | - Jianjun Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100043, P.R. China
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33
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MiR-126 Regulates Properties of SOX9 + Liver Progenitor Cells during Liver Repair by Targeting Hoxb6. Stem Cell Reports 2020; 15:706-720. [PMID: 32763157 PMCID: PMC7486193 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver progenitor cells (LPCs) have a remarkable contribution to the hepatocytes and ductal cells when normal hepatocyte proliferation is severely impaired. As a biomarker for LPCs, Sry-box 9 (Sox9) plays critical roles in liver homeostasis and repair in response to injury. However, the regulation mechanism of Sox9 in liver physiological and pathological state remains unknown. In this study, we found that miR-126 positively regulated the expression of Sox9, the proliferation and differentiation of SOX9+ LPCs by suppressing the translation of homeobox b6 (Hoxb6). As a transcription factor, HOXB6 directly binds to the promoter of Sox9 to inhibit Sox9 expression, resulting in the destruction of the properties of SOX9+ LPCs in CCl4-induced liver injury. These findings revealed the role of miR-126 in regulating SOX9+ LPCs fate by targeting Hoxb6 in liver injury repair. Our findings suggest the potential role of miR-126 as a nucleic acid therapy drug target for liver failure. miR-126 promotes Sox9 expression and maintains SOX9+ LPCs in adult mouse livers HOXB6 suppresses properties of SOX9+ LPCs in chronic liver injury model HOXB6 negatively regulates Sox9 trans-activity miR-126 regulates properties of SOX9+ LPCs by targeting Hoxb6
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34
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Guan T, Fang F, Su X, Lin K, Gao Q. Silencing PEG3 inhibits renal fibrosis in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2020; 513:110823. [PMID: 32311421 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2020.110823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
As paternally expressed gene 3 (PEG3), which can activate NF-κB pathway, plays an important role in the development of renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN), the present study aimed to investigate the interaction of PEG3 and the NF-κB pathway on renal fibrosis in a DN model. Following the induction of the rat model of DN, a series of experiments were used to measure serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine protein for 24 h (UP24 h), proliferation of renal fibroblasts, positive expression of PEG3, Collagen I and Collagen II protein, the activity of NF-κB, collagen fiber expression and the FSP1+ cell ratio (fibroblast marker, reflecting renal fibrosis). Silencing of PEG3 or inhibition of the NF-κB pathway decreased the levels of Scr, BUN, and UP24 h, down-regulated Collagen I protein and up-regulated Collagen II protein. These treatments also down-regulated the expression of PEG3, NF-κB, Vimentin, α-SMA, FN, caspase-3 and FSP1 and the extents of IκBα, inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) kinase β (IKKβ), and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation while that of E-cadherin was up-regulated, and the ratio of FSP1+ cells was decreased. Taken together, these results showed that silencing of PEG3 inhibited the NF-κB pathway, thereby alleviating renal fibrosis in DN, thus presenting PEG3 as a potential therapeutic target in renal fibrosis in DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjun Guan
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, PR China
| | - Fan Fang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, PR China
| | - Xiaoxuan Su
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, PR China
| | - Kaiqiang Lin
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, PR China
| | - Qing Gao
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361004, PR China.
