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Tang Z, Xia Z, Wang X, Liu Y. The critical role of osteopontin (OPN) in fibrotic diseases. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2023; 74:86-99. [PMID: 37648616 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.08.007] [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: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological condition characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components in tissues and organs, leading to progressive architectural remodelling and contributing to the development of various diseases. Osteopontin (OPN), a highly phosphorylated glycoprotein, has been increasingly recognized for its involvement in the progression of tissue fibrosis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the genetic and protein structure of OPN and focuses on our current understanding of the role of OPN in the development of fibrosis in the lungs and other tissues. Additionally, special attention is given to the potential of OPN as a biomarker and a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Tang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Rare Diseases Center, Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zijing Xia
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Rare Diseases Center, Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiangpeng Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100000, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Laboratory of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China; Rare Diseases Center, Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Wang S, Zhang J, Chen H, Zhan X, Nie H, Wang C, Zhang Y, Zheng B, Gong Q. MicroRNA-181b promotes schistosomiasis-induced hepatic fibrosis by targeting Smad7. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2022; 252:111523. [PMID: 36195241 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbiopara.2022.111523] [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: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a common parasitic disease. Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma mansoni, involves pathological changes, including worm egg-induced hepatic granuloma and fibrosis, which can markedly affect the liver's physiological functions. Although the drug praziquantel (PZQ) is used to treat schistosomiasis, drugs against schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis are rare in the clinical setting. Therefore, developing effective strategies to prevent and treat schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis is crucial. Previous studies have shown that miRNAs are involved in various liver diseases. In this study, we found a gradual increase in miR-181b expression in the murine liver as S. japonicum infection progressed, while the expression of Smad7 decreased. Down-regulating miR-181b significantly alleviated S. japonicum-induced hepatic granuloma and liver fibrosis. In vitro experiments showed that treatment with TGF-β1 upregulated miR-181b levels in the hepatic stellate cell (HSC) line LX2 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Downregulation of miR-181b significantly decreased collagen type I alpha 1 chain (COL1A1) expression in TGF-β1-stimulated LX2 cells. These findings indicate that miR-181b promotes HSC activation by down-regulating Smad7 expression, activating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, and leading to excess collagen expression and deposition. Our findings suggest that miR-181b might be a potentially novel therapeutic target for schistosomiasis-induced liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Jianqiang Zhang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China; Department of Nephrology, Ezhou Central Hospital, Ezhou, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China; Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Xiang Zhan
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Hao Nie
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China; Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Chao Wang
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China; Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Yanxiang Zhang
- Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China
| | - Bing Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China; Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.
| | - Quan Gong
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China; Clinical Molecular Immunology Center, School of Medicine, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China.
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Qureshi IA, Saini M, Are S. Pyridoxal Kinase of Disease-causing Human Parasites: Structural and
Functional Insights to Understand its Role in Drug Discovery. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2022; 23:271-289. [DOI: 10.2174/1389203723666220519155025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Abstract:
Human parasites cause several diseased conditions with high morbidity and mortality in a
large section of the population residing in various geographical areas. Nearly three billion people suffer
from either one or many parasitic infections globally, with almost one million deaths annually. In spite
of extensive research and advancement in the medical field, no effective vaccine is available against
prominent human parasitic diseases that necessitate identification of novel targets for designing specific
inhibitors. Vitamin B6 is an important ubiquitous co-enzyme that participates in several biological processes
and plays an important role in scavenging ROS (reactive oxygen species) along with providing
resistance to oxidative stress. Moreover, the absence of the de novo vitamin B6 biosynthetic pathway in
human parasites makes this pathway indispensable for the survival of these pathogens. Pyridoxal kinase
(PdxK) is a crucial enzyme for vitamin B6 salvage pathway and participates in the process of vitamers
B6 phosphorylation. Since the parasites are dependent on pyridoxal kinase for their survival and infectivity
to the respective hosts, it is considered a promising candidate for drug discovery. The detailed
structural analysis of PdxK from disease-causing parasites has provided insights into the catalytic
mechanism of this enzyme as well as significant differences from their human counterpart. Simultaneously,
structure-based studies have identified small lead molecules that can be exploited for drug discovery
against protozoan parasites. The present review provides structural and functional highlights of
pyridoxal kinase for its implication in developing novel and potent therapeutics to combat fatal parasitic
diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Insaf Ahmed Qureshi
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Mayank Saini
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
| | - Sayanna Are
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Prof. C.R. Rao
Road, Hyderabad 500046, India
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