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Zheng K, Hao F, Medrano-Garcia S, Chen C, Guo F, Morán-Blanco L, Rodríguez-Perales S, Torres-Ruiz R, Peligros MI, Vaquero J, Bañares R, Gómez Del Moral M, Regueiro JR, Martínez-Naves E, Mohamed MR, Gallego-Durán R, Maya D, Ampuero J, Romero-Gómez M, Gilbert-Ramos A, Guixé-Muntet S, Fernández-Iglesias A, Gracia-Sancho J, Coll M, Graupera I, Ginès P, Ciudin A, Rivera-Esteban J, Pericàs JM, Frutos MD, Ramos Molina B, Herranz JM, Ávila MA, Nevzorova YA, Fernández-Malavé E, Cubero FJ. Neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (N-RAS) deficiency aggravates liver injury and fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:514. [PMID: 37563155 PMCID: PMC10415403 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06029-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Progressive hepatic damage and fibrosis are major features of chronic liver diseases of different etiology, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully defined. N-RAS, a member of the RAS family of small guanine nucleotide-binding proteins also encompassing the highly homologous H-RAS and K-RAS isoforms, was previously reported to modulate cell death and renal fibrosis; however, its role in liver damage and fibrogenesis remains unknown. Here, we approached this question by using N-RAS deficient (N-RAS-/-) mice and two experimental models of liver injury and fibrosis, namely carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) intoxication and bile duct ligation (BDL). In wild-type (N-RAS+/+) mice both hepatotoxic procedures augmented N-RAS expression in the liver. Compared to N-RAS+/+ counterparts, N-RAS-/- mice subjected to either CCl4 or BDL showed exacerbated liver injury and fibrosis, which was associated with enhanced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and leukocyte infiltration in the damaged liver. At the molecular level, after CCl4 or BDL, N-RAS-/- livers exhibited augmented expression of necroptotic death markers along with JNK1/2 hyperactivation. In line with this, N-RAS ablation in a human hepatocytic cell line resulted in enhanced activation of JNK and necroptosis mediators in response to cell death stimuli. Of note, loss of hepatic N-RAS expression was characteristic of chronic liver disease patients with fibrosis. Collectively, our study unveils a novel role for N-RAS as a negative controller of the progression of liver injury and fibrogenesis, by critically downregulating signaling pathways leading to hepatocyte necroptosis. Furthermore, it suggests that N-RAS may be of potential clinical value as prognostic biomarker of progressive fibrotic liver damage, or as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Zheng
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Anesthesiology, Nanjing Pukou District Hospital of Chinese Medicine Central Laboratory affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Fengjie Hao
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of General Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sandra Medrano-Garcia
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Chaobo Chen
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Department of General Surgery, Wuxi Xishan People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
- Department of General Surgery, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Feifei Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Laura Morán-Blanco
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Rodríguez-Perales
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Torres-Ruiz
- Molecular Cytogenetics and Genome Editing Unit, Human Cancer Genetics Program, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Isabel Peligros
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Vaquero
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Bañares
- Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Gómez Del Moral
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
| | - José R Regueiro
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo Martínez-Naves
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rocío Gallego-Durán
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Douglas Maya
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Javier Ampuero
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Manuel Romero-Gómez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Albert Gilbert-Ramos
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sergi Guixé-Muntet
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Anabel Fernández-Iglesias
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Gracia-Sancho
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Vascular Biology, IDIBAPS Biomedical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mar Coll
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad de Células Hepáticas y Reparación de Tejidos, Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Graupera
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Plasticidad de Células Hepáticas y Reparación de Tejidos, Institut d´Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pere Ginès
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Liver Unit, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreea Ciudin
- Endocrinology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Rivera-Esteban
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan M Pericàs
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Liver Unit, Internal Medicine Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Vall d'Hebron Institute for Research (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Dolores Frutos
- Department of General and Digestive System Surgery, Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital, Murcia, Spain
| | - Bruno Ramos Molina
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratorio de Obesidad y Metabolismo, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), Murcia, Spain
| | - José María Herranz
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Programme, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Matías A Ávila
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Hepatology Programme, Centre for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- IdiSNA, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Yulia A Nevzorova
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain
| | - Edgar Fernández-Malavé
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain
- 12 de Octubre Health Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Cubero
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology & ENT, Complutense University School of Medicine, Madrid, Spain.
