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Liao X, Xie H, Yu S. Calycosin prevents NLRP3-induced gut fibrosis by regulating IL-33/ST2 axis. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30240. [PMID: 38726105 PMCID: PMC11078877 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30240] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Intestinal interstitial fibrosis is a core event of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) development. Calycosin has been recognized to carry various therapeutic bioactivities. However, the role of calycosin in intestinal interstitial fibrosis remains to be illustrated. This aim of this study was to explore the effects of calycosin on intestinal interstitial fibrosis in IBD and the underlying mechanisms. The in vitro and in vivo models were established by using TNBS-induced mouse IBD model and co-culture of intestinal epithelial cells and intestinal interstitial cells; moreover, lentivirus-mediated knockdown of NLRP3 expression was applied. The results showed that calycosin significantly improved the intestinal interstitial fibrosis of TNBS-induced IBD. Mechanistically, calycosin downregulated NLRP3 expression and inhibited the activation of IL-33/ST2 signaling in intestinal epithelial cells, which subsequently impedes intestinal interstitial cell migration and activation by regulating the secretion of IL-33/ST2 signaling-induced fibrosis mediators. Notably, combination of calycosin and NLRP3 signaling blockade improved the intestinal interstitial fibrosis extent. Altogether, this study suggests calycosin can improve intestinal interstitial fibrosis by downregulating NLRP3-IL-33/ST2 signaling, reducing inflammation and decreasing pro-fibrotic factors' secretion, which provides a new perspective for therapeutic options of IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujun Liao
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Haiting Xie
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
| | - Saojun Yu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery and Oncology, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, China
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He PY, Wu MY, Zheng LY, Duan Y, Fan Q, Zhu XM, Yao YM. Interleukin-33/serum stimulation-2 pathway: Regulatory mechanisms and emerging implications in immune and inflammatory diseases. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2024; 76:112-126. [PMID: 38155038 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.12.001] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)- 33, a nuclear factor and pleiotropic cytokine of the IL-1 family, is gaining attention owing to its important role in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This review extends our knowledge of the effects exerted by IL-33 on target cells by binding to its specific receptor serum stimulation-2 (ST2). Depending on the tissue context, IL-33 performs multiple functions encompassing host defence, immune response, initiation and amplification of inflammation, tissue repair, and homeostasis. The levels and activity of IL-33 in the body are controlled by complex IL-33-targeting regulatory pathways. The unique temporal and spatial expression patterns of IL-33 are associated with host homeostasis and the development of immune and inflammatory disorders. Therefore, understanding the origin, function, and processes of IL-33 under various conditions is crucial. This review summarises the regulatory mechanisms underlying the IL-33/ST2 signalling axis and its potential role and clinical significance in immune and inflammatory diseases, and discusses the current complex and conflicting findings related to IL-33 in host responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Yi He
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division and Fourth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Meng-Yao Wu
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division and Fourth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Li-Yu Zheng
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division and Fourth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Yu Duan
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division and Fourth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
| | - Qi Fan
- Emergency Medicine Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325015, China
| | - Xiao-Mei Zhu
- Tissue Repair and Regeneration Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division and Fourth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China.
| | - Yong-Ming Yao
- Translational Medicine Research Center, Medical Innovation Research Division and Fourth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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Li S, Zhuang Y, Ji Y, Chen X, He L, Chen S, Luo Y, Shen L, Xiao J, Wang H, Luo C, Peng F, Long H. BRG1 accelerates mesothelial cell senescence and peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting mitophagy through repression of OXR1. Free Radic Biol Med 2024; 214:54-68. [PMID: 38311259 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2024.01.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Peritoneal mesothelial cell senescence promotes the development of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related peritoneal fibrosis. We previously revealed that Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is increased in peritoneal fibrosis yet its role in modulating peritoneal mesothelial cell senescence is still unknown. This study evaluated the mechanism of BRG1 in peritoneal mesothelial cell senescence and peritoneal fibrosis using BRG1 knockdown mice, primary peritoneal mesothelial cells and human peritoneal samples from PD patients. The augmentation of BRG1 expression accelerated peritoneal mesothelial cell senescence, which attributed to mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy inhibition. Mitophagy activator salidroside rescued fibrotic responses and cellular senescence induced by BRG1. Mechanistically, BRG1 was recruited to oxidation resistance 1 (OXR1) promoter, where it suppressed transcription of OXR1 through interacting with forkhead box protein p2. Inhibition of OXR1 abrogated the improvement of BRG1 deficiency in mitophagy, fibrotic responses and cellular senescence. In a mouse PD model, BRG1 knockdown restored mitophagy, alleviated senescence and ameliorated peritoneal fibrosis. More importantly, the elevation level of BRG1 in human PD was associated with PD duration and D/P creatinine values. In conclusion, BRG1 accelerates mesothelial cell senescence and peritoneal fibrosis by inhibiting mitophagy through repression of OXR1. This indicates that modulating BRG1-OXR1-mitophagy signaling may represent an effective treatment for PD-related peritoneal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Li
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Nephrology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan, China
| | - Yiyi Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Ji
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Liying He
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Yating Luo
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lingyu Shen
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Xiao
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huizhen Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Congwei Luo
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Fenfen Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Haibo Long
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Hong W, Zhu Y, Lin Y, Tang S, Chen J, Xu L, Jiang J, Zong Y, Zhang Y, Sun A, Wu X. The chromatin remodeling protein BRG1 mediates Ang II induced pro-fibrogenic response in renal fibroblasts. Life Sci 2024; 340:122320. [PMID: 38272440 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122320] [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: 04/09/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Renal fibrosis is an important pathophysiological process commonly observed in patients chronic kidney disease (CKD). Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a major risk factor for CKD in part by promoting renal fibrosis. In the present study we investigated Brahma-Related Gene 1 (BRG1, encoded by Smarca4) in Ang II induced pro-fibrogenic response in renal fibroblasts. METHODS AND MATERIALS CKD was induced by chronic angiotensin II infusion. Fibroblast- and myofibroblast-specific BRG1 deletion was achieved by crossing the BRG1f/f mice to the Col1a1-CreERT2 mice and the Postn-CreERT2 mice, respectively. KEY FINDINGS BRG1 expression was up-regulated when fibroblasts were exposed to Ang II in vitro and in vivo. BRG1 silencing in primary renal fibroblasts blocked transition to myofibroblasts as evidenced by down-regulation of myofibroblast marker genes and reduction in cell proliferation, migration, and contraction. Consistently, deletion of BRG1 from fibroblasts or from myofibroblasts significantly attenuated renal fibrosis in mice subjected to chronic Ang II infusion. Transcriptomic analysis indicated that BRG1 primarily regulated expression of genes involved in cell migroproliferative behavior and extracellular matrix remodeling. Importantly, administration of PFI-3, a small-molecule BRG1 inhibition, markedly ameliorated Ang II induced renal fibrosis in mice. SIGNIFICANCE Our data support a role for BRG1 in Ang II induced fibrogenic response in renal fibroblasts and suggest that targeting BRG1 could be considered as a reasonable approach for the intervention of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Hong
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanshan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shifan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jinsi Chen
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Xu
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuting Zong
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongchen Zhang
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Aijun Sun
- Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, China.
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China.
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Ahuja S, Zaheer S. Multifaceted TGF-β signaling, a master regulator: From bench-to-bedside, intricacies, and complexities. Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:87-127. [PMID: 37859532 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Physiological embryogenesis and adult tissue homeostasis are regulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an evolutionarily conserved family of secreted polypeptide factors, acting in an autocrine and paracrine manner. The role of TGF-β in inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer is complex and sometimes even contradictory, exhibiting either inhibitory or promoting effects depending on the stage of the disease. Under pathological conditions, especially fibrosis and cancer, overexpressed TGF-β causes extracellular matrix deposition, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, cancer-associated fibroblast formation, and/or angiogenesis. In this review article, we have tried to dive deep into the mechanism of action of TGF-β in inflammation, fibrosis, and carcinogenesis. As TGF-β and its downstream signaling mechanism are implicated in fibrosis and carcinogenesis blocking this signaling mechanism appears to be a promising avenue. However, targeting TGF-β carries substantial risk as this pathway is implicated in multiple homeostatic processes and is also known to have tumor-suppressor functions. There is a need for careful dosing of TGF-β drugs for therapeutic use and patient selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sana Ahuja
- Department of Pathology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sufian Zaheer
- Department of Pathology, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
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Li S, Luo C, Chen S, Zhuang Y, Ji Y, Zeng Y, Zeng Y, He X, Xiao J, Wang H, Chen X, Long H, Peng F. Brahma-related gene 1 acts as a profibrotic mediator and targeting it by micheliolide ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:639. [PMID: 37726857 PMCID: PMC10510267 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04469-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progressive peritoneal fibrosis is a worldwide public health concern impacting patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD), yet there is no effective treatment. Our previous study revealed that a novel compound, micheliolide (MCL) inhibited peritoneal fibrosis in mice. However, its mechanism remains unclear. Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is a key contributor to organ fibrosis, but its potential function in PD-related peritoneal fibrosis and the relationship between MCL and BRG1 remain unknown. METHODS The effects of MCL on BRG1-induced fibrotic responses and TGF-β1-Smads pathway were examined in a mouse PD model and in vitro peritoneal mesothelial cells. To investigate the targeting mechanism of MCL on BRG1, coimmunoprecipitation, MCL-biotin pulldown, molecular docking and cellular thermal shift assay were performed. RESULTS BRG1 was markedly elevated in a mouse PD model and in peritoneal mesothelial cells cultured in TGF-β1 or PD fluid condition. BRG1 overexpression in vitro augmented fibrotic responses and promoted TGF-β1-increased-phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3. Meanwhile, knockdown of BRG1 diminished TGF-β1-induced fibrotic responses and blocked TGF-β1-Smad2/3 pathway. MCL ameliorated BRG1 overexpression-induced peritoneal fibrosis and impeded TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway both in a mouse PD model and in vitro. Mechanically, MCL impeded BRG1 from recognizing and attaching to histone H3 lysine 14 acetylation by binding to the asparagine (N1540) of BRG1, in thus restraining fibrotic responses and TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway. After the mutation of N1540 to alanine (N1540A), MCL was unable to bind to BRG1 and thus, unsuccessful in suppressing BRG1-induced fibrotic responses and TGF-β1-Smad2/3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION Our research indicates that BRG1 may be a crucial mediator in peritoneal fibrosis and MCL targeting N1540 residue of BRG1 may be a novel therapeutic strategy to combat PD-related peritoneal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Li
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Congwei Luo
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, The First Hospital of Changsha, Changsha, China
| | - Yiyi Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Yue Ji
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Yiqun Zeng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Yao Zeng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Xiaoyang He
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Jing Xiao
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Huizhen Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
| | - Haibo Long
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
| | - Fenfen Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510280, China.
