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Wang W, Jia W, Zhang C. The Role of Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP Axis in Organ Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13282. [PMID: 36362069 PMCID: PMC9655242 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological process in which parenchymal cells are necrotic and excess extracellular matrix (ECM) is accumulated due to dysregulation of tissue injury repair. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) is a 43 amino acid multifunctional polypeptide that is involved in wound healing. Prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) is the main enzyme that hydrolyzes Tβ4 to produce its derivative N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) which is found to play a role in the regulation of fibrosis. Accumulating evidence suggests that the Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP axis widely exists in various tissues and organs including the liver, kidney, heart, and lung, and participates in the process of fibrogenesis. Herein, we aim to elucidate the role of Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP axis in hepatic fibrosis, renal fibrosis, cardiac fibrosis, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Based on this, we attempted to provide novel therapeutic strategies for the regulation of tissue damage repair and anti-fibrosis therapy. The Tβ4-POP-Ac-SDKP axis exerts protective effects against organ fibrosis. It is promising that appropriate dosing regimens that rely on this axis could serve as a new therapeutic strategy for alleviating organ fibrosis in the early and late stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Wenning Jia
- Queen Mary School, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
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Interdonato L, D’amico R, Cordaro M, Siracusa R, Fusco R, Peritore AF, Gugliandolo E, Crupi R, Coaccioli S, Genovese T, Impellizzeri D, Di Paola R, Cuzzocrea S. Aerosol-Administered Adelmidrol Attenuates Lung Inflammation in a Murine Model of Acute Lung Injury. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091308. [PMID: 36139146 PMCID: PMC9496587 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common and devastating clinical disorder with a high mortality rate and no specific therapy. The pathophysiology of ALI is characterized by increased alveolar/capillary permeability, lung inflammation, oxidative stress and structural damage to lung tissues, which can progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Adelmidrol (ADM), an analogue of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions, which are mainly due to down-modulating mast cells (MCs) and promoting endogenous antioxidant defense. The aim of this study is to evaluate the protective effects of ADM in a mice model of ALI, induced by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the dose of 5 mg/kg. ADM 2% was administered by aerosol 1 and 6 h after LPS instillation. In this study, we clearly demonstrated that ADM reduced lung damage and airway infiltration induced by LPS instillation. At the same time, ADM counteracted the increase in MC number and the expression of specific markers of MC activation, i.e., chymase and tryptase. Moreover, ADM reduced oxidative stress by upregulating antioxidant enzymes as well as modulating the Nf-kB pathway and the resulting pro-inflammatory cytokine release. These results suggest that ADM could be a potential candidate in the management of ALI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Interdonato
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Ramona D’amico
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Biomedical, Dental and Morphological and Functional Imaging, University of Messina, Via Consolare Valeria, 98125 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalba Siracusa
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Roberta Fusco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Alessio Filippo Peritore
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Enrico Gugliandolo
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Rosalia Crupi
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Coaccioli
- General Medical Clinic and Medical Therapy, Rheumatology and Medical Therapy of the Pain, University of Perugia, “Polo di Terni”, “AO Santa Maria” of Terni, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Tiziana Genovese
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-090-676-5208
| | - Rosanna Di Paola
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
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Wang H, Yin YP, Wang ZL, Qian Y, Fan YC, Liu HH, Wang K. Hypermethylation of thymosin β4 predicts a poor prognosis for patients with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2022:S1499-3872(22)00191-6. [PMID: 36041971 DOI: 10.1016/j.hbpd.