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Lenti MV, Santacroce G, Broglio G, Rossi CM, Di Sabatino A. Recent advances in intestinal fibrosis. Mol Aspects Med 2024; 96:101251. [PMID: 38359700 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2024.101251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Despite many progresses have been made in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, especially due to the increasing number of effective therapies, the development of tissue fibrosis is a very common occurrence along the natural history of this condition. To a certain extent, fibrogenesis is a physiological and necessary process in all those conditions characterised by chronic inflammation. However, the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix within the bowel wall will end up in the formation of strictures, with the consequent need for surgery. A number of mechanisms have been described in this process, but some of them are not yet clear. For sure, the main trigger is the presence of a persistent inflammatory status within the mucosa, which in turn favours the occurrence of a pro-fibrogenic environment. Among the main key players, myofibroblasts, fibroblasts, immune cells, growth factors and cytokines must be mentioned. Although there are no available therapies able to target fibrosis, the only way to prevent it is by controlling inflammation. In this review, we summarize the state of art of the mechanisms involved in gut fibrogenesis, how to diagnose it, and which potential targets could be druggable to tackle fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Vincenzo Lenti
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Santacroce
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Giacomo Broglio
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Carlo Maria Rossi
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Sabatino
- Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Therapeutics, University of Pavia, First Department of Internal Medicine, San Matteo Hospital Foundation, Pavia, Italy.
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2
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Han Q, Yan X, Wang L, Zhang N, Zhang W, Li H, Chen W, You H, Yang A. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor attenuates cholestatic liver injury by regulating bile acid metabolism. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 682:259-265. [PMID: 37826949 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.10.030] [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: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Cholestatic liver disease is defined as the bile acids (BAs) accumulation in the liver caused by impaired synthesis, and secretion, together with excretion of BAs due to a variety of factors, which, if left untreated, can result in hepatic fibrosis, cholestatic cholangitis, cholestatic cirrhosis, eventually, end-stage liver disease. Currently, modulation of BA metabolism is still a prospective therapeutic strategy for treating the cholestatic diseases. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with far-reaching effects on the chronic liver disease. However, its role and mechanism in cholestatic liver damage is still unknown. Therefore, in this work, we explored the impact of AHR on the cholestatic liver injury using AHR overexpression mediated by adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors. We found that AHR is differentially expressed in different stages of cholestatic liver disease, showing either down-regulation or an increase in protective effects. Overexpression of AHR increased body weight, decreased serum total bilirubin (TBil) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), reduced porphyrin accumulation in liver tissue, and regulated the bile acid pool in the cholestatic mouse model induced by DDC diet. Overall, our data indicate that AHR attenuated cholestatic liver injury. AHR function indicates that it may have an action in the clinical management of cholestasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Han
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Xuzhen Yan
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Likai Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong Li
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Hong You
- Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Liver Cirrhosis, National Clinical Research Center of Digestive Diseases, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
| | - Aiting Yang
- Beijing Clinical Research Institute, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China; Experimental and Translational Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong'an Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, China.
