1
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Menche C, Schuhwerk H, Armstark I, Gupta P, Fuchs K, van Roey R, Mosa MH, Hartebrodt A, Hajjaj Y, Clavel Ezquerra A, Selvaraju MK, Geppert CI, Bärthel S, Saur D, Greten FR, Brabletz S, Blumenthal DB, Weigert A, Brabletz T, Farin HF, Stemmler MP. ZEB1-mediated fibroblast polarization controls inflammation and sensitivity to immunotherapy in colorectal cancer. EMBO Rep 2024:10.1038/s44319-024-00186-7. [PMID: 38937629 DOI: 10.1038/s44319-024-00186-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The EMT-transcription factor ZEB1 is heterogeneously expressed in tumor cells and in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in colorectal cancer (CRC). While ZEB1 in tumor cells regulates metastasis and therapy resistance, its role in CAFs is largely unknown. Combining fibroblast-specific Zeb1 deletion with immunocompetent mouse models of CRC, we observe that inflammation-driven tumorigenesis is accelerated, whereas invasion and metastasis in sporadic cancers are reduced. Single-cell transcriptomics, histological characterization, and in vitro modeling reveal a crucial role of ZEB1 in CAF polarization, promoting myofibroblastic features by restricting inflammatory activation. Zeb1 deficiency impairs collagen deposition and CAF barrier function but increases NFκB-mediated cytokine production, jointly promoting lymphocyte recruitment and immune checkpoint activation. Strikingly, the Zeb1-deficient CAF repertoire sensitizes to immune checkpoint inhibition, offering a therapeutic opportunity of targeting ZEB1 in CAFs and its usage as a prognostic biomarker. Collectively, we demonstrate that ZEB1-dependent plasticity of CAFs suppresses anti-tumor immunity and promotes metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Menche
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Harald Schuhwerk
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Isabell Armstark
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pooja Gupta
- Core Unit for Bioinformatics, Data Integration and Analysis, Center for Medical Information and Communication Technology, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Fuchs
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ruthger van Roey
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Mohammed H Mosa
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
| | - Anne Hartebrodt
- Biomedical Network Science Lab, Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering (AIBE), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yussuf Hajjaj
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ana Clavel Ezquerra
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manoj K Selvaraju
- Core Unit for Bioinformatics, Data Integration and Analysis, Center for Medical Information and Communication Technology, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Stefanie Bärthel
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Chair of Translational Cancer Research and Institute of Experimental Cancer Therapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Dieter Saur
- Division of Translational Cancer Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany
- Chair of Translational Cancer Research and Institute of Experimental Cancer Therapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
- Center for Translational Cancer Research (TranslaTUM), School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Internal Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian R Greten
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Simone Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - David B Blumenthal
- Biomedical Network Science Lab, Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering (AIBE), FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry I, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Brabletz
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - Henner F Farin
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt/Main, Germany.
- German Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Frankfurt/Mainz, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Marc P Stemmler
- Department of Experimental Medicine 1, Nikolaus-Fiebiger Center for Molecular Medicine, FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Loffredo LF, Surpur A, Ringham OR, Li F, de Los Santos-Alexis K, Arpaia N. Heparan sulfate regulates amphiregulin signaling towards reparative lung mesenchymal cells during influenza A infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.25.591175. [PMID: 38712053 PMCID: PMC11071614 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.25.591175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Amphiregulin (Areg), a growth factor produced by regulatory T (Treg) cells to facilitate tissue repair/regeneration, contains a heparan sulfate (HS) binding domain. How HS, a highly sulfated glycan subtype that alters growth factor signaling, influences Areg repair/regeneration functions is unclear. Here we report that inhibition of HS in various cell lines and primary lung mesenchymal cells (LMC) qualitatively alters downstream signaling and highlights the existence of HS-dependent vs. -independent Areg transcriptional signatures. Utilizing a panel of cell lines with targeted deletions in HS synthesis-related genes, we found that the presence of the glypican family of heparan sulfate proteoglycans is critical for Areg signaling and confirmed this dependency in primary LMC by siRNA-mediated knockdown. Furthermore, in the context of influenza A (IAV) infection in vivo , we found that an Areg-responsive subset of reparative LMC upregulate glypican-4 and HS. Conditional deletion of HS primarily within this LMC subset resulted in reduced blood oxygen saturation following infection with IAV, with no changes in viral load. Finally, we found that co-culture of HS-knockout LMC with IAV-induced Treg cells results in reduced LMC responses. Collectively, this study reveals the essentiality of HS on a specific lung mesenchymal population as a mediator of Treg cell-derived Areg reparative signaling during IAV infection.
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Papaioannou I, Dritsoula A, Kang P, Baliga RS, Trinder SL, Cook E, Shiwen X, Hobbs AJ, Denton CP, Abraham DJ, Ponticos M. NKX2-5 regulates vessel remodeling in scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e164191. [PMID: 38652537 PMCID: PMC11141943 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.164191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
NKX2-5 is a member of the homeobox-containing transcription factors critical in regulating tissue differentiation in development. Here, we report a role for NKX2-5 in vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation in vitro and in vascular remodeling in vivo. NKX2-5 is upregulated in scleroderma patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Suppression of NKX2-5 expression in smooth muscle cells halted vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration, enhanced contractility, and blocked the expression of extracellular matrix genes. Conversely, overexpression of NKX2-5 suppressed the expression of contractile genes (ACTA2, TAGLN, CNN1) and enhanced the expression of matrix genes (COL1) in vascular smooth muscle cells. In vivo, conditional deletion of NKX2-5 attenuated blood vessel remodeling and halted the progression to hypertension in a mouse chronic hypoxia model. This study revealed that signals related to injury such as serum and low confluence, which induce NKX2-5 expression in cultured cells, is potentiated by TGF-β and further enhanced by hypoxia. The effect of TGF-β was sensitive to ERK5 and PI3K inhibition. Our data suggest a pivotal role for NKX2-5 in the phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells during pathological vascular remodeling and provide proof of concept for therapeutic targeting of NKX2-5 in vasculopathies.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Mice
- Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5/genetics
- Homeobox Protein Nkx-2.5/metabolism
- Humans
- Vascular Remodeling/genetics
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Male
- Scleroderma, Systemic/pathology
- Scleroderma, Systemic/complications
- Scleroderma, Systemic/metabolism
- Scleroderma, Systemic/genetics
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/metabolism
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/genetics
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/pathology
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension/etiology
- Female
- Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Cell Proliferation/genetics
- Middle Aged
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/metabolism
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/genetics
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/etiology
- Hypertension, Pulmonary/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Papaioannou
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Athina Dritsoula
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ping Kang
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Reshma S. Baliga
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L. Trinder
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Cook
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xu Shiwen
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian J. Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P. Denton
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - David J. Abraham
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Markella Ponticos
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, University College London, Royal Free Campus, London, United Kingdom
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4
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Wang Y, Jiao B, Hu Z, Wang Y. Critical Role of histone deacetylase 3 in the regulation of kidney inflammation and fibrosis. Kidney Int 2024; 105:775-790. [PMID: 38286179 DOI: 10.1016/j.kint.2024.01.010] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by kidney inflammation and fibrosis. However, the precise mechanisms leading to kidney inflammation and fibrosis are poorly understood. Since histone deacetylase is involved in inflammation and fibrosis in other tissues, we examined the role of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in the regulation of inflammation and kidney fibrosis. HDAC3 is induced in the kidneys of animal models of CKD but mice with conditional HDAC3 deletion exhibit significantly reduced fibrosis in the kidneys compared with control mice. The expression of proinflammatory and profibrotic genes was significantly increased in the fibrotic kidneys of control mice, which was impaired in mice with HDAC3 deletion. Genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of HDAC3 reduced the expression of proinflammatory genes in cultured monocytes/macrophages. Mechanistically, HDAC3 deacetylates Lys122 of NF-κB p65 subunit turning on transcription. RGFP966, a selective HDAC3 inhibitor, reduced fibrosis in cells and in animal models by blocking NF-κB p65 binding to κB-containing DNA sequences. Thus, our study identified HDAC3 as a critical regulator of inflammation and fibrosis of the kidney through deacetylation of NF-κB unlocking its transcriptional activity. Hence, targeting HDAC3 could serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuguo Wang
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Baihai Jiao
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Zhaoyong Hu
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Yanlin Wang
- Section of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA; Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut, USA; Renal Section, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, Connecticut, USA.