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBEREHD), Madrid, Spain.
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Mohamed RMSM, Ahmad EA, Omran BHF, Sakr AT, Ibrahim IAAEH, Mahmoud MF, El-Naggar ME. Mitigation of dexamethasone-induced nephrotoxicity by modulating the activity of adrenergic receptors: Implication of Wnt/β-arrestin2/β-catenin pathway. Life Sci 2022; 293:120304. [PMID: 35016879 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the role of α and β-adrenergic receptors (βARs) in mediation or modulation of the dexamethasone-induced nephrotoxicity by using different pharmacological interventions. Nephrotoxicity was induced by subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (10 mg/kg) for 7 days in Wistar albino rats. Eight groups were used: control; dexamethasone; carvedilol; phenylephrine; carvedilol and phenylephrine; propranolol; doxazosin; propranolol and doxazosin. At the end of experiment, rats were euthanized and blood, urine and kidney samples were collected. Serum and urinary creatinine and urinary total protein levels were measured. Also, the renal tissue levels of diacylglycerol (DAG); Akt kinase activity, malondialdehyde (MDA), NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), Wnt3A and β-catenin were recorded. Furthermore, histopathological and β-arrestin2-immunohistochemical examinations of renal tissues were performed. Results: Dexamethasone induced glomerular damage, proteinuria, renal oxidative stress and upregulated the renal Wnt/β-arrestin2/β-catenin pathway and the profibrotic signals. Blocking the α1 and βARs by carvedilol reduced the dexamethasone-induced nephrotoxicity. Pre-injection of phenylephrine did not reduce the reno-protective action of carvedilol. Blocking the βARs only by propranolol reduced the dexamethasone-induced nephrotoxicity to the same extent of carvedilol group. Blocking the α1ARs only by doxazosin reduced dexamethasone-induced nephrotoxicity to a higher extent than other treatments. However, combined use of propranolol and doxazosin did not synergize the reno-protective effects of doxazosin. Conclusion: Dexamethasone induces nephrotoxicity, possibly, by upregulating the Wnt/β-arrestin2/β-catenin pathway. Blocking either α1ARs or βARs can effectively protect against the dexamethasone-induced nephrotoxicity. However, combined blocking of α1ARs and βARs does not synergize the reno-protective effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha M S M Mohamed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Enssaf Ahmad Ahmad
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Bothina H F Omran
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Amr T Sakr
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, El-Sadat University, University of Sadat City, Menoufia 32897, Egypt
| | - Islam A A E-H Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
| | - Mona F Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt
| | - Mostafa E El-Naggar
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sadat City, Menoufia 32897, Egypt
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Dissecting the Involvement of Ras GTPases in Kidney Fibrosis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060800. [PMID: 34073961 PMCID: PMC8225075 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many different regulatory mechanisms of renal fibrosis are known to date, and those related to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced signaling have been studied in greater depth. However, in recent years, other signaling pathways have been identified, which contribute to the regulation of these pathological processes. Several studies by our team and others have revealed the involvement of small Ras GTPases in the regulation of the cellular processes that occur in renal fibrosis, such as the activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts or the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Intracellular signaling mediated by TGF-β1 and Ras GTPases are closely related, and this interaction also occurs during the development of renal fibrosis. In this review, we update the available in vitro and in vivo knowledge on the role of Ras and its main effectors, such as Erk and Akt, in the cellular mechanisms that occur during the regulation of kidney fibrosis (ECM synthesis, accumulation and activation of myofibroblasts, apoptosis and survival of tubular epithelial cells), as well as the therapeutic strategies for targeting the Ras pathway to intervene on the development of renal fibrosis.
