1
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Zhu D, Zhao D, Wang N, Cai F, Jiang M, Zheng Z. Current status and prospects of GREM1 research in cancer (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2023; 19:69. [PMID: 37614374 PMCID: PMC10442762 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2023.2665] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
GREM1 is a secreted protein that antagonizes bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and participates in critical biological processes, including embryonic development, organogenesis and tissue differentiation. Gremlin 1 (GREM1) is also an inhibitor of TGF-β and a ligand for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. In addition, GREM1 can induce cells, participate in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and then participate in tumor development. GREM1 has a variety of biological functions and can participate in the malignant progression of a variety of tumors through the BMP signaling pathway. GREM1 also can inhibit TGF-β in some tumors, thereby inhibiting tumors, and its involvement in tumor development varies in different types of cancer. The present review examines the role and function of GREM1 in tumors. GREM1 is expressed in a variety of tumor types. GREM1 expression can affect the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells. GREM1 has been studied in breast and colon cancer, and its potential role is to promote cancer. However, in pancreatic cancer, which was found to act differently from other cancer types, overexpression of GREM1 inhibits tumor metastasis. The present review suggests that GREM1 can be a diagnostic and prognostic indicator. In future studies, the study of GREM1 based on single-cell sequencing technology will further clarify its role and function in tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dantong Zhu
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Dong Zhao
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Naixue Wang
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Jinzhou Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 121017, P.R. China
| | - Fei Cai
- Department of Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Mingzhe Jiang
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
| | - Zhendong Zheng
- Department of Medical Oncology, General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, Liaoning 110000, P.R. China
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2
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Duffy L, Henderson J, Brown M, Pryzborski S, Fullard N, Summa L, Distler JHW, Stratton R, O'Reilly S. Bone Morphogenetic Protein Antagonist Gremlin-1 Increases Myofibroblast Transition in Dermal Fibroblasts: Implications for Systemic Sclerosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:681061. [PMID: 34150776 PMCID: PMC8213337 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.681061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Systemic Sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which results in fibrosis of the skin and lungs. The disease is characterized by activation of myofibroblasts but what governs this is unknown. Gremlin-1 is a BMP antagonist that is developmentally regulated and we sought to investigate its role in Systemic Sclerosis. Methods Dermal fibroblasts were transfected with Grem1pcDNA3.1 expression vectors or empty vectors. Various markers of myofibroblasts were measured at the mRNA and protein levels. Scratch wound assays were also performed. Media Transfer experiments were performed to evaluate cytokine like effects. Various inhibitors of TGF-β signaling and MAPK signaling were used post-transfection. siRNA to Gremlin-1 in SSc dermal fibroblasts were performed to evaluate the role of Gremlin-1. Different cytokines were incubated with fibroblasts and Gremlin-1 measured. Bleomycin was used as model of fibrosis and immunohistochemistry performed. Results Overexpression of Gremlin-1 was achieved in primary dermal fibroblasts and lead to activation of quiescent cells to myofibroblasts indicated by collagen and α-Smooth muscle actin. Overexpression also led to functional effects. This was associated with increased TGF-β1 levels and SBE luciferase activity but not increased Thrombospondin-1 expression. Inhibition of Gremlin-1 overexpression cells with antibodies to TGF-β1 but not isotype controls led to reduced collagen and various TGF-β pathway chemical inhibitors also led to reduced collagen levels. In SSc cells siRNA mediated reduction of Gremlin-1 reduced collagen expression and CTGF gene and protein levels in these cells. IL-13 did not lead to elevated Gremlin-1 expression nor did IL-11. Gremlin-1 was elevated in an animal model of fibrosis compared to NaCl-treated mice. Conclusion Gremlin-1 is a key regulator of myofibroblast transition leading to enhanced ECM deposition. Strategies that block Gremlin-1 maybe a possible therapeutic target in fibrotic diseases such as SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Duffy
- Faculty of Health and Life Science, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - John Henderson