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5
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Gebert M, Heimbucher J, Gsell VK, Keimer K, Dillinger AE, Tamm ER. Induced Attenuation of Scleral TGF-β Signaling in Mutant Mice Increases Susceptibility to IOP-Induced Optic Nerve Damage. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:48. [PMID: 38294803 PMCID: PMC10839816 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.1.48] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Axonal optic nerve (ON) damage in glaucoma is characteristically associated with increased amounts of active transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-β2) in the ON head. Here we investigated the functional role of scleral TGF-β signaling in glaucoma. Methods A deficiency of Tgfbr2, which encodes for TGF-β receptor type II (TGF-βRII), the essential receptor for canonical TGF-β signaling, was induced in fibroblasts (including those of the sclera) of mutant mice. To this end, 5-week-old mice were treated with tamoxifen eye drops. Experimental glaucoma was induced in 8-week-old mice using a magnetic microbead (MB) model. After 6 weeks of high intraocular pressure (IOP), the ON axons and their somata in the retina were labeled by paraphenylenediamine (PPD) and RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS) immunohistochemistry, respectively, and quantified. Results Tamoxifen treatment resulted in a significant decrease of TGF-βRII and its mRNA in the sclera. After 6 weeks of high IOP, reduced numbers of PPD-stained ON axons were seen in MB-injected eyes in comparison with not-injected contralateral eyes. Moreover, MB injection also led to a decrease of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) somata as seen in RBPMS-stained retinal wholemounts. Axon loss and RGC loss were significantly higher in mice with a fibroblast specific deficiency of TGF-βRII in comparison with control animals. Conclusions We conclude that the ablation of scleral TGF-β signaling increases the susceptibility to IOP-induced ON damage. Scleral TGF-β signaling in mutant mice appears to be beneficial for ON axon survival in experimentally induced glaucoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Gebert
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Heimbucher
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Valentina K. Gsell
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Kristof Keimer
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea E. Dillinger
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ernst R. Tamm
- Institute of Human Anatomy and Embryology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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6
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Matsumoto Y, Ikeda S, Kimura T, Ono K, Ashida N. Col1α2-Cre-mediated recombination occurs in various cell types due to Cre expression in epiblasts. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22483. [PMID: 38110549 PMCID: PMC10728165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50053-z] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cre-LoxP system has been commonly used for cell-specific genetic manipulation. However, many Cre strains exhibit excision activity in unexpected cell types or tissues. Therefore, it is important to identify the cell types in which recombination takes place. Fibroblasts are a cell type that is inadequately defined due to a lack of specific markers to detect the entire cell lineage. Here, we investigated the Cre recombination induced by Col1α2-iCre, one of the most common fibroblast-mesenchymal Cre driver lines, by using a double-fluorescent Cre reporter line in which GFP is expressed when recombination occurs. Our results indicated that Col1α2-iCre activity was more extensive across cell types than previously reported: Col1α2-iCre-mediated recombination was found in not only cells of mesenchymal origin but also those of other lineages, including haematopoietic cells, myocardial cells, lung and intestinal epithelial cells, and neural cells. In addition, study of embryos revealed that recombination by Col1α2-iCre was observed in the early developmental stage before gastrulation in epiblasts, which would account for the recombination across various cell types in adult mice. These results offer more insights into the activity of Col1α2-iCre and suggest that experimental results obtained using Col1α2-iCre should be carefully interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuru Matsumoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shinya Ikeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Hirakata Kohsai Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koh Ono
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Noboru Ashida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
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7
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Yeung CYC, Garva R, Pickard A, Lu Y, Mallikarjun V, Swift J, Taylor SH, Rai J, Eyre DR, Chaturvedi M, Itoh Y, Meng QJ, Mauch C, Zigrino P, Kadler KE. Mmp14 is required for matrisome homeostasis and circadian rhythm in fibroblasts. Matrix Biol 2023; 124:8-22. [PMID: 37913834 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2023.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The circadian clock in tendon regulates the daily rhythmic synthesis of collagen-I and the appearance and disappearance of small-diameter collagen fibrils in the extracellular matrix. How the fibrils are assembled and removed is not fully understood. Here, we first showed that the collagenase, membrane type I-matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP, encoded by Mmp14), is regulated by the circadian clock in postnatal mouse tendon. Next, we generated tamoxifen-induced Col1a2-Cre-ERT2::Mmp14 KO mice (Mmp14 conditional knockout (CKO)). The CKO mice developed hind limb dorsiflexion and thickened tendons, which accumulated narrow-diameter collagen fibrils causing ultrastructural disorganization. Mass spectrometry of control tendons identified 1195 proteins of which 212 showed time-dependent abundance. In Mmp14 CKO mice 19 proteins had reversed temporal abundance and 176 proteins lost time dependency. Among these, the collagen crosslinking enzymes lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1) and lysyl hydroxylase 1 (LH1; encoded by Plod2) were elevated and had lost time-dependent regulation. High-pressure chromatography confirmed elevated levels of hydroxylysine aldehyde (pyridinoline) crosslinking of collagen in CKO tendons. As a result, collagen-I was refractory to extraction. We also showed that CRISPR-Cas9 deletion of Mmp14 from cultured fibroblasts resulted in loss of circadian clock rhythmicity of period 2 (PER2), and recombinant MT1-MMP was highly effective at cleaving soluble collagen-I but less effective at cleaving collagen pre-assembled into fibrils. In conclusion, our study shows that circadian clock-regulated Mmp14 controls the rhythmic synthesis of small diameter collagen fibrils, regulates collagen crosslinking, and its absence disrupts the circadian clock and matrisome in tendon fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Yan Chloé Yeung
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK; Institute of Sports Medicine Copenhagen, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark; Center for Healthy Aging, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Richa Garva
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Adam Pickard
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Yinhui Lu
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Venkatesh Mallikarjun
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Joe Swift
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Susan H Taylor
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Jyoti Rai
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David R Eyre
- Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Yoshifumi Itoh
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Qing-Jun Meng
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - Cornelia Mauch
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Paola Zigrino
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Karl E Kadler
- Wellcome Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
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Jones HE, Coelho-Santos V, Bonney SK, Abrams KA, Shih AY, Siegenthaler JA. Meningeal origins and dynamics of perivascular fibroblast development on the mouse cerebral vasculature. Development 2023; 150:dev201805. [PMID: 37756588 PMCID: PMC10565218 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Perivascular fibroblasts (PVFs) are a fibroblast-like cell type that reside on large-diameter blood vessels in the adult meninges and central nervous system (CNS). PVFs contribute to fibrosis following injury but their homeostatic functions are not defined. PVFs were previously shown to be absent from most brain regions at birth and are only detected postnatally within the cerebral cortex. However, the origin, timing and cellular mechanisms of PVF development are not known. We used Col1a1-GFP and Col1a2-CreERT2 transgenic mice to track PVF development postnatally. Using lineage tracing and in vivo imaging we show that brain PVFs originate from the meninges and are first seen on parenchymal cerebrovasculature at postnatal day (P) 5. After P5, PVF coverage of the cerebrovasculature expands via local cell proliferation and migration from the meninges. Finally, we show that PVFs and perivascular macrophages develop concurrently. These findings provide the first complete timeline for PVF development in the brain, enabling future work into how PVF development is coordinated with cell types and structures in and around the perivascular spaces to support normal CNS vascular function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Jones
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Vanessa Coelho-Santos
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Stephanie K. Bonney
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
| | - Kelsey A. Abrams
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Andy Y. Shih
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA 98101, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Julie A. Siegenthaler
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Cell Biology, Stem Cells and Development Graduate Program, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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9
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Ptaschinski C, Zhu D, Fonseca W, Lukacs NW. Stem cell factor inhibition reduces Th2 inflammation and cellular infiltration in a mouse model of eosinophilic esophagitis. Mucosal Immunol 2023; 16:727-739. [PMID: 37557983 PMCID: PMC10680063 DOI: 10.1016/j.mucimm.2023.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a T helper (Th)2-mediated inflammatory disorder characterized endoscopically by eosinophilic infiltration leading to fibrosis of the esophagus. Stem cell factor (SCF), a multifunctional cytokine, is upregulated in several allergic diseases, including in patients with EoE. Mast cells and eosinophils express c-kit, the cell surface receptor for SCF, and have been found to play an important role in EoE. Therefore, we investigated whether blocking SCF represents a potential therapeutic approach for EoE. Esophageal inflammation was induced in mice using peanut allergen. In mice with experimental EoE, we found that SCF was upregulated in the esophageal tissue. In EoE mice injected with a polyclonal antibody specific for SCF, we observed a decrease in both mast cells and eosinophils by histological and flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, Th2 cytokines in the esophagus were decreased in anti-SCF treated mice, as were levels of Th2 cytokines from lung-draining and esophageal lymph nodes. Serum levels of peanut-specific immunoglobulin E were reduced following treatment with anti-SCF. In Kitlf/f-Col1-Cre-ERT mice, which have SCF deleted primarily in myofibroblasts that develop in EoE, we observed similar results as the anti-SCF treated animals for inflammatory cell accumulation, cytokines, and histopathology. These results indicate that therapeutic treatments targeting SCF can reduce allergic inflammation in EoE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Ptaschinski
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA.
| | - Diana Zhu
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Wendy Fonseca
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Nicholas W Lukacs
- Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA; Mary H. Weiser Food Allergy Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
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10
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Denton CP, Xu S, Zhang F, Maclean RH, Clark KEN, Borchert S, Hussain RI, Klingelhöfer J, Hallén J, Ong VH. Clinical and pathogenic significance of S100A4 overexpression in systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis 2023; 82:1205-1217. [PMID: 37414521 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-223862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We have studied the damage-associated molecular pattern protein S100A4 as a driver of fibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS S100A4 protein concentration was measured by ELISA in serum of SSc (n=94) and healthy controls (n=15). Protein expression in skin fibroblast cultures from diffuse cutaneous SSc (SScF, n=6) and healthy controls (normal fibroblasts (NF), n=6) was assessed. Recombinant S100A4 and a high affinity anti-S100A4 neutralising monoclonal antibody (AX-202) were tested on SScF and NF. RESULTS Median (range) S100A4 (ng/mL) was higher in serum of SSc (89.9 (15.0-240.0)) than healthy controls (71.4 (7.9-131.8); p=0.027). There was association with SSc-interstitial lung disease (p=0.025, n=55), scleroderma renal crisis (p=0.026, n=4). Median (range) S100A4 (ng/mL) was higher in culture supernatants of SScF (4.19 (0.52-8.42)) than NF controls (0.28 (0.02-3.29); p<0.0001). AX-202 reduced the constitutive profibrotic gene and protein expression phenotype of SScF. Genome-wide RNA sequencing analysis identified an S100A4 activated signature in NF overlapping the hallmark gene expression signature of SScF. Thus, 464 differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate (FDR) <0.001 and fold change (FC) >1.5) induced in NF by S100A4 were also constitutively overexpressed, and downregulated by AX-202, in SScF. Pathway mapping of these S100A4 dependent genes in SSc showed the most significant enriched Kegg pathways (FDR <0.001) were regulation of stem cell pluripotency (4.6-fold) and metabolic pathways (1.9-fold). CONCLUSION Our findings provide compelling evidence for a profibrotic role for S100A4 in SSc and suggest that serum level may be a biomarker of major organ manifestations and disease severity. This study supports examining the therapeutic potential of targeting S100A4 in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shiwen Xu
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK
| | - Fenge Zhang
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK
| | - Rory H Maclean
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Jonas Hallén
- Research Department, Arxx Therapeutics, Oslo, Norway
| | - Voon H Ong
- Centre for Rheumatology, Division of Medicine, UCL, London, UK
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11
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Garrity R, Arora N, Haque MA, Weis D, Trinh RT, Neerukonda SV, Kumari S, Cortez I, Ubogu EE, Mahalingam R, Tavares-Ferreira D, Price TJ, Kavelaars A, Heijnen CJ, Shepherd AJ. Fibroblast-derived PI16 sustains inflammatory pain via regulation of CD206 + myeloid cells. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 112:220-234. [PMID: 37315702 PMCID: PMC10527931 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Originally identified in fibroblasts, Protease Inhibitor (PI)16 was recently shown to be crucial for the development of neuropathic pain via effects on blood-nerve barrier permeability and leukocyte infiltration, though its impact on inflammatory pain has not been established. Using the complete Freund's Adjuvant inflammatory pain model, we show that Pi16-/- mice are protected against sustained inflammatory pain. Accordingly, intrathecal delivery of a PI16 neutralizing antibody in wild-type mice prevented sustained CFA pain. In contrast to neuropathic pain models, we did not observe any changes in blood-nerve barrier permeability due to PI16 deletion. Instead, Pi16-/- mice display reduced macrophage density in the CFA-injected hindpaw. Furthermore, there was a significant bias toward CD206hi (anti-inflammatory) macrophages in the hindpaw and associated dorsal root ganglia. Following CFA, intrathecal depletion of CD206+ macrophages using mannosylated clodronate liposomes promoted sustained pain in Pi16-/- mice. Similarly, an IL-10 neutralizing antibody also promoted sustained CFA pain in the Pi16-/ when administered intrathecally. Collectively, our results point to fibroblast-derived PI16 mediating substantial differences in macrophage phenotype in the pain neuroaxis under conditions of inflammation. The co-expression of PI16 alongside fibroblast markers in human DRG raise the likelihood that a similar mechanism operates in human inflammatory pain states. Collectively, our findings may have implications for targeting fibroblast-immune cell crosstalk for the treatment of chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Garrity
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Neha Arora
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Md Areeful Haque
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Drew Weis
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ronnie T Trinh
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sanjay V Neerukonda
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Susmita Kumari
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ibdanelo Cortez
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Eroboghene E Ubogu
- Neuromuscular Immunopathology Research Laboratory, Division of Neuromuscular Disease, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, UK
| | - Rajasekaran Mahalingam
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Diana Tavares-Ferreira
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Theodore J Price
- Department of Neuroscience and Center for Advanced Pain Studies, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX, United States
| | - Annemieke Kavelaars
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cobi J Heijnen
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States; Department of Psychological Sciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Andrew J Shepherd
- Laboratories of Neuroimmunology, Department of Symptom Research, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States.