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Collier H, Albanese A, Kwok CS, Kou J, Rocha S. Functional crosstalk between chromatin and hypoxia signalling. Cell Signal 2023; 106:110660. [PMID: 36990334 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Eukaryotic genomes are organised in a structure called chromatin, comprising of DNA and histone proteins. Chromatin is thus a fundamental regulator of gene expression, as it offers storage and protection but also controls accessibility to DNA. Sensing and responding to reductions in oxygen availability (hypoxia) have recognised importance in both physiological and pathological processes in multicellular organisms. One of the main mechanisms controlling these responses is control of gene expression. Recent findings in the field of hypoxia have highlighted how oxygen and chromatin are intricately linked. This review will focus on mechanisms controlling chromatin in hypoxia, including chromatin regulators such as histone modifications and chromatin remodellers. It will also highlight how these are integrated with hypoxia inducible factors and the knowledge gaps that persist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harry Collier
- Institute of Systems Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Adam Albanese
- Institute of Systems Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Chun-Sui Kwok
- Institute of Systems Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jiahua Kou
- Institute of Systems Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sonia Rocha
- Institute of Systems Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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Liu Y, Wen D, Ho C, Yu L, Zheng D, O'Reilly S, Gao Y, Li Q, Zhang Y. Epigenetics as a versatile regulator of fibrosis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:164. [PMID: 36864460 PMCID: PMC9983257 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04018-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis, a process caused by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), is a common cause and outcome of organ failure and even death. Researchers have made many efforts to understand the mechanism of fibrogenesis and to develop therapeutic strategies; yet, the outcome remains unsatisfactory. In recent years, advances in epigenetics, including chromatin remodeling, histone modification, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNA (ncRNA), have provided more insights into the fibrotic process and have suggested the possibility of novel therapy for organ fibrosis. In this review, we summarize the current research on the epigenetic mechanisms involved in organ fibrosis and their possible clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangdan Liu
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Dongsheng Wen
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Chiakang Ho
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Li Yu
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Danning Zheng
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | | | - Ya Gao
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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Xu M, Hu J, Yang L, Gen G, Fu Z, Luo Z, Zou W. Knockdown of Brg1 reduced mucus secretion in HDM stimulated airway inflammation. Mol Immunol 2023; 153:42-50. [PMID: 36427449 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Brg1 (Brahma-related gene 1) is an important chromatin remodeling factor protein. The Brg1 protein can promote the transcriptional activation or inhibit target genes through regulating ATP hydrolysis which rearranges the nucleosomes position and the histone DNA interaction. In this study, we explored the role of Brg1 in house dust mite (HDM) stimulated airway inflammation. METHODS The wild-type C57BL/6 mice (wild-type, WT) and alveolar epithelial cells specifically knockout Brg1 mice (Brg1fl/fl) were selected as the experimental subjects. HDM was used to stimulate human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) to construct an model of airway inflammation in vitro. The asthma group was established with HDM, and the control group was treated with normal saline. Wright's staining for the detection of differential counts of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Invasive lung function was used to assess the airway compliance. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining were used to detect mucus secretion. Immunohistochemistry was used to measure mucin glycoprotein 5AC (MUC5AC) protein expression in airway epithelium. Western blotting was used to detect the MUC5AC and JAK1/2-STAT6 proteins in mouse lung tissues and 16HBE cells. Co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (CHIP) were used to detect whether Brg1 could regulate the JAK1/2-STAT6 signaling pathway. RESULTS The airway inflammation, pulmonary ventilation resistance, airway mucus secretion, MUC5AC and IL-13 in BALF and MUC5AC protein expression in lung tissue of Brg1 knockout mice stimulated by HDM were lower than those of wild-type mice. The expression of MUC5AC protein in HDM stimulated Brg1 knockdown 16HBE cells was significantly lower than that in the control group. In vivo and in vitro, it was found that the activation of JAK1/2-STAT6 signal pathway in mouse lung tissue or 16HBE cells was inhibited after knockdown of Brg1 gene. The Co-IP and CHIP results showed that Brg1 could bind to the JAK1/2 promoter region and regulate the expression of JAK1/2 gene. CONCLUSION The Brg1 may promote the secretion of airway mucus stimulated by HDM through regulating the JAK1/2-STAT6 pathway. Knockdown of Brg1 reduced mucus secretion in HDM stimulated airway inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maozhu Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China
| | - Jie Hu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China
| | - Gang Gen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China
| | - Zhou Fu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China
| | - Zhengxiu Luo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, China.
| | - Wenjing Zou
- Department of Respiratory Medicine Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, China; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, China.
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Guo H, Bossila EA, Ma X, Zhao C, Zhao Y. Dual Immune Regulatory Roles of Interleukin-33 in Pathological Conditions. Cells 2022; 11:cells11203237. [PMID: 36291105 PMCID: PMC9600220 DOI: 10.3390/cells11203237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-33 (IL-33), a member of the IL-1 cytokine family and a multifunctional cytokine, plays critical roles in maintaining host homeostasis and in pathological conditions, such as allergy, infectious diseases, and cancer, by acting on multiple types of immune cells and promoting type 1 and 2 immune responses. IL-33 is rapidly released by immune and non-immune cells upon stimulation by stress, acting as an “alarmin” by binding to its receptor, suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (ST2), to trigger downstream signaling pathways and activate inflammatory and immune responses. It has been recognized that IL-33 displays dual-functioning immune regulatory effects in many diseases and has both pro- and anti-tumorigenic effects, likely depending on its primary target cells, IL-33/sST2 expression levels, cellular context, and the cytokine microenvironment. Herein, we summarize our current understanding of the biological functions of IL-33 and its roles in the pathogenesis of various conditions, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, infections, cancers, and cases of organ transplantation. We emphasize the nature of context-dependent dual immune regulatory functions of IL-33 in many cells and diseases and review systemic studies to understand the distinct roles of IL-33 in different cells, which is essential to the development of more effective diagnoses and therapeutic approaches for IL-33-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Elhusseny A. Bossila
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
- Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Agriculture Al-Azhar University, Cairo 11311, Egypt
| | - Xinran Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Chenxu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
| | - Yong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 101499, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing 100101, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-10-64807302; Fax: +86-10-64807313
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Liu G, Sun BY, Sun J, Zhou PY, Guan RY, Zhou C, Yang ZF, Wang ZT, Zhou J, Fan J, Yi Y, Qiu SJ. BRG1 regulates lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma through the PIK3AP1/PI3K/AKT pathway by mediating GLMP expression. Dig Liver Dis 2022; 54:692-700. [PMID: 34158256 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is essential for embryogenesis and cellular metabolism. A deficiency of BRG1 in vivo decreases lipid droplets, but the molecular mechanism underlying its role in lipid metabolism associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. AIMS We aimed to determine the role of BRG1 in lipid metabolism in HCC. METHODS We assessed the differential expression of BRG1 in HCC and adjacent non-tumorous tissues using tissue microarrays. We stained lipid droplets in HCC cells with Bodipy fluorescence and Oil Red O, and verified BRG1 binding to the promoter region of glycosylated lysosomal membrane protein (GLMP) using chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS The expression of GLMP, a potential lipid metabolism regulator, was suppressed by BRG1 via transcriptional activity. Knockdown of BRG1 decreased lipid droplets, increased GLMP expression and altered the phosphoinositide-3-kinase adaptor protein 1 (PIK3AP1)/phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in HCC, which further GLMP knockdown partially restored. Thus, GLMP knockdown increased lipid droplets and differentially altered the PI3K/AKT pathway. CONCLUSIONS Downregulating BRG1 decreased lipid droplet deposition in HCC cells by upregulating GLMP and altering the PI3K/AKT pathway. Both BRG1 and GLMP might serve as therapeutic targets for disorders associated with dysregulated lipid metabolism, such as NAFLD and NAFLD-associated HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gao Liu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Bao-Ye Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Yun Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruo-Yu Guan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhang-Fu Yang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhu-Tao Wang
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia Fan
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Yi
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shuang-Jian Qiu
- Department of Liver Surgery and Transplantation, Liver Cancer Institute and Biomedical Research Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, People's Republic of China.