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3
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Selvam P, Cheng CM, Dahms HU, Ponnusamy VK, Sun YY. AhR Mediated Activation of Pro-Inflammatory Response of RAW 264.7 Cells Modulate the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10110642. [PMID: 36355934 PMCID: PMC9696907 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10110642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis, a chronic lung disease caused by progressive deterioration of lung tissue, is generated by several factors including genetic and environmental ones. In response to long-term exposure to environmental stimuli, aberrant tissue repair and epithelial cell-to- mesenchymal cell transition (EMT) trigger the subsequent progression of pulmonary fibrotic diseases. The Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that is activated by ligands providing lung dysfunction when activated by environmental toxins, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Our previous study demonstrated that AhR mediates α-SMA expression by directly binding to the α-SMA (fibroblast differentiation marker) promoter, suggesting the role of AhR in mediating fibrogenic progression. Here we follow the hypothesis that macrophage infiltrated microenvironments may trigger inflammation and subsequent fibrosis. We studied the expression of cytokines in RAW 264.7 cells by AhR activation through an ELISA assay. To investigate molecular events, migration, western blotting and zymography assays were carried out. We found that AhR agonists such as TCDD, IP and FICZ, promote the migration and induce inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and G-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β and MIP-2. These cytokines arbitrate EMT marker expression such as E-cadherin, fibronectin, and vimentin in pulmonary epithelial cells. Expression of proteins of MMPs in mouse macrophages was determined by zymography, showing the caseinolytic activity of MMP-1 and the gelatinolytic action of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Taken together, the present study showed that AhR activated macrophages create an inflammatory microenvironment which favours the fibrotic progression of pulmonary epithelial cells. Such production of inflammatory factors was accomplished by affecting the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, thereby creating a microenvironment which enhances the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, leading to fibrosis of the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padhmavathi Selvam
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Mei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 804, Taiwan
| | - Hans-Uwe Dahms
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Department of Marine Biotechnology and Resources, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
| | - Vinoth Kumar Ponnusamy
- Department of Medicinal and Applied Chemistry, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Precision Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City 807, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yo Sun
- Institute of BioPharmaceutical Sciences, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung City 804, Taiwan
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Yu HX, Feng Z, Lin W, Yang K, Liu RQ, Li JQ, Liu XY, Pei M, Yang HT. Ongoing Clinical Trials in Aging-Related Tissue Fibrosis and New Findings Related to AhR Pathways. Aging Dis 2022; 13:732-752. [PMID: 35656117 PMCID: PMC9116921 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological manifestation of wound healing that replaces dead/damaged tissue with collagen-rich scar tissue to maintain homeostasis, and complications from fibrosis contribute to nearly half of all deaths in the industrialized world. Ageing is closely associated with a progressive decline in organ function, and the prevalence of tissue fibrosis dramatically increases with age. Despite the heavy clinical and economic burden of organ fibrosis as the population ages, to date, there is a paucity of therapeutic strategies that are specifically designed to slow fibrosis. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an environment-sensing transcription factor that exacerbates aging phenotypes in different tissues that has been brought back into the spotlight again with economic development since AhR could interact with persistent organic pollutants derived from incomplete waste combustion. In addition, gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases, and microbiota-associated tryptophan metabolites are dedicated contributors to fibrogenesis by acting as AhR ligands. Therefore, a better understanding of the effects of tryptophan metabolites on fibrosis modulation through AhR may facilitate the exploitation of new therapeutic avenues for patients with organ fibrosis. In this review, we primarily focus on how tryptophan-derived metabolites are involved in renal fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, hepatic fibrosis and cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, a series of ongoing clinical trials are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang-Xing Yu
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhe Feng
- 3Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Lin
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Kang Yang
- 4Kidney Disease Treatment Center, The first affiliated hospital of Henan university of CM, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Rui-Qi Liu
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Jia-Qi Li
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Xin-Yue Liu
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Ming Pei
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Hong-Tao Yang
- 1Department of Nephrology, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,2National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