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4
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Fuentes-Calvo I, Martinez-Salgado C. Sos1 Modulates Extracellular Matrix Synthesis, Proliferation, and Migration in Fibroblasts. Front Physiol 2021; 12:645044. [PMID: 33889087 PMCID: PMC8055938 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.645044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-reversible fibrosis is common in various diseases such as chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is involved in virtually all types of fibrosis. We previously described the involvement of Ras GTPase isoforms in the regulation of TGF-β1-induced fibrosis. The guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of Sevenless (Sos) is the main Ras activator, but the role of the ubiquitously expressed Sos1 in the development of fibrosis has not been studied. For this purpose, we isolated and cultured Sos1 knock-out (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, the main extracellular matrix proteins (ECM)-producing cells, and we analyzed ECM synthesis, cell proliferation and migration in the absence of Sos1, as well as the role of the main Sos1-Ras effectors, Erk1/2 and Akt, in these processes. The absence of Sos1 increases collagen I expression (through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), total collagen proteins, and slightly increases fibronectin expression; Sos1 regulates fibroblast proliferation through both PI3K-Akt and Raf-Erk pathways, and Sos1-PI3K-Akt signaling regulates fibroblast migration. These study shows that Sos1 regulates ECM synthesis and migration (through Ras-PI3K-Akt) and proliferation (through Ras-PI3K-Akt and Ras-Raf-Erk) in fibroblasts, and describe for the first time the role of the Sos1-Ras signaling axis in the regulation of cellular processes involved in the development of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fuentes-Calvo
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Translational Research on Renal and Cardiovascular Diseases (TRECARD)-REDINREN (ISCIII), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Martinez-Salgado
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Translational Research on Renal and Cardiovascular Diseases (TRECARD)-REDINREN (ISCIII), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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5
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Miller AE, Hu P, Barker TH. Feeling Things Out: Bidirectional Signaling of the Cell-ECM Interface, Implications in the Mechanobiology of Cell Spreading, Migration, Proliferation, and Differentiation. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e1901445. [PMID: 32037719 PMCID: PMC7274903 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201901445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Biophysical cues stemming from the extracellular environment are rapidly transduced into discernible chemical messages (mechanotransduction) that direct cellular activities-placing the extracellular matrix (ECM) as a potent regulator of cell behavior. Dynamic reciprocity between the cell and its associated matrix is essential to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and dysregulation of both ECM mechanical signaling, via pathological ECM turnover, and internal mechanotransduction pathways contribute to disease progression. This review covers the current understandings of the key modes of signaling used by both the cell and ECM to coregulate one another. By taking an outside-in approach, the inherent complexities and regulatory processes at each level of signaling (ECM, plasma membrane, focal adhesion, and cytoplasm) are captured to give a comprehensive picture of the internal and external mechanoregulatory environment. Specific emphasis is placed on the focal adhesion complex which acts as a central hub of mechanical signaling, regulating cell spreading, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. In addition, a wealth of available knowledge on mechanotransduction is curated to generate an integrated signaling network encompassing the central components of the focal adhesion, cytoplasm and nucleus that act in concert to promote durotaxis, proliferation, and differentiation in a stiffness-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, 415 Lane Rd. MR5 1225, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
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6
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Newbury LJ, Wang JH, Hung G, Hendry BM, Sharpe CC. Inhibition of Kirsten-Ras reduces fibrosis and protects against renal dysfunction in a mouse model of chronic folic acid nephropathy. