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Kumar VP, Jaiswal S, Wuddie K, Ward JM, Lawrence M, Ghosh SP. Development of a Radiation-induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Partial Body Irradiation Model in C57BL/6 Mice. Radiat Res 2024; 201:460-470. [PMID: 38376474 DOI: 10.1667/rade-23-00143.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
With the current volatile geopolitical climate, the threat of nuclear assault is high. Exposure to ionizing radiation from either nuclear incidents or radiological accidents often lead to major harmful consequences to human health. Depending on the absorbed dose, the symptoms of the acute radiation syndrome and delayed effects of acute radiation exposure (DEARE) can appear within hours, weeks to months. The lung is a relatively radiosensitive organ with manifestation of radiation pneumonitis as an acute effect, followed by apparent fibrosis in weeks or even months. A recently developed, first-of-its-kind murine model for partial-body irradiation (PBI) injury, which can be used to test potential countermeasures against multi-organ damage such as gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lungs was used for irradiation, with 2.5% bone marrow spared (BM2.5-PBI) from radiation exposure. Long-term damage to lungs from radiation was evaluated using µ-CT scans, pulmonary function testing, histopathological parameters and molecular biomarkers. Pulmonary fibrosis was detected by ground glass opacity observed in µ-CT scans of male and female C57BL/6J mice 6-7 months after BM2.5-PBI. Lung mechanics assessments pertaining to peripheral airways suggested fibrotic lungs with stiffer parenchymal lung tissue and reduced inspiratory capacity in irradiated animals 6-7 months after BM2.5-PBI. Histopathological evaluation of the irradiated lungs revealed presence of focal and diffuse pleural, and parenchymal inflammatory and fibrotic lesions. Fibrosis was confirmed by elevated levels of collagen when compared to lungs of age-matched naïve mice. These findings were validated by findings of elevated levels of pro-fibrotic biomarkers and reduction in anti-inflammatory proteins. In conclusion, a long-term model for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis was established, and countermeasures could be screened in this model for survival and protection/mitigation or recovery from radiation-induced pulmonary damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vidya P Kumar
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20889
| | - Shalini Jaiswal
- Biomedical Research Imaging Core (BRIC), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20889
| | - Kefale Wuddie
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20889
| | | | - Mark Lawrence
- SCIREQ Scientific Respiratory Equipment Inc, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sanchita P Ghosh
- Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20889
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Li H, Wang YG, Chen TF, Gao YH, Song L, Yang YF, Gao Y, Huo W, Zhang GP. Panax notoginseng saponin alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in rats by modulating the renin-angiotensin system. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 318:116979. [PMID: 37532070 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive, and often fatal interstitial lung disease. Traditional Chinese medicine formulations and their active ingredients have shown potential in the treatment of PF. Panax notoginseng saponin (PNS) is extracted from the widely used traditional Chinese medicinal herb Panax notoginseng (Burkill) F. H. Chen, exhibiting therapeutic effects in pulmonary diseases treatment. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to investigate the effects and elucidate possible potential mechanisms of PNS on bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS PF was induced in rats by intratracheal administration of bleomycin (BLM, 5 mg/kg). After disease model induction, the rats were treated with PNS (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg per day) or pirfenidone (PFD, 50 mg/kg per day) for 28 days. Lung function, histopathological changes, collagen deposition, and E- and N-cadherin levels in lung tissue were evaluated. The mechanism of action of PNS was investigated using tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics analysis. Immunohistochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and Western blot analysis were performed to verify the proteomic results. RESULTS PNS treatment improved lung function, ameliorated the BLM-induced increase in the lung coefficient, attenuated the degree of alveolar inflammation and fibrosis, and reduced the elevated collagen level in PF rats. PNS treatment also down-regulated the expression of N-cadherin while up-regulating the expression of E-cadherin. Proteomic and bioinformatic analyses revealed that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was closely related to the therapeutic effect of PNS. Immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and ELISA results indicated that PNS exerted its anti-fibrotic effect via regulation of the balance between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-angiotensin (Ang)II-AngII receptor type 1 (AT1R) and ACE2-Ang(1-7)-MasR axes. CONCLUSIONS PNS ameliorates BLM-induced PF in rats by modulating the RAS homeostasis, and is a new potential therapeutic agent for PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Li
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100007, China.
| | - Yu-Guang Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Teng-Fei Chen
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100007, China.
| | - Yun-Hang Gao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100007, China.
| | - Ling Song
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100007, China.
| | - Yi-Fei Yang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100007, China.
| | - Yue Gao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, 100850, China.
| | - Wang Huo
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, China.
| | - Guang-Ping Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100007, China.