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12
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A Review of Current and Emerging Trends in Donor Graft-Quality Assessment Techniques. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030487. [PMID: 35159939 PMCID: PMC8836899 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of patients placed on kidney transplant waiting lists is rapidly increasing, resulting in a growing gap between organ demand and the availability of kidneys for transplantation. This organ shortage has forced medical professionals to utilize marginal kidneys from expanded criteria donors (ECD) to broaden the donor pool and shorten wait times for patients with end-stage renal disease. However, recipients of ECD kidney grafts tend to have worse outcomes compared to those receiving organs from standard criteria donors (SCD), specifically increased risks of delayed graft function (DGF) and primary nonfunction incidence. Thus, representative methods for graft-quality assessment are strongly needed, especially for ECDs. Currently, graft-quality evaluation is limited to interpreting the donor’s recent laboratory tests, clinical risk scores, the visual evaluation of the organ, and, in some cases, a biopsy and perfusion parameters. The last few years have seen the emergence of many new technologies designed to examine organ function, including new imaging techniques, transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and new solutions in organ perfusion, which has enabled a deeper understanding of the complex mechanisms associated with ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), inflammatory process, and graft rejection. This review summarizes and assesses the strengths and weaknesses of current conventional diagnostic methods and a wide range of new potential strategies (from the last five years) with respect to donor graft-quality assessment, the identification of IRI, perfusion control, and the prediction of DGF.
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Demyanets S, Stojkovic S, Huber K, Wojta J. The Paradigm Change of IL-33 in Vascular Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413288. [PMID: 34948083 PMCID: PMC8707059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we focus on the actual understanding of the role of IL-33 in vascular biology in the context of the historical development since the description of IL-33 as a member of IL-1 superfamily and the ligand for ST2 receptor in 2005. We summarize recent data on the biology, structure and signaling of this dual-function factor with both nuclear and extracellular cytokine properties. We describe cellular sources of IL-33, particularly within vascular wall, changes in its expression in different cardio-vascular conditions and mechanisms of IL-33 release. Additionally, we summarize the regulators of IL-33 expression as well as the effects of IL-33 itself in cells of the vasculature and in monocytes/macrophages in vitro combined with the consequences of IL-33 modulation in models of vascular diseases in vivo. Described in murine atherosclerosis models as well as in macrophages as an atheroprotective cytokine, extracellular IL-33 induces proinflammatory, prothrombotic and proangiogenic activation of human endothelial cells, which are processes known to be involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. We, therefore, discuss that IL-33 can possess both protective and harmful effects in experimental models of vascular pathologies depending on experimental conditions, type and dose of administration or method of modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svitlana Demyanets
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Stefan Stojkovic
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Kurt Huber
- 3rd Medical Department with Cardiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Clinic Ottakring, 1160 Vienna, Austria;
- Medical School, Sigmund Freud University, 1020 Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Johann Wojta
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cardiovascular Research, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Core Facilities, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +43-1-40400-73500; Fax: +43-1-40400-73586
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14
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Deng F, Hu JJ, Yang X, Sun QS, Lin ZB, Zhao BC, Yao ZW, Luo SD, Chen ZL, Liu Y, Yan ZZ, Li C, Liu WF, Liu KX. Gut Microbial Metabolite Pravastatin Attenuates Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Through Promoting IL-13 Release From Type II Innate Lymphoid Cells via IL-33/ST2 Signaling. Front Immunol 2021; 12:704836. [PMID: 34650552 PMCID: PMC8505964 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.704836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a grave condition with high morbidity and mortality. We previously confirmed that intestinal I/R induces intestinal flora disorders and changes in metabolites, but the role of different metabolites in intestinal I/R injury is currently unclear. Based on targeted metabolic sequencing, pravastatin (PA) was determined to be a metabolite of the gut microbiota. Further, intestinal I/R model mice were established through superior mesenteric artery obstruction. In addition, a co-culture model of small intestinal organoids and type II innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) was subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) to simulate an intestinal I/R model. Moreover, correlation analysis between the PA level in preoperative feces of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass and the indices of postoperative intestinal I/R injury was carried out. IL-33-deficient mice, ILC2-deleted mice, and anti-IL-13 neutralizing antibodies were also used to explore the potential mechanism through which PA attenuates intestinal I/R injury. We demonstrated that PA levels in the preoperative stool of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass were negatively correlated with the indices of postoperative intestinal I/R injury. Furthermore, PA alleviated intestinal I/R injury and improved the survival of mice. We further showed that PA promotes IL-13 release from ILC2s by activating IL-33/ST2 signaling to attenuate intestinal I/R injury. In addition, IL-13 promoted the self-renewal of intestinal stem cells by activating Notch1 and Wnt signals. Overall, results indicated that the gut microbial metabolite PA can attenuate intestinal I/R injury by promoting the release of IL-13 from ILC2s via IL-33/ST2 signaling, revealing a novel mechanism of and therapeutic strategy for intestinal I/R injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Deng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Juan Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Shun Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Bin Lin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bing-Cheng Zhao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Dan Luo
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ze-Ling Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng-Zheng Yan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cai Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Feng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ke-Xuan Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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15
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Kong M, Dong W, Zhu Y, Fan Z, Miao X, Guo Y, Li C, Duan Y, Lu Y, Li Z, Xu Y. Redox-sensitive activation of CCL7 by BRG1 in hepatocytes during liver injury. Redox Biol 2021; 46:102079. [PMID: 34454163 PMCID: PMC8406035 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.102079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver injuries induced by various stimuli share in common an acute inflammatory response, in which circulating macrophages home to the liver parenchyma to participate in the regulation of repair, regeneration, and fibrosis. In the present study we investigated the role of hepatocyte-derived C-C motif ligand 7 (CCL7) in macrophage migration during liver injury focusing on its transcriptional regulation. We report that CCL7 expression was up-regulated in the liver by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection (acute liver injury) or methionine-and-choline-deficient (MCD) diet feeding (chronic liver injury) paralleling increased macrophage infiltration. CCL7 expression was also inducible in hepatocytes, but not in hepatic stellate cells or in Kupffer cells, by LPS treatment or exposure to palmitate in vitro. Hepatocyte-specific deletion of Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, resulted in a concomitant loss of CCL7 induction and macrophage infiltration in the murine livers. Of interest, BRG1-induced CCL7 transcription and macrophage migration was completely blocked by the antioxidant N-acetylcystine. Further analyses revealed that BRG1 interacted with activator protein 1 (AP-1) to regulate CCL7 transcription in hepatocytes in a redox-sensitive manner mediated in part by casein kinase 2 (CK2)-catalyzed phosphorylation of BRG1. Importantly, a positive correlation between BRG1/CCL7 expression and macrophage infiltration was identified in human liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel role for BRG1 as a redox-sensitive activator of CCL7 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China
| | - Chengping Li
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China
| | - Yunfei Duan
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yunjie Lu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou, The Third Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Changzhou, China.
| | - Zilong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, China.
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16
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Di Salvo E, Casciaro M, Gangemi S. IL-33 genetics and epigenetics in immune-related diseases. Clin Mol Allergy 2021; 19:18. [PMID: 34565403 PMCID: PMC8467020 DOI: 10.1186/s12948-021-00157-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin-33 (IL-33) is a 30KDa protein, which belongs to the Interleukin-1 cytokine family. It is a crucial regulator of innate and adaptive immune responses. This interleukin is additionally involved in the inflammatory reaction versus helminthic infections. Interleukin 33 acts on group 2 innate lymphoid cells and mast cells macrophages, dendritic cells and CD4 + Th2 cells eliciting a type 2 immune response. Moreover, the cytokine can activate the ST2 of Tregs, demonstrating its ability to downregulate inflammation. IL-33 has also an intracellular function by regulating transcription. The active IL-33 doesn’t have a signal peptide, so it’s not released across a normal secretory pathway; the interleukin is released when the cells are damages and acts like an “alarmin”. Its influence on immune activation could be slightly adjusted via fine epigenetic interactions involving cascade pathways and immune genes. Due to the diverse data emerged from different experimental research, we decided span literature to clarify, as much as possible, how IL-33 is influenced by and influence gene expression. The authors reported how its balance is influenced, according to the tissue considered. Fundamental for immune-related diseases, IL-33 has a key role in controlling inflammation. The understanding of the cytokine switch will be fundamental in a near future in order to block or activate some immune pathways. In fact, we could control interleukins effects not only by monoclonal antibodies but also by using siRNA or miRNAs for silencing or expressing key genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Di Salvo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Marco Casciaro
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico "G. Martino", University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Gangemi
- School and Operative Unit of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Policlinico "G. Martino", University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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17
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Jiménez-Uribe AP, Gómez-Sierra T, Aparicio-Trejo OE, Orozco-Ibarra M, Pedraza-Chaverri J. Backstage players of fibrosis: NOX4, mTOR, HDAC, and S1P; companions of TGF-β. Cell Signal 2021; 87:110123. [PMID: 34438016 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The fibrotic process could be easily defined as a pathological excess of extracellular matrix deposition, leading to disruption of tissue architecture and eventually loss of function; however, this process involves a complex network of several signal transduction pathways. Virtually almost all organs could be affected by fibrosis, the most affected are the liver, lung, skin, kidney, heart, and eyes; in all of them, the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) has a central role. The canonical and non-canonical signal pathways of TGF-β impact the fibrotic process at the cellular and molecular levels, inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the induction of profibrotic gene expression with the consequent increase in proteins such as alpha-smooth actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, collagen, and other extracellular matrix proteins. Recently, it has been reported that some molecules that have not been typically associated with the fibrotic process, such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), histone deacetylases (HDAC), and sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P); are critical in its development. In this review, we describe and discuss the role of these new players of fibrosis and the convergence with TGF-β signaling pathways, unveiling new insights into the panorama of fibrosis that could be useful for future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tania Gómez-Sierra
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX 04510, Mexico
| | - Omar Emiliano Aparicio-Trejo
- Departamento de Fisiopatología Cardio-Renal, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Mexico City 14080, Mexico
| | - Marisol Orozco-Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Neurobiología Molecular y Celular, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Manuel Velasco Suárez, Av. Insurgentes Sur # 3877, La Fama, Alcaldía Tlalpan, CP 14269 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - José Pedraza-Chaverri
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX 04510, Mexico.