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14010. [PMID: 31570767 PMCID: PMC6768870 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50422-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic Kidney Disease is a growing problem across the world and can lead to end-stage kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Fibrosis is the underlying mechanism that leads to organ dysfunction, but as yet we have no therapeutics that can influence this process. Ras monomeric GTPases are master regulators that direct many of the cytokines known to drive fibrosis to downstream effector cascades. We have previously shown that K-Ras is a key isoform that drives fibrosis in the kidney. Here we demonstrate that K-Ras expression and activation are increased in rodent models of CKD. By knocking down expression of K-Ras using antisense oligonucleotides in a mouse model of chronic folic acid nephropathy we can reduce fibrosis by 50% and prevent the loss of renal function over 3 months. In addition, we have demonstrated in vitro and in vivo that reduction of K-Ras expression is associated with a reduction in Jag1 expression; we hypothesise this is the mechanism by which targeting K-Ras has therapeutic benefit. In conclusion, targeting K-Ras expression with antisense oligonucleotides in a mouse model of CKD prevents fibrosis and protects against renal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J Newbury
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Nephrology, Cardiff University Medical School, Cardiff, UK
| | - Jui-Hui Wang
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Gene Hung
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, California, 92010, USA
| | - Bruce M Hendry
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Claire C Sharpe
- Department of Inflammation Biology, School of Immunology and Microbial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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7
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Silvestre JG, Baptista IL, Silva WJ, Cruz A, Silva MT, Miyabara EH, Labeit S, Moriscot AS. The E3 ligase MuRF2 plays a key role in the functional capacity of skeletal muscle fibroblasts. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 52:e8551. [PMID: 31482977 PMCID: PMC6720025 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20198551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are a highly heterogeneous population of cells, being found in a large number of different tissues. These cells produce the extracellular matrix, which is essential to preserve structural integrity of connective tissues. Fibroblasts are frequently engaged in migration and remodeling, exerting traction forces in the extracellular matrix, which is crucial for matrix deposition and wound healing. In addition, previous studies performed on primary myoblasts suggest that the E3 ligase MuRF2 might function as a cytoskeleton adaptor. Here, we hypothesized that MuRF2 also plays a functional role in skeletal muscle fibroblasts. We found that skeletal muscle fibroblasts express MuRF2 and its siRNA knock-down promoted decreased fibroblast migration, cell border accumulation of polymerized actin, and down-regulation of the phospho-Akt expression. Our results indicated that MuRF2 was necessary to maintain the actin cytoskeleton functionality in skeletal muscle fibroblasts via Akt activity and exerted an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling in the skeletal muscle tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- J G Silvestre
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - I L Baptista
- Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, UNICAMP, Limeira, SP, Brasil
| | - W J Silva
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - A Cruz
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - M T Silva
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - E H Miyabara
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
| | - S Labeit
- Institute for Integrative Pathophysiology, Mannheim Medical University, Faculty for Clinical Medicine Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - A S Moriscot
- Departamento de Anatomia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil
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8
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Oak P, Pritzke T, Thiel I, Koschlig M, Mous DS, Windhorst A, Jain N, Eickelberg O, Foerster K, Schulze A, Goepel W, Reicherzer T, Ehrhardt H, Rottier RJ, Ahnert P, Gortner L, Desai TJ, Hilgendorff A. Attenuated PDGF signaling drives alveolar and microvascular defects in neonatal chronic lung disease. EMBO Mol Med 2018; 9:1504-1520. [PMID: 28923828 PMCID: PMC5666314 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201607308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal chronic lung disease (nCLD) affects a significant number of neonates receiving mechanical ventilation with oxygen-rich gas (MV-O2). Regardless, the primary molecular driver of the disease remains elusive. We discover significant enrichment for SNPs in the PDGF-Rα gene in preterms with nCLD and directly test the effect of PDGF-Rα haploinsufficiency on the development of nCLD using a preclinical mouse model of MV-O2 In the context of MV-O2, attenuated PDGF signaling independently contributes to defective septation and endothelial cell apoptosis stemming from a PDGF-Rα-dependent reduction in lung VEGF-A. TGF-β contributes to the PDGF-Rα-dependent decrease in myofibroblast function. Remarkably, endotracheal treatment with exogenous PDGF-A rescues both the lung defects in haploinsufficient mice undergoing MV-O2 Overall, our results establish attenuated PDGF signaling as an important driver of nCLD pathology with provision of PDGF-A as a protective strategy for newborns undergoing MV-O2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajakta Oak