- Faculty of Health and Life Science, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Max Brown
- Biosciences Department, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nicola Fullard
- Biosciences Department, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
| | - Lena Summa
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany
| | - Jorg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nurnberg, Germany
| | - Richard Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven O'Reilly
- Biosciences Department, Durham University, Durham, United Kingdom
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3
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Shihan MH, Kanwar M, Wang Y, Jackson EE, Faranda AP, Duncan MK. Fibronectin has multifunctional roles in posterior capsular opacification (PCO). Matrix Biol 2020; 90:79-108. [PMID: 32173580 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2020.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Fibrotic posterior capsular opacification (PCO), one of the major complications of cataract surgery, occurs when lens epithelial cells (LCs) left behind post cataract surgery (PCS) undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition, migrate into the optical axis and produce opaque scar tissue. LCs left behind PCS robustly produce fibronectin, although its roles in fibrotic PCO are not known. In order to determine the function of fibronectin in PCO pathogenesis, we created mice lacking the fibronectin gene (FN conditional knock out -FNcKO) from the lens. While animals from this line have normal lenses, upon lens fiber cell removal which models cataract surgery, FNcKO LCs exhibit a greatly attenuated fibrotic response from 3 days PCS onward as assessed by a reduction in surgery-induced cell proliferation, and fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) production and deposition. This is correlated with less upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor β (TGFβ) and integrin signaling in FNcKO LCs PCS concomitant with sustained Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling and elevation of the epithelial cell marker E cadherin. Although the initial fibrotic response of FNcKO LCs was qualitatively normal at 48 h PCS as measured by the upregulation of fibrotic marker protein αSMA, RNA sequencing revealed that the fibrotic response was already quantitatively attenuated at this time, as measured by the upregulation of mRNAs encoding molecules that control, and are controlled by, TGFβ signaling, including many known markers of fibrosis. Most notably, gremlin-1, a known regulator of TGFβ superfamily signaling, was upregulated sharply in WT LCs PCS, while this response was attenuated in FNcKO LCs. As exogenous administration of either active TGFβ1 or gremlin-1 to FNcKO lens capsular bags rescued the attenuated fibrotic response of fibronectin null LCs PCS including the loss of SMAD2/3 phosphorylation, this suggests that fibronectin plays multifunctional roles in fibrotic PCO development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahbubul H Shihan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Mallika Kanwar
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Erin E Jackson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Adam P Faranda
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA
| | - Melinda K Duncan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
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4
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Wu M, Tang L, Chen B, Zheng J, Dong F, Su Z, Lin F. Blockade of the mTOR signaling pathway with rapamycin ameliorates aristolochic acid nephropathy. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:2887-2894. [PMID: 32256773 PMCID: PMC7086201 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic aristolochic acid nephropathy (CAAN) is characterized by widespread apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis, which severely impairs kidney function. mTOR is crucial for cell proliferation and protein synthesis. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of blockade of mTOR activity by rapamycin on aristolochic acid nephropathy were investigated. In vitro experiments to determine cell apoptosis and cell cycle alterations caused by aristolochic acid (AA)-induced injury were conducted on three groups of cells: Untreated control, AAI (treated with aristolochic acid I), and AAI + rapamycin (RMS). In vivo experiments were conducted in a CAAN mouse model. One group of mice was treated with AAI (the CAAN group), while another group was treated with AAI and rapamycin (the treatment group). Kidney function and pathological changes in these mice were assessed by serum creatinine and urea nitrogen analysis. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of renal tissue was performed to evaluate the treatment effects of rapamycin. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining were used to explore the mechanisms by which rapamycin inhibited cell proliferation, apoptosis and tissue fibrosis. In the in vitro experiments, rapamycin prevented AAI-induced cell apoptosis and G2/M checkpoint cell cycle arrest. In the in vivo experiments, the treatment group exhibited lower serum creatinine and urea nitrogen, less extensive tubular atrophy and increased amount of glomerulus. Additionally, western blotting and immunohistochemical staining showed that the treatment group exhibited decreased expression levels of fibrosis-, proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins compared with the CAAN group. The findings suggest that rapamycin can ameliorate kidney injury induced by AAI via blockade of mTOR, and thus could be a therapeutic strategy for patients with CAAN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Lili Tang