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND It has been demonstrated that thymosin β4 (Tβ4) could inflect the severity of acute-on-chronic hepatitis B liver failure (ACHBLF), but the relationship between its methylation status and the prognosis of liver failure is not clear. This study aimed to determine Tβ4 promoter methylation status in patients with ACHBLF and to evaluate its prognostic value. METHODS The study recruited 115 patients with ACHBLF, 80 with acute-on-chronic hepatitis B pre-liver failure (pre-ACHBLF), and 86 with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In addition, there were 36 healthy controls (HCs) from the Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University. The 115 patients with ACHBLF were divided into three subgroups: 33 with early stage ACHBLF (E-ACHBLF), 42 with mid-stage ACHBLF (M-ACHBLF), and 40 with advanced stage ACHBLF (A-ACHBLF). Tβ4 promoter methylation status in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was measured by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, and mRNA was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Methylation frequency of Tβ4 was significantly higher in patients with ACHBLF than in those with pre-ACHBLF, CHB or HC. However, expression of Tβ4 mRNA showed the opposite trend. In patients with ACHBLF, Tβ4 promoter methylation status correlated negatively with mRNA levels. The 3-month mortality of ACHBLF in the methylated group was significantly higher than that in the unmethylated group. Also, Tβ4 promoter methylation frequency was lower in survivors than in non-survivors. When used to predict the 1-, 2-, and 3-month incidence of ACHBLF, Tβ4 methylation status was better than the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. The predictive value of Tβ4 methylation was higher than that of MELD score for the mortality of patients with E-ACHBLF and M-ACHBLF, but not for A-ACHBLF. CONCLUSIONS Tβ4 methylation might be an important early marker for predicting disease incidence and prognosis in patients with ACHBLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Department of Hepatology, Qingdao Sixth People's Hospital, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yan-Ping Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai 264000, China
| | - Zhen-Li Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu Qian
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yu-Chen Fan
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hui-Hui Liu
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Department of Hepatology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, #107 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan 250012, China; Institute of Hepatology, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
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Guo P, Li B, Liu MM, Li YX, Weng GY, Gao Y. Protective effects of lotus plumule ethanol extracts on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Drug Chem Toxicol 2021; 45:1432-1441. [PMID: 34724865 DOI: 10.1080/01480545.2021.1993670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive fibrosing disease, characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and remodeling of the lung architecture, which finally result in respiratory failure. Currently, there is no satisfactory treatment for PF, therefore, the development of effective agents is urgently needed. Lotus plumule, the green embryo of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn., a plant of the Nymphaeaceae family, is a traditional Chinese food with exceptional nutritional value and its extracts exert prominent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of lotus plumule extracts (LPEs) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF in mice. Therefore, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, RT-PCR, and western blot analysis were performed. The histopathological examination demonstrated that LPEs could obviously decrease the degree of alveolitis, deposition of ECM and the production of collagen I (Col-I) in the pulmonary interstitium. In addition, the results showed that LPEs markedly alleviated the expression of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Additionally, the content of Col-I and hydroxyproline (HYP) was also attenuated. In conclusion, LPEs could ameliorate the BLM-induced lung fibrosis, thus suggesting that LPEs could serve as a potential therapeutic approach for PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Guo
- Department of Health Service, Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Bin Li
- Specialized Medical Center of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Meng-Meng Liu
- Department of Health Service, Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan-Xiao Li
- Department of Health Service, Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Gong-Yu Weng
- Department of Health Service, Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
| | - Ying Gao
- Department of Health Service, Logistics College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin, China
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Chen C, Li X, Wang L. Thymosinβ4 alleviates cholestatic liver fibrosis in mice through downregulating PDGF/PDGFR and TGFβ/Smad pathways. Dig Liver Dis 2020; 52:324-330. [PMID: 31542221 DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2019.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is an important health problem without adequate and effective therapeutics. In this study, effects of thymosinβ4 (Tβ4) on hepatic fibrogenesis and the underlying molecular mechanisms were explored in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced mice cholestatic liver fibrosis model. Results showed exogenous Tβ4 significantly reduced the mortality and liver/body weight ratio in BDL mice. Histological examinations and biochemical analyses demonstrated that BDL induced evident portal fibrosis and a significant increase in hepatic collagen contents. However, these changes were significantly attenuated by exogenous Tβ4. Quantitative real-time PCR assays showed that Tβ4 suppressed BDL-induced increases in many fibrotic genes expression including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, III and fibronectin, TGFβ1, TGFβR II, Smad2, Smad3, and PDGFRβ. Results from immunohistochemistry and Western blots also showed that Tβ4 reduced TGFβ1 and PDGFRβ protein levels in the liver tissues of BDL mice. In vitro studies using LX-2 cells demonstrated that Tβ4 could decrease PDGFRβ and TGFβR II levels in hepatic stellate cells. Taken together, findings in our present studies suggested that exogenous Tβ4 alleviated BDL-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis through downregulating PDGF/PDGFR and TGFβ/Smad pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Chen