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35
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Basta J, Robbins L, Stout L, Prinsen MJ, Griggs DW, Rauchman M. Pharmacologic inhibition of RGD-binding integrins ameliorates fibrosis and improves function following kidney injury. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14329. [PMID: 32281744 PMCID: PMC7153038 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a final common pathway for many causes of progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-binding integrins are important mediators of the pro-fibrotic response by activating latent TGF-β at sites of injury and by providing myofibroblasts information about the composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix. Therefore, blockade of RGD-binding integrins may have therapeutic potential for CKD. To test this idea, we used small-molecule peptidomimetics that potently inhibit a subset of RGD-binding integrins in a murine model of kidney fibrosis. Acute kidney injury leading to fibrosis was induced by administration of aristolochic acid. Continuous subcutaneous administration of CWHM-12, an RGD integrin antagonist, for 28 days improved kidney function as measured by serum creatinine. CWHM-12 significantly reduced Collagen 1 (Col1a1) mRNA expression and scar collagen deposition in the kidney. Protein and gene expression markers of activated myofibroblasts, a major source of extracellular matrix deposition in kidney fibrosis, were diminished by treatment. RNA sequencing revealed that inhibition of RGD integrins influenced multiple pathways that determine the outcome of the response to injury and of repair processes. A second RGD integrin antagonist, CWHM-680, administered once daily by oral gavage was also effective in ameliorating fibrosis. We conclude that targeting RGD integrins with such small-molecule antagonists is a promising therapeutic approach in fibrotic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannine Basta
- Department of MedicineDivision of NephrologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouri
- VA St. Louis Health Care SystemSaint LouisMissouri
| | - Lynn Robbins
- VA St. Louis Health Care SystemSaint LouisMissouri
| | - Lisa Stout
- Department of MedicineDivision of NephrologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouri
| | - Michael J. Prinsen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiophysicsWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouri
| | - David W. Griggs
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and ImmunologySaint Louis UniversitySaint LouisMissouri
| | - Michael Rauchman
- Department of MedicineDivision of NephrologyWashington University School of MedicineSaint LouisMissouri
- VA St. Louis Health Care SystemSaint LouisMissouri
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36
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Ma Z, Zang W, Wang H, Wei X. Silibinin enhances anti-renal fibrosis effect of MK-521 via downregulation of TGF-β signaling pathway. Hum Cell 2020; 33:330-336. [PMID: 31953678 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-019-00314-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a common characteristic of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it can lead to end-stage renal disease. It has been reported that silibinin or lisinopril (MK-521) can inhibit the progression of renal fibrosis. However, the effect of combination of silibinin with MK-521 on renal fibrosis remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the combination of silibinin with MK-521 on renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. The cell viability of HK-2 was detected by CCK-8. The gene and protein expression in HK-2 cells were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Moreover, HFD-induced renal fibrosis mouse model was established to investigate the effect of silibinin in combination with MK-521 on renal fibrosis in vivo. The expressions of collagen I, α-SMA, Smad2 and Smad3 in TGF-β-treated HK-2 cells were notably decreased by MK-521, which was further inhibited in the presence of silibinin. In addition, we found that silibinin significantly enhanced anti-fibrotic effect of MK-521 on HFD-induced renal fibrosis mice. These findings demonstrated that silibinin could significantly increase anti-fibrotic effect of MK-521 in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the combination of silibinin with MK-521 may serve as a potential strategy for the treatment of renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongchao Ma
- Department of Nephrology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, No. 67 West Dongchang Road, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Wenwen Zang
- Department of Nephrology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, No. 67 West Dongchang Road, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
| | - Huaiguo Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, No. 67 West Dongchang Road, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China.
| | - Xiaojing Wei
- Shenxian Zudian Township Hospital, Liaocheng, 252000, Shandong, China
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37
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Zhang C, Hu X, Qi F, Luo J, Li X. Identification of CD2, CCL5 and CCR5 as potential therapeutic target genes for renal interstitial fibrosis. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:454. [PMID: 31700890 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.08.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Background We aimed to explore potential gene biomarkers of renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) due to a lack of effective and non-invasive methods for diagnosis. Methods Three data sets (GSE22459, GSE76882 and GSE57731) including 350 samples were acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We used bioconductor limma package to perform background adjustment. Cluster analysis was conducted by 'edgeR' package to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). We generated heat maps with using heatmap package in R software. Function annotation of genes was performed by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. STRING (Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes) database was employed to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and the results were visualized by Cytoscape 3.6.1. At last, we applied Graphpad Prism 7.0. to explore the correlation between three hub genes and pathological degrees of RIF. Results By applying the "edgeR" package in R, we detected 116 DEGs with three data sets. These genes were enriched in 19 GO biological process categories. Three main hub genes (CD2, CCL5 and CCR5) were identified after construction of PPI network. In Pearson correlation coefficient, CD2, CCL5 and CCR5 was found to hold higher expression patterns in RIF samples based on independent data set GSE57731. Besides, their gene expression levels were found significantly positive correlation with the degree of RIF (CD2: P<0.05, r=0.29; CCL5: P<0.05, r=0.31; CCR5: P<0.05, r=0.38). Conclusions CD2, CCL5 and CCR5 might serve as potential early biomarkers of RIF. The mechanism between these genes and RIF remains to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Xin Hu