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Tamayo M, Martín-Nunes L, Piedras MJ, Martin-Calvo M, Martí-Morente D, Gil-Fernández M, Gómez-Hurtado N, Moro MÁ, Bosca L, Fernández-Velasco M, Delgado C. The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Ligand FICZ Improves Left Ventricular Remodeling and Cardiac Function at the Onset of Pressure Overload-Induced Heart Failure in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105403. [PMID: 35628213 PMCID: PMC9141655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Adverse ventricular remodeling is the heart's response to damaging stimuli and is linked to heart failure and poor prognosis. Formyl-indolo [3,2-b] carbazole (FICZ) is an endogenous ligand for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), through which it exerts pleiotropic effects including protection against inflammation, fibrosis, and oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of AhR activation by FICZ on the adverse ventricular remodeling that occurs in the early phase of pressure overload in the murine heart induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Cardiac structure and function were evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) before and 3 days after Sham or TAC surgery in mice treated with FICZ or with vehicle, and cardiac tissue was used for biochemical studies. CMRI analysis revealed that FICZ improved cardiac function and attenuated cardiac hypertrophy. These beneficial effects involved the inhibition of the hypertrophic calcineurin/NFAT pathway, transcriptional reduction in pro-fibrotic genes, and antioxidant effects mediated by the NRF2/NQO1 pathway. Overall, our findings provide new insight into the role of cardiac AhR signaling in the injured heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Tamayo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
| | - Laura Martín-Nunes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
| | - María José Piedras
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV), 28223 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Martin-Calvo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
| | - Daniel Martí-Morente
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
| | - Marta Gil-Fernández
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
- Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Nieves Gómez-Hurtado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
| | - María Ángeles Moro
- Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), Melchor Fernández Almagro 3, 28029 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Lisardo Bosca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
| | - María Fernández-Velasco
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
- Innate Immune Response Group, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Delgado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas “Alberto Sols” (CSIC-UAM), CIBER de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (M.T.); (L.M.-N.); (M.J.P.); (M.M.-C.); (D.M.-M.); (M.G.-F.); (N.G.-H.); (L.B.); (M.F.-V.)
- Correspondence:
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Hammond CL, Roztocil E, Gupta V, Feldon SE, Woeller CF. More than Meets the Eye: The Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor is an Environmental Sensor, Physiological Regulator and a Therapeutic Target in Ocular Disease. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2022; 4:791082. [PMID: 35295218 PMCID: PMC8915869 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2022.791082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand activated transcription factor originally identified as an environmental sensor of xenobiotic chemicals. However, studies have revealed that the AHR regulates crucial aspects of cell growth and metabolism, development and the immune system. The importance of the AHR and AHR signaling in eye development, toxicology and disease is now being uncovered. The AHR is expressed in many ocular tissues including the retina, choroid, cornea and the orbit. A significant role for the AHR in age-related macular degeneration (AMD), autoimmune uveitis, and other ocular diseases has been identified. Ligands for the AHR are structurally diverse organic molecules from exogenous and endogenous sources. Natural AHR ligands include metabolites of tryptophan and byproducts of the microbiome. Xenobiotic AHR ligands include persistent environmental pollutants such as dioxins, benzo (a) pyrene [B (a) P] and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Pharmaceutical agents including the proton pump inhibitors, esomeprazole and lansoprazole, and the immunosuppressive drug, leflunomide, activate the AHR. In this review, we highlight the role of the AHR in the eye and discuss how AHR signaling is involved in responding to endogenous and environmental stimuli. We also present the emerging concept that the AHR is a promising therapeutic target for eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Collynn F. Woeller
- Flaum Eye Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Collynn F. Woeller,
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Liu J, Pi Z, Xiao Y, Zeng Z, Yu J, Zou P, Tang B, Qiu X, Tang R, Shi Y, Xiao R. Esomeprazole alleviates fibrosis in systemic sclerosis by modulating AhR/Smad2/3 signaling. Pharmacol Res 2022; 176:106057. [PMID: 34995795 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease with the involvement of complex signaling pathways, such as TGF-β/Smad2/3. SSc can lead to severe multiple organ fibrosis, but no effective therapy is currently available because of its unclear pathogenesis. Exploring new treatments is the focus of recent research on SSc. Recent studies have implied a potential antifibrotic role of esomeprazole (ESO), but with currently unidentified mechanisms. Signaling of AhR, a ligand-dependent transcription factor, has been described as a key controller of fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and immune balance. Recently, it has been reported that ESO may be an exogenous agonist of AhR signaling, while no previous study has revealed the effects of ESO on SSc and its underlying mechanisms. In this study, we demonstrate that ESO suppresses the migration of SSc dermal fibroblasts, downregulates profibrotic markers, including COLIA1, α-SMA CTGF and MMP1, and limits collagen production potentially via the activation of AhR signaling. More importantly, ESO could block Smad2/3 phosphorylation concurrently with the reduction in collagen via AhR signaling. Moreover, our results from the bleomycin (BLM)-induced SSc model in skin and lung shows that ESO ameliorates fibrosis in vivo, which in keeping with our in vitro results. We conclude that ESO is a potential therapeutic drug for SSc fibrosis.