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Tina Pritzke
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Isabella Thiel
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Koschlig
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Daphne S Mous
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anita Windhorst
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Noopur Jain
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Oliver Eickelberg
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany
| | - Kai Foerster
- Department of Neonatology, Perinatal Center Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Andreas Schulze
- Department of Neonatology, Perinatal Center Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Goepel
- Department of General Pediatrics, University Clinic of Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Tobias Reicherzer
- Department of Neonatology, Perinatal Center Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Harald Ehrhardt
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatology, Justus-Liebig-University and Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Giessen, Germany
| | - Robbert J Rottier
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center - Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Ahnert
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics, and Epidemiology (IMISE), University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ludwig Gortner
- Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tushar J Desai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary and Critical Care, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Anne Hilgendorff
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, University Hospital of the University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Munich, Germany .,Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Neonatology, Perinatal Center Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany.,Center for Comprehensive Developmental Care, Dr. von Haunersches Children's Hospital University Hospital Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
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9
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Krygowska AA, Castellano E. PI3K: A Crucial Piece in the RAS Signaling Puzzle. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018; 8:cshperspect.a031450. [PMID: 28847905 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a031450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RAS proteins are key signaling switches essential for control of proliferation, differentiation, and survival of eukaryotic cells. RAS proteins are mutated in 30% of human cancers. In addition, mutations in upstream or downstream signaling components also contribute to oncogenic activation of the pathway. RAS proteins exert their functions through activation of several signaling pathways and dissecting the contributions of these effectors in normal cells and in cancer is an ongoing challenge. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge about how RAS regulates type I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), one of the main RAS effectors. RAS signaling through PI3K is necessary for normal lymphatic vasculature development and for RAS-induced transformation in vitro and in vivo, especially in lung cancer, where it is essential for tumor initiation and necessary for tumor maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Adelajda Krygowska
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Castellano
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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10
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Long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A reduces glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 96:489-496. [PMID: 29032332 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of end-stage renal disease emphasizes the failure to provide therapies to effectively prevent and/or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A (CAA), which selectively blocks Ha-Ras farnesylation, on renal mass reduction-induced renal fibrosis. Male Wistar rats were sham-operated (SO) or subjected to 5/6 renal mass reduction (RMR). One week after surgery, rats were placed in four experimental groups: SO:SO rats without treatment (n=13); SO+CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n=13); RMR:RMR rats without treatment (n=14); and RMR+CAA:RMR rats treated with CAA (n=13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23μg/kg three times a week for six months. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasonography and histopathological analysis. The kidneys of the RMR animals treated with CAA showed a significantly decrease in the medullary echogenicity (p<0.05) compared with the RMR rats that received no treatment. Glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis scores were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the RMR+CAA group when compared with the RMR group. There were no significant differences in interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and tubular dilatation scores between the RMR+CAA and RMR groups. These data suggest that CAA can be a potential future drug to attenuate the progression of chronic kidney disease.