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18
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Gong W, Luo C, Peng F, Xiao J, Zeng Y, Yin B, Chen X, Li S, He X, Liu Y, Cao H, Xu J, Long H. Brahma-related gene-1 promotes tubular senescence and renal fibrosis through Wnt/β-catenin/autophagy axis. Clin Sci (Lond) 2021; 135:1873-1895. [PMID: 34318888 PMCID: PMC8358963 DOI: 10.1042/cs20210447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Although accelerated cellular senescence is closely related to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal fibrosis, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we reported that tubular aberrant expression of Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), an enzymatic subunit of the SWItch/Sucrose Non-Fermentable complex, is critically involved in tubular senescence and renal fibrosis. BRG1 was significantly up-regulated in the kidneys, predominantly in tubular epithelial cells, of both CKD patients and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice. In vivo, shRNA-mediated knockdown of BRG1 significantly ameliorated renal fibrosis, improved tubular senescence, and inhibited UUO-induced activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In mouse renal tubular epithelial cells (mTECs) and primary renal tubular cells, inhibition of BRG1 diminished transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced cellular senescence and fibrotic responses. Correspondingly, ectopic expression of BRG1 in mTECs or normal kidneys increased p16INK4a, p19ARF, and p21 expression and senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) activity, indicating accelerated tubular senescence. Additionally, BRG1-mediated pro-fibrotic responses were largely abolished by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated p16INK4a silencing in vitro or continuous senolytic treatment with ABT-263 in vivo. Moreover, BRG1 activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which further inhibited autophagy. Pharmacologic inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway (ICG-001) or rapamycin (RAPA)-mediated activation of autophagy effectively blocked BRG1-induced tubular senescence and fibrotic responses, while bafilomycin A1 (Baf A1)-mediated inhibition of autophagy abolished the effects of ICG-001. Further, BRG1 altered the secretome of senescent tubular cells, which promoted proliferation and activation of fibroblasts. Taken together, our results indicate that BRG1 induces tubular senescence by inhibiting autophagy via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which ultimately contributes to the development of renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangqiu Gong
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Congwei Luo
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Fenfen Peng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Jing Xiao
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Yiqun Zeng
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Bohui Yin
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Shuting Li
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Xiaoyang He
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Yanxia Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
| | - Huihui Cao
- Traditional Chinese Pharmacological Laboratory, Third Level Research Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jiangping Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Haibo Long
- Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China
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19
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Chen B, Zhu Y, Chen J, Feng Y, Xu Y. Activation of TC10-Like Transcription by Lysine Demethylase KDM4B in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:617549. [PMID: 34249900 PMCID: PMC8260841 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.617549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malignant colorectal cancers (CRCs) are characterized by enhanced migration and invasion thus acquiring the ability to metastasize. We have previously shown that the small GTPase TC10-like (TCL) contributes to aggressive migration and invasion in malignant CRC cells. TCL expression is differentially expressed in CRC cells and can be upregulated by hypoxia although the underlying epigenetic mechanism is not fully appreciated. Here, we report that differential TCL expression in CRC cells appeared to be associated with histone H3K9 methylation. RNAi screening revealed that the lysine demethylase KDM4B was essential for TCL transcription in CRC cells. KDM4B interacted with and was recruited by the sequence-specific transcription factor ETS-related gene 1 (ERG1) to the TCL promoter to activate transcription. Mechanistically, KDM4B mediated H3K9 demethylase facilitated the assembly of pre-initiation complex (PIC) on the TCL promoter. KDM4B knockdown attenuated migration and invasion of CRC cells. Importantly, KDM4B expression was upregulated in human CRC specimens of advanced stages compared to those of lower grades and associated with poor prognosis. Together, these data uncover a novel epigenetic mechanism underlying malignant transformation of CRC cells and suggest that KDM4B may be considered as a therapeutic target in CRC intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junliang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yifei Feng
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Hospital Affiliated With Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of General Surgery, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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20
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Zhang WJ, Chen SJ, Zhou SC, Wu SZ, Wang H. Inflammasomes and Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:643149. [PMID: 34177893 PMCID: PMC8226128 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.643149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is the final common pathway of inflammatory diseases in various organs. The inflammasomes play an important role in the progression of fibrosis as innate immune receptors. There are four main members of the inflammasomes, such as NOD-like receptor protein 1 (NLRP1), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), NOD-like receptor C4 (NLRC4), and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), among which NLRP3 inflammasome is the most studied. NLRP3 inflammasome is typically composed of NLRP3, ASC and pro-caspase-1. The activation of inflammasome involves both "classical" and "non-classical" pathways and the former pathway is better understood. The "classical" activation pathway of inflammasome is that the backbone protein is activated by endogenous/exogenous stimulation, leading to inflammasome assembly. After the formation of "classic" inflammasome, pro-caspase-1 could self-activate. Caspase-1 cleaves cytokine precursors into mature cytokines, which are secreted extracellularly. At present, the "non-classical" activation pathway of inflammasome has not formed a unified model for activation process. This article reviews the role of NLRP1, NLRP3, NLRC4, AIM2 inflammasome, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-33 in the fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Juan Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases of Ministry of Education, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Shu-Juan Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Shun-Chang Zhou
- Department of Experimental Animals, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Su-Zhen Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drugs, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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21
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Liu L, Zhao Q, Lin L, Yang G, Yu L, Zhuo L, Yang Y, Xu Y. Myeloid MKL1 Disseminates Cues to Promote Cardiac Hypertrophy in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:583492. [PMID: 33898415 PMCID: PMC8063155 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.583492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac hypertrophy is a key pathophysiological process in the heart in response to stress cues. Although taking place in cardiomyocytes, the hypertrophic response is influenced by other cell types, both within the heart and derived from circulation. In the present study we investigated the myeloid-specific role of megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1) in cardiac hypertrophy. Following transverse aortic constriction (TAC), myeloid MKL1 conditional knockout (MFCKO) mice exhibit an attenuated phenotype of cardiac hypertrophy compared to the WT mice. In accordance, the MFCKO mice were protected from excessive cardiac inflammation and fibrosis as opposed to the WT mice. Conditioned media collected from macrophages enhanced the pro-hypertrophic response in cardiomyocytes exposed to endothelin in an MKL1-dependent manner. Of interest, expression levels of macrophage derived miR-155, known to promote cardiac hypertrophy, were down-regulated in the MFCKO mice compared to the WT mice. MKL1 depletion or inhibition repressed miR-155 expression in macrophages. Mechanistically, MKL1 interacted with NF-κB to activate miR-155 transcription in macrophages. In conclusion, our data suggest that MKL1 may contribute to pathological hypertrophy via regulating macrophage-derived miR-155 transcription.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.,Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianwen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Lin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Pathology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lili Zhuo
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyu Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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22
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Dong W, Zhu Y, Zhang Y, Fan Z, Zhang Z, Fan X, Xu Y. BRG1 Links TLR4 Trans-Activation to LPS-Induced SREBP1a Expression and Liver Injury. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:617073. [PMID: 33816466 PMCID: PMC8012493 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.617073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple organ failure is one of the most severe consequences in patients with septic shock. Liver injury is frequently observed during this pathophysiological process. In the present study we investigated the contribution of Brahma related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, to septic shock induced liver injury. When wild type (WT) and liver conditional BRG1 knockout (LKO) mice were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), liver injury was appreciably attenuated in the LKO mice compared to the WT mice as evidenced by plasma ALT/AST levels, hepatic inflammation and apoptosis. Of interest, there was a down-regulation of sterol response element binding protein 1a (SREBP1a), known to promote liver injury, in the LKO livers compared to the WT livers. BRG1 did not directly bind to the SREBP1a promoter. Instead, BRG1 was recruited to the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) promoter and activated TLR4 transcription. Ectopic TLR4 restored SREBP1a expression in BRG1-null hepatocytes. Congruently, adenovirus carrying TLR4 or SREBP1a expression vector normalized liver injury in BRG1 LKO mice injected with LPS. Finally, a positive correlation between BRG1 and TLR4 expression was detected in human liver biopsy specimens. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that a BRG1-TLR4-SREBP1a axis that mediates LPS-induced liver injury in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Dong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yangxi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China.,Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiangshan Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Invention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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23