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MESH Headings
- Actins/genetics
- Animals
- Bleomycin
- Cells, Cultured
- Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain/genetics
- Connective Tissue Growth Factor/genetics
- Cytokines/genetics
- Esomeprazole/pharmacology
- Esomeprazole/therapeutic use
- Fibroblasts/drug effects
- Fibroblasts/metabolism
- Fibrosis
- Humans
- Lung/drug effects
- Lung/metabolism
- Lung/pathology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/genetics
- Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon/metabolism
- Scleroderma, Systemic/drug therapy
- Scleroderma, Systemic/genetics
- Scleroderma, Systemic/metabolism
- Scleroderma, Systemic/pathology
- Signal Transduction/drug effects
- Skin/drug effects
- Skin/metabolism
- Skin/pathology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Zixin Pi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Yangfan Xiao
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Zhuotong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Jiangfan Yu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Puyu Zou
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Bingsi Tang
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Xiangning Qiu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China
| | - Rui Tang
- Department of Rheumatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410000, China
| | - Yaqian Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
| | - Rong Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, China.
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8
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Miao H, Wu XQ, Wang YN, Chen DQ, Chen L, Vaziri ND, Zhuang S, Guo Y, Su W, Ma SX, Zhang HQ, Shang YQ, Yu XY, Zhao YL, Mao JR, Gao M, Zhang JH, Zhao J, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Zhao YY, Cao G. 1-Hydroxypyrene mediates renal fibrosis through aryl hydrocarbon receptor signalling pathway. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:103-124. [PMID: 34625952 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE In chronic kidney disease (CKD), patients inevitably reach end-stage renal disease and require renal transplant. Evidence suggests that CKD is associated with metabolite disorders. However, the molecular pathways targeted by metabolites remain enigmatic. Here, we describe roles of 1-hydroxypyrene in mediating renal fibrosis. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH We analysed 5406 urine and serum samples from patients with Stage 1-5 CKD using metabolomics, and 1-hydroxypyrene was identified and validated using longitudinal and drug intervention cohorts as well as 5/6 nephrectomised and adenine-induced rats. KEY RESULTS We identified correlations between the urine and serum levels of 1-hydroxypyrene and the estimated GFR in patients with CKD onset and progression. Moreover, increased 1-hydroxypyrene levels in serum and kidney tissues correlated with decreased renal function in two rat models. Up-regulated mRNA expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and its target genes, including CYP1A1, CYP1A2 and CYP1B1, were observed in patients and rats with progressive CKD. Further we showed up-regulated mRNA expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and its three target genes, plus up-regulated nuclear aryl hydrocarbon receptor protein levels in mice and HK-2 cells treated with 1-hydroxypyrene, which caused accumulation of extracellular matrix components. Treatment with aryl hydrocarbon receptor short hairpin RNA or flavonoids inhibited mRNA expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and its target genes in 1-hydroxypyrene-induced HK-2 cells and mice. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Metabolite 1-hydroxypyrene was demonstrated to mediate renal fibrosis through activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor signalling pathway. Targeting aryl hydrocarbon receptor may be an alternative therapeutic strategy for CKD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Miao
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xia-Qing Wu
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Ni Wang
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dan-Qian Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Nosratola D Vaziri
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, California, USA
| | - Shougang Zhuang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Yan Guo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
| | - Wei Su
- Department of Nephrology, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Shi-Xing Ma
- Department of Nephrology, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Huan-Qiao Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - You-Quan Shang
- Department of Nephrology, Baoji Central Hospital, Baoji, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yan-Long Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jia-Rong Mao
- Department of Nephrology, Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Nephrology, Xi'an No. 4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jin-Hua Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xi'an No. 4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Jin Zhao