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12
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Jones HE, Coelho-Santos V, Bonney SK, Abrams KA, Shih AY, Siegenthaler JA. Meningeal origins and dynamics of perivascular fibroblast development on the mouse cerebral vasculature. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.533982. [PMID: 36993587 PMCID: PMC10055392 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.533982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Perivascular fibroblasts (PVFs) are a fibroblast-like cell type that reside on large-diameter blood vessels in the adult meninges and central nervous system (CNS). PVFs drive fibrosis following injury but their homeostatic functions are not well detailed. In mice, PVFs were previously shown to be absent from most brain regions at birth and are only detected postnatally within the cerebral cortex. However, the origin, timing, and cellular mechanisms of PVF development are not known. We used Col1a1-GFP and Col1a2-CreERT transgenic mice to track PVF developmental timing and progression in postnatal mice. Using a combination of lineage tracing and in vivo imaging we show that brain PVFs originate from the meninges and are first seen on parenchymal cerebrovasculature at postnatal day (P)5. After P5, PVF coverage of the cerebrovasculature rapidly expands via mechanisms of local cell proliferation and migration from the meninges, reaching adult levels at P14. Finally, we show that PVFs and perivascular macrophages (PVMs) develop concurrently along postnatal cerebral blood vessels, where the location and depth of PVMs and PVFs highly correlate. These findings provide the first complete timeline for PVF development in the brain, enabling future work into how PVF development is coordinated with cell types and structures in and around the perivascular spaces to support normal CNS vascular function. Summary Brain perivascular fibroblasts migrate from their origin in the meninges and proliferate locally to fully cover penetrating vessels during postnatal mouse development.
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13
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Caligiuri G, Tuveson DA. Activated fibroblasts in cancer: Perspectives and challenges. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:434-449. [PMID: 36917949 PMCID: PMC11022589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Activated fibroblasts in tumors, or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), have become a popular research area over the past decade. As important players in many aspects of tumor biology, with functions ranging from collagen deposition to immunosuppression, CAFs have been the target of clinical and pre-clinical studies that have revealed their potential pro- and anti-tumorigenic dichotomy. In this review, we describe the important role of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment and the technological advances that made these discoveries possible, and we detail the models that are currently available for CAF investigation. Additionally, we present evidence to support the value of encompassing CAF investigation as a future therapeutic avenue alongside immune and cancer cells while highlighting the challenges that must be addressed for successful clinical translation of new findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Caligiuri
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
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14
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Stock AT, Parsons S, D'Silva DB, Hansen JA, Sharma VJ, James F, Starkey G, D'Costa R, Gordon CL, Wicks IP. Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Inhibition Prevents Coronary Artery Remodeling in a Murine Model of Kawasaki Disease. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:305-317. [PMID: 36057112 DOI: 10.1002/art.42340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Remodeling of the coronary arteries is a common feature in severe cases of Kawasaki disease (KD). This pathology is driven by the dysregulated proliferation of vascular fibroblasts, which can lead to coronary artery aneurysms, stenosis, and myocardial ischemia. We undertook this study to investigate whether inhibiting fibroblast proliferation might be an effective therapeutic strategy to prevent coronary artery remodeling in KD. METHOD We used a murine model of KD (induced by the injection of the Candida albicans water-soluble complex [CAWS]) and analyzed patient samples to evaluate potential antifibrotic therapies for KD. RESULTS We identified the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as a potential therapeutic target in KD. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin potently inhibited cardiac fibroblast proliferation in vitro, and vascular fibroblasts up-regulated mTOR kinase signaling in vivo in the CAWS mouse model of KD. We evaluated the in vivo efficacy of mTOR inhibition and found that the therapeutic administration of rapamycin reduced vascular fibrosis and intimal hyperplasia of the coronary arteries in CAWS-injected mice. Furthermore, the analysis of cardiac tissue from KD fatalities revealed that vascular fibroblasts localizing with inflamed coronary arteries up-regulate mTOR signaling, confirming that the mTOR pathway is active in human KD. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate that mTOR signaling contributes to coronary artery remodeling in KD, and that targeting this pathway offers a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent or restrict this pathology in high-risk KD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angus T Stock
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sarah Parsons
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Monash University, and Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Damian B D'Silva
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jacinta A Hansen
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Varun J Sharma
- Liver & Intestinal Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, and Department of Cardiac Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fiona James
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Graham Starkey
- Liver & Intestinal Transplant Unit and Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rohit D'Costa
- DonateLife Victoria, Carlton, Victoria, Australia, and Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Melbourne Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Claire L Gordon
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Health, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, and North Eastern Public Health Unit, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ian P Wicks
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Rheumatology Unit, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, and University of Melbourne, Department of Medical Biology, Victoria, Australia
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15
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Sun Q, Schwabe RF. Hepatic Stellate Cell Depletion and Genetic Manipulation. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2669:207-220. [PMID: 37247062 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3207-9_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) exert key roles in the development of liver disease. Cell-specific genetic labeling, gene knockout and depletion are important for the understanding of the HSC in homeostasis and a wide range of diseases ranging from acute liver injury and liver regeneration to nonalcoholic liver disease and cancer. Here, we will review and compare different Cre-dependent and Cre-independent methods for genetic labeling, gene knockout, HSC tracing and depletion, and their applications to different disease models. We provide detailed protocols for each method including methods to confirm successful and efficient targeting of HSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuyan Sun
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
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16
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Flannigan KL, Nieves KM, Szczepanski HE, Serra A, Lee JW, Alston LA, Ramay H, Mani S, Hirota SA. The Pregnane X Receptor and Indole-3-Propionic Acid Shape the Intestinal Mesenchyme to Restrain Inflammation and Fibrosis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:765-795. [PMID: 36309199 PMCID: PMC9883297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The pregnane X receptor (PXR) (encoded by NR1I2) suppresses intestinal inflammation and has been shown to influence liver fibrosis. In the intestine, PXR signaling is influenced by microbiota-derived indole-3-propionic acid (IPA). Here, we sought to assess the role of the PXR in regulating intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS Intestinal inflammation was induced using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Fibrosis was assessed in wild-type (WT), Nr1i2-/-, epithelial-specific Nr1i2-/-, and fibroblast-specific Nr1i2-/- mice. Immune cell influx was quantified by flow cytometry and cytokines by Luminex. Myofibroblasts isolated from WT and Nr1i2-/- mice were stimulated with cytomix or lipopolysaccharide, and mediator production was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Luminex. RESULTS After recovery from DSS-induced colitis, WT mice exhibited fibrosis, a response that was exacerbated in Nr1i2-/- mice. This was correlated with greater neutrophil infiltration and innate cytokine production. Deletion of the PXR in fibroblasts, but not the epithelium, recapitulated this phenotype. Inflammation and fibrosis were reduced by IPA administration, whereas depletion of the microbiota exaggerated intestinal fibrosis. Nr1i2-deficient myofibroblasts were hyperresponsive to stimulation, producing increased levels of inflammatory mediators compared with WT cells. In biopsies from patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), expression of NR1I2 was reduced, correlating with increased expression of fibrotic and innate immune genes. Finally, both CD and UC patients exhibited reduced levels of fecal IPA. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight a role for IPA and its interactions with the PXR in regulating the mesenchyme and the development of inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting microbiota metabolites may be a vital determinant in the progression of fibrotic complications in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L Flannigan
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kristoff M Nieves
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Holly E Szczepanski
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alex Serra
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Joshua W Lee
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Laurie A Alston
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hena Ramay
- International Microbiome Centre, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sridhar Mani
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Simon A Hirota
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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17
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Kaiser KA, Loffredo LF, Santos-Alexis KDL, Ringham OR, Arpaia N. Regulation of the alveolar regenerative niche by amphiregulin-producing regulatory T cells. J Exp Med 2022; 220:213767. [PMID: 36534084 PMCID: PMC9767680 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20221462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Following respiratory viral infection, regeneration of the epithelial barrier is required to preserve lung function and prevent secondary infections. Lung regulatory T (Treg) cells are critical for maintaining blood oxygenation following influenza virus infection through production of the EGFR ligand amphiregulin (Areg); however, how Treg cells engage with progenitors within the alveolar niche is unknown. Here, we describe local interactions between Treg cells and an Areg-responsive population of Col14a1+EGFR+ lung mesenchymal cells that mediate type II alveolar epithelial (AT2) cell-mediated regeneration following influenza virus infection. We propose a mechanism whereby Treg cells are deployed to sites of damage and provide pro-survival cues that support mesenchymal programming of the alveolar niche. In the absence of fibroblast EGFR signaling, we observe impaired AT2 proliferation and disrupted lung remodeling following viral clearance, uncovering a crucial immune/mesenchymal/epithelial network that guides alveolar regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Kaiser
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lucas F. Loffredo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Olivia R. Ringham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicholas Arpaia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA,Correspondence to Nicholas Arpaia:
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18
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Hsu KS, Dunleavey JM, Szot C, Yang L, Hilton MB, Morris K, Seaman S, Feng Y, Lutz EM, Koogle R, Tomassoni-Ardori F, Saha S, Zhang XM, Zudaire E, Bajgain P, Rose J, Zhu Z, Dimitrov DS, Cuttitta F, Emenaker NJ, Tessarollo L, St. Croix B. Cancer cell survival depends on collagen uptake into tumor-associated stroma. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7078. [PMID: 36400786 PMCID: PMC9674701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34643-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Collagen I, the most abundant protein in humans, is ubiquitous in solid tumors where it provides a rich source of exploitable metabolic fuel for cancer cells. While tumor cells were unable to exploit collagen directly, here we show they can usurp metabolic byproducts of collagen-consuming tumor-associated stroma. Using genetically engineered mouse models, we discovered that solid tumor growth depends upon collagen binding and uptake mediated by the TEM8/ANTXR1 cell surface protein in tumor-associated stroma. Tumor-associated stromal cells processed collagen into glutamine, which was then released and internalized by cancer cells. Under chronic nutrient starvation, a condition driven by the high metabolic demand of tumors, cancer cells exploited glutamine to survive, an effect that could be reversed by blocking collagen uptake with TEM8 neutralizing antibodies. These studies reveal that cancer cells exploit collagen-consuming stromal cells for survival, exposing an important vulnerability across solid tumors with implications for developing improved anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Sheng Hsu
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - James M. Dunleavey
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Christopher Szot
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Liping Yang
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Mary Beth Hilton
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA ,grid.418021.e0000 0004 0535 8394Basic Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Karen Morris
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA ,grid.418021.e0000 0004 0535 8394Basic Research Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Steven Seaman
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Yang Feng
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Emily M. Lutz
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Robert Koogle
- grid.418021.e0000 0004 0535 8394MCGP, NCI, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | | | - Saurabh Saha
- BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc, Kansas City, MO 64111 USA ,Present Address: Centessa Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA 02139 USA
| | - Xiaoyan M. Zhang
- BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc, Kansas City, MO 64111 USA ,Present Address: Ikena Oncology, Cambridge, MA 02210 USA
| | - Enrique Zudaire
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA ,Present Address: Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies, J&J, R&D, Welsh Road McKean Road, Spring House, PA 19477 USA
| | - Pradip Bajgain
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Joshua Rose
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Biomolecular Structure Section, Center for Structural Biology, NCI, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Zhongyu Zhu
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Protein Interactions Section, Cancer and Inflammation Program, NCI, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA ,grid.420872.bPresent Address: Lentigen Technology, Inc. 1201 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 USA
| | - Dimiter S. Dimitrov
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Protein Interactions Section, Cancer and Inflammation Program, NCI, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA ,grid.21925.3d0000 0004 1936 9000Present Address: Center for Antibody Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261 USA
| | - Frank Cuttitta
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Nancy J. Emenaker
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Division of Cancer Prevention, NCI, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Lino Tessarollo
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Neural Development Section, MCGP, NCI, NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
| | - Brad St. Croix
- grid.48336.3a0000 0004 1936 8075Tumor Angiogenesis Unit, Mouse Cancer Genetics Program (MCGP), National Cancer Institute (NCI), NIH, Frederick, MD 21702 USA
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19
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Consequences of telomere dysfunction in fibroblasts, club and basal cells for lung fibrosis development. Nat Commun 2022; 13:5656. [PMID: 36202783 PMCID: PMC9537293 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32771-6] [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: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
TRF1 is an essential component of the telomeric protective complex or shelterin. We previously showed that dysfunctional telomeres in alveolar type II (ATII) cells lead to interstitial lung fibrosis. Here, we study the lung pathologies upon telomere dysfunction in fibroblasts, club and basal cells. TRF1 deficiency in lung fibroblasts, club and basal cells induced telomeric damage, proliferative defects, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. While Trf1 deletion in fibroblasts does not spontaneously lead to lung pathologies, upon bleomycin challenge exacerbates lung fibrosis. Unlike in females, Trf1 deletion in club and basal cells from male mice resulted in lung inflammation and airway remodeling. Here, we show that depletion of TRF1 in fibroblasts, Club and basal cells does not lead to interstitial lung fibrosis, underscoring ATII cells as the relevant cell type for the origin of interstitial fibrosis. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of proper telomere protection in lung tissue homeostasis.