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Kong M, Zhu Y, Shao J, Fan Z, Xu Y. The Chromatin Remodeling Protein BRG1 Regulates SREBP Maturation by Activating SCAP Transcription in Hepatocytes. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:622866. [PMID: 33718362 PMCID: PMC7947303 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.622866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sterol response element binding protein (SREBP) is a master regulator of cellular lipogenesis. One key step in the regulation of SREBP activity is its sequential cleavage and trans-location by several different proteinases including SREBP cleavage activating protein (SCAP). We have previously reported that Brahma related gene 1 (BRG1) directly interacts with SREBP1c and SREBP2 to activate pro-lipogenic transcription in hepatocytes. We report here that BRG1 deficiency resulted in reduced processing and nuclear accumulation of SREBP in the murine livers in two different models of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Exposure of hepatocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and palmitate (PA) promoted SREBP accumulation in the nucleus whereas BRG1 knockdown or inhibition blocked SREBP maturation. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 played an essential role in the regulation of SCAP expression. Mechanistically, BRG1 interacted with Sp1 and directly bound to the SCAP promoter to activate SCAP transcription. Forced expression of exogenous SCAP partially rescued the deficiency in the expression of SREBP target genes in BRG1-null hepatocytes. In conclusion, our data uncover a novel mechanism by which BRG1 contributes to SREBP-dependent lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Shao
- Wu Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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24
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Hong W, Kong M, Qi M, Bai H, Fan Z, Zhang Z, Sun A, Fan X, Xu Y. BRG1 Mediates Nephronectin Activation in Hepatocytes to Promote T Lymphocyte Infiltration in ConA-Induced Hepatitis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:587502. [PMID: 33553140 PMCID: PMC7858674 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.587502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Fulminant hepatitis (FH) is a major cause of acute liver failure. Concanavalin A (ConA) belongs to the lectin family and is frequently used as an inducer of FH in animal models. ConA induced FH is characterized by massive accumulation of T lymphocytes in the liver. A host of chemoattractive substances are known to promote T cell homing to the liver during acute hepatitis. Here we investigated the involvement of Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, in FH. BRG1-flox mice were crossed to Alb-Cre mice to generate hepatocyte conditional BRG1 knockout (LKO) mice. The mice were peritoneally injected with a single dose of ConA to induce FH. BRG1 deficiency mitigated ConA-induced FH in mice. Consistently, there were fewer T lymphocyte infiltrates in the LKO livers compared to the wild type (WT) livers paralleling downregulation of T cell specific cytokines. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 deficiency repressed the expression of several chemokines critical for T cell homing including nephronectin (Npnt). BRG1 knockdown blocked the induction of Npnt in hepatocytes and attenuated T lymphocyte migration in vitro, which was reversed by the addition of recombinant nephronectin. Mechanistically, BRG1 interacted with β-catenin to directly bind to the Npnt promoter and activate Npnt transcription. Importantly, a positive correlation between infiltration of CD3+ T lymphocyes and nephronectin expression was detected in human acute hepatitis biopsy specimens. In conclusion, our data identify a novel role for BRG1 as a promoter of T lymphocyte trafficking by activating Npnt transcription in hepatocytes. Targeting the BRG1-Npnt axis may yield novel therapeutic solutions for FH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxuan Hong
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengwen Qi
- Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Bai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Ziyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China.,Central Laboratory, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Aijun Sun
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangshan Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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25
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Liu X, Yuan X, Liang G, Zhang S, Zhang G, Qin Y, Zhu Q, Xiao Q, Hou N, Luo JD. BRG1 protects the heart from acute myocardial infarction by reducing oxidative damage through the activation of the NRF2/HO1 signaling pathway. Free Radic Biol Med 2020; 160:820-836. [PMID: 32950688 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) regulates the chromatin structure and expression of cardiac genes. Although BRG1 is downregulated in adult cardiomyocytes, it is reactivated during cardiac stress. The role of BRG1 in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has not been clearly defined. This study assessed the protective role of BRG1 in AMI using cell cultures and an animal model and explored the underlying molecular events. The results showed that in the peri-infarct zone, expression of BRG1 protein was significantly increased relative to the sham group, which was accompanied by NRF2 and HO1 upregulation and KEAP1 downregulation. BRG1 overexpression through adenoviral intramyocardial injection into AMI mice reduced the infarct size and improved cardiac functions with upregulation of NRF2 and its target HO1 and attenuated oxidative damage and cell apoptosis. However, shRNA-mediated Brg1 knockdown had the opposite effects. These results were further confirmed in cultured primary neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Moreover, the selective NRF2 inhibitor brusatol could partially reverse cardiomyocyte antioxidant ability and BRG1 overexpression-induced cardiac protection in vitro. In addition, co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence data showed that BRG1 overexpression significantly promoted the BRG1/NRF2 co-localization in cardiomyocytes. The chromatin immunoprecipitation-qPCR revealed BRG1 interaction with the Ho1 promoter and BRG1 overexpression could induce BRG1 binding to the Ho1 promoter during the OGD. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that BRG1 upregulation during AMI in vitro and in vivo increased the NRF2 level and NRF2 nuclear accumulation for HO1 expression to alleviate cardiac myocyte oxidative stress and upregulate cardiomyocyte viability. The BRG1-NRF2-HO1 pathway may represent a novel therapeutic target in the prevention of cardiac dysfunction in AMI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoping Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China; Department of Pharmacy, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan, 511518, China
| | - Xun Yuan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Guanfeng Liang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Shuyun Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Guiping Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Yuan Qin
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Qiulian Zhu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Qing Xiao
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China
| | - Ning Hou
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
| | - Jian-Dong Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Molecular Target & Clinical Pharmacology, The State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 511436, China.
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26
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Epigenetic activation of the small GTPase TCL contributes to colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion. Oncogenesis 2020; 9:86. [PMID: 32999272 PMCID: PMC7528090 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-020-00269-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2019] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
TC10-like (TCL) is a small GTPase that has been implicated in carcinogenesis. Elevated TCL expression has been observed in many different types of cancers although the underlying epigenetic mechanism is poorly understood. Here we report that TCL up-regulation was associated with high malignancy in both human colorectal cancer biopsy specimens and in cultured colorectal cancer cells. Hypoxia, a pro-metastatic stimulus, up-regulated TCL expression in HT-29 cells. Further studies revealed that myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) promoted migration and invasion of HT-29 cells in a TCL-dependent manner. MRTF-A directly bound to the proximal TCL promoter in response to hypoxia to activate TCL transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that hypoxia stimulation specifically enhanced acetylation of histone H4K16 surrounding the TCL promoter, which was abolished by MRTF-A depletion or inhibition. Mechanistically, MRTF-A interacted with and recruited the H4K16 acetyltransferase hMOF to the TCL promoter to cooperatively regulate TCL transcription. hMOF depletion or inhibition attenuated hypoxia-induced TCL expression and migration/invasion of HT-29 cells. In conclusion, our data identify a novel MRTF-A-hMOF-TCL axis that contributes to colorectal cancer metastasis.
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27
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The Role of BRG1 in Antioxidant and Redox Signaling. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:6095673. [PMID: 33014273 PMCID: PMC7512085 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6095673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Redox homeostasis is regulated by critical molecules that modulate antioxidant and redox signaling (ARS) within the cell. Imbalances among these molecules can lead to oxidative stress and damage to cell functions, causing a variety of diseases. Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), also known as SMARCA4, is the central ATPase catalytic subunit of the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complex, which plays a core role in DNA replication, repair, recombination, and transcriptional regulation. Numerous recent studies show that BRG1 is involved in the regulation of various cellular processes associated with ARS. BRG1, as a major factor in chromatin remodeling, is essential for the repair of oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and the activation of antioxidant genes under oxidative stress. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the roles of BRG1 in redox homeostasis is crucial to understand the normal functioning as well as pathological mechanisms. In this review, we summarized and discussed the role of BRG1 in the regulation of ARS.