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11
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β-Aminoisobutyric acid ameliorates the renal fibrosis in mouse obstructed kidneys via inhibition of renal fibroblast activation and fibrosis. J Pharmacol Sci 2017; 133:203-213. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2016.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Revised: 11/30/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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12
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Aliskiren protecting atrial structural remodeling from rapid atrial pacing in a canine model. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2016; 389:863-71. [PMID: 27118660 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-016-1249-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) contributing to the increasing mortality risk is the most common disease in clinical practice. Owing to the side effects and relative inefficacy of current antiarrhythmic drugs, some research focuses on renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAS) for finding out the new treatment of AF. The purpose of this study is to confirm whether aliskiren as a proximal inhibitor of renin, which completely inhibits RAS, has beneficial effects on atrial structural remodeling in AF. In this study, rapid atrial pacing was induced at 500 beats per minute for 2 weeks in a canine model. A different dose of aliskiren was given orally for 2 weeks before rapid atrial pacing. HE staining and Masson's staining were used for analysis of myocardial fibrosis. TGF-β1, signal pathways, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were shown for the mechanism of structural remodeling after the treatment of aliskiren. Serious atrial fibrosis was induced by rapid atrial pacing, followed by the elevated TGF-β1, upregulated MEK and ERK1/2, and increased inflammatory factors. Aliskiren could apparently improve myocardial fibrosis by reducing the expression of TGF-β1, inhibiting MEK and ERK1/2 signal pathways, and decreasing IL-18 and TLR4 in both serum and atrial tissue. In conclusion, aliskiren could prevent atrial structural remodeling from rapid atrial pacing for 2 weeks. Aliskiren may play a potential beneficial role in the treatment of AF induced by rapid atrial pacing.
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13
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Muñoz-Félix JM, Fuentes-Calvo I, Cuesta C, Eleno N, Crespo P, López-Novoa JM, Martínez-Salgado C. Absence of K-Ras Reduces Proliferation and Migration But Increases Extracellular Matrix Synthesis in Fibroblasts. J Cell Physiol 2016; 231:2224-35. [PMID: 26873620 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of Ras-GTPases in the development of renal fibrosis has been addressed in the last decade. We have previously shown that H- and N-Ras isoforms participate in the regulation of fibrosis. Herein, we assessed the role of K-Ras in cellular processes involved in the development of fibrosis: proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins synthesis. K-Ras knockout (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (K-ras(-/-) ) stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) exhibited reduced proliferation and impaired mobility than wild-type fibroblasts. Moreover, an increase on ECM production was observed in K-Ras KO fibroblasts in basal conditions. The absence of K-Ras was accompanied by reduced Ras activation and ERK phosphorylation, and increased AKT phosphorylation, but no differences were observed in TGF-β1-induced Smad signaling. The MEK inhibitor U0126 decreased cell proliferation independently of the presence of K-ras but reduced migration and ECM proteins expression only in wild-type fibroblasts, while the PI3K-AKT inhibitor LY294002 decreased cell proliferation, migration, and ECM synthesis in both types of fibroblasts. Thus, our data unveil that K-Ras and its downstream effector pathways distinctively regulate key biological processes in the development of fibrosis. Moreover, we show that K-Ras may be a crucial mediator in TGF-β1-mediated effects in this cell type. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2224-2235, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Muñoz-Félix
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Isabel Fuentes-Calvo
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Cristina Cuesta
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nélida Eleno
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Piero Crespo
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-IDICAN-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - José M López-Novoa
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Salgado
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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14
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Muñoz-Félix JM, González-Núñez M, Martínez-Salgado C, López-Novoa JM. TGF-β/BMP proteins as therapeutic targets in renal fibrosis. Where have we arrived after 25 years of trials and tribulations? Pharmacol Ther 2015; 156:44-58. [PMID: 26493350 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains as a challenge. More than 10% of the population of developed countries suffer from CKD. Proliferation and activation of myofibroblasts and accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins are the main features of kidney fibrosis, a process in which a large number of cytokines are involved. Targeting cytokines responsible for kidney fibrosis development might be an important strategy to face the problem of CKD. The increasing knowledge of the signaling pathway network of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily members, such as the profibrotic cytokine TGF-β1 or the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and their involvement in the regulation of kidney fibrosis, has stimulated numerous research teams to look for potential strategies to inhibit profibrotic cytokines or to enhance the anti-fibrotic actions of other cytokines. The consequence of all these studies is a better understanding of all these canonical (Smad-mediated) and non-canonical signaling pathways. In addition, the different receptors involved for signaling of each cytokine, the different combinations of type I-type II receptors, and the presence and function of co-receptors that can influence the biological response have been also described. However, are these studies leading to suitable strategies to block the appearance and progression of kidney fibrosis? In this review, we offer a critical perspective analyzing the achievements using the most important strategies developed up till now: TGF-β antibodies, chemical inhibitors of TGF-β receptors, miRNAs and signaling pathways and BMP agonists with a potential role as therapeutic molecules against kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Muñoz-Félix
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - María González-Núñez
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Salgado
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José M López-Novoa
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.