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20
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Trotsyuk AA, Chen K, Hyung S, Ma KC, Henn D, Mermin-Bunnell AM, Mittal S, Padmanabhan J, Larson MR, Steele SR, Sivaraj D, Bonham CA, Noishiki C, Rodrigues M, Jiang Y, Jing S, Niu S, Chattopadhyay A, Perrault DP, Leeolou MC, Fischer KS, Gurusankar G, Choi Kussie H, Wan DC, Januszyk M, Longaker MT, Gurtner GC. Inhibiting Fibroblast Mechanotransduction Modulates Severity of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2022; 11:511-523. [PMID: 34544267 DOI: 10.1089/wound.2021.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease that affects 63 in every 100,000 Americans. Its etiology remains unknown, although inflammatory pathways appear to be important. Given the dynamic environment of the lung, we examined the significance of mechanotransduction on both inflammatory and fibrotic signaling during IPF. Innovation: Mechanotransduction pathways have not been thoroughly examined in the context of lung disease, and pharmacologic approaches for IPF do not currently target these pathways. The interplay between mechanical strain and inflammation in pulmonary fibrosis remains incompletely understood. Approach: In this study, we used conditional KO mice to block mechanotransduction by knocking out Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) expression in fibroblasts, followed by induction of pulmonary fibrosis using bleomycin. We examined both normal human and human IPF fibroblasts and used immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western Blot to evaluate the effects of FAK inhibitor (FAK-I) on modulating fibrotic and inflammatory genes. Results: Our data indicate that the deletion of FAK in mice reduces expression of fibrotic and inflammatory genes in lungs. Similarly, mechanical straining in normal human lung fibroblasts activates inflammatory and fibrotic pathways. The FAK inhibition decreases these signals but has a less effect on IPF fibroblasts as compared with normal human fibroblasts. Conclusion: Administering FAK-I at early stages of fibrosis may attenuate the FAK-mediated fibrotic response pathway in IPF, potentially mediating disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artem A Trotsyuk
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kellen Chen
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sun Hyung
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Kun Cathy Ma
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dominic Henn
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alana M Mermin-Bunnell
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Smiti Mittal
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Jagannath Padmanabhan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Madelyn R Larson
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sydney R Steele
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dharshan Sivaraj
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Clark A Bonham
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chikage Noishiki
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Melanie Rodrigues
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Yuanwen Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Serena Jing
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Simiao Niu
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Arhana Chattopadhyay
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David P Perrault
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Melissa C Leeolou
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Katharina S Fischer
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | | | - Hudson Choi Kussie
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Derrick C Wan
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael Januszyk
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Michael T Longaker
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - Geoffrey C Gurtner
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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21
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Comparative Evaluation of Inducible Cre Mouse Models for Fibroblast Targeting in the Healthy and Infarcted Myocardium. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10102350. [PMID: 36289614 PMCID: PMC9598630 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10102350] [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: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Several Cre recombinase transgenic mouse models have been generated for cardiac fibroblast (CF) tracking and heart regulation. However, there is still no consensus on the ideal mouse model to optimally identify and/or regulate these cells. Here, a comparative evaluation of the efficiency and specificity of the indirect reporter Cre-loxP system was carried out in three of the most commonly used fibroblast reporter transgenic mice (Pdgfra-CreERT2, Col1a1-CreERT2 and PostnMCM) under healthy and ischemic conditions, to determine their suitability in in vivo studies of cardiac fibrosis. We demonstrate optimal Cre recombinase activity in CF (but also, although moderate, in endothelial cells (ECs)) derived from healthy and infarcted hearts in the PDGFRa-creERT2 mouse strain. In contrast, no positive reporter signal was found in CF derived from the Col1a1-CreERT2 mice. Finally, in the PostnMCM line, fluorescent reporter expression was specifically detected in activated CF but not in EC, which leads us to conclude that it may be the most reliable model for future studies on cardiovascular disease. Importantly, no lethality or cardiac fibrosis were induced after tamoxifen administration at the established doses, either in healthy or infarcted mice of the three fibroblast reporter lineages. This study lays the groundwork for future efficient in vivo CF tracking and functional analyses.
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22
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Fotsitzoudis C, Koulouridi A, Messaritakis I, Konstantinidis T, Gouvas N, Tsiaoussis J, Souglakos J. Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts: The Origin, Biological Characteristics and Role in Cancer-A Glance on Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14184394. [PMID: 36139552 PMCID: PMC9497276 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14184394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumor microenvironment is a major contributor to tumor growth, metastasis and resistance to therapy. It consists of many cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which derive from different types of cells. CAFs detected in different tumor types are linked to poor prognosis, as in the case of colorectal cancer. Although their functions differ according to their subtype, their detection is not easy, and there are no established markers for such detection. They are possible targets for therapeutic treatment. Many trials are ongoing for their use as a prognostic factor and as a treatment target. More research remains to be carried out to establish their role in prognosis and treatment. Abstract The therapeutic approaches to cancer remain a considerable target for all scientists around the world. Although new cancer treatments are an everyday phenomenon, cancer still remains one of the leading mortality causes. Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains in this category, although patients with CRC may have better survival compared with other malignancies. Not only the tumor but also its environment, what we call the tumor microenvironment (TME), seem to contribute to cancer progression and resistance to therapy. TME consists of different molecules and cells. Cancer-associated fibroblasts are a major component. They arise from normal fibroblasts and other normal cells through various pathways. Their role seems to contribute to cancer promotion, participating in tumorigenesis, proliferation, growth, invasion, metastasis and resistance to treatment. Different markers, such as a-SMA, FAP, PDGFR-β, periostin, have been used for the detection of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Their detection is important for two main reasons; research has shown that their existence is correlated with prognosis, and they are already under evaluation as a possible target for treatment. However, extensive research is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Fotsitzoudis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Asimina Koulouridi
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - Ippokratis Messaritakis
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2810-394926
| | | | | | - John Tsiaoussis
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
| | - John Souglakos
- Laboratory of Translational Oncology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 70013 Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Greece
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23
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Bai Y, Yang Z, Xu X, Ding W, Qi J, Liu F, Wang X, Zhou B, Zhang W, Zhuang X, Li G, Zhao Y. Direct chemical induction of hepatocyte-like cells with capacity for liver repopulation. Hepatology 2022; 77:1550-1565. [PMID: 35881538 DOI: 10.1002/hep.32686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Cell fate can be directly reprogrammed from accessible cell types (e.g., fibroblasts) into functional cell types by exposure to small molecule stimuli. However, no chemical reprogramming method has been reported to date that successfully generates functional hepatocyte-like cells that can repopulate liver tissue, casting doubt over the feasibility of chemical reprogramming approaches to obtain desirable cell types for therapeutic applications. APPROACH AND RESULTS Here, through chemical induction of phenotypic plasticity, we provide a proof-of-concept demonstration of the direct chemical reprogramming of mouse fibroblasts into functional hepatocyte-like cells using exposure to small molecule cocktails in culture medium to successively stimulate endogenous expression of master transcription factors associated with hepatocyte development, such as hepatocyte nuclear factor 4a, nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group I, member 2, and nuclear receptor subfamily 1, group H, member 4. RNA sequencing analysis, metabolic assays, and in vivo physiological experiments show that chemically induced hepatocytes (CiHeps) exhibit comparable activity and function to primary hepatocytes, especially in liver repopulation to rescue liver failure in fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase-/- recombination activating gene 2-/- interleukin 2 receptor, gamma chain-/- mice in vivo. Single-cell RNA-seq further revealed that gastrointestinal-like and keratinocyte-like cells were induced along with CiHeps, resembling the activation of an intestinal program within hepatic reprogramming as described in transgenic approaches. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that direct chemical reprogramming can generate hepatocyte-like cells with high-quality physiological properties, providing a paradigm for establishing hepatocyte identity in fibroblasts and demonstrating the potential for chemical reprogramming in organ/tissue repair and regeneration therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenghao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Wanqiu Ding
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Juntian Qi
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Disease, Peking University Hepatology Institute, Beijing Key Laboratory of Hepatitis C and Immunotherapy for Liver Diseases, Beijing International Cooperation Base for Science and Technology on NAFLD Diagnosis, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenpeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomei Zhuang
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Guanglu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiometabolic Molecular Medicine, Center for Life Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Future Technology, Peking University, Beijing, China
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24
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Sladitschek-Martens HL, Guarnieri A, Brumana G, Zanconato F, Battilana G, Xiccato RL, Panciera T, Forcato M, Bicciato S, Guzzardo V, Fassan M, Ulliana L, Gandin A, Tripodo C, Foiani M, Brusatin G, Cordenonsi M, Piccolo S. YAP/TAZ activity in stromal cells prevents ageing by controlling cGAS-STING. Nature 2022; 607:790-798. [PMID: 35768505 PMCID: PMC7613988 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04924-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ageing is intimately connected to the induction of cell senescence1,2, but why this is so remains poorly understood. A key challenge is the identification of pathways that normally suppress senescence, are lost during ageing and are functionally relevant to oppose ageing3. Here we connected the structural and functional decline of ageing tissues to attenuated function of the master effectors of cellular mechanosignalling YAP and TAZ. YAP/TAZ activity declines during physiological ageing in stromal cells, and mimicking such decline through genetic inactivation of YAP/TAZ in these cells leads to accelerated ageing. Conversely, sustaining YAP function rejuvenates old cells and opposes the emergence of ageing-related traits associated with either physiological ageing or accelerated ageing triggered by a mechano-defective extracellular matrix. Ageing traits induced by inactivation of YAP/TAZ are preceded by induction of tissue senescence. This occurs because YAP/TAZ mechanotransduction suppresses cGAS-STING signalling, to the extent that inhibition of STING prevents tissue senescence and premature ageing-related tissue degeneration after YAP/TAZ inactivation. Mechanistically, YAP/TAZ-mediated control of cGAS-STING signalling relies on the unexpected role of YAP/TAZ in preserving nuclear envelope integrity, at least in part through direct transcriptional regulation of lamin B1 and ACTR2, the latter of which is involved in building the peri-nuclear actin cap. The findings demonstrate that declining YAP/TAZ mechanotransduction drives ageing by unleashing cGAS-STING signalling, a pillar of innate immunity. Thus, sustaining YAP/TAZ mechanosignalling or inhibiting STING may represent promising approaches for limiting senescence-associated inflammation and improving healthy ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giulia Brumana
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Giusy Battilana
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Tito Panciera
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Mattia Forcato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvio Bicciato
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | | | - Matteo Fassan
- Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Ulliana
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gandin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudio Tripodo
- Department of Health Sciences Unit, Human Pathology Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
| | - Marco Foiani
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy
- University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanna Brusatin
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Stefano Piccolo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
- IFOM ETS, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, Milan, Italy.