- First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Feng Qi
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jun Luo
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200081, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Urology, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital & Jiangsu Institute of Cancer Research & Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, China
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38
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Wang SY, Hong Q, Zhang CY, Yang YJ, Cai GY, Chen XM. miRNAs in stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles for acute kidney injury treatment: comprehensive review of preclinical studies. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:281. [PMID: 31481100 PMCID: PMC6724288 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1371-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy has been applied in many fields. Basic and clinical studies on stem cell therapy for acute kidney injury (AKI) have been conducted. Stem cells have been found to exert renal protection through a variety of mechanisms, such as regulating the immune system and secreting growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Among them, EVs are considered to be important mediators for stem cell protection because they contain various biological components, including microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are a class of small RNAs that function in posttranscriptional gene regulation. A number of studies have confirmed that miRNAs in stem cell-derived EVs can protect from AKI. miRNAs can enter the injured renal tissue through EVs released from stem cells, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-fibrotic, and pro-angiogenesis effects on AKI. However, the stem cell sources and AKI models used in these studies have differed. This article will summarize the miRNAs that play a role in kidney protection in stem cell EVs and clarifies the treatment characteristics and mechanisms of different miRNAs. This may provide a reference for clinical practice for acute and chronic kidney diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yang Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Quan Hong
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Chao-Yang Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Yuan-Jun Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
| | - Guang-Yan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China.
| | - Xiang-Mei Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Chinese PLA Institute of Nephrology, State Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Kidney Diseases, Beijing Key Laboratory of Kidney Diseases, Beijing, 100853, China
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39
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Liu Z, Wang Y, Shu S, Cai J, Tang C, Dong Z. Non-coding RNAs in kidney injury and repair. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C177-C188. [PMID: 30969781 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00048.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major kidney disease featured by a rapid decline of renal function. Pathologically, AKI is characterized by tubular epithelial cell injury and death. Besides its acute consequence, AKI contributes critically to the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). After AKI, surviving tubular cells regenerate to repair. Normal repair restores tubular integrity, while maladaptive or incomplete repair results in renal fibrosis and eventually CKD. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are functional RNA molecules that are transcribed from DNA but not translated into proteins, which mainly include microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), and tRNAs. Accumulating evidence suggests that ncRNAs play important roles in kidney injury and repair. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of the roles of ncRNAs, especially miRNAs and lncRNAs in kidney injury and repair, discuss the potential application of ncRNAs as biomarkers of AKI as well as therapeutic targets for treating AKI and impeding AKI-CKD transition, and highlight the future research directions of ncRNAs in kidney injury and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Liu
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification of Hunan Province, Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University , Changsha , China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification of Hunan Province, Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University , Changsha , China
| | - Shaoqun Shu
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification of Hunan Province, Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University , Changsha , China
| | - Juan Cai
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification of Hunan Province, Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University , Changsha , China
| | - Chengyuan Tang
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification of Hunan Province, Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University , Changsha , China
| | - Zheng Dong
- Department of Nephrology, The Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease and Blood Purification of Hunan Province, Second Xiangya Hospital at Central South University , Changsha , China.,Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and Charlie Norwood Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Augusta, Georgia
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40
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Yuan J, Botchway BOA, Zhang Y, Tan X, Wang X, Liu X. Curcumin Can Improve Spinal Cord Injury by Inhibiting TGF-β-SOX9 Signaling Pathway. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2019; 39:569-575. [PMID: 30915623 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-019-00671-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe nervous system disease with high morbidity and disability rate. Signaling pathways play a key role in the neuronal restorative mechanism following SCI. SRY-related high mobility group (HMG)-box gene 9 (SOX9) affects glial scar formation via Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Activation of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) is transferred into nucleus to upregulate TGF-β-SOX9. Curcumin exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Curcumin can play an important role in SCI recovery by inhibiting the expression of NF-κB and TGF-β-SOX9. Herein, we review the potential mechanism of curcumin-inhibiting SOX9 signaling pathway in SCI treatment. The inhibition of NF-κB and SOX9 signaling pathway by curcumin has the potentiality of serving as neuronal regenerative mechanism following SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaying Yuan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Benson O A Botchway
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Xiaoning Tan
- Institute of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xizhi Wang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Xuehong Liu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China.