- Teaching and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Xinyang Vocational and Technical College, Xinyang, China
| | - Xiankui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by acute inflammation and tissue injury results in dysfunction of the alveolar epithelial membrane. If the epithelial injury is severe, a fibroproliferative phase of ALI can develop. During this phase, the activated fibroblast and myofibroblasts synthesize excessive collagenous extracellular matrix that leads to a condition called pulmonary fibrosis. Lung injury can be caused by several ways; however, the present review focus on bleomycin (BLM)-mediated changes in the pathology of lungs. BLM is a chemotherapeutic agent and has toxic effects on lungs, which leads to oxidative damage and elaboration of inflammatory cytokines. In response to the injury, the inflammatory cytokines will be activated to defend the system from injury. These cytokines along with growth factors stimulate the proliferation of myofibroblasts and secretion of pathologic extracellular matrix. During BLM injury, the pro-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-17A will be up-regulated and mediates the inflammation in the alveolar epithelial cell and also brings about recruitment of certain inflammatory cells in the alveolar surface. These cytokines probably help in up-regulating the expression of p53 and fibrinolytic system molecules during the alveolar epithelial cells apoptosis. Here, our key concern is to provide the adequate knowledge about IL-17A-mediated p53 fibrinolytic system and their pathogenic progression to pulmonary fibrosis. The present review focuses mainly on IL-17A-mediated p53-fibrinolytic aspects and how curcumin is involved in the regulation of pathogenic progression of ALI and pulmonary fibrosis.
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Mahmoudi T, Abdolmohammadi K, Bashiri H, Mohammadi M, Rezaie MJ, Fathi F, Fakhari S, Rezaee MA, Jalili A, Rahmani MR, Tayebi L. Hydrogen Peroxide Preconditioning Promotes Protective Effects of Umbilical Cord Vein Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis. Adv Pharm Bull 2020; 10:72-80. [PMID: 32002364 PMCID: PMC6983995 DOI: 10.15171/apb.2020.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disorder with few available treatments. Mesenchymal stem cell therapy (MSCT), an innovative approach, has high therapeutic potential when used to treat IPF. According to recent data, preconditioning of MSCs can improve their therapeutic effects. Our research focuses on investigating the anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects of H2 O2 -preconditioned MSCs (p-MSCs) on mice with bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Methods: Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were induced with PF by intratracheal (IT) instillation of bleomycin (4 U/kg). Human umbilical cord vein-derived MSCs (hUCV-MSCs) were isolated and exposed to a sub-lethal concentration (15 μM for 24 h) of H2 O2 in vitro. One week following the injection of bleomycin, 2×105 MSCs or p-MSCs were injected (IT) into the experimental PF. The survival rate and weight of mice were recorded, and 14 days after MSCs injection, all mice were sacrificed. Lung tissue was removed from these mice to examine the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathological changes (hematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome) and expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) through immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining. Results: Compared to the PF+MSC group, p-MSCs transplantation results in significantly decreased connective tissue (P<0.05) and collagen deposition. Additionally, it is determined that lung tissue in the PF+pMSC group has increased alveolar space (P<0.05) and diminished expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that MSCT using p-MSCs decreases inflammatory and fibrotic factors in bleomycin-induced PF, while also able to increase the therapeutic potency of MSCT in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayebeh Mahmoudi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Kamal Abdolmohammadi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Bashiri
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohammadi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Jafar Rezaie
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Fardin Fathi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Shohreh Fakhari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Rezaee
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Paramedical, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ali Jalili
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rahmani
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Lobat Tayebi
- Marquette University School of Dentistry, Milwaukee, WI, 53233, USA