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25
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Mia MM, Cibi DM, Ghani SABA, Singh A, Tee N, Sivakumar V, Bogireddi H, Cook SA, Mao J, Singh MK. Loss of Yap/Taz in cardiac fibroblasts attenuates adverse remodelling and improves cardiac function. Cardiovasc Res 2022; 118:1785-1804. [PMID: 34132780 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Fibrosis is associated with all forms of adult cardiac diseases including myocardial infarction (MI). In response to MI, the heart undergoes ventricular remodelling that leads to fibrotic scar due to excessive deposition of extracellular matrix mostly produced by myofibroblasts. The structural and mechanical properties of the fibrotic scar are critical determinants of heart function. Yes-associated protein (Yap) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (Taz) are the key effectors of the Hippo signalling pathway and are crucial for cardiomyocyte proliferation during cardiac development and regeneration. However, their role in cardiac fibroblasts, regulating post-MI fibrotic and fibroinflammatory response, is not well established. METHODS AND RESULTS Using mouse model, we demonstrate that Yap/Taz are activated in cardiac fibroblasts after MI and fibroblasts-specific deletion of Yap/Taz using Col1a2Cre(ER)T mice reduces post-MI fibrotic and fibroinflammatory response and improves cardiac function. Consistently, Yap overexpression elevated post-MI fibrotic response. Gene expression profiling shows significant downregulation of several cytokines involved in post-MI cardiac remodelling. Furthermore, Yap/Taz directly regulate the promoter activity of pro-fibrotic cytokine interleukin-33 (IL33) in cardiac fibroblasts. Blocking of IL33 receptor ST2 using the neutralizing antibody abrogates the Yap-induced pro-fibrotic response in cardiac fibroblasts. We demonstrate that the altered fibroinflammatory programme not only affects the nature of cardiac fibroblasts but also the polarization as well as infiltration of macrophages in the infarcted hearts. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Yap/Taz act downstream of both Wnt and TGFβ signalling pathways in regulating cardiac fibroblasts activation and fibroinflammatory response. CONCLUSION We demonstrate that Yap/Taz play an important role in controlling MI-induced cardiac fibrosis by modulating fibroblasts proliferation, transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, and fibroinflammatory programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masum M Mia
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore
| | - Dasan Mary Cibi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore
| | | | - Anamika Singh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore
| | - Nicole Tee
- National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 169609Singapore
| | - Viswanathan Sivakumar
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore
| | - Hanumakumar Bogireddi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore
| | - Stuart A Cook
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 169609Singapore
| | - Junhao Mao
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Manvendra K Singh
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disorders Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, 169857Singapore.,National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, 169609Singapore
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26
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Chen X, Zhao J, Herjan T, Hong L, Liao Y, Liu C, Vasu K, Wang H, Thompson A, Fox PL, Gastman BR, Li X, Li X. IL-17-induced HIF1α drives resistance to anti-PD-L1 via fibroblast-mediated immune exclusion. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213117. [PMID: 35389431 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that intratumoral inflammation has an outsized influence on antitumor immunity. Here, we report that IL-17, a proinflammatory cytokine widely associated with poor prognosis in solid tumors, drives the therapeutic failure of anti-PD-L1. By timing the deletion of IL-17 signaling specifically in cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in late-stage tumors, we show that IL-17 signaling drives immune exclusion by activating a collagen deposition program in murine models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Ablation of IL-17 signaling in CAFs increased the infiltration of cytotoxic T cells into the tumor mass and sensitized otherwise resistant cSCC to anti-PD-L1 treatment. Mechanistically, the collagen deposition program in CAFs was driven by IL-17-induced translation of HIF1α, which was mediated by direct binding of Act1, the adaptor protein of IL-17 receptor, to a stem-loop structure in the 3' untranslated region (UTR) in Hif1α mRNA. Disruption of Act1's binding to Hif1α mRNA abolished IL-17-induced collagen deposition and enhanced anti-PD-L1-mediated tumor regression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Chen
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Junjie Zhao
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Tomasz Herjan
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Lingzi Hong
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Yun Liao
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Caini Liu
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Kommireddy Vasu
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.,Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.,Department of Computer and Data Sciences, School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Austin Thompson
- School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Paul L Fox
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Brian R Gastman
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.,Department of Dermatology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.,Department of Plastic Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
| | - Xiao Li
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.,Center for RNA Science and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.,Department of Computer and Data Sciences, School of Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
| | - Xiaoxia Li
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
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27
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Bonney SK, Sullivan LT, Cherry TJ, Daneman R, Shih AY. Distinct features of brain perivascular fibroblasts and mural cells revealed by in vivo two-photon imaging. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2022; 42:966-978. [PMID: 34929105 PMCID: PMC9125487 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x211068528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Perivascular fibroblasts (PVFs) are recognized for their pro-fibrotic role in many central nervous system disorders. Like mural cells, PVFs surround blood vessels and express Pdgfrβ. However, these shared attributes hinder the ability to distinguish PVFs from mural cells. We used in vivo two-photon imaging and transgenic mice with PVF-targeting promoters (Col1a1 or Col1a2) to compare the structure and distribution of PVFs and mural cells in cerebral cortex of healthy, adult mice. We show that PVFs localize to all cortical penetrating arterioles and their offshoots (arteriole-capillary transition zone), as well as the main trunk of only larger ascending venules. However, the capillary zone is devoid of PVF coverage. PVFs display short-range mobility along the vessel wall and exhibit distinct structural features (flattened somata and thin ruffled processes) not seen with smooth muscle cells or pericytes. These findings clarify that PVFs and mural cells are distinct cell types coexisting in a similar perivascular niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie K Bonney
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Liam T Sullivan
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Timothy J Cherry
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Richard Daneman
- Departments of Neurosciences and Pharmacology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andy Y Shih
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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28
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Functional IKK/NF-κB signaling in pancreatic stellate cells is essential to prevent autoimmune pancreatitis. Commun Biol 2022; 5:509. [PMID: 35624133 PMCID: PMC9142538 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03371-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are resident cells in the exocrine pancreas which contribute to pancreatic fibrogenesis and inflammation. Studies on NF-κB in pancreatitis so far focused mainly on the parenchymal and myeloid compartments. Here we show a protective immunomodulatory function of NF-κB in PSCs. Conditional deletion of NEMO (IKKγ) in PSCs leads to spontaneous pancreatitis with elevated circulating IgM, IgG and antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) within 18 weeks. When further challenged with caerulein, NEMOΔCol1a2 mice show an exacerbated autoimmune phenotype characterized by increased infiltration of eosinophils, B and T lymphocytes with reduced latency period. Transcriptomic profiling shows that NEMOΔCol1a2 mice display molecular signatures resembling autoimmune pancreatitis patients. Mechanistically, we show that PSCΔNEMO cells produce high levels of CCL24 ex vivo which contributes to eosinophil recruitment, as neutralization with a CCL24 antibody abolishes the transwell migration of eosinophils. Our findings uncover an unexpected immunomodulatory role specifically of NF-κB in PSCs during pancreatitis. A model of autoimmune pancreatitis is developed by blocking the activation of NF-κB in pancreatic stellate cells, via conditional deletion of NEMO (IKKγ), which presents strong pancreatic inflammation with eosinophilia after the induction of chronic pancreatitis by repeated caerulein challenges.
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29
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Zhang T, He X, Caldwell L, Goru SK, Ulloa Severino L, Tolosa MF, Misra PS, McEvoy CM, Christova T, Liu Y, Atin C, Zhang J, Hu C, Vukosa N, Chen X, Krizova A, Kirpalani A, Gregorieff A, Ni R, Chan K, Gill MK, Attisano L, Wrana JL, Yuen DA. NUAK1 promotes organ fibrosis via YAP and TGF-β/SMAD signaling. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eaaz4028. [PMID: 35320001 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz4028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a central pathway that drives progression of multiple chronic diseases, yet few safe and effective clinical antifibrotic therapies exist. In most fibrotic disorders, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-driven scarring is an important pathologic feature and a key contributor to disease progression. Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) are two closely related transcription cofactors that are important for coordinating fibrogenesis after organ injury, but how they are activated in response to tissue injury has, so far, remained unclear. Here, we describe NUAK family kinase 1 (NUAK1) as a TGF-β-inducible profibrotic kinase that is up-regulated in multiple fibrotic organs in mice and humans. Mechanistically, we show that TGF-β induces a rapid increase in NUAK1 in fibroblasts. NUAK1, in turn, can promote profibrotic YAP and TGF-β/SMAD signaling, ultimately leading to organ scarring. Moreover, activated YAP and TAZ can induce further NUAK1 expression, creating a profibrotic positive feedback loop that enables persistent fibrosis. Using mouse models of kidney, lung, and liver fibrosis, we demonstrate that this fibrogenic signaling loop can be interrupted via fibroblast-specific loss of NUAK1 expression, leading to marked attenuation of fibrosis. Pharmacologic NUAK1 inhibition also reduced scarring, either when initiated immediately after injury or when initiated after fibrosis was already established. Together, our data suggest that NUAK1 plays a critical, previously unrecognized role in fibrogenesis and represents an attractive target for strategies that aim to slow fibrotic disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianzhou Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Xiaolin He
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Lauren Caldwell
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Santosh Kumar Goru
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Luisa Ulloa Severino
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Monica F Tolosa
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Paraish S Misra
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Caitríona M McEvoy
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Tania Christova
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Yong Liu
- Ontario Institute of Cancer Research, Toronto, Ontario M5G OA3, Canada
| | - Cassandra Atin
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Johnny Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Catherine Hu
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Noah Vukosa
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Adriana Krizova
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, School of Graduate Studies, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Anish Kirpalani
- Department of Medical Imaging, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8, Canada
| | - Alex Gregorieff
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Ruoyu Ni
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Kin Chan
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Mandeep K Gill
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Liliana Attisano
- Donnelly Centre and Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jeffrey L Wrana
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Darren A Yuen
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1T8, Canada
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30
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Targeting STAT3 Signaling in COL1+ Fibroblasts Controls Colitis-Associated Cancer in Mice. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14061472. [PMID: 35326623 PMCID: PMC8946800 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14061472] [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: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common disease and has limited treatment options. The importance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in CRC has been increasingly recognized. However, the role of CAF subsets in CRC is hardly understood and opposing functions of type I (COL1+) vs. type VI (COL6+) collagen-expressing subsets were reported before with respect to NFκB-related signaling. Here, we have focused on COL1+ fibroblasts, which represent a frequent CAF population in CRC and studied their role upon STAT3 activation in vivo. Using a dual strategy with a conditional gain-of-function and a conditional loss-of-function approach in an in vivo model of colitis-associated cancer, tumor development was evaluated by different readouts, including advanced imaging methodologies, e.g., light sheet microscopy and CT-scan. Our data demonstrate that the inhibition of STAT3 activation in COL1+ fibroblasts reduces tumor burden, whereas the constitutive activation of STAT3 promotes the development of inflammation-driven CRC. In addition, our work characterizes the co-expression and distribution of type I and type VI collagen by CAFs in inflammation-associated colorectal cancer using reporter mice. This work indicates a critical contribution of STAT3 signaling in COL1+ CAFs, suggesting that the blockade of STAT3 activation in type I collagen-expressing fibroblasts could serve as promising therapeutic targets in colitis-associated CRC. In combination with previous work by others and us, our current findings highlight the context-dependent roles of COL1+ CAFs and COL6+ CAFs that might be variable according to the specific pathway activated.