- Department of Nephrology, Xi'an No. 4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xi'an No. 4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Xi'an No. 4 Hospital, Xi'an, China
| | - Ying-Yong Zhao
- Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, China
| | - Gang Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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9
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DNA methylation profile of liver of mice conceived by in vitro fertilization. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 13:358-366. [PMID: 34121654 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174421000313] [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: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Offspring generated by in vitro fertilization (IVF) are believed to be healthy but display a possible predisposition to chronic diseases, like hypertension and glucose intolerance. Since epigenetic changes are believed to underlie such phenotype, this study aimed at describing global DNA methylation changes in the liver of adult mice generated by natural mating (FB group) or by IVF. Embryos were generated by IVF or natural mating. At 30 weeks of age, mice were sacrificed. The liver was removed, and global DNA methylation was assessed using whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS). Genomic Regions for Enrichment Analysis Tool (GREAT) and G:Profilerβ were used to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and for functional enrichment analysis. Overrepresented gene ontology terms were summarized with REVIGO, while canonical pathways (CPs) were identified with Ingenuity® Pathway Analysis. Overall, 2692 DMRs (4.91%) were different between the groups. The majority of DMRs (84.92%) were hypomethylated in the IVF group. Surprisingly, only 0.16% of CpG islands were differentially methylated and only a few DMRs were located on known gene promoters (n = 283) or enhancers (n = 190). Notably, the long-interspersed element (LINE), short-interspersed element (SINE), and long terminal repeat (LTR1) transposable elements showed reduced methylation (P < 0.05) in IVF livers. Cellular metabolic process, hepatic fibrosis, and insulin receptor signaling were some of the principal biological processes and CPs modified by IVF. In summary, IVF modifies the DNA methylation signature in the adult liver, resulting in hypomethylation of genes involved in metabolism and gene transcription regulation. These findings may shed light on the mechanisms underlying the developmental origin of health and disease.
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10
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Shi Y, Zeng Z, Liu J, Pi Z, Zou P, Deng Q, Ma X, Qiao F, Xiong W, Zhou C, Zeng Q, Xiao R. Particulate matter promotes hyperpigmentation via AhR/MAPK signaling activation and by increasing α-MSH paracrine levels in keratinocytes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 278:116850. [PMID: 33711628 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Particulate matter with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter of 2.5 μm or less in ambient air (PM2.5) has become a global public and environmental problem, and the control of the PM2.5 concentration in air is an urgent problem. PM2.5 can easily penetrate the skin, activating the inflammatory response in skin, unbalancing the skin barrier function, and inducing skin aging. Hyperpigmentation is the main manifestation of skin aging and has a considerable impact on quality of life worldwide. To date, no research on the influence of PM2.5 on hyperpigmentation has been conducted. Here, we illustrate that PM2.5 can induce melanogenesis in vivo and in vitro by regulating TYR, TYRP1, TYRP2, and MITF expression via AhR/MAPK signaling activation. Furthermore, PM2.5 increased α-MSH paracrine levels, which in turn promote hyperpigmentation. Our results provide a deeper understanding of how PM2.5 disrupts skin homeostasis and function. Treatment with AhR antagonists may be a potential therapeutic strategy for hyperpigmentation induced by PM2.5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqian Shi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zhuotong Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Jiani Liu
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Zixin Pi
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Puyu Zou
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Qiancheng Deng
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310003, China
| | - Xinyu Ma
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Fan Qiao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Weiping Xiong
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Chengyun Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Qinghai Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410000, China
| | - Rong Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China; Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China.
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