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Ueda S, Fukunaga K, Takihara T, Shiraishi Y, Oguma T, Shiomi T, Suzuki Y, Ishii M, Sayama K, Kagawa S, Hirai H, Nagata K, Nakamura M, Miyasho T, Betsuyaku T, Asano K. Deficiency of CRTH2, a Prostaglandin D 2 Receptor, Aggravates Bleomycin-induced Pulmonary Inflammation and Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2019; 60:289-298. [PMID: 30326727 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0397oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemoattractant receptor homologous with T-helper cell type 2 cells (CRTH2), a receptor for prostaglandin D2, is preferentially expressed on T-helper cell type 2 lymphocytes, group 2 innate lymphoid cells, eosinophils, and basophils, and elicits the production of type 2 cytokines, including profibrotic IL-13. We hypothesized that lack of CRTH2 might protect against fibrotic lung disease, and we tested this hypothesis using a bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis model in CRTH2-deficient (CRTH2-/-) or wild-type BALB/c mice. Compared with wild-type mice, CRTH2-/- mice treated with bleomycin exhibited significantly higher mortality, enhanced accumulation of inflammatory cells 14-21 days after bleomycin injection, reduced pulmonary compliance, and increased levels of collagen and total protein in the lungs. These phenotypes were associated with decreased levels of IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-17A in BAL fluid. Adoptive transfer of splenocytes from wild-type, but not CRTH2-/-, mice 2 days before injection of bleomycin resolved the sustained inflammation as well as the increased collagen and protein accumulation in the lungs of CRTH2-/- mice. We consider that the disease model is driven by γδT cells that express CRTH2; thus, the adoptive transfer of γδT cells could ameliorate bleomycin-induced alveolar inflammation and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soichiro Ueda
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Fukunaga
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takahisa Takihara
- 2 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Shiraishi
- 2 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Oguma
- 2 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Shiomi
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Suzuki
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Ishii
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Sayama
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shizuko Kagawa
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Hirai
- 3 Department of Advanced Medicine and Development, Bio Medical Laboratories, Inc., Saitama, Japan
| | - Kinya Nagata
- 3 Department of Advanced Medicine and Development, Bio Medical Laboratories, Inc., Saitama, Japan
| | - Masataka Nakamura
- 4 Human Gene Sciences Center, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan; and
| | - Taku Miyasho
- 5 Department of Veterinary Science, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tomoko Betsuyaku
- 1 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichiro Asano
- 2 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
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Kumar N, Liao TD, Romero CA, Maheshwari M, Peterson EL, Carretero OA. Thymosin β4 Deficiency Exacerbates Renal and Cardiac Injury in Angiotensin-II-Induced Hypertension. Hypertension 2018; 71:1133-1142. [PMID: 29632102 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.118.10952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2018] [Revised: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a ubiquitous peptide, regulates several cellular processes that include cell morphology, wound healing, and inflammatory response. Administration of exogenous Tβ4 is protective in diabetic nephropathy and in a unilateral ureteral obstruction model. However, the role of endogenous Tβ4 in health and disease conditions remains unclear. To elucidate the pathophysiological role of endogenous Tβ4 in hypertension, we examined angiotensin-II (Ang-II)-induced renal and cardiac damage in Tβ4 knockout (Tβ4 KO) mice. Tβ4 KO and wild-type C57BL/6 mice were infused continuously for 6 weeks with either vehicle or Ang-II (980 ng/kg per minute). At baseline, Tβ4 deficiency did not affect renal and cardiac function. Systolic blood pressure in the Ang-II group was similar in wild-type and Tβ4 KO mice (wild-type Ang-II, 179.25±10.11 mm Hg; Tβ4 KO Ang-II, 169.81±6.54 mm Hg). Despite the similar systolic blood pressure after Ang-II infusion, Tβ4-deficient mice had dramatically increased albuminuria and decreased nephrin expression in the kidney (P<0.005). In the heart of Tβ4 KO mice, Ang-II reduced ejection fraction and shortening fraction (ejection fraction: wild-type Ang-II 77.95%±1.03%; Tβ4 KO Ang-II 62.58%±3.25%; P<0.005), which was accompanied by cardiac hypertrophy and left ventricular dilatation. In addition, renal and cardiac infiltration of CD68 macrophages, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and total collagen content were increased after Ang-II infusion in Tβ4 KO mice (P<0.005). Overall, our data indicate that endogenous Tβ4 is crucial in preventing tissue injury from Ang-II-induced hypertension. This study gives new insights into the protective role of endogenous Tβ4 in hypertensive end-organ damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nitin Kumar
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Tang-Dong Liao
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Cesar A Romero
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Mani Maheshwari
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
| | - Edward L Peterson
- and Department of Public Health Sciences (E.L.P.), Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI
| | - Oscar A Carretero
- From the Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine (N.K., T.-D.L., C.A.R., M.M., O.A.C.)
