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Wang Y, Liu Y, Cai J, Zong T, Zhang Z, Xie T, Mu T, Wu M, Yang Q, Wang Y, Wang X, Yao Y. Differentially expressed genes in orbital adipose/connective tissue of thyroid-associated orbitopathy. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16569. [PMID: 38130930 PMCID: PMC10734407 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Thyroid-associated orbitopathy (TAO) is a disease associated with autoimmune thyroid disorders and it can lead to proptosis, diplopia, and vision-threatening compressive optic neuropathy. To comprehensively understand the molecular mechanisms underlying orbital adipogenesis in TAO, we characterize the intrinsic molecular properties of orbital adipose/connective tissue from patients with TAO and control individuals. Methods RNA sequencing analysis (RNA-seq) was performed to measure the gene expression of orbital adipose/connective tissues of TAO patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected and analyzed through Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using the STRING database, and hub genes were identified by the Cytoscape plug-in, cytoHubba. We validated several top DEGs through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Results We identified 183 DEGs in adipose tissue between TAO patients (n = 3) and control patients (n = 3) through RNA sequencing, including 114 upregulated genes and 69 downregulated genes. The PPI network of these DEGs had 202 nodes and 743 edges. PCR-based validation results of orbital adipose tissue showed multiple top-ranked genes in TAO patients (n = 4) are immune and inflammatory response genes compared with the control individual (n = 4). They include ceruloplasmin isoform x3 (CP), alkaline tissue-nonspecific isozyme isoform x1 (ALPL), and angiotensinogen (AGT), which were overrepresented by 2.27- to 6.40-fold. Meanwhile, protein mab-21-like 1 (MAB21L1), phosphoinositide 3-kinase gamma-subunit (PIK3C2G), and clavesin-2 (CLVS2) decreased by 2.6% to 32.8%. R-spondin 1 (RSPO1), which is related to oogonia differentiation and developmental angiogenesis, was significantly downregulated in the orbital muscle tissues of patients with TAO compared with the control groups (P = 0.024). Conclusions Our results suggest that there are genetic differences in orbital adipose-connective tissues derived from TAO patients. The upregulation of the inflammatory response in orbital fat of TAO may be consistent with the clinical phenotype like eyelid edema, exophthalmos, and excess tearing. Downregulation of MAB21L1, PIK3C2G, and CLVS2 in TAO tissue demonstrates dysregulation of differentiation, oxidative stress, and developmental pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Jiping Cai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Tianyi Zong
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Ziyin Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Tianhua Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Tong Mu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Meili Wu
- Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Qian Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
- Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yangningzhi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Xiaolu Wang
- Center of Clinical Research, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Yong Yao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Affiliated Wuxi People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
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Hu L, Ding M, He W. Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Attenuating Tubular EMT and Kidney Fibrosis by Targeting Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:830340. [PMID: 35082683 PMCID: PMC8784548 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.830340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is defined as a process in which differentiated epithelial cells undergo phenotypic transformation into myofibroblasts capable of producing extracellular matrix, and is generally regarded as an integral part of fibrogenesis after tissue injury. Although there is evidence that the complete EMT of tubular epithelial cells (TECs) is not a major contributor to interstitial myofibroblasts in kidney fibrosis, the partial EMT, a status that damaged TECs remain inside tubules, and co-express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, has been demonstrated to be a crucial stage for intensifying fibrogenesis in the interstitium. The process of tubular EMT is governed by multiple intracellular pathways, among which Wnt/β-catenin signaling is considered to be essential mainly because it controls the transcriptome associated with EMT, making it a potential therapeutic target against kidney fibrosis. A growing body of data suggest that reducing the hyperactivity of Wnt/β-catenin by natural compounds, specific inhibitors, or manipulation of genes expression attenuates tubular EMT, and interstitial fibrogenesis in the TECs cultured under profibrotic environments and in animal models of kidney fibrosis. These emerging therapeutic strategies in basic researches may provide beneficial ideas for clinical prevention and treatment of chronic kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lichao Hu
- Center for Kidney Disease, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mengyuan Ding
- Center for Kidney Disease, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weichun He