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Wu T, Wang H, Xin X, Yang J, Hou Y, Fang M, Lu X, Xu Y. An MRTF-A-Sp1-PDE5 Axis Mediates Angiotensin-II-Induced Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:839. [PMID: 33015041 PMCID: PMC7509415 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac hypertrophy is a critical intermediate step in the pathogenesis of heart failure. A myriad of signaling networks converge on cardiomyocytes to elicit hypertrophic growth in response to various injurious stimuli. In the present study, we investigated the cardiomyocyte-specific role of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) in angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-induced cardiac hypertrophy and the underlying mechanism. We report that conditional MRTF-A deletion in cardiomyocytes attenuated Ang-II-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice. Similarly, MRTF-A knockdown or inhibition suppressed Ang-II-induced prohypertrophic response in cultured cardiomyocytes. Of note, Ang II treatment upregulated expression of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), a known mediator of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, in cardiomyocytes, which was blocked by MRTF-A depletion or inhibition. Mechanistically, MRTF-A activated expression of specificity protein 1 (Sp1), which in turn bound to the PDE5 promoter and upregulated PDE5 transcription to promote hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes in response to Ang II stimulation. Therefore, our data unveil a novel MRTF-A–Sp1–PDE5 axis that mediates Ang-II-induced hypertrophic response in cardiomyocytes. Targeting this newly identified MRTF-A–Sp1–PDE5 axis may yield novel interventional solutions against heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huidi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaojun Xin
- Department of Geriatrics, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yannan Hou
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Department of Clinical Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- Department of Geriatrics, Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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29
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Chen B, Yuan Y, Sun L, Chen J, Yang M, Yin Y, Xu Y. MKL1 Mediates TGF-β Induced RhoJ Transcription to Promote Breast Cancer Cell Migration and Invasion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:832. [PMID: 32984327 PMCID: PMC7478007 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Differential regulation of gene transcription contributes to cancer metastasis. We investigated the involvement of a Rho GTPase (RhoJ) in breast cancer metastasis focusing on the mechanism underlying RhoJ trans-activation by pro-metastatic cues. We report that expression of RhoJ was up-regulated in malignant breast cancer cells compared to more benign ones. Higher RhoJ expression was also detected in human breast cancer biopsy specimens of advanced stages. RhoJ depletion attenuated breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and metastasis in vivo. The pro-metastatic stimulus TGF-β activated RhoJ via megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1). MKL1 interacted with and was recruited by ETS-related gene 1 (ERG1) to the RhoJ promoter to activate transcription. In conclusion, our data delineate a novel transcriptional pathway that contributes to breast cancer metastasis. Targeting the ERG1-MKL1-RhoJ axis may be considered as a reasonable approach to treat malignant breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysioloy and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yibiao Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysioloy and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, College of Life and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Junliang Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Mengzhu Yang
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongmei Yin
- Department of Oncology, First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysioloy and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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Li N, Liu S, Zhang Y, Yu L, Hu Y, Wu T, Fang M, Xu Y. Transcriptional Activation of Matricellular Protein Spondin2 (SPON2) by BRG1 in Vascular Endothelial Cells Promotes Macrophage Chemotaxis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:794. [PMID: 32974343 PMCID: PMC7461951 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The matricellular protein SPON2 plays diverse roles in the development of cardiovascular diseases. SPON2 is expressed in endothelial cells, but its transcription regulation in the context of atherogenesis remains incompletely appreciated. Here we report that SPON2 expression was up-regulated by pro-atherogenic stimuli (oxLDL and TNF-α) in vascular endothelia cells. In addition, endothelial SPON2 was elevated in Apoe–/– mice fed on a Western diet compared to the control mice. Induction of SPON2 in endothelial cells by pro-atherogenic stimuli was mediated by BRG1, a chromatin remodeling protein, both in vitro and in vivo. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 interacted with the sequence-specific transcription factor Egr-1 to activate SPON2 transcription. BRG1 contributed to SPON2 trans-activation by modulating chromatin structure surrounding the SPON2 promoter. Functionally, activation of SPON2 transcription by the Egr-1/BRG1 complex provided chemoattractive cues for macrophage trafficking. SPON2 depletion abrogated the ability of BRG1 or Egr-1 to stimulate endothelial derived chemoattractive cue for macrophage migration. On the contrary, recombinant SPON2 rescued endothelial chemo-attractability in the absence of BRG1 or Egr-1. In conclusion, our data have identified a novel transcriptional cascade in endothelial cells that may potentially promote macrophage recruitment and vascular inflammation leading to atherogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.,Department of Cardiology, Kaifeng People's Hospital, Kaifeng, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanjiang Hu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Liyang People's Hospital, Liyang, China
| | - Teng Wu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational Institute, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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31
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Chen B, Zhao Q, Xu T, Yu L, Zhuo L, Yang Y, Xu Y. BRG1 Activates PR65A Transcription to Regulate NO Bioavailability in Vascular Endothelial Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:774. [PMID: 32903816 PMCID: PMC7443572 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells contribute to the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases by producing and disseminating angiocrine factors. Nitric oxide (NO), catalyzed by endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), is one of the prototypical angiocrine factors. eNOS activity is modulated by site-specific phosphorylation. We have previously shown that endothelial-specific knockdown of BRG1 in Apoe–/– mice attenuates the development of atherosclerosis, in which eNOS-dependent NO catalysis plays an antagonizing role. Here we report that attenuation of atherogenesis in mice by BRG1 knockdown was accompanied by partial restoration of NO biosynthesis by 44% in the arteries and a simultaneous up-regulation of eNOS serine 1177 phosphorylation by 59%. Indeed, BRG1 depletion or inhibition ameliorated oxLDL-induced loss of NO bioavailability and eNOS phosphorylation in cultured endothelial cells. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 regulated eNOS phosphorylation and NO synthesis by activating the transcription of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) structural subunit a (encoded by PR65A). BRG1 interacted with ETS1, was recruited by ETS1 to the PR65A promoter, and cooperated with ETS1 to activate PR65A transcription. Finally, depletion of ETS1, similar to BRG1, repressed PR65A induction, normalized eNOS phosphorylation, and rescued NO biosynthesis in endothelial cells treated with oxLDL. In conclusion, our data characterize a novel transcriptional cascade that regulates NO bioavailability in vascular endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoyu Chen
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianwen Zhao
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tongchang Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lili Zhuo
- Department of Geriatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuyu Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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Li Z, Kong X, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Yu L, Guo J, Xu Y. Dual roles of chromatin remodeling protein BRG1 in angiotensin II-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:549. [PMID: 32683412 PMCID: PMC7368857 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-02744-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is considered one of the processes underlying tissue fibrosis by contributing to the pool of myofibroblasts. In the present study, we investigated the epigenetic mechanism whereby angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates EndMT to promote cardiac fibrosis focusing on the role of chromatin remodeling protein BRG1. BRG1 knockdown or inhibition attenuated Ang II-induced EndMT, as evidenced by down-regulation of CDH5, an endothelial marker, and up-regulation of COL1A2, a mesenchymal marker, in cultured vascular endothelial cells. On the one hand, BRG1 interacted with and was recruited by Sp1 to the SNAI2 (encoding SLUG) promoter to activate SNAI2 transcription in response to Ang II stimulation. Once activated, SLUG bound to the CDH5 promoter to repress CDH5 transcription. On the other hand, BRG1 interacted with and was recruited by SRF to the COL1A2 promoter to activate COL1A2 transcription. Mechanistically, BRG1 evicted histones from the target promoters to facilitate the bindings of Sp1 and SRF. Finally, endothelial conditional BRG1 knockout mice (CKO) exhibited a reduction in cardiac fibrosis, compared to the wild type (WT) littermates, in response to chronic Ang II infusion. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that BRG1 is a key transcriptional coordinator programming Ang II-induced EndMT to contribute to cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xiaochen Kong
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Nanjing Municipal Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yangxi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junli Guo
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.
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Li Z, Zhang Y, Zhang Y, Yu L, Xiao B, Li T, Kong X, Xu Y. BRG1 Stimulates Endothelial Derived Alarmin MRP8 to Promote Macrophage Infiltration in an Animal Model of Cardiac Hypertrophy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:569. [PMID: 32733885 PMCID: PMC7358314 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell derived angiocrine factors contribute to the disruption of homeostasis and the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases in response to stress stimuli. In the present study we investigated the role of BRG1, a key component of the chromatin remodeling complex, in the regulation of angiocrine signaling. We report that angiotensin II (Ang II) induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy was attenuated in mice with endothelial-specific ablation of BRG1 (ecKO) compared to the control mice (WT). Mitigation of cardiac hypertrophy as a result of BRG1 deficiency was accompanied by decreased macrophage homing to the hearts. This could be explained by the observation that the ecKO mice exhibited down-regulation of myeloid-related protein 8 (MRP8), a well-established chemokine for macrophages, in vascular endothelial cells compared to the WT mice. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 mediated the activation of MRP8 expression by Ang II treatment in endothelial cells to promote macrophage migration. BRG1 was recruited to the MRP8 promoter by interacting with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α). Reciprocally, BRG1 facilitated the binding of HIF-1α to the MRP8 promoter by sequentially recruiting histone acetyltransferase p300 and histone demethylase KDM3A. Depletion of either p300 or KDM3A repressed the induction of MRP8 expression by Ang II and ameliorated macrophage migration. In conclusion, our data delineate a novel epigenetic pathway whereby Ang II stimulates MRP8 production and macrophage homing to promote cardiac hypertrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yuanyuan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yangxi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Xiao
- Pancreas Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianfa Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xiaocen Kong
- Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Nanjing Municipal Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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Yang Y, Yang G, Yu L, Lin L, Liu L, Fang M, Xu Y. An Interplay Between MRTF-A and the Histone Acetyltransferase TIP60 Mediates Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Induced iNOS Transcription in Macrophages. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:484. [PMID: 32626711 PMCID: PMC7315810 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) represents a major pathophysiological event associated with permanent loss of heart function. Several inter-dependent processes contribute to cardiac IRI that include accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), aberrant inflammatory response, and depletion of energy supply. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a pro-inflammatory mediator and a major catalyst of ROS generation. In the present study we investigated the epigenetic mechanism whereby iNOS transcription is up-regulated in macrophages in the context of cardiac IRI. We report that germline deletion or systemic inhibition of myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) in mice attenuated up-regulation of iNOS following cardiac IRI in the heart. In cultured macrophages, depletion or inhibition of MRTF-A suppressed iNOS induction by hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR). In contrast, MRTF-A over-expression potentiated activation of the iNOS promoter by HR. MRTF-A directly binds to the iNOS promoter in response to HR stimulation. MRTF-A binding to the iNOS promoter was synonymous with active histone modifications including trimethylated H3K4, acetylated H3K9, H3K27, and H4K16. Further analysis revealed that MRTF-A interacted with H4K16 acetyltransferase TIP60 to synergistically activate iNOS transcription. TIP60 depletion or inhibition achieved equivalent effects as MRTF-A depletion/inhibition in terms of iNOS repression. Of interest, TIP60 appeared to form a crosstalk with the H3K4 trimethyltransferase complex to promote iNOS trans-activation. In conclusion, we data suggest that the MRTF-A-TIP60 axis may play a critical role in iNOS transcription in macrophages and as such be considered as a potential target for the intervention of cardiac IRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyu Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research of the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Guang Yang