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Conte E, Fagone E, Gili E, Fruciano M, Iemmolo M, Pistorio MP, Impellizzeri D, Cordaro M, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Preventive and therapeutic effects of thymosin β4 N-terminal fragment Ac-SDKP in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis. Oncotarget 2017; 7:33841-54. [PMID: 27029074 PMCID: PMC5085123 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis was utilized to investigate putative anti-fibrotic activity of Ac-SDKP in vivo. Male CD-1 mice received intra-tracheal bleomycin (BLEO, 1 mg/kg) instillation in the absence or presence of Ac-SDKP (a dose of 0.6 mg/kg delivered intra-peritoneally on the day of BLEO treatment, d0, followed by bi-weekly additional doses). To evaluate therapeutic effects in a subset of mice, Ac-SDKP was administered one week after BLEO instillation (d7). Animals were sacrificed at one, two, or three weeks later. Measurement of fluid and collagen content in the lung, Broncho Alveolar Lavage Fluid (BALF) analysis, lung histology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and molecular analysis were performed. Compared to BLEO-treated mice, animals that received also Ac-SDKP (at both d0 and d7) had significantly decreased mortality, weight loss, inflammation (edema, and leukocyte lung infiltration), lung damage (histological evidence of lung injury), and fibrosis (collagen histological staining and soluble collagen content in the lung) at up to 21 days. Moreover, IHC and quantitative RT-PCR results demonstrated a significant decrease in BLEO-induced IL-17 and TGF-β expression in lung tissue. Importantly, α-SMA expression, the hallmark of myofibroblast differentiation, was also decreased. This is the first report showing not only a preventive protective role of Ac-SDKP but also its significant therapeutic effects in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, thus supporting further preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Iemmolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | | | - Daniela Impellizzeri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Marika Cordaro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Cuzzocrea
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
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11
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Jiang Y, Han T, Zhang ZG, Li M, Qi FX, Zhang Y, Ji YL. Potential role of thymosin beta 4 in the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Chronic Dis Transl Med 2017; 3:165-168. [PMID: 29063072 PMCID: PMC5643779 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdtm.2017.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As a result of increased prevalence of obesity worldwide, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease. Although most NAFLD cases remain benign, some progress to end-stage liver diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Therefore, treatment should be considered for NAFLD patients who are likely to progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fibrosis. Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a G-actin sequestering peptide, regulates actin polymerization in mammalian cells. In addition, studies have reported anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and anti-fibrotic effects of Tβ4. However, no research has been done to investigate the effects of Tβ4 on NAFLD. Based on the findings above mentioned, we hypothesize that Tβ4 may represent an effective treatment for NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jiang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China.,Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Tao Han
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China
| | - Zhi-Guang Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Man Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Feng-Xiang Qi
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
| | - Ying-Lan Ji
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300211, China
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12
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Li X, Wang L, Chen C. Effects of exogenous thymosin β4 on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury and fibrosis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5872. [PMID: 28724974 PMCID: PMC5517632 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of exogenous thymosin β4 (TB4) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury and fibrosis in rodent animals. Results showed that both in mice and rats CCl4 rendered significant increases in serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, hepatic malondialdehyde formation, decreases in antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and glutathione, and up-regulated expressions of transforming growth factor-β1, α-smooth muscle actin, tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β in the liver tissues. Hydroxyproline contents in the rat livers were increased by CCl4. Histopathological examinations indicated that CCl4 induced extensive necrosis in mice livers and pseudo-lobule formations, collagen deposition in rats livers. However, all these changes in mice and rats were significantly attenuated by exogenous TB4 treatment. Furthermore, up-regulations of nuclear factor-κB p65 protein expression by CCl4 treatment in mice and rats livers were also remarkably reduced by exogenous TB4 administration. Taken together, findings in this study suggested that exogenous TB4 might prevent CCl4-induced acute liver injury and subsequent fibrosis through alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiankui Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Science, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
| | - Lei Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Cai Chen
- Teaching and Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Xinyang Vocational and Technical College, Xinyang, China