- Clinical Laboratory, Chinese Medical Hospital of Jining, Jining, Shandong 272037, P.R. China
| | - Bicheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Jianjian Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Fengquan Dong
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Su
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China
| | - Fan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Hepato-Pancreatic Diseases of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China.,Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong 518055, P.R. China
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5
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Aristolochic Acids: Newly Identified Exposure Pathways of this Class of Environmental and Food-Borne Contaminants and its Potential Link to Chronic Kidney Diseases. TOXICS 2019; 7:toxics7010014. [PMID: 30893813 PMCID: PMC6468885 DOI: 10.3390/toxics7010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AAs) are nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids naturally produced by Aristolochia plants. These plants were widely used to prepare herbal remedies until AAs were observed to be highly nephrotoxic and carcinogenic to humans. Although the use of AA-containing Aristolochia plants in herbal medicine is prohibited in countries worldwide, emerging evidence nevertheless has indicated that AAs are the causative agents of Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), an environmentally derived disease threatening numerous residents of rural farming villages along the Danube River in countries of the Balkan Peninsula. This perspective updates recent findings on the identification of AAs in food as a result of the root uptake of free AAs released from the decayed seeds of Aristolochia clematitis L., in combination with their presence and fate in the environment. The potential link between AAs and the high prevalence of chronic kidney diseases in China is also discussed.
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Marquez-Exposito L, Lavoz C, Rodrigues-Diez RR, Rayego-Mateos S, Orejudo M, Cantero-Navarro E, Ortiz A, Egido J, Selgas R, Mezzano S, Ruiz-Ortega M. Gremlin Regulates Tubular Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition via VEGFR2: Potential Role in Renal Fibrosis. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:1195. [PMID: 30386246 PMCID: PMC6199372 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is emerging as an important health problem due to the increase number of CKD patients and the absence of an effective curative treatment. Gremlin has been proposed as a novel therapeutic target for renal inflammatory diseases, acting via Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR2). Although many evidences suggest that Gremlin could regulate renal fibrosis, the receptor involved has not been yet clarified. Gremlin, as other TGF-β superfamily members, regulates tubular epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and, therefore, could contribute to renal fibrosis. In cultured tubular epithelial cells Gremlin binding to VEGFR2 is linked to proinflammatory responses. Now, we have found out that in these cells VEGFR2 is also involved in the profibrotic actions of Gremlin. VEGFR2 blockade by a pharmacological kinase inhibitor or gene silencing diminished Gremlin-mediated gene upregulation of profibrotic factors and restored changes in EMT-related genes. Moreover, VEGFR2 inhibition blocked EMT phenotypic changes and dampened the rate of wound healing in response to Gremlin. The role of VEGFR2 in experimental fibrosis was evaluated in experimental unilateral ureteral obstruction. VEFGR2 inhibition diminished the upregulation of profibrotic genes and EMT changes, as well as the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, such as fibronectin and collagens in the obstructed kidneys. Notch pathway activation participates in renal damage progression by regulating cell growth/proliferation, regeneration and inflammation. In cultured tubular epithelial cells, Notch inhibition markedly downregulated Gremlin-induced EMT changes and wound healing speed. These results show that Gremlin regulates the EMT process via VEGFR2 and Notch pathway activation, suggesting that the Gremlin/VEGFR2 axis could be a potential therapeutic target for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Marquez-Exposito
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carolina Lavoz
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Raul R Rodrigues-Diez
- Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Nephrology, Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Universitario la Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sandra Rayego-Mateos
- Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain.,Vascular and Renal Translational Research Group, Institut de Recerca Biomédica de Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Macarena Orejudo
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Cantero-Navarro
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Ortiz
- Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain.,Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Egido
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Spanish Biomedical Research Centre in Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Disorders, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Selgas
- Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Nephrology, Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Universitario la Paz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sergio Mezzano
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.,Red de Investigación Renal, Madrid, Spain
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7
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Huang YT, Wu TS, Lu CC, Yu FY, Liu BH. Aristolochic acid I interferes with the expression of BLCAP tumor suppressor gene in human cells. Toxicol Lett 2018; 291:129-137. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2017] [Revised: 03/10/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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8
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Zeng XY, Zhang YQ, He XM, Wan LY, Wang H, Ni YR, Wang J, Wu JF, Liu CB. Suppression of hepatic stellate cell activation through downregulation of gremlin1 expression by the miR-23b/27b cluster. Oncotarget 2018; 7:86198-86210. [PMID: 27863390 PMCID: PMC5349907 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The imbalance between transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein 7 signaling pathways is a critical step in promoting hepatic stellate cell activation during hepatic fibrogenesis. Gremlin1 may impair the balance. Something remains unclear about the regulatory mechanisms of gremlin1 action on hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrosis. In the current study, gremlin1 overexpression promotes activation of hepatic stellate cells. Knockdown of gremlin1 with siRNAs suppresses hepatic stellate cell activation and attenuates hepatic fibrosis in rat model. Our results also show that miR-23b/27b cluster members bind to 3'-untranslated region of gremlin1 resulting in reduction of transforming growth factor β, α-smooth muscle actin and collagenI α1/2 gene expression. Our findings suggest that gremlin1 promotes hepatic stellate cell activation and hepatic fibrogenesis through impairment of the balance between transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein 7 signaling pathways. The miR-23b/27b cluster suppresses activation of hepatic stellate cells through binding gremlin1 to rectify the imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian-Yi Zeng
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Yan-Qiong Zhang
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Xiao-Min He
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Lin-Yan Wan
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Hu Wang
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Yi-Ran Ni
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Jiang-Feng Wu
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
| | - Chang-Bai Liu
- The Institute of Cell Therapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, China.,Medical College, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,The First People's Hospital of Yichang, Hubei Yichang, 443000, China.,Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Immunotherapy, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China.,Institute of Liver Diseases, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443002, China
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9
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Grillo E, Ravelli C, Corsini M, Ballmer-Hofer K, Zammataro L, Oreste P, Zoppetti G, Tobia C, Ronca R, Presta M, Mitola S. Monomeric gremlin is a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 antagonist. Oncotarget 2018; 7:35353-68. [PMID: 27174917 PMCID: PMC5085234 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays a key role in various physiological and pathological conditions, including inflammation and tumor growth. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist gremlin has been identified as a novel pro-angiogenic factor. Gremlin promotes neovascular responses via a BMP-independent activation of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (VEGFR2). BMP antagonists may act as covalent or non-covalent homodimers or in a monomeric form, while VEGFRs ligands are usually dimeric. However, the oligomeric state of gremlin and its role in modulating the biological activity of the protein remain to be elucidated. Here we show that gremlin is expressed in vitro and in vivo both as a monomer and as a covalently linked homodimer. Mutagenesis of amino acid residue Cys141 prevents gremlin dimerization leading to the formation of gremlinC141A monomers. GremlinC141A monomer retains a BMP antagonist activity similar to the wild-type dimer, but is devoid of a significant angiogenic capacity. Notably, we found that gremlinC141A mutant engages VEGFR2 in a non-productive manner, thus acting as receptor antagonist. Accordingly, both gremlinC141A and wild-type monomers inhibit angiogenesis driven by dimeric gremlin or VEGF-A165. Moreover, by acting as a VEGFR2 antagonist, gremlinC141A inhibits the angiogenic and tumorigenic potential of murine breast and prostate cancer cells in vivo. In conclusion, our data show that gremlin exists in multiple forms endowed with specific bioactivities and provide new insights into the molecular bases of gremlin dimerization. Furthermore, we propose gremlin monomer as a new inhibitor of VEGFR2 signalling during tumor growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Grillo
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Cosetta Ravelli
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Michela Corsini
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Kurt Ballmer-Hofer
- Biomolecular Research, Molecular Cell Biology, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, 5232, Switzerland
| | - Luca Zammataro
- Center of Genomics Science of IIT@SEMM, Milan, 20139, Italy
| | | | | | - Chiara Tobia
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Roberto Ronca
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Marco Presta
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy.,Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, National Institute of Neurosciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
| | - Stefania Mitola
- Experimental Oncology and Immunology, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, 25123, Italy
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Aristolochic Acid-Induced Autophagy Promotes Epithelial-to-Myofibroblast Transition in Human Renal Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 2017:9596256. [PMID: 29234448 PMCID: PMC5664270 DOI: 10.1155/2017/9596256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy plays an essential role in cellular homeostasis in kidney. Previous studies have found that aristolochic acid (AA) can induce autophagy of renal tubular epithelial cells and epithelial-to-myofibroblast transition (EMT). However, the relationship between AA-induced autophagy and EMT is unclear. Our results showed that, after AA stimulation, the appearance of autophagy preceded EMT. Autophagy of HKC cells began to increase gradually from the 3rd hour, reached the peak at 12th hour, and then weakened gradually until 36th hour; the EMT process of HKC continued to increase from 6th hour to 36th hour after AA stimulation. The enhancement of autophagy using autophagy inducers, rapamycin or serum-free medium, led to an aggravation of EMT and upregulated expression of fibronectin, a component of extracellular matrix, in AA-treated HKC cells. In contrast, the inhibition of autophagy by autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine, or by knockdown of Beclin 1 led to an attenuation of EMT and downregulated expression of fibronectin in AA-treated HKC cells. Taken together, our study suggests that, after AA stimulation, two types of cell responses of HKC cells, autophagy and EMT, will successively appear, and autophagy can promote EMT of HKC.
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11
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Kobayashi T. Understanding the biology of urothelial cancer metastasis. Asian J Urol 2016; 3:211-222. [PMID: 29264189 PMCID: PMC5730871 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2016.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Management of unresectable urothelial cancer (UC) has been a clinical challenge for decades. While drug resistance is a key issue, precise understanding of biology of UC metastasis is another challenge for the improvement of treatment outcome of UC patients. Introduction of the cell biology concepts including epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stemness seems to explain UC metastasis. Molecular genetics based on gene expression profiling, next generation sequencing, and explosion of non-coding RNA world has opened the door to intrinsic molecular subtyping of UC. Next steps include, based on the recently accumulated understanding, the establishment of novel disease models representing UC metastasis in various experimental platforms, particularly in vivo animal systems. Indeed, novel knowledge molecular genetics has not been fully linked to the modeling of UC metastasis. Further understanding of bladder carcinogenesis is needed particularly with regard to cell of origin related to tumor characteristics including driver gene alterations, pathological differentiations, and metastatic ability. Then we will be able to establish better disease models, which will consequently lead us to further understanding of biology and eventually the development of novel therapeutic strategies for UC metastasis.