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15
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Zou S, Li J, Zhou H, Frech C, Jiang X, Chu JSC, Zhao X, Li Y, Li Q, Wang H, Hu J, Kong G, Wu M, Ding C, Chen N, Hu H. Mutational landscape of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5696. [PMID: 25526346 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 284] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2014] [Accepted: 10/29/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a fatal primary liver cancer (PLC) that affects 5-10% of all PLCs. Here we sequence tumour and matching control sample pairs of a large cohort of 103 ICC patients in China, resulting in the identification of an ICC-specific somatic mutational signature that is associated with liver inflammation, fibrosis and cirrhosis. We further uncover 25 significantly mutated genes including eight potential driver genes (TP53, KRAS, IDH1, PTEN, ARID1A, EPPK1, ECE2 and FYN). We find that TP53-defective ICC patients are more likely to be HBsAg-seropositive, whereas mutations in the oncogene KRAS are nearly exclusively found in HBsAg-seronegative ICC patients. Three pathways (Ras/phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase signalling, p53/cell cycle signalling and transforming growth factor-β/Smad signalling), genes important for epigenetic regulation and oxidative phosphorylation are substantially affected in ICC. We reveal mutations in this study that may be valuable for designing further studies, better diagnosis and effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Zou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jiarui Li
- 1] Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada [2] Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Huabang Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Christian Frech
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Xiaolan Jiang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jeffrey S C Chu
- Wuhan Frasergen Bioinformatics Co. Ltd, 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-tech Zone, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Xinyin Zhao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Yuqiong Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Qiaomei Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Jingyi Hu
- School of Medicine, Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Guanyi Kong
- Wuhan Frasergen Bioinformatics Co. Ltd, 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-tech Zone, Wuhan 430075, China
| | - Mengchao Wu
- Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Chuanfan Ding
- Department of Chemistry, Fudan University, 220 Handan Road, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Nansheng Chen
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6, Canada
| | - Heping Hu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Medicine I, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200438, China
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16
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Effect of angiotensin II and small GTPase Ras signaling pathway inhibition on early renal changes in a murine model of obstructive nephropathy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:124902. [PMID: 25101263 PMCID: PMC4101960 DOI: 10.1155/2014/124902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a major feature of chronic kidney disease. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rodents leads to the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis consistent with histopathological changes observed in advanced chronic kidney disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of inhibiting angiotensin II receptors or Ras activation on early renal fibrotic changes induced by UUO. Animals either received angiotensin II or underwent UUO. UUO animals received either losartan, atorvastatin, and farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) L-744,832, or chaetomellic acid A (ChA). Levels of activated Ras, phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-Akt, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin were subsequently quantified in renal tissue by ELISA, Western blot, and/or immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrate that administration of angiotensin II induces activation of the small GTPase Ras/Erk/Akt signaling system, suggesting an involvement of angiotensin II in the early obstruction-induced activation of renal Ras. Furthermore, upstream inhibition of Ras signalling by blocking either angiotensin AT1 type receptor or by inhibiting Ras prenylation (atorvastatin, FTI o ChA) reduced the activation of the Ras/Erk/Akt signaling system and decreased the early fibrotic response in the obstructed kidney. This study points out that pharmacological inhibition of Ras activation may hold promise as a future strategy in the prevention of renal fibrosis.
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