- Department of Pathology, Soochow Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Soochow, China
| | - Liming Yu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ling Lin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular and Medical Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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35
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Fan Z, Kong M, Li M, Hong W, Fan X, Xu Y. Brahma Related Gene 1 (Brg1) Regulates Cellular Cholesterol Synthesis by Acting as a Co-factor for SREBP2. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:259. [PMID: 32500071 PMCID: PMC7243037 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte is a hub for cholesterol metabolism. Augmented synthesis of cholesterol in the liver is associated with hypercholesterolemia and contributes to the pathogenesis of a host of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Sterol response element binding protein 2 (SREBP2) regulates hepatic cholesterol metabolism by activating the transcription of rate-limiting enzymes in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway. The underlying epigenetic mechanism is not well understood. We report here that mice with hepatocyte-specific knockout (CKO) of Brg1, a chromatin remodeling protein, exhibit reduced levels of hepatic cholesterol compared to the wild type (WT) littermates when placed on a high-fact diet (HFD) or a methionine-and-choline-deficient diet (MCD). Down-regulation of cholesterol levels as a result of BRG1 deficiency was accompanied by attenuation of cholesterogenic gene transcription. Likewise, BRG1 knockdown in hepatocytes markedly suppressed the induction of cholesterogenic genes by lipid depletion formulas. Brg1 interacted with SREBP2 and was recruited by SREBP2 to the cholesterogenic gene promoters. Reciprocally, Brg1 deficiency dampened the occupancies of SREBP2 on target promoters likely through modulating H3K9 methylation on the cholesterogenic gene promoters. Mechanistically, Brg1 recruited the H3K9 methyltransferase KDM3A to co-regulate pro-cholesterogenic transcription. KDM3A silencing dampened the cholesterogenic response in hepatocytes equivalent to Brg1 deficiency. In conclusion, our data demonstrate a novel epigenetic pathway that contributes to SREBP2-dependent cholesterol synthesis in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxuan Hong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiangshan Fan
- Department of Pathology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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36
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Mao L, Liu L, Zhang T, Qin H, Wu X, Xu Y. Histone Deacetylase 11 Contributes to Renal Fibrosis by Repressing KLF15 Transcription. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:235. [PMID: 32363192 PMCID: PMC7180197 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis represents a key pathophysiological process in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and is typically associated with a poor prognosis. Renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs), in response to a host of pro-fibrogenic stimuli, can trans-differentiate into myofibroblast-like cells and produce extracellular matrix proteins to promote renal fibrosis. In the present study we investigated the role of histone deacetylase 11 (HDAC11) in this process and the underlying mechanism. We report that expression levels of HDAC11 were up-regulated in the kidneys in several different animal models of renal fibrosis. HDAC11 was also up-regulated by treatment of Angiotensin II (Ang II) in cultured RTECs. Consistently, pharmaceutical inhibition with a small-molecule inhibitor of HDAC11 (quisinostat) attenuated unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) induced renal fibrosis in mice. Similarly, HDAC11 inhibition by quisinostat or HDAC11 depletion by siRNA blocked Ang II induced pro-fibrogenic response in cultured RTECs. Mechanistically, HDAC11 interacted with activator protein 2 (AP-2α) to repress the transcription of Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15). In accordance, KLF15 knockdown antagonized the effect of HDAC11 inhibition or depletion and enabled Ang II to promote fibrogenesis in RTECs. Therefore, we data unveil a novel AP-2α-HDAC11-KLF15 axis that contributes to renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Mao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Nephrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hao Qin
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.,The Laboratory Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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Lv F, Li N, Kong M, Wu J, Fan Z, Miao D, Xu Y, Ye Q, Wang Y. CDKN2a/p16 Antagonizes Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Liver Fibrosis by Modulating ROS Levels. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:176. [PMID: 32266258 PMCID: PMC7105638 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The lipid-storage hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play as pivotal role in liver fibrosis being able to trans-differentiate into myofibroblasts in response to various pro-fibrogenic stimuli. In the present study we investigated the role of CDKN2a/p16, a negative regulator of cell cycling, in HSC activation and the underlying mechanism. Levels of p16 were significantly down-regulated in activated HSCs isolated from mice induced to develop liver fibrosis compared to quiescent HSCs isolated from the control mice ex vivo. There was a similar decrease in p16 expression in cultured HSCs undergoing spontaneous activation or exposed to TGF-β treatment in vitro. More important, p16 down-regulation was observed to correlate with cirrhosis in humans. In a classic model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced liver fibrosis, fibrogenesis was far more extensive in mice with p16 deficiency (KO) than the wild type (WT) littermates. Depletion of p16 in cultured HSCs promoted the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Mechanistically, p16 deficiency accelerated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HSCs likely through the p38 MAPK signaling. P38 inhibition or ROS cleansing attenuated ECM production in p16 deficient HSCs. Taken together, our data unveil a previously unappreciated role for p16 in the regulation of HSC activation. Screening for small-molecule compounds that can boost p16 activity may yield novel therapeutic strategies against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqiao Lv
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Dengshun Miao
- Department of Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Qing Ye
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yutong Wang
- Department of Cell Biology, Municipal Laboratory for Liver Protection and Regulation of Regeneration, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
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Emerging Roles of Interleukin-33-responsive Kidney Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cells in Acute Kidney Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041544. [PMID: 32102434 PMCID: PMC7073188 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin (IL)-33, a member of the IL-1 family of cytokines, is involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. IL-33 triggers pleiotropic immune functions in multiple types of immune cells, which express the IL-33 receptor, ST2. Recent studies have revealed the potential applications of IL-33 for treating acute kidney injury in preclinical animal models. However, IL-33 and IL-33-responding immune cells are reported to exhibit both detrimental and beneficial roles. The IL-33-mediated immunomodulatory functions have been investigated using loss-of-function approaches, such as IL33-deficient mice, IL-33 antagonists, or administration of exogenous IL-33 recombinant protein. This review will discuss the key findings on IL-33-mediated activation of kidney resident group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and summarize the current understanding of the differential functions of endogenous IL-33 and exogenous IL-33 and their potential implications in treating acute kidney injury.
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Deacetylation of MRTF-A by SIRT1 defies senescence induced down-regulation of collagen type I in fibroblast cells. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1866:165723. [PMID: 32061777 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.165723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aging provokes both morphological and functional changes in cells, which are accompanied by a fundamental shift in gene expression patterns. One of the characteristic alterations associated with senescence in fibroblast cells is the down-regulation of collagen type I genes. In the present study, we investigated the contribution of myocardin-related transcription factor A, or MRTF-A, in this process. In mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells, senescence, induced by either progressive passage or treatment with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), led to augmented lysine acetylation of MRTF-A paralleling down-regulation of collagen type I and SIRT1, a lysine deacetylase. SIRT1 interacted with MRTF-A to promote MRTF-A deacetylation. SIRT1 over-expression or activation by selective agonists enhanced trans-activation of the collagen promoters by MRTF-A. On the contrary, SIRT1 depletion or inhibition by specific antagonists suppressed trans-activation of the collagen promoters by MRTF-A. Likewise, mutation of four lysine residues within MRTF-A rendered it more potent in terms of activating the collagen promoters but unresponsive to SIRT1. Importantly, SIRT1 activation in senescent fibroblasts mitigated repression of collagen type I expression whereas SIRT1 inhibition promoted the loss of collagen type I expression prematurely in young fibroblasts. Mechanistically, SIRT1 enhanced the affinity of MRTF-A for the collagen type I promoters. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel mechanism that underscores aging-associated loss of collagen type I in fibroblasts via SIRT1-mediated post-translational modification of MRTF-A.
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The role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis, grading and treatment of hepatic fibrosis in schistosomiasis. Parasit Vectors 2019; 12:611. [PMID: 31888743 PMCID: PMC6937654 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-019-3866-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 12/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a prevalent parasitic disease worldwide. The main pathological changes of hepatosplenic schistosomiasis are hepatic granuloma and fibrosis due to worm eggs. Portal hypertension and ascites induced by hepatic fibrosis are usually the main causes of death in patients with chronic hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Currently, no effective vaccine exists for preventing schistosome infections. For quite a long time, praziquantel (PZQ) was widely used for the treatment of schistosomiasis and has shown benefit in treating liver fibrosis. However, drug resistance and chemical toxicity from PZQ are being increasingly reported in recent years; therefore, new and effective strategies for treating schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis are urgently needed. MicroRNA (miRNA), a non-coding RNA, has been proved to be associated with the development of many human diseases, including schistosomiasis. In this review, we present a balanced and comprehensive view of the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis, grading, and treatment of schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis. The multiple regulatory roles of miRNAs, such as promoting or inhibiting the development of liver pathology in murine schistosomiasis are also discussed in depth. Additionally, miRNAs may serve as candidate biomarkers for diagnosing liver pathology of schistosomiasis and as novel therapeutic targets for treating schistosomiasis-associated hepatic fibrosis.![]()
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Sun X, Nkennor B, Mastikhina O, Soon K, Nunes SS. Endothelium-mediated contributions to fibrosis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 101:78-86. [PMID: 31791693 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis, characterized by abnormal and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix, results in compromised tissue and organ structure. This can lead to reduced organ function and eventual failure. Although activated fibroblasts, called myofibroblasts, are considered the central players in fibrosis, the contribution of endothelial cells to the inception and progression of fibrosis has become increasingly recognized. Endothelial cells can contribute to fibrosis by acting as a source of myofibroblasts via endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), or by becoming senescent, by secretion of profibrotic mediators and pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and exosomes, promoting the recruitment of immune cells, and by participating in vascular rarefaction and decreased angiogenesis. In this review, we provide an overview of the different aspects of fibrosis in which endothelial cells have been implicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuetao Sun
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, 101 College St., Canada
| | - Blessing Nkennor
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, 101 College St., Canada; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, Canada
| | - Olya Mastikhina
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, 101 College St., Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Kayla Soon
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, 101 College St., Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - Sara S Nunes
- University Health Network, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, 101 College St., Canada; Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada; Heart & Stroke/Richard Lewar Centre of Excellence, University of Toronto, Canada; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Canada.