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13
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Khanum BNMK, Guha R, Sur VP, Nandi S, Basak SK, Konar A, Hazra S. Pirfenidone inhibits post-traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Eye (Lond) 2017; 31:1317-1328. [PMID: 28304388 DOI: 10.1038/eye.2017.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PurposeThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal pirfenidone for inhibition of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) in a model of penetrating ocular injury.Patients and methodsPenetrating trauma was induced on the retina of rabbit and treated either with 0.1 ml of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or 0.1 ml of 0.5% pirfenidone, and development of PVR was evaluated clinically and graded after 1 month. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry with transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and collagen-1 were performed to assess the fibrotic changes. Expression of cytokines in the vitro-retinal tissues at different time points following pirfenidone and PBS injection was examined by RT-PCR. Availability of pirfenidone in the vitreous of rabbit at various time points was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography following injection of 0.1 ml of 0.5% pirfenidone. In normal rabbit eye, 0.1 ml of 0.5% pirfenidone was injected to evaluate any toxic effect.ResultsClinical assessment and grading revealed prevention of PVR formation in pirfenidone-treated animals, gross histology, and histopathology confirmed the observation. Immunohistochemistry showed prevention in the expression of collagen-I, αSMA, and TGFβ in the pirfenidone-treated eyes compared to the PBS-treated eyes. Pirfenidone inhibited increased gene expression of cytokines observed in control eyes. Pirfenidone could be detected up to 48 h in the vitreous of rabbit eye following single intravitreal injection. Pirfenidone did not show any adverse effect following intravitreal injection; eyes were devoid of any abnormal clinical sign, intraocular pressure, and electroretinography did not show any significant change and histology of retina remained unchanged.ConclusionThis animal study shows that pirfenidone might be a potential therapy for PVR. Further clinical study will be useful to evaluate the clinical application of pirfenidone.
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Affiliation(s)
- B N M K Khanum
- Department of Veterinary Surgery &Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal &Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India
| | - R Guha
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - V P Sur
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - S Nandi
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | | | - A Konar
- CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - S Hazra
- Department of Veterinary Surgery &Radiology, West Bengal University of Animal &Fishery Sciences, Kolkata, India
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14
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Vigeland CL, Collins SL, Chan-Li Y, Hughes AH, Oh MH, Powell JD, Horton MR. Deletion of mTORC1 Activity in CD4+ T Cells Is Associated with Lung Fibrosis and Increased γδ T Cells. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163288. [PMID: 27649073 PMCID: PMC5029914 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating, incurable disease in which chronic inflammation and dysregulated, excessive wound healing lead to progressive fibrosis, lung dysfunction, and ultimately death. Prior studies have implicated the cytokine IL-17A and Th17 cells in promoting the development of fibrosis. We hypothesized that loss of Th17 cells via CD4-specific deletion of mTORC1 activity would abrogate the development of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. However, in actuality loss of Th17 cells led to increased mortality and fibrosis in response to bleomycin. We found that in the absence of Th17 cells, there was continued production of IL-17A by γδ T cells. These IL-17A+ γδ T cells were associated with increased lung neutrophils and M2 macrophages, accelerated development of fibrosis, and increased mortality. These data elucidate the critical role of IL-17A+ γδ T cells in promoting chronic inflammation and fibrosis, and reveal a novel therapeutic target for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christine L Vigeland
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Samuel L Collins
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yee Chan-Li
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew H Hughes
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Min-Hee Oh
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jonathan D Powell
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Maureen R Horton
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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15
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Li SJ, Liu CH, Chu HP, Mersmann HJ, Ding ST, Chu CH, Wang CY, Chen CY. The high-fat diet induces myocardial fibrosis in the metabolically healthy obese minipigs-The role of ER stress and oxidative stress. Clin Nutr 2016; 36:760-767. [PMID: 27342749 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2016.