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Sun X, Zhu M, Xia W, Xu X, Zhang J, Jiang X. Total sesquiterpenoids from Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. attenuate bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis by suppressing myofibroblast transition. Fitoterapia 2023; 169:105567. [PMID: 37315715 DOI: 10.1016/j.fitote.2023.105567] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. has been used as a functional food in China for a long time. However, the antifibrotic activity of total sesquiterpenoids from Eupatorium lindleyanum DC. (TS-EL) is still unknown. In this study, we discovered that TS-EL reduced the increase in α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), type I collagen and fibronectin content, the formation of cell filaments and collagen gel contraction in transforming growth factor-β1-stimulated human lung fibroblasts. Intriguingly, TS-EL did not change the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and Erk1/2. TS-EL decreased the levels of serum response factor (SRF), a critical transcription factor of α-SMA, and SRF knockdown alleviated the transition of lung myofibroblasts. Furthermore, TS-EL significantly attenuated bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung pathology and collagen deposition and reduced the levels of two profibrotic markers, total lung hydroxyproline and α-SMA. TS-EL also decreased the levels of SRF protein expression in BLM-induced mice. These results suggested that TS-EL attenuates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting myofibroblast transition via the downregulation of SRF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionghua Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Mei Zhu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China
| | - Xihan Xu
- Suzhou Foreign Language School, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China.
| | - Xiaogang Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China.
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Xu G, Feng S, Sun R, Ding Q, Shi Y. Systematic Analysis Strategy Based on Network Pharmacology to Investigate the Potential Mechanism of Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. against Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE : ECAM 2022; 2022:2996878. [PMID: 36479180 PMCID: PMC9722288 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2996878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a long-term, distressing, and age-related interstitial lung disease characterized by a complicated etiology and irreversible progression. Fritillaria thunbergii Miq. (Zhe Beimu, ZBM) is frequently used for its heat-clearing and phlegm-resolving properties in herbal compounds for the treatment of IPF. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the effects of ZBM against IPF have not yet been reported. In this study, we applied a systematic analysis strategy based on network pharmacology to explore the probable core targets and major pathways of ZBM against IPF. In addition, molecular docking simulation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to preliminarily investigate the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of ZBM on IPF. We collected a total of 86 components of ZBM and used network pharmacology analysis to screen nine presumptive targets of ZBM against IPF. The molecular-docking results indicated that the components of ZBM exhibited good binding activity with presumptive targets. The qRT-PCR results also suggested that ZBM may partly alleviate IPF by regulating the expression of presumptive targets. This study laid the foundation for further clinical applications of ZBM and the development of IPF-related therapeutic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gonghao Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Siwen Feng
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Rui Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Qi Ding
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518118, China
| | - Yuanyuan Shi
- Shenzhen Research Institute, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen 518118, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
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Xu Y, Yang J, Chen X, Deng J, Gong H, Li F, Ouyang M. MicroRNA-182-5p aggravates ulcerative colitis by inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through DNMT3A-mediated SMARCA5 methylation. Genomics 2022; 114:110360. [PMID: 35378241 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
This research focused on novel molecular mechanisms underlying microRNA (miR)-182-5p in ulcerative colitis (UC). Colon tissues were obtained from UC patients, and dextrose sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced mouse and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced Caco-2 cell models were generated. Then, miR-182-5p, SMARCA5, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway were altered in IL-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells and DSS-treated mice to assess their function. MiR-182-5p and SMARCA5 were upregulated and DNMT3A, β-catenin, and Cyclin D1 were downregulated in UC patients, IL-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells, and DSS-treated mice. Mechanistically, miR-182-5p targeted DNMT3A to upregulate SMARCA5, thus blocking the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, SMARCA5 silencing or Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation repressed apoptosis and augmented proliferation and epithelial barrier function of IL-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. SMARCA5 silencing annulled the impacts of miR-182-5p overexpression on IL-1β-stimulated Caco-2 cells. SMARCA5 silencing or miR-182-5p inhibition ameliorated intestinal barrier dysfunction in DSS-treated mice. Collectively, miR-182-5p aggravates UC by inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through DNMT3A-mediated SMARCA5 methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Xu
- Department of Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Junwen Yang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Jiawen Deng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Hui Gong
- Department of Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China
| | - Fujun Li
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.
| | - Miao Ouyang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, PR China.
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Anemoside B4 inhibits enterovirus 71 propagation in mice through upregulating 14-3-3 expression and type I interferon responses. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2022; 43:977-991. [PMID: 34321612 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-021-00733-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the major pathogens of human hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). EV71 efficiently escapes innate immunity responses of the host to cause infection. At present, no effective antiviral drugs for EV71 are available. Anemoside B4 (B4) is a natural saponin isolated from the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel. P. chinensis extracts that shows a wide variety of biological activities. In this study, we investigated the antiviral activities of B4 against EV71 both in cell culture and in suckling mice. We showed that B4 (12.5-200 μM) dose dependently increased the viability of EV71-infected RD cells with an IC50 value of 24.95 ± 0.05 μM against EV71. The antiviral activity of B4 was associated with enhanced interferon (IFN)-β response, since knockdown of IFN-β abolished its antiviral activity. We also confirmed that the enhanced IFN response was mediated via activation of retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) like receptors (RLRs) pathway, and it was executed by upregulation of 14-3-3 protein, which disrupted the interaction between yes-associated protein (YAP) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). By using amino acids in cell culture (SILAC)-based proteomics profiling, we identified the Hippo pathway as the top-ranking functional cluster in B4-treated EV71-infected cells. In vivo experiments were conducted in suckling mice (2-day-old) infected with EV71 and subsequently B4 (200 mg · kg-1 · d-1, i.p.) was administered for 16 days. We showed that B4 administration effectively suppressed EV71 replication and improved muscle inflammation and limb activity. Meanwhile, B4 administration regulated the expressions of HFMD biomarkers IL-10 and IFN-γ, attenuating complications of EV71 infection. Collectively, our results suggest that B4 could enhance the antiviral effect of IFN-β by orchestrating Hippo and RLRs pathway, and B4 would be a potential lead compound for developing an anti-EV71 drug.