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42
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MKL1 promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and liver fibrosis by activating TWIST1 transcription. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:899. [PMID: 31776330 PMCID: PMC6881349 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-2101-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Excessive fibrogenic response in the liver disrupts normal hepatic anatomy and function heralding such end-stage liver diseases as hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Sinusoidal endothelial cells contribute to myofibroblast activation and liver fibrosis by undergoing endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). The underlying mechanism remains poorly defined. Here we report that inhibition or endothelial-specific deletion of MKL1, a transcriptional modulator, attenuated liver fibrosis in mice. MKL1 inhibition or deletion suppressed EndMT induced by TGF-β. Mechanistically, MKL1 was recruited to the promoter region of TWIST1, a master regulator of EndMT, and activated TWIST1 transcription in a STAT3-dependent manner. A small-molecule STAT3 inhibitor (C188-9) alleviated EndMT in cultured cells and bile duct ligation (BDL) induced liver fibrosis in mice. Finally, direct inhibition of TWIST1 by a small-molecule compound harmine was paralleled by blockade of EndMT in cultured cells and liver fibrosis in mice. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel mechanism underlying EndMT and liver fibrosis and highlight the possibility of targeting the STAT3-MKL1-TWIST1 axis in the intervention of aberrant liver fibrogenesis.
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Li Z, Lv F, Dai C, Wang Q, Jiang C, Fang M, Xu Y. Activation of Galectin-3 (LGALS3) Transcription by Injurious Stimuli in the Liver Is Commonly Mediated by BRG1. Front Cell Dev Biol 2019; 7:310. [PMID: 31850346 PMCID: PMC6901944 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectin-3 (encoded by LGALS3) is a glycan-binding protein that regulates a diverse range of pathophysiological processes contributing to the pathogenesis of human diseases. Previous studies have found that galectin-3 levels are up-regulated in the liver by a host of different injurious stimuli. The underlying epigenetic mechanism, however, is unclear. Here we report that conditional knockout of Brahma related gene (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, in hepatocytes attenuated induction of galectin-3 expression in several different animal models of liver injury. Similarly, BRG1 depletion or pharmaceutical inhibition in cultured hepatocytes suppressed the induction of galectin-3 expression by treatment with LPS plus free fatty acid (palmitate). Further analysis revealed that BRG1 interacted with AP-1 to bind to the proximal galectin-3 promoter and activate transcription. Mechanistically, DNA demethylation surrounding the galectin-3 promoter appeared to be a rate-limiting step in BRG1-mediated activation of galectin-3 transcription. BRG1 recruited the DNA 5-methylcytosine dioxygenase TET1 to the galectin-3 to promote active DNA demethylation thereby activating galectin-3 transcription. Finally, TET1 silencing abrogated induction of galectin-3 expression by LPS plus palmitate in cultured hepatocytes. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel epigenetic pathway that contributes to injury-associated activation of galectin-3 transcription in hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fangqiao Lv
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Congxin Dai
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Laboratory Center for Basic Medical Sciences, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
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44
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Li Z, Xia J, Fang M, Xu Y. Epigenetic regulation of lung cancer cell proliferation and migration by the chromatin remodeling protein BRG1. Oncogenesis 2019; 8:66. [PMID: 31695026 PMCID: PMC6834663 DOI: 10.1038/s41389-019-0174-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant lung cancer cells are characterized by uncontrolled proliferation and migration. Aberrant lung cancer cell proliferation and migration are programmed by altered cancer transcriptome. The underlying epigenetic mechanism is unclear. Here we report that expression levels of BRG1, a chromatin remodeling protein, were significantly up-regulated in human lung cancer biopsy specimens of higher malignancy grades compared to those of lower grades. Small interfering RNA mediated depletion or pharmaceutical inhibition of BRG1 suppressed proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells. BRG1 depletion or inhibition was paralleled by down-regulation of cyclin B1 (CCNB1) and latent TGF-β binding protein 2 (LTBP2) in lung cancer cells. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 directly bound to the CCNB1 promoter to activate transcription in response to hypoxia stimulation by interacting with E2F1. On the other hand, BRG1 interacted with Sp1 to activate LTBP2 transcription. Mechanistically, BRG1 regulated CCNB1 and LTBP2 transcription by altering histone modifications on target promoters. Specifically, BRG1 recruited KDM3A, a histone H3K9 demethylase, to remove dimethyl H3K9 from target gene promoters thereby activating transcription. KDM3A knockdown achieved equivalent effects as BRG1 silencing by diminishing lung cancer proliferation and migration. Of interest, BRG1 directly activated KDM3A transcription by forming a complex with HIF-1α. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel epigenetic mechanism whereby malignant lung cancer cells acquired heightened ability to proliferate and migrate. Targeting BRG1 may yield effective interventional strategies against malignant lung cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Xia
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
| | - Mingming Fang
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Laboratory Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China. .,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.
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45
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Shao J, Xu Y, Fang M. BRG1 deficiency in endothelial cells alleviates thioacetamide induced liver fibrosis in mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 521:212-219. [PMID: 31635808 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.10.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 10/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells play a key role maintaining the hepatic homeostasis, the disruption of which is associated with such end-stage liver diseases as hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. In the present study we investigated the role of brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, in regulating endothelial transcription and the implication in liver fibrosis. We report that endothelial-specific deletion of BRG1 in mice attenuated liver fibrosis induced by injection with thioacetamide (TAA). Coincidently, alleviation of liver fibrosis as a result of endothelial BRG1 deletion was accompanied by an up-regulation of eNOS activity and NO bioavailability. In cultured endothelial cells, exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) suppressed eNOS activity whereas BRG1 depletion with small interfering RNA restored eNOS-dependent NO production. Further analysis revealed that BRG1 was recruited to the caveolin-1 (CAV1) promoter by Sp1 and activated transcription of CAV1, which in turn inhibited eNOS activity. Mechanistically, BRG1 interacted with the H3K4 trimethyltransferase MLL1 to modulate H3K4 trimethylation surrounding the CAV1 promoter thereby contributing to LPS-induced CAV1 activation. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel role for BRG1 in the regulation of endothelial function and liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shao
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China; Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.
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46
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Kong M, Hong W, Shao Y, Lv F, Fan Z, Li P, Xu Y, Guo J. Ablation of serum response factor in hepatic stellate cells attenuates liver fibrosis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2019; 97:1521-1533. [PMID: 31435710 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-019-01831-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Trans-differentiation, or activation, of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a hallmark event in liver fibrosis although the underlying mechanism is not fully appreciated. Serum response factor (SRF) is a pleiotropic sequence-specific transcription factor with a ubiquitous expression pattern. In the present study, we investigated the effect of HSC-specific ablation of SRF on liver fibrosis in vivo and the underlying mechanism. We report that SRF bound to the promoter regions of pro-fibrogenic genes, including collagen type I (Col1a1/Col1a2) and alpha smooth muscle actin (Acta2), with greater affinity in activated HSCs compared to quiescent HSCs. Ablation of SRF in HSCs in vitro downregulated the expression of fibrogenic genes by dampening the accumulation of active histone marks. SRF also interacted with MRTF-A, a well-documented co-factor involved in liver fibrosis, on the pro-fibrogenic gene promoters during HSC activation. In addition, SRF directly regulated MRTF-A transcription in activated HSCs. More importantly, HSC conditional SRF knockout (CKO) mice developed a less robust pro-fibrogenic response in the liver in response to CCl4 injection and BDL compared to wild-type littermates. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that SRF may play an essential role in HSC activation and liver fibrosis. KEY MESSAGES: • SRF deficiency decelerates activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro. • SRF epigenetically activates pro-fibrogenic transcription to promote HSC maturation. • SRF interacts with MRTF-A and contributes to MRTF-A transcription. • Conditional SRF deletion in HSCs attenuates BDL-induced liver fibrosis in mice. • Conditional SRF ablation in HSCs attenuates CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Kong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Wenxuan Hong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yang Shao
- Cardiovascular Disease and Research Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Fangqiao Lv
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwen Fan
- Department of Pathology, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ping Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.
| | - Yong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China. .,Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China.
| | - Junli Guo
- Cardiovascular Disease and Research Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
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