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cellular mechanisms of obesity-induced cardiomyopathy are multiple and not completely elucidated. The objective of this study was to differentiate two obesity-associated cardiomyopathy miniature pig models: one with the metabolic syndrome (MetS), and one with a metabolically healthy obesity (MHO). The cellular responses during the development of obesity-induced cardiomyopathy were investigated. METHODS Five-month-old Lee-Sung (MetS) and Lanyu (MHO) minipigs were made obese by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 months. RESULTS Obese pigs exhibited a greater heart weight than control pigs. Interstitial and perivascular fibrosis developed in the myocardium of obese pigs. The HFD induced cardiac lipid accumulation and oxidative stress and also decreased the antioxidant defense in MetS pigs. This diet activated oxidative stress without changing cardiac antioxidant defense and lipid content in MHO pigs. The HFD upregulated the expression of Grp94, CHOP, caspase 12, p62, and LC3II, and increased the ratio of LC3II to LC3I in the left ventricle (LV) of MetS pigs. Compared to obese MetS pigs, less Grp94 and elevated CHOP expression was found in the obese MHO heart. The HFD did not change the ratio of LC3II to LC3I and p62 expression in obese MHO pigs. The obese MetS pigs had an extensive and greater inflammatory response in the plasma than the obese MHO pigs, which had a lesser and milder inflammation. CONCLUSION Oxidative stress and ER stress were involved in the progression of MHO-related cardiomyopathy. Inflammation, autophagy, ER stress, oxidative stress, and lipotoxicity participated in the pathological mechanism of MetS-related cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sin-Jin Li
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Hsin Liu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Pin Chu
- Taitung Animal Propagation Station, Livestock Research Institute Council of Agriculture, No. 30, Binlang Vil., Beinan Township, Taitung County, 95444, Taiwan
| | - Harry J Mersmann
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Torng Ding
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Han Chu
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Wang
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yi Chen
- Department of Animal Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 50, Lane 155, Sec 3, Keelung Rd, Taipei, 10672, Taiwan.
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16
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Abstract
Liver fibrosis, a major characteristic of chronic liver disease, is inappropriate tissue remodeling caused by prolonged parenchymal cell injury and inflammation. During liver injury, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) undergo transdifferentiation from quiescent HSCs into activated HSCs, which promote the deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, leading to liver fibrosis. Thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4), a major actin-sequestering protein, is the most abundant member of the highly conserved β-thymosin family and controls cell morphogenesis and motility by regulating the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton. Tβ4 is known to be involved in various cellular responses, including antiinflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis, and cancer progression. Emerging evidence suggests that Tβ4 is expressed in the liver; however, its biological roles are poorly understood. Herein, we introduce liver fibrogenesis and recent findings regarding the function of Tβ4 in various tissues and discuss the potential role of Tβ4 in liver fibrosis with a special focus on the effects of exogenous and endogenous Tβ4. Recent studies have revealed that activated HSCs express Tβ4 in vivo and in vitro. Treatment with the exogenous Tβ4 peptide inhibits the proliferation and migration of activated HSCs and reduces liver fibrosis, indicating it has an antifibrotic action. Meanwhile, the endogenously expressed Tβ4 in activated HSCs is shown to promote HSCs activation. Although the role of Tβ4 has not been elucidated, it is apparent that Tβ4 is associated with HSC activation. Therefore, understanding the potential roles and regulatory mechanisms of Tβ4 in liver fibrosis may provide a novel treatment for patients.
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Abbate R, Al-Daghri NM, Andreozzi P, Borregaard N, Can G, Caridi G, Carstensen-Kirberg M, Cioni G, Conte E, Cuomo R, Denis MA, Fakhfouri G, Fakhfouri G, Fiasse R, Glenthøj A, Goliasc G, Gremmel T, Herder C, Iemmolo M, Jing ZC, Krause R, Marrone O, Miazgowski B, Miazgowski T, Minchiotti L, Mousavizadeh K, Ndrepepa G, Niessner A, Ogayar Luque C, Onat A, Papassotiriou I, Ruiz Ortiz M, Sabico S, Schooling CM, Sakka SD, Sołtysiak P, Visseren FLJ, Wagner J, Wang XJ, Westerink J. Research update for articles published in EJCI in 2013. Eur J Clin Invest 2015; 45:1005-16. [PMID: 26394055 DOI: 10.1111/eci.12512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Abbate
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nasser M Al-Daghri
- Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Paolo Andreozzi
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 'Federico II' University, Naples, Italy
| | - Niels Borregaard
- The Granulocyte Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Günay Can
- Departments of Cardiology and Public Health, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gianluca Caridi
- Laboratory on Pathophysiology of Uremia, Istituto Giannina Gaslini IRCCS, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maren Carstensen-Kirberg
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gabriele Cioni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Enrico Conte
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Rosario Cuomo
- Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 'Federico II' University, Naples, Italy
| | - Marie A Denis
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gohar Fakhfouri
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - G Fakhfouri
- Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Québec, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Renné Fiasse
- Department of Gastroenterology, St. Luc University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Andreas Glenthøj
- The Granulocyte Research Laboratory, Department of Hematology, National University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Georg Goliasc
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thomas Gremmel