- Center for Kidney Disease, Second Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Yang L, Wang J, Gong X, Fan Q, Yang X, Cui Y, Gao X, Li L, Sun X, Li Y, Wang Y. Emerging Roles for LGR4 in Organ Development, Energy Metabolism and Carcinogenesis. Front Genet 2022; 12:728827. [PMID: 35140734 PMCID: PMC8819683 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.728827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The leucine-rich repeats containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) belonging to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) family, had various regulatory roles at multiple cellular types and numerous targeting sites, and aberrant LGR4 signaling played crucial roles in diseases and carcinogenesis. On the basis of these facts, LGR4 may become an appealing therapeutic target for the treatment of diseases and tumors. However, a comprehensive investigation of its functions and applications was still lacking. Hence, this paper provided an overview of the molecular characteristics and signaling mechanisms of LGR4, its involvement in multiple organ development and participation in the modulation of immunology related diseases, metabolic diseases, and oxidative stress damage along with cancer progression. Given that GPCRs accounted for almost a third of current clinical drug targets, the in-depth understanding of the sophisticated connections of LGR4 and its ligands would not only enrich their regulatory networks, but also shed new light on designing novel molecular targeted drugs and small molecule blockers for revolutionizing the treatment of various diseases and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Yang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodi Gong
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiong Fan
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoming Yang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunxia Cui
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Gao
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao Sun
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhong Li
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuhong Li, ; Yudong Wang,
| | - Yudong Wang
- Department of Gynecological Oncology, The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Disease, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yuhong Li, ; Yudong Wang,
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Zhu B, Liu Y, Qi D, Zhao L, Yang X, Su E, Zhu Z, Zhang Y, Gao C. Renal interstitial fibrosis is reduced in high-fat diet-induced obese pigs following renal denervation from the intima and adventitia of the renal artery. Kidney Blood Press Res 2021; 47:135-146. [PMID: 34852339 DOI: 10.1159/000521100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study aims to compare whether two different routes of Renal denervation (RDN) from the intima and adventitia of the renal artery can reduce renal fibrosis in a pig model of hypertension induced by a high-fat diet and to explore possible molecular mechanisms. Methods Twenty-four Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into a control group (normal diet, n=6) or a hypertension model group (high-fat diet, n=18). The model group was randomly divided into the intima-RDN group (n=6), the adventitia-RDN group (n=6), or the renal arteriography only group (sham group, n=6). All animals were fed separately. The model group was fed a high-fat diet after the operation, and the control group was fed conventionally for 6 months. After 6 months, renal artery angiography was performed again to observe the condition of the renal arteries, after which all animals were euthanized. The blood pressure (BP) and blood biochemical results of each group were evaluated 6 months after the operation; kidney tissue morphology and collagen fiber content were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining; Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of kidney tissue were assessed by a biochemical enzyme method; the protein expression level of transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1), α smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and Smad3 were assessed by Western blot; and electron microscopy was used to examine changes in kidney microstructure. Results After 6 months of a high-fat diet, the blood lipid levels of the model group were significantly higher compared to baseline and to that of the control group during the same period (all showed P<0.05); the blood lipid levels of the control group did not change significantly from baseline (P>0.05). The degree of glomerular damage caused by hyperlipidemia in the intima-RDN group and the adventitia-RDN group was significantly lower than that of the sham and control groups, and the renal fibrosis area percentage was also significantly lower (P<0.05). Electron microscopy showed that both the intima-RDN group and the adventitia-RDN group had a more even distribution of chromosomes and less mitochondrial swelling compared with the sham group. Conclusion RDN from the adventitia of the renal artery and RDN from the intima of the renal artery have the similar advantages of delaying high fat-induced renal fibrosis. The anti-fibrotic effect of RDN may be related to inhibition of the TGF-β1/smad3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yahui Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Datun Qi
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Linwei Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaohang Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Enyong Su
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhongyu Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - You Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Chuanyu Gao
- Department of Cardiology, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
- Department of Cardiology, Henan Provincial Key Lab for Control of Coronary Heart Disease, Central China Fuwai Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
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