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31
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He X, Tolosa MF, Zhang T, Goru SK, Ulloa Severino L, Misra PS, McEvoy CM, Caldwell L, Szeto SG, Gao F, Chen X, Atin C, Ki V, Vukosa N, Hu C, Zhang J, Yip C, Krizova A, Wrana JL, Yuen DA. Myofibroblast YAP/TAZ activation is a key step in organ fibrogenesis. JCI Insight 2022; 7:146243. [PMID: 35191398 PMCID: PMC8876427 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases account for nearly half of all deaths in the developed world. Despite its importance, the pathogenesis of fibrosis remains poorly understood. Recently, the two mechanosensitive transcription cofactors YAP and TAZ have emerged as important profibrotic regulators in multiple murine tissues. Despite this growing recognition, a number of important questions remain unanswered, including which cell types require YAP/TAZ activation for fibrosis to occur and the time course of this activation. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the role that myofibroblast YAP and TAZ play in organ fibrosis and the kinetics of their activation. Using analyses of cells, as well as multiple murine and human tissues, we demonstrated that myofibroblast YAP and TAZ were activated early after organ injury and that this activation was sustained. We further demonstrated the critical importance of myofibroblast YAP/TAZ in driving progressive scarring in the kidney, lung, and liver, using multiple transgenic models in which YAP and TAZ were either deleted or hyperactivated. Taken together, these data establish the importance of early injury-induced myofibroblast YAP and TAZ activation as a key event driving fibrosis in multiple organs. This information should help guide the development of new antifibrotic YAP/TAZ inhibition strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin He
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Monica F Tolosa
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Tianzhou Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Santosh Kumar Goru
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Luisa Ulloa Severino
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Paraish S Misra
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Caitríona M McEvoy
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Lauren Caldwell
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephen G Szeto
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Feng Gao
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and.,Department of Pathology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaolan Chen
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and.,Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Cassandra Atin
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Victoria Ki
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Noah Vukosa
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Catherine Hu
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Johnny Zhang
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
| | - Christopher Yip
- Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Adriana Krizova
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and.,Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeffrey L Wrana
- Center for Systems Biology, Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mt. Sinai Hospital and Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Darren A Yuen
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital (Unity Health Toronto) and Department of Medicine, and
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32
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Huang S, Shao T, Liu H, Li T, Gui X, Zhao Q. Resident Fibroblast MKL1 Is Sufficient to Drive Pro-fibrogenic Response in Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:812748. [PMID: 35178401 PMCID: PMC8844195 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.812748] [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: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is an evolutionarily conserved pathophysiological process serving bifurcated purposes. On the one hand, fibrosis is essential for wound healing and contributes to the preservation of organ function. On the other hand, aberrant fibrogenic response may lead to tissue remodeling and precipitate organ failure. Recently lineage tracing studies have shown that resident fibroblasts are the primary mediator of fibrosis taking place in key organs such as the heart, the lungs, and the kidneys. Megakaryocytic leukemia 1 (MKL1) is transcriptional regulator involved in tissue fibrosis. Here we generated resident fibroblast conditional MKL1 knockout (CKO) mice by crossing the Mkl1f/f mice to the Col1a2-CreERT2 mice. Models of cardiac fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and renal fibrosis were reproduced in the CKO mice and wild type (WT) littermates. Compared to the WT mice, the CKO mice displayed across-the-board attenuation of fibrosis in different models. Our data cement the pivotal role MKL1 plays in tissue fibrosis but point to the cellular origin from which MKL1 exerts its pro-fibrogenic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Department of Cardiology, Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Tinghui Shao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tianfa Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Department of Cardiology, Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Xianhua Gui
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianwen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Department of Cardiology, Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
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33
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Kerdidani D, Aerakis E, Verrou KM, Angelidis I, Douka K, Maniou MA, Stamoulis P, Goudevenou K, Prados A, Tzaferis C, Ntafis V, Vamvakaris I, Kaniaris E, Vachlas K, Sepsas E, Koutsopoulos A, Potaris K, Tsoumakidou M. Lung tumor MHCII immunity depends on in situ antigen presentation by fibroblasts. J Exp Med 2022; 219:212965. [PMID: 35029648 PMCID: PMC8764966 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20210815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A key unknown of the functional space in tumor immunity is whether CD4 T cells depend on intratumoral MHCII cancer antigen recognition. MHCII-expressing, antigen-presenting cancer-associated fibroblasts (apCAFs) have been found in breast and pancreatic tumors and are considered to be immunosuppressive. This analysis shows that antigen-presenting fibroblasts are frequent in human lung non-small cell carcinomas, where they seem to actively promote rather than suppress MHCII immunity. Lung apCAFs directly activated the TCRs of effector CD4 T cells and at the same time produced C1q, which acted on T cell C1qbp to rescue them from apoptosis. Fibroblast-specific MHCII or C1q deletion impaired CD4 T cell immunity and accelerated tumor growth, while inducing C1qbp in adoptively transferred CD4 T cells expanded their numbers and reduced tumors. Collectively, we have characterized in the lungs a subset of antigen-presenting fibroblasts with tumor-suppressive properties and propose that cancer immunotherapies might be strongly dependent on in situ MHCII antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Kerdidani
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Emmanouil Aerakis
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Kleio-Maria Verrou
- Greek Research Infrastructure for Personalized Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ilias Angelidis
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Katerina Douka
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Maria-Anna Maniou
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Petros Stamoulis
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Katerina Goudevenou
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Alejandro Prados
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | - Christos Tzaferis
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece.,Greek Research Infrastructure for Personalized Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Ntafis
- Animal House Facility, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece
| | | | - Evangelos Kaniaris
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelos Sepsas
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Sotiria Chest Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | | | - Maria Tsoumakidou
- Institute of Bioinnovation, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Vari, Greece.,Greek Research Infrastructure for Personalized Medicine, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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34
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Targeting of Smad7 in Mesenchymal Cells Does Not Exacerbate Fibrosis During Experimental Chronic Pancreatitis. Pancreas 2021; 50:1427-1434. [PMID: 35041343 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000001951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-mediated accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen I is a common feature of fibrosis. Pancreatic stellate cells play an integral role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis, and their profibrotic ability is mainly mediated by TGF-β signaling. To specifically address the role of fibrogenic cells in experimental pancreatic fibrosis, we deleted Smad7, the main feedback inhibitor of TGF-β signaling in this cell type in mice. METHODS A mouse strain harboring a conditional knockout allele of Smad7 (Smad7fl/fl) with the tamoxifen-inducible inducible Col1a2-CreERT allele was generated and compared with wild-type mice challenged with the cerulein-based model of chronic pancreatitis. RESULTS Pancreatic stellate cells lacking Smad7 had significantly increased collagen I and fibronectin production and showed a higher activation level in vitro. Surprisingly, the fibrotic index in the pancreata of treated conditional knockout mice was only slightly increased, without statistical significance. Except for fibronectin, the expression of different extracellular matrix proteins and the numbers of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells were similar between Smad7-mutant and control mice. CONCLUSIONS There was no clear evidence that the lack of Smad7 in pancreatic stellate cells plays a major role in experimental pancreatitis, at least in the mouse model investigated here.
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35
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Gajjala PR, Kasam RK, Soundararajan D, Sinner D, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Dysregulated overexpression of Sox9 induces fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e152503. [PMID: 34520400 PMCID: PMC8564901 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease associated with unremitting fibroblast activation including fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT), migration, resistance to apoptotic clearance, and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the distal lung parenchyma. Aberrant activation of lung-developmental pathways is associated with severe fibrotic lung disease; however, the mechanisms through which these pathways activate fibroblasts in IPF remain unclear. Sry-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) is a member of the high-mobility group box family of DNA-binding transcription factors that are selectively expressed by epithelial cell progenitors to modulate branching morphogenesis during lung development. We demonstrate that Sox9 is upregulated via MAPK/PI3K-dependent signaling and by the transcription factor Wilms' tumor 1 in distal lung-resident fibroblasts in IPF. Mechanistically, using fibroblast activation assays, we demonstrate that Sox9 functions as a positive regulator of FMT, migration, survival, and ECM production. Importantly, our in vivo studies demonstrate that fibroblast-specific deletion of Sox9 is sufficient to attenuate collagen deposition and improve lung function during TGF-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Using a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we show that myofibroblast-specific Sox9 overexpression augments fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, Sox9 functions as a profibrotic transcription factor in activating fibroblasts, illustrating the potential utility of targeting Sox9 in IPF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathibha R Gajjala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Divyalakshmi Soundararajan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Debora Sinner
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
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36
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Abstract
Recent transcriptomic, histological and functional studies have begun to shine light on the fibroblasts present in the meninges, choroid plexus and perivascular spaces of the brain and spinal cord. Although the origins and functions of CNS fibroblasts are still being described, it is clear that they represent a distinct cell population, or populations, that have likely been confused with other cell types on the basis of the expression of overlapping cellular markers. Recent work has revealed that fibroblasts play crucial roles in fibrotic scar formation in the CNS after injury and inflammation, which have also been attributed to other perivascular cell types such as pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells. In this Review, we describe the current knowledge of the location and identity of CNS perivascular cell types, with a particular focus on CNS fibroblasts, including their origin, subtypes, roles in health and disease, and future areas for study.
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37
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Umbarkar P, Ejantkar S, Tousif S, Lal H. Mechanisms of Fibroblast Activation and Myocardial Fibrosis: Lessons Learned from FB-Specific Conditional Mouse Models. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092412. [PMID: 34572061 PMCID: PMC8471002 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality across the world. Cardiac fibrosis is associated with HF progression. Fibrosis is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. This is a physiological response to tissue injury. However, uncontrolled fibrosis leads to adverse cardiac remodeling and contributes significantly to cardiac dysfunction. Fibroblasts (FBs) are the primary drivers of myocardial fibrosis. However, until recently, FBs were thought to play a secondary role in cardiac pathophysiology. This review article will present the evolving story of fibroblast biology and fibrosis in cardiac diseases, emphasizing their recent shift from a supporting to a leading role in our understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiac diseases. Indeed, this story only became possible because of the emergence of FB-specific mouse models. This study includes an update on the advancements in the generation of FB-specific mouse models. Regarding the underlying mechanisms of myocardial fibrosis, we will focus on the pathways that have been validated using FB-specific, in vivo mouse models. These pathways include the TGF-β/SMAD3, p38 MAPK, Wnt/β-Catenin, G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK), and Hippo signaling. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying fibroblast activation and fibrosis may provide a novel therapeutic target for the management of adverse fibrotic remodeling in the diseased heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prachi Umbarkar
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- Correspondence: (P.U.); (H.L.); Tel.: +1-205-996-4248 (P.U.); +1-205-996-4219 (H.L.); Fax: +1-205-975-5104 (H.L.)
| | - Suma Ejantkar
- School of Health Professions, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Sultan Tousif
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Hind Lal
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
- Correspondence: (P.U.); (H.L.); Tel.: +1-205-996-4248 (P.U.); +1-205-996-4219 (H.L.); Fax: +1-205-975-5104 (H.L.)