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41
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Stradiot L, Mannaerts I, van Grunsven LA. P311, Friend, or Foe of Tissue Fibrosis? Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1151. [PMID: 30369881 PMCID: PMC6194156 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
P311 was first identified by the group of Studler et al. (1993) in the developing brain. In healthy, but mainly in pathological tissues, P311 is implicated in cell migration and proliferation. Furthermore, evidence in models of tissue fibrosis points to the colocalization with and the stimulation of transforming growth factor β1 by P311. This review provides a comprehensive overview on P311 and discusses its potential as an anti-fibrotic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leslie Stradiot
- Liver Cell Biology Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Inge Mannaerts
- Liver Cell Biology Lab, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
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42
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Wang C, Tan Z, Niu B, Tsang KY, Tai A, Chan WCW, Lo RLK, Leung KKH, Dung NWF, Itoh N, Zhang MQ, Chan D, Cheah KSE. Inhibiting the integrated stress response pathway prevents aberrant chondrocyte differentiation thereby alleviating chondrodysplasia. eLife 2018; 7:37673. [PMID: 30024379 PMCID: PMC6053305 DOI: 10.7554/elife.37673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The integrated stress response (ISR) is activated by diverse forms of cellular stress, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and is associated with diseases. However, the molecular mechanism(s) whereby the ISR impacts on differentiation is incompletely understood. Here, we exploited a mouse model of Metaphyseal Chondrodysplasia type Schmid (MCDS) to provide insight into the impact of the ISR on cell fate. We show the protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway that mediates preferential synthesis of ATF4 and CHOP, dominates in causing dysplasia by reverting chondrocyte differentiation via ATF4-directed transactivation of Sox9. Chondrocyte survival is enabled, cell autonomously, by CHOP and dual CHOP-ATF4 transactivation of Fgf21. Treatment of mutant mice with a chemical inhibitor of PERK signaling prevents the differentiation defects and ameliorates chondrodysplasia. By preventing aberrant differentiation, titrated inhibition of the ISR emerges as a rationale therapeutic strategy for stress-induced skeletal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhijia Tan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ben Niu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kwok Yeung Tsang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Andrew Tai
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wilson C W Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Rebecca L K Lo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Keith K H Leung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nelson W F Dung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nobuyuki Itoh
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Michael Q Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, United States.,MOE Key Laboratory of Bioinformatics, Center for Synthetic and Systems Biology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Danny Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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43
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Liu X, Tong Z, Chen K, Hu X, Jin H, Hou M. The Role of miRNA-132 against Apoptosis and Oxidative Stress in Heart Failure. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:3452748. [PMID: 29682535 PMCID: PMC5845498 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3452748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the effect of microRNA-132 of heart failure and provide theoretical guidance for clinical treatment of heart failure (HF). METHODS Peripheral blood was collected from HF patients. RT-qPCR was used to determine microRNA-132 expression. Mouse models of heart failure were established. Color Doppler ultrasound was utilized to measure the changes of cardiac function. HE and Masson staining were applied to observe pathological changes of the myocardium. After H9C2 cells were transfected with microRNA-132, MTT assay was employed to detect the stability of H9C2 cells. ELISA was used to measure the levels of oxidative stress factors. Western blot assay and RT-qPCR were utilized to determine the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, TGF-β1, and smad3. RESULTS MicroRNA-132 expression was downregulated in HF patients' blood. After establishing mouse models of HF, cardiac function obviously decreased. HE staining revealed the obvious edema and hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. Masson staining demonstrated that cardiomyocytes were markedly fibrotic. After microRNA-132 transfection and H9C2 cell apoptosis induced by H2O2, antioxidant stress and antiapoptotic ability of the H9C2 cells obviously increased. TGF-β1 and smad3 expression remarkably diminished. CONCLUSION Overexpression of microRNA-132 dramatically increased the antioxidant stress and antiapoptotic ability of H9C2 cells and decreased the expression of TGF-β1 and smad3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuelei Liu
- General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110016, China
| | - Zhou Tong
- General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110016, China
| | - Keyan Chen
- China Medical University, No. 77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110122, China
| | - Xiaofang Hu
- General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110016, China
| | - Hongxu Jin
- General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110016, China
| | - Mingxiao Hou
- General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command, No. 83 Wenhua Road, Shenyang, Liaoning Province 110016, China
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