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Center for Platelet Research Studies, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Boston Children's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christian Herder
- Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center, Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Maria Iemmolo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Zhi-Cheng Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Robert Krause
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Oreste Marrone
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, National Research Council, Palermo, Italy
| | - Bartosz Miazgowski
- Department of Hypertension and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Miazgowski
- Department of Hypertension and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | | | - Kazem Mousavizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center and Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Alexander Niessner
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine II, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Altan Onat
- Departments of Cardiology and Public Health, Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ioannis Papassotiriou
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Martín Ruiz Ortiz
- Cardiology Department, Reina Sofía University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Shaun Sabico
- Biomarkers Research Program, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - C Mary Schooling
- CUNY School of Public Health and Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophia D Sakka
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Birmingham, UK
| | - P Sołtysiak
- Department of Hypertension and Internal Medicine, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Frank L J Visseren
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Jasmin Wagner
- Section of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Xiao-Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease, FuWai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jan Westerink
- Department of Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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18
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Conte E, Iemmolo M, Fruciano M, Fagone E, Gili E, Genovese T, Esposito E, Cuzzocrea S, Vancheri C. Effects of thymosin β4 and its N-terminal fragment Ac-SDKP on TGF-β-treated human lung fibroblasts and in the mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2015; 15 Suppl 1:S211-21. [PMID: 26098610 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.2015.1026804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Thymosin β4 (Tβ4) and its amino-terminal fragment comprising N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) have been reported to act as anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agents in vitro and in vivo. In recent papers, we have shown that Tβ4 exerts a widely protective role in mice treated with bleomycin, and in particular, we have demonstrated its inhibitory effects on both inflammation and early fibrosis. OBJECTIVES In this study, the putative anti-proliferative and anti-fibrogenic effects of Tβ4 and Ac-SDKP were evaluated in vitro. In addition, the effects of Tβ4 up to 21 days were evaluated in the bleomycin mouse model of lung fibrosis. METHODS We utilized both control and TGF-β-stimulated primary human lung fibroblasts isolated from both idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and control tissues. The in vivo effects of Tβ4 were assessed in CD1 mice treated with bleomycin. RESULTS In the in vitro experiments, we observed significant anti-proliferative effects of Ac-SDKP in IPF fibroblasts. In those cells, Ac-SDKP significantly inhibited TGF-β-induced α-SMA and collagen expression, hallmarks of fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts triggered by TGF-β. In vivo, despite its previously described protective role in mice treated with bleomycin at 7 days, Tβ4 failed to prevent fibrosis induced by the drug at 14 and 21 days. CONCLUSION We conclude that, compared to Tβ4, Ac-SDKP may have greater potential as an anti-fibrotic agent in the lung. Further in vivo experiments are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Conte
- University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine , Via Santa Sofia 78, 95123 Catania , Italy +39 095 378 1254 ; +39 095 378 1427 ;
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Systemic sclerosis (SSc), or scleroderma, is a heterogeneous and complex autoimmune disease characterized by varying degrees of skin and organ fibrosis and obliterative vasculopathy. The disease results in significant morbidity and mortality, and to date, available treatments are limited. Lung involvement is the leading cause of death of patients with SSc. Over the past year, significant advances have been made in our understanding of SSc-associated lung disease, and this review attempts to encapsulate these most recent findings and place them in context. RECENT FINDINGS We divide our discussion of the most recent literature into the following: first, clinical aspects of SSc lung management, including classification, imaging, biomarkers, and treatment; second, promising new animal models that may improve our ability to accurately study this disease; and third, studies that advance or change our understanding of SSc lung disease pathogenesis, thereby raising the potential for new targets for therapeutic intervention. SUMMARY Recent advances have resulted in a better understanding of SSc-associated lung disease, the development of new in-vivo models for exploring disease pathogenesis, and the identification of potential novel targets for the development of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hui Fan
- University of Pittsburgh, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
| | | | - Richard M. Silver
- Medical University of South Carolina, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology
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