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Resnyk CW, Chen C, Huang H, Wu CH, Simon J, Le Bihan-Duval E, Duclos MJ, Cogburn LA. RNA-Seq Analysis of Abdominal Fat in Genetically Fat and Lean Chickens Highlights a Divergence in Expression of Genes Controlling Adiposity, Hemostasis, and Lipid Metabolism. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0139549. [PMID: 26445145 PMCID: PMC4596860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0139549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic selection for enhanced growth rate in meat-type chickens (Gallus domesticus) is usually accompanied by excessive adiposity, which has negative impacts on both feed efficiency and carcass quality. Enhanced visceral fatness and several unique features of avian metabolism (i.e., fasting hyperglycemia and insulin insensitivity) mimic overt symptoms of obesity and related metabolic disorders in humans. Elucidation of the genetic and endocrine factors that contribute to excessive visceral fatness in chickens could also advance our understanding of human metabolic diseases. Here, RNA sequencing was used to examine differential gene expression in abdominal fat of genetically fat and lean chickens, which exhibit a 2.8-fold divergence in visceral fatness at 7 wk. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis revealed that many of 1687 differentially expressed genes are associated with hemostasis, endocrine function and metabolic syndrome in mammals. Among the highest expressed genes in abdominal fat, across both genotypes, were 25 differentially expressed genes associated with de novo synthesis and metabolism of lipids. Over-expression of numerous adipogenic and lipogenic genes in the FL chickens suggests that in situ lipogenesis in chickens could make a more substantial contribution to expansion of visceral fat mass than previously recognized. Distinguishing features of the abdominal fat transcriptome in lean chickens were high abundance of multiple hemostatic and vasoactive factors, transporters, and ectopic expression of several hormones/receptors, which could control local vasomotor tone and proteolytic processing of adipokines, hemostatic factors and novel endocrine factors. Over-expression of several thrombogenic genes in abdominal fat of lean chickens is quite opposite to the pro-thrombotic state found in obese humans. Clearly, divergent genetic selection for an extreme (2.5-2.8-fold) difference in visceral fatness provokes a number of novel regulatory responses that govern growth and metabolism of visceral fat in this unique avian model of juvenile-onset obesity and glucose-insulin imbalance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Resnyk
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| | - Chuming Chen
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| | - Hongzhan Huang
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| | - Cathy H. Wu
- Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
| | - Jean Simon
- INRA UR83 Recherches Avicoles, 37380, Nouzilly, France
| | | | | | - Larry A. Cogburn
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Brazil DP, Church RH, Surae S, Godson C, Martin F. BMP signalling: agony and antagony in the family. Trends Cell Biol 2015; 25:249-64. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2014.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 12/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Siddique I, Curran SP, Ghayur A, Liu L, Shi W, Hoff CM, Gangji AS, Brimble KS, Margetts PJ. Gremlin promotes peritoneal membrane injury in an experimental mouse model and is associated with increased solute transport in peritoneal dialysis patients. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2014; 184:2976-84. [PMID: 25194662 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2014.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The peritoneal membrane becomes damaged in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Gremlin 1 (GREM1) inhibits bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) and plays a role in kidney development and fibrosis. We evaluated the role of gremlin in peritoneal fibrosis and angiogenesis. In a cohort of 32 stable PD patients, GREM1 concentration in the peritoneal effluent correlated with measures of peritoneal membrane damage. AdGrem1, an adenovirus to overexpress gremlin in the mouse peritoneum, induced submesothelial thickening, fibrosis, and angiogenesis in C57BL/6 mice, which was associated with decreased expression of BMP4 and BMP7. There was evidence of mesothelial cell transition to a mesenchymal phenotype with increased α smooth muscle actin expression and suppression of E-cadherin. Some of the GREM1 effects may be reversed with recombinant BMP7 or a pan-specific transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) antibody. Neovascularization was not inhibited with a TGF-β antibody, suggesting a TGF-β-independent angiogenic mechanism. Swiss/Jackson Laboratory (SJL) mice, which are resistant to TGF-β-induced peritoneal fibrosis, responded in a similar fashion to AdGrem1 as did C57BL/6 mice with fibrosis, angiogenesis, and mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition. GREM1 was associated with up-regulated TGF-β expression in both SJL and C57BL/6 mice, but SJL mice demonstrated a defective TGF-β-induced GREM1 expression. In summary, GREM1 induces fibrosis and angiogenesis in mouse peritoneum and is associated with increased solute transport in these PD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imad Siddique
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Simon P Curran
- Division of Nephrology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayesha Ghayur
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Limin Liu
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Wei Shi