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Young ON, Bourke JE, Widdop RE. Catch your breath: The protective role of the angiotensin AT 2 receptor for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 217:115839. [PMID: 37778444 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease whereby excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) ultimately leads to respiratory failure. While there have been advances in pharmacotherapies for pulmonary fibrosis, IPF remains an incurable and irreversible disease. There remains an unmet clinical need for treatments that reverse fibrosis, or at the very least have a more tolerable side effect profile than currently available treatments. Transforming growth factor β1(TGFβ1) is considered the main driver of fibrosis in IPF. However, as our understanding of the role of the pulmonary renin-angiotensin system (PRAS) in the pathogenesis of IPF increases, it is becoming clear that targeting angiotensin receptors represents a potential novel treatment strategy for IPF - in particular, via activation of the anti-fibrotic angiotensin type 2 receptor (AT2R). This review describes the current understanding of the pathophysiology of IPF and the mediators implicated in its pathogenesis; focusing on TGFβ1, angiotensin II and related peptides in the PRAS and their contribution to fibrotic processes in the lung. Preclinical and clinical assessment of currently available AT2R agonists and the development of novel, highly selective ligands for this receptor will also be described, with a focus on compound 21, currently in clinical trials for IPF. Collectively, this review provides evidence of the potential of AT2R as a novel therapeutic target for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia N Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Jane E Bourke
- Department of Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Department of Pharmacology and Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
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Gan PXL, Liao W, Linke KM, Mei D, Wu XD, Wong WSF. Targeting the renin angiotensin system for respiratory diseases. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2023; 98:111-144. [PMID: 37524485 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2023.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an indispensable role in regulating blood pressure through its effects on fluid and electrolyte balance. As an aside, cumulative evidence from experimental to clinical studies supports the notion that dysregulation of RAS contributes to the pro-inflammatory, pro-oxidative, and pro-fibrotic processes that occur in pulmonary diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and acute lung injury (ALI). Pharmacological intervention of the various RAS components can be a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of these respiratory diseases. In this chapter, we first give a recent update on the RAS, and then compile, review, and analyse recent reports on targeting RAS components as treatments for respiratory diseases. Inhibition of the pro-inflammatory renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin (Ang) II, and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) axis, and activation of the protective ACE2, AT2R, Ang (1-7), and Mas receptor axis have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacies in experimental respiratory disease models or in human trials. The newly identified alamandine/Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor member D pathway has shown some therapeutic promise as well. However, our understanding of the RAS ligand-and-receptor interactions is still inconclusive, and the modes of action and signaling cascade mediating the newly identified RAS receptors remain to be better characterized. Clinical data are obviously lacking behind the promising pre-clinical findings of certain well-established molecules targeting at different pathways of the RAS in respiratory diseases. Translational human studies should be the focus for RAS drug development in lung diseases in the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phyllis X L Gan
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - W Liao
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research Enterprise, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kira M Linke
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - D Mei
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - X D Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - W S Fred Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore; Singapore-HUJ Alliance for Research Enterprise, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore; Drug Discovery and Optimization Platform, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
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Gupta D, Kumar A, Mandloi A, Shenoy V. Renin angiotensin aldosterone system in pulmonary fibrosis: Pathogenesis to therapeutic possibilities. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105924. [PMID: 34607005 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating lung disease with multifactorial etiology characterized by alveolar injury, fibroblast proliferation and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, which progressively results in respiratory failure and death. Accumulating evidence from experimental and clinical studies supports a central role of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) in the pathogenesis and progression of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a key vasoactive peptide of the RAAS mediates pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic effects on the lungs, adversely affecting organ function. Recent years have witnessed seminal discoveries in the field of RAAS. Identification of new enzymes, peptides and receptors has led to the development of several novel concepts. Of particular interest is the establishment of a protective axis of the RAAS comprising of Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)], and the Mas receptor (the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis), and the discovery of a functional role for the Angiotensin type 2 (AT2) receptor. Herein, we will review our current understanding of the role of RAAS in lung fibrogenesis, provide evidence on the anti-fibrotic actions of the newly recognized RAAS components (the ACE2/Ang-(1-7)/Mas axis and AT2 receptor), discuss potential strategies and translational efforts to convert this new knowledge into effective therapeutics for PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipankar Gupta
- Congenital Heart Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Ashok Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Avinash Mandloi
- College of Pharmacy, VNS Group of Institutions, Bhopal, India
| | - Vinayak Shenoy
- College of Pharmacy, California Health Sciences University, Clovis, CA, USA.
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Zhang Y, Shang Z, Liu A. Angiotensin-(3-7) alleviates isoprenaline-induced cardiac remodeling via attenuating cAMP-PKA and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1533-1543. [PMID: 34494132 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03074-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The renin-angiotensin system is involved in the regulation of various heart diseases. The present study aimed to determine the effects of angiotensin (Ang)-(3-7) on cardiac remodeling and its downstream signaling pathways in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes (NRCMs) and neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs). The administration of Ang-(3-7) alleviated isoprenaline (ISO)-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis of mice. ISO treatment increased the levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC) in NRCMs, and reduced the levels of collagen I, collagen III, fibronectin, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in NRCFs. These changes were inhibited by Ang-(3-7) administration. The levels of protein kinase A (PKA), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt) were increased in NRCMs and NRCFs treated with ISO. The increase of PKA, but not p-PI3K or p-Akt was attenuated by Ang-(3-7) treatment in NRCMs. The increases of p-PI3K and p-Akt, but not PKA were reversed by Ang-(3-7) treatment in NRCFs. Treatment with cAMP or PKA overexpression reversed the attenuating effects of Ang-(3-7) on ISO-induced hypertrophy of NRCMs. The administration of PI3K inhibitor or Akt inhibitor alleviated ISO-induced fibrosis of NRCFs. These results indicated that Ang-(3-7) could alleviate cardiac remodeling. The administration of Ang-(3-7) attenuated hypertrophy of NRCMs via inhibiting the cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, and alleviated fibrosis of NRCFs via inhibiting PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yonglin Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Binhai County People's Hospital, 188 Fudong Middle Road, Yancheng, 224500, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenglu Shang
- Department of Cardiology, Wuxi Huishan District People's Hospital, Wuxi, China
| | - Aijun Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Binhai County People's Hospital, 188 Fudong Middle Road, Yancheng, 224500, Jiangsu, China.
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