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38
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Maity P, Singh K, Krug L, Koroma A, Hainzl A, Bloch W, Kochanek S, Wlaschek M, Schorpp-Kistner M, Angel P, Ignatius A, Geiger H, Scharffetter-Kochanek K. Persistent JunB activation in fibroblasts disrupts stem cell niche interactions enforcing skin aging. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109634. [PMID: 34469740 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts residing in the connective tissues constitute the stem cell niche, particularly in organs such as skin. Although the effect of fibroblasts on stem cell niches and organ aging is an emerging concept, the underlying mechanisms are largely unresolved. We report a mechanism of redox-dependent activation of transcription factor JunB, which, through concomitant upregulation of p16INK4A and repression of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), initiates the installment of fibroblast senescence. Fibroblast senescence profoundly disrupts the metabolic and structural niche, and its essential interactions with different stem cells thus enforces depletion of stem cells pools and skin tissue decline. In fact, silencing of JunB in a fibroblast-niche-specific manner-by reinstatement of IGF-1 and p16 levels-restores skin stem cell pools and overall skin tissue integrity. Here, we report a role of JunB in the control of connective tissue niche and identified targets to combat skin aging and associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pallab Maity
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Aging Research Center (ARC), 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Karmveer Singh
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Aging Research Center (ARC), 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Linda Krug
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Albert Koroma
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Aging Research Center (ARC), 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Adelheid Hainzl
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Wilhelm Bloch
- Institute of Cardiology and Sports Medicine, Molecular and cellular Sports Medicine, German Sport University Cologne, 50933 Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Kochanek
- Department of Gene Therapy, University of Ulm, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Meinhard Wlaschek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marina Schorpp-Kistner
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Anita Ignatius
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Hartmut Geiger
- Aging Research Center (ARC), 89081 Ulm, Germany; Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Aging, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Karin Scharffetter-Kochanek
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Aging Research Center (ARC), 89081 Ulm, Germany.
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39
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Lagares D, Hinz B. Animal and Human Models of Tissue Repair and Fibrosis: An Introduction. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2299:277-290. [PMID: 34028750 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1382-5_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reductionist cell culture systems are not only convenient but essential to understand molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast activation and action in carefully controlled conditions. However, tissue myofibroblasts do not act in isolation and the complexity of tissue repair and fibrosis in humans cannot be captured even by the most elaborate culture models. Over the past five decades, numerous animal models have been developed to study different aspects of myofibroblast biology and interactions with other cells and extracellular matrix. The underlying principles can be broadly classified into: (1) organ injury by trauma such as prototypical full thickness skin wounds or burns; (2) mechanical challenges, such as pressure overload of the heart by ligature of the aorta or the pulmonary vein; (3) toxic injury, such as administration of bleomycin to lungs and carbon tetrachloride to the liver; (4) organ infection with viruses, bacteria, and parasites, such as nematode infections of liver; (5) cytokine and inflammatory models, including local delivery or viral overexpression of active transforming growth factor beta; (6) "lifestyle" and metabolic models such as high-fat diet; and (7) various genetic models. We will briefly summarize the most widely used mouse models used to study myofibroblasts in tissue repair and fibrosis as well as genetic tools for manipulating myofibroblast repair functions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lagares
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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40
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Lu W, Meng Z, Hernandez R, Zhou C. Fibroblast-specific IKKβ deficiency ameliorates angiotensin II-induced adverse cardiac remodeling in mice. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e150161. [PMID: 34324438 PMCID: PMC8492299 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac inflammation and fibrosis contribute significantly to hypertension-related adverse cardiac remodeling. IκB kinase β (IKK-β), a central coordinator of inflammation through activation of NF-κB, has been demonstrated as a key molecular link between inflammation and cardiovascular disease. However, the cell-specific contribution of IKK-β signaling toward adverse cardiac remodeling remains elusive. Cardiac fibroblasts are one of the most populous nonmyocyte cell types in the heart that play a key role in mediating cardiac fibrosis and remodeling. To investigate the function of fibroblast IKK-β, we generated inducible fibroblast-specific IKK-β–deficient mice. Here, we report an important role of IKK-β in the regulation of fibroblast functions and cardiac remodeling. Fibroblast-specific IKK-β–deficient male mice were protected from angiotensin II–induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration. Ablation of fibroblast IKK-β inhibited angiotensin II–stimulated fibroblast proinflammatory and profibrogenic responses, leading to ameliorated cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function in IKK-β–deficient mice. Findings from this study establish fibroblast IKK-β as a key factor regulating cardiac fibrosis and function in hypertension-related cardiac remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, United States of America
| | - Zhaojie Meng
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, United States of America
| | - Rebecca Hernandez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, United States of America
| | - Changcheng Zhou
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, United States of America
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JUNB suppresses distant metastasis by influencing the initial metastatic stage. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:411-423. [PMID: 34282521 PMCID: PMC8318945 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10108-9] [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: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The complex interactions between cells of the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells are considered a major determinant of cancer progression and metastasis. Yet, our understanding of the mechanisms of metastatic disease is not sufficient to successfully treat patients with advanced-stage cancer. JUNB is a member of the AP-1 transcription factor family shown to be frequently deregulated in human cancer and associated with invasion and metastasis. A strikingly high stromal JUNB expression in human breast cancer samples prompted us to functionally investigate the consequences of JUNB loss in cells of the tumor microenvironment on cancer progression and metastasis in mice. To adequately mimic the clinical situation, we applied a syngeneic spontaneous breast cancer metastasis model followed by primary tumor resection and identified stromal JUNB as a potent suppressor of distant metastasis. Comprehensive characterization of the JUNB-deficient tumor microenvironment revealed a strong influx of myeloid cells into primary breast tumors and lungs at early metastatic stage. In these infiltrating neutrophils, BV8 and MMP9, proteins promoting angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, were specifically upregulated in a JUNB-dependent manner. Taken together, we established stromal JUNB as a strong suppressor of distant metastasis. Consequently, therapeutic strategies targeting AP-1 should be carefully designed not to interfere with stromal JUNB expression as this may be detrimental for cancer patients.
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42
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Stewart L, Turner NA. Channelling the Force to Reprogram the Matrix: Mechanosensitive Ion Channels in Cardiac Fibroblasts. Cells 2021; 10:990. [PMID: 33922466 PMCID: PMC8145896 DOI: 10.3390/cells10050990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) play a pivotal role in preserving myocardial function and integrity of the heart tissue after injury, but also contribute to future susceptibility to heart failure. CF sense changes to the cardiac environment through chemical and mechanical cues that trigger changes in cellular function. In recent years, mechanosensitive ion channels have been implicated as key modulators of a range of CF functions that are important to fibrotic cardiac remodelling, including cell proliferation, myofibroblast differentiation, extracellular matrix turnover and paracrine signalling. To date, seven mechanosensitive ion channels are known to be functional in CF: the cation non-selective channels TRPC6, TRPM7, TRPV1, TRPV4 and Piezo1, and the potassium-selective channels TREK-1 and KATP. This review will outline current knowledge of these mechanosensitive ion channels in CF, discuss evidence of the mechanosensitivity of each channel, and detail the role that each channel plays in cardiac remodelling. By better understanding the role of mechanosensitive ion channels in CF, it is hoped that therapies may be developed for reducing pathological cardiac remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Neil A. Turner
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK;
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Chou YH, Pan SY, Shao YH, Shih HM, Wei SY, Lai CF, Chiang WC, Schrimpf C, Yang KC, Lai LC, Chen YM, Chu TS, Lin SL. Methylation in pericytes after acute injury promotes chronic kidney disease. J Clin Invest 2021; 130:4845-4857. [PMID: 32749240 DOI: 10.1172/jci135773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin and fate of renal myofibroblasts is not clear after acute kidney injury (AKI). Here, we demonstrate that myofibroblasts were activated from quiescent pericytes (qPericytes) and the cell numbers increased after ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced AKI (IRI-AKI). Myofibroblasts underwent apoptosis during renal recovery but one-fifth of them survived in the recovered kidneys on day 28 after IRI-AKI and their cell numbers increased again after day 56. Microarray data showed the distinctive gene expression patterns of qPericytes, activated pericytes (aPericytes, myofibroblasts), and inactivated pericytes (iPericytes) isolated from kidneys before, on day 7, and on day 28 after IRI-AKI. Hypermethylation of the Acta2 repressor Ybx2 during IRI-AKI resulted in epigenetic modification of iPericytes to promote the transition to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and aggravated fibrogenesis induced by a second AKI induced by adenine. Mechanistically, transforming growth factor-β1 decreased the binding of YBX2 to the promoter of Acta2 and induced Ybx2 hypermethylation, thereby increasing α-smooth muscle actin expression in aPericytes. Demethylation by 5-azacytidine recovered the microvascular stabilizing function of aPericytes, reversed the profibrotic property of iPericytes, prevented AKI-CKD transition, and attenuated fibrogenesis induced by a second adenine-AKI. In conclusion, intervention to erase hypermethylation of pericytes after AKI provides a strategy to stop the transition to CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hsiang Chou
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Jin-Shan Branch, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Szu-Yu Pan
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Han Shao
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hong-Mou Shih
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Yao Wei
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Nephrology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chun-Fu Lai
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chih Chiang
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Claudia Schrimpf
- Department of Cardiothoracic, Transplantation and Vascular Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Kai-Chien Yang
- Graduate Institute of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, and
| | - Liang-Chuan Lai
- Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yung-Ming Chen
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Shinn Chu
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shuei-Liong Lin
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Integrated Diagnostics and Therapeutics, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Research Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Eguchi A, Coleman R, Gresham K, Gao E, Ibetti J, Chuprun JK, Koch WJ. GRK5 is a regulator of fibroblast activation and cardiac fibrosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2012854118. [PMID: 33500351 PMCID: PMC7865138 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2012854118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological remodeling of the heart is a hallmark of chronic heart failure (HF) and these structural changes further perpetuate the disease. Cardiac fibroblasts are the critical cell type that is responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of the heart. Stress conditions, such as a myocardial infarction (MI), can activate quiescent fibroblasts into synthetic and contractile myofibroblasts. G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 (GRK5) is an important mediator of cardiovascular homeostasis through dampening of GPCR signaling, and is expressed in the heart and up-regulated in human HF. Of note, GRK5 has been demonstrated to translocate to the nucleus in cardiomyocytes in a calcium-calmodulin (Ca2+-CAM)-dependent manner, promoting hypertrophic gene transcription through activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Interestingly, NFAT is also involved in fibroblast activation. GRK5 is highly expressed and active in cardiac fibroblasts; however, its pathophysiological role in these crucial cardiac cells is unknown. We demonstrate using adult cardiac fibroblasts that genetic deletion of GRK5 inhibits angiotensin II (AngII)-mediated fibroblast activation. Fibroblast-specific deletion of GRK5 in mice led to decreased fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy after chronic AngII infusion or after ischemic injury compared to nontransgenic littermate controls (NLCs). Mechanistically, we show that nuclear translocation of GRK5 is involved in fibroblast activation. These data demonstrate that GRK5 is a regulator of fibroblast activation in vitro and cardiac fibrosis in vivo. This adds to previously published data which demonstrate the potential beneficial effects of GRK5 inhibition in the context of cardiac disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akito Eguchi
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Ryan Coleman
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Kenneth Gresham
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Erhe Gao
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Jessica Ibetti
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - J Kurt Chuprun
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
| | - Walter J Koch
- Center for Translational Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140;
- Department of Pharmacology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140
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Harrison CB, Trevelin SC, Richards DA, Santos CX, Sawyer G, Markovinovic A, Zhang X, Zhang M, Brewer AC, Yin X, Mayr M, Shah AM. Fibroblast Nox2 (NADPH Oxidase-2) Regulates ANG II (Angiotensin II)-Induced Vascular Remodeling and Hypertension via Paracrine Signaling to Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2021; 41:698-710. [PMID: 33054395 PMCID: PMC7837692 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.120.315322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The superoxide-generating Nox2 (NADPH oxidase-2) is expressed in multiple cell types. Previous studies demonstrated distinct roles for cardiomyocyte, endothelial cell, and leukocyte cell Nox2 in ANG II (angiotensin II)-induced cardiovascular remodeling. However, the in vivo role of fibroblast Nox2 remains unclear. Approach and Results: We developed a novel mouse model with inducible fibroblast-specific deficiency of Nox2 (fibroblast-specific Nox2 knockout or Fibro-Nox2KO mice) and investigated the responses to chronic ANG II stimulation. Fibro-Nox2KO mice showed no differences in basal blood pressure or vessel wall morphology, but the hypertensive response to ANG II infusion (1.1 mg/[kg·day] for 14 days) was substantially reduced as compared to control Nox2-Flox littermates. This was accompanied by a significant attenuation of aortic and resistance vessel remodeling. The conditioned medium of ANG II-stimulated primary fibroblasts induced a significant increase in vascular smooth muscle cell growth, which was inhibited by the short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of fibroblast Nox2. Mass spectrometric analysis of the secretome of ANG II-treated primary fibroblasts identified GDF6 (growth differentiation factor 6) as a potential growth factor that may be involved in these effects. Recombinant GDF6 induced a concentration-dependent increase in vascular smooth muscle cell growth while chronic ANG II infusion in vivo significantly increased aortic GDF6 protein levels in control mice but not Fibro-Nox2KO animals. Finally, silencing GDF6 in fibroblasts prevented the induction of vascular smooth muscle cell growth by fibroblast-conditioned media in vitro. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that fibroblast Nox2 plays a crucial role in the development of ANG II-induced vascular remodeling and hypertension in vivo. Mechanistically, fibroblast Nox2 may regulate paracrine signaling to medial vascular smooth muscle cells via factors, such as GDF6.