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Azim S Gangji
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - K Scott Brimble
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter J Margetts
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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Michl J, Ingrouille MJ, Simmonds MSJ, Heinrich M. Naturally occurring aristolochic acid analogues and their toxicities. Nat Prod Rep 2014; 31:676-93. [DOI: 10.1039/c3np70114j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Corsini M, Moroni E, Ravelli C, Andrés G, Grillo E, Ali IH, Brazil DP, Presta M, Mitola S. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element-binding protein mediates the proangiogenic or proinflammatory activity of gremlin. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2013; 34:136-45. [PMID: 24233491 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.113.302517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Angiogenesis and inflammation are closely related processes. Gremlin is a novel noncanonical vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) ligand that induces a proangiogenic response in endothelial cells (ECs). Here, we investigated the role of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) in mediating the proinflammatory and proangiogenic responses of ECs to gremlin. APPROACH AND RESULTS Gremlin induces a proinflammatory response in ECs, leading to reactive oxygen species and cyclic adenosine monophosphate production and the upregulation of proinflammatory molecules involved in leukocyte extravasation, including chemokine (C-C motif) ligand-2 (Ccl2) and Ccl7, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand-1 (Cxcl1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Accordingly, gremlin induces the VEGFR2-dependent phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and transactivating activity of CREB in ECs. CREB activation mediates the early phases of the angiogenic response to gremlin, including stimulation of EC motility and permeability, and leads to monocyte/macrophage adhesion to ECs and their extravasation. All these effects are inhibited by EC transfection with a dominant-negative CREB mutant or with a CREB-binding protein-CREB interaction inhibitor that competes for CREB/CRE binding. Also, both recombinant gremlin and gremlin-expressing tumor cells induce proinflammatory/proangiogenic responses in vivo that are suppressed by the anti-inflammatory drug hydrocortisone. Similar effects were induced by the canonical VEGFR2 ligand VEGF-A165. CONCLUSIONS Together, the results underline the tight cross-talk between angiogenesis and inflammation and demonstrate a crucial role of CREB activation in the modulation of the VEGFR2-mediated proinflammatory/proangiogenic response of ECs to gremlin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Corsini
- From the Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy (M.C., E.M., C.R., E.G., M.P., S.M.); Electron Microscopy Unit, Centro de Biologia Molecular Severo Ochoa, Campus Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain (G.A.); and Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, ICS-A, Grosvenor Road, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK (I.H.A., D.P.B.)
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Rodrigues-Diez R, Lavoz C, Carvajal G, Rayego-Mateos S, Rodrigues Diez RR, Ortiz A, Egido J, Mezzano S, Ruiz-Ortega M. Gremlin is a downstream profibrotic mediator of transforming growth factor-beta in cultured renal cells. Nephron Clin Pract 2013; 122:62-74. [PMID: 23548835 DOI: 10.1159/000346575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Accepted: 12/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Chronic kidney disease is characterized by accumulation of extracellular matrix in the tubulointerstitial area. Fibroblasts are the main matrix-producing cells. One source of activated fibroblasts is the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). In cultured tubular epithelial cells, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) induced Gremlin production associated with EMT phenotypic changes, and therefore Gremlin has been proposed as a downstream TGF-β1 mediator. Gremlin is a developmental gene upregulated in chronic kidney diseases associated with matrix accumulation, but its direct role in the modulation of renal fibrosis and its relation with TGF-β has not been investigated. METHODS Murine renal fibroblasts and human tubular epithelial cells were studied. Renal fibrosis was determined by evaluation of key profibrotic factors, extracellular matrix proteins (ECM) and EMT markers by Western blot/confocal microscopy or real-time PCR. Endogenous Gremlin was targeted with small interfering RNA. RESULTS In murine fibroblasts, stimulation with recombinant Gremlin upregulated profibrotic genes, such as TGF-β1, and augmented the production of ECM proteins, including type I collagen. The blockade of endogenous Gremlin with small interfering RNA inhibited TGF-β1-induced ECM upregulation. In tubular epithelial cells Gremlin also increased profibrotic genes and caused EMT changes: phenotypic modulation to myofibroblast-like morphology, loss of epithelial markers and in-duction of mesenchymal markers. Moreover, Gremlin gene silencing inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT changes. CONCLUSIONS Gremlin directly activates profibrotic events in cul-tured renal fibroblasts and tubular epithelial cells. Moreover, endogenous Gremlin blockade inhibited TGF-β-mediated matrix production and EMT, suggesting that Gremlin could be a novel therapeutic target for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Rodrigues-Diez
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma, Madrid, Spain
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