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Xu X, Sun X, Wan X, Chen X, Jiang X. Mitomycin induces alveolar epithelial cell senescence by down-regulating GSK3β signaling. Toxicol Lett 2021; 352:61-69. [PMID: 34624459 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mitomycin treatment induces pulmonary toxicity, and alveolar epithelial cell senescence is crucial in the pathogenesis of the latter. However, the mechanism by which mitomycin induces alveolar epithelial cell senescence has yet to be elucidated. In this work, different doses (37.5-300 nM) of mitomycin induced the senescence of human alveolar type II-like epithelial cells and enhanced the phosphorylation of GSK3β (S9). The GSK3β (S9A) mutant reversed the senescence of mitomycin-treated alveolar epithelial cells. Pharmacological inhibition and gene deletion of Akt1, a kinase that regulates the phosphorylation of GSK3β (S9), suppressed mitomycin-induced alveolar epithelial cell senescence. The knockdown of p53, a downstream effector of GSK3β and an important regulator of cell senescence, repressed mitomycin-induced alveolar epithelial cell senescence. Treatment with baicalein weakened the phosphorylation of GSK3β (S9) and alleviated the senescence of alveolar epithelial cells brought about by mitomycin treatment. GSK3β (S9) phosphorylation appears to be the first signal involved in the mitomycin-induced senescence of alveolar epithelial cells and may present a potential target for attenuating mitomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiafang Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China; Shaoxing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, China
| | - Xionghua Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Xuelei Wan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Xihua Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Xiaogang Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China.
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Sun X, Zhu M, Chen X, Jiang X. MYH9 Inhibition Suppresses TGF-β1-Stimulated Lung Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Differentiation. Front Pharmacol 2021; 11:573524. [PMID: 33519439 PMCID: PMC7838063 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.573524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous cDNA microarray results showed that MYH9 gene expression levels are increased in TGF-β1-stimulated lung fibroblast. Recently, our proteomic results revealed that the expression levels of MYH9 protein are notably upregulated in lung tissues of bleomycin-treated rats. However, whether MYH9 plays a critical role in the differentiation of fibroblast remains unclear. Herein, we demonstrated that TGF-β1 increased MYH9 expression, and siRNA-mediated knockdown of MYH9 and pharmacological inhibition of MYH9 ATPase activity remarkably repressed TGF-β1-induced lung fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β1-stimulated MYH9 induction might be via ALK5/Smad2/3 pathway but not through noncanonical pathways, including p38 mitogen-activated kinase, and Akt pathways in lung fibroblasts. Our results showed that MYH9 inhibition suppressed TGF-β1-induced lung fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, which provides valuable information for illuminating the pathological mechanisms of lung fibroblast differentiation, and gives clues for finding new potential target for pulmonary fibrosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionghua Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Mei Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xihua Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiaogang Jiang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Sun X, Cui X, Chen X, Jiang X. Baicalein alleviated TGF β1-induced type I collagen production in lung fibroblasts via downregulation of connective tissue growth factor. Biomed Pharmacother 2020; 131:110744. [PMID: 32932046 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Although we have reported that baicalein ameliorated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and inhibited fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation, the mechanisms of the capability of baicalein to suppress the production of type I collagen in fibroblasts remains unclear. Here, we showed that baicalein suppressed transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1)-stimulated the production of type I collagen in lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells. By applying SILAC-based proteomic technology, 158 proteins were identified as baicalein-modulated proteins in TGF β1-stimulated the accumulation of type I collagen in MRC-5 cells. Our proteomic and biochemical analysis demonstrated that baicalein decreased the expression levels of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in TGF β1-stimulated MRC-5 cells. In addition, CTGF overexpression elevated the levels of type I collagen in baicalein-treated fibroblasts. Moreover, our results demonstrated that baicalein-downregulated CTGF expression might be related with the decrease of Smad2 phosphorylation, but not SP1. This work not only linked CTGF to TGF β1-stimulated the production of type I collagen in its attribution to the effects of baicalein, but also might provide valuable information for enhancing the knowledge of the pharmacological inhibition of collagen production, which might represent a promising strategy for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xionghua Sun
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Xinjian Cui
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Xihua Chen
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China
| | - Xiaogang Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Soochow University, China.
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Trehalose attenuates TGF-β1-induced fibrosis of hSCFs by activating autophagy. Mol Cell Biochem 2020; 470:175-188. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-020-03760-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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