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MESH Headings
- Angiotensin II
- Animals
- Aorta/metabolism
- Aorta/pathology
- Aorta/physiopathology
- Blood Pressure
- Cells, Cultured
- Disease Models, Animal
- Fibroblasts/enzymology
- Growth Differentiation Factor 6/genetics
- Growth Differentiation Factor 6/metabolism
- Hypertension/chemically induced
- Hypertension/enzymology
- Hypertension/genetics
- Hypertension/pathology
- Male
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/pathology
- Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/physiopathology
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/metabolism
- Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology
- NADPH Oxidase 2/genetics
- NADPH Oxidase 2/metabolism
- Paracrine Communication
- Signal Transduction
- Vascular Remodeling
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig B. Harrison
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Silvia Cellone Trevelin
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Daniel A. Richards
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Celio X.C. Santos
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Greta Sawyer
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Andrea Markovinovic
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, United Kingdom (A.M.)
| | - Xiaohong Zhang
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Min Zhang
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Alison C. Brewer
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Xiaoke Yin
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Manuel Mayr
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
| | - Ajay M. Shah
- King’s College London British Heart Foundation Centre of Excellence, School of Cardiovascular Medicine and Sciences, United Kingdom (C.B.H., S.C.T., D.A.R., C.X.C.S., G.S., X.Z., M.Z., A.C.B., X.Y., M.M., A.M.S.)
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Biffi G, Tuveson DA. Diversity and Biology of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts. Physiol Rev 2021; 101:147-176. [PMID: 32466724 PMCID: PMC7864232 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00048.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 520] [Impact Index Per Article: 173.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop anti-cancer therapies have largely focused on targeting the epithelial compartment, despite the presence of non-neoplastic stromal components that substantially contribute to the progression of the tumor. Indeed, cancer cell survival, growth, migration, and even dormancy are influenced by the surrounding tumor microenvironment (TME). Within the TME, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) have been shown to play several roles in the development of a tumor. They secrete growth factors, inflammatory ligands, and extracellular matrix proteins that promote cancer cell proliferation, therapy resistance, and immune exclusion. However, recent work indicates that CAFs may also restrain tumor progression in some circumstances. In this review, we summarize the body of work on CAFs, with a particular focus on the most recent discoveries about fibroblast heterogeneity, plasticity, and functions. We also highlight the commonalities of fibroblasts present across different cancer types, and in normal and inflammatory states. Finally, we present the latest advances regarding therapeutic strategies targeting CAFs that are undergoing preclinical and clinical evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Biffi
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York; and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, New York; and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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Jelinek D, Zhang ER, Ambrus A, Haley E, Guinn E, Vo A, Le P, Kesaf AE, Nguyen J, Guo L, Frederick D, Sun Z, Guo N, Sevier P, Bilotta E, Atai K, Voisin L, Coller HA. A Mouse Model to Investigate the Role of Cancer-associated Fibroblasts in Tumor Growth. J Vis Exp 2020. [PMID: 33427239 PMCID: PMC8238354 DOI: 10.3791/61883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can play an important role in tumor growth by creating a tumor-promoting microenvironment. Models to study the role of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment can be helpful for understanding the functional importance of fibroblasts, fibroblasts from different tissues, and specific genetic factors in fibroblasts. Mouse models are essential for understanding the contributors to tumor growth and progression in an in vivo context. Here, a protocol in which cancer cells are mixed with fibroblasts and introduced into mice to develop tumors is provided. Tumor sizes over time and final tumor weights are determined and compared among groups. The protocol described can provide more insight into the functional role of CAFs in tumor growth and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jelinek
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ellen Ran Zhang
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
| | - Aaron Ambrus
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Erin Haley
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
| | - Emily Guinn
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Austin Vo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Peter Le
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Ayse Elif Kesaf
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Jennifer Nguyen
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Lily Guo
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Destiny Frederick
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Zhengyang Sun
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Natalie Guo
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University
| | - Parker Sevier
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Eric Bilotta
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Kaiser Atai
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Laurent Voisin
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
| | - Hilary A Coller
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles;
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48
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Seldin L, Macara IG. DNA Damage Promotes Epithelial Hyperplasia and Fate Mis-specification via Fibroblast Inflammasome Activation. Dev Cell 2020; 55:558-573.e6. [PMID: 33058780 PMCID: PMC7725994 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
DNA crosslinking agents are commonly used in cancer chemotherapy; however, responses of normal tissues to these agents have not been widely investigated. We reveal in mouse interfollicular epidermal, mammary and hair follicle epithelia that genotoxicity does not promote apoptosis but paradoxically induces hyperplasia and fate specification defects in quiescent stem cells. DNA damage to skin causes epithelial and dermal hyperplasia, tissue expansion, and proliferation-independent formation of abnormal K14/K10 dual-positive suprabasal cells. Unexpectedly, this behavior is epithelial cell non-autonomous and independent of an intact immune system. Instead, dermal fibroblasts are both necessary and sufficient to induce the epithelial response, which is mediated by activation of a fibroblast-specific NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent IL-1β production. Thus, genotoxic agents that are used chemotherapeutically to promote cancer cell death can have the opposite effect on wild-type epithelia by inducing, via a non-autonomous IL-1β-driven mechanism, both hyperplasia and stem cell lineage defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Seldin
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA
| | - Ian G Macara
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37240, USA.
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49
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He Z, Song Y, Yi Y, Qiu F, Wang J, Li J, Jin Q, Sacitharan PK. Blockade of IL-33 signalling attenuates osteoarthritis. Clin Transl Immunology 2020; 9:e1185. [PMID: 33133598 PMCID: PMC7587452 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis characterised by cartilage degradation, synovitis and pain. Disease modifying treatments for OA are not available. The critical unmet need is to find therapeutic targets to reduce both disease progression and pain. The cytokine IL‐33 and its receptor ST2 have been shown to play a role in immune and inflammatory diseases, but their role in osteoarthritis is unknown. Methods Non‐OA and OA human chondrocytes samples were examined for IL‐33 and ST2 expression. Novel inducible cartilage specific knockout mice (IL‐33Acan CreERT2) and inducible fibroblast‐like synoviocyte knockout mice (IL‐33Col1a2 CreERT2) were generated and subjected to an experimental OA model. In addition, wild‐type mice were intra‐articularly administered with either IL‐33‐ or ST2‐neutralising antibodies during experimental OA studies. Results IL‐33 and its receptor ST2 have increased expression in OA patients and a murine disease model. Administering recombinant IL‐33 increased OA and pain in vivo. Synovial fibroblast‐specific deletion of IL‐33 decreased synovitis but did not impact disease outcomes, whilst cartilage‐specific deletion of IL‐33 improved disease outcomes in vivo. Blocking IL‐33 signalling also reduced the release of cartilage‐degrading enzymes in human and mouse chondrocytes. Most importantly, we show the use of monoclonal antibodies against IL‐33 and ST2 attenuates both OA and pain in vivo. Conclusion Overall, our data reveal blockade of IL‐33 signalling as a viable therapeutic target for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zengliang He
- Department of Orthopedics The Second Hospital of Nanjing The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing China
| | - Yan Song
- Department of Orthopedics The Second Hospital of Nanjing The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing China
| | - Yongxiang Yi
- Department of General Surgery The Second Hospital of Nanjing The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine Nanjing China
| | - Fengzhuo Qiu
- Department of Neurology The Sir Run Run Hospital Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Junhua Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Junwei Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao China
| | - Qingwen Jin
- Department of Neurology The Sir Run Run Hospital Nanjing Medical University Nanjing China
| | - Pradeep Kumar Sacitharan
- The Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease University of Liverpool Liverpool UK.,Department of Biological Sciences Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University Suzhou Industrial Park Suzhou China
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50
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Mosa MH, Michels BE, Menche C, Nicolas AM, Darvishi T, Greten FR, Farin HF. A Wnt-Induced Phenotypic Switch in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Inhibits EMT in Colorectal Cancer. Cancer Res 2020; 80:5569-5582. [PMID: 33055221 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-0263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2020] [Revised: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tumor progression is recognized as a result of an evolving cross-talk between tumor cells and their surrounding nontransformed stroma. Although Wnt signaling has been intensively studied in colorectal cancer, it remains unclear whether activity in the tumor-associated stroma contributes to malignancy. To specifically interfere with stromal signals, we generated Wnt-independent tumor organoids that secrete the Wnt antagonist Sfrp1. Subcutaneous transplantation into immunocompetent as well as immunodeficient mice resulted in a strong reduction of tumor growth. Histologic and transcriptomic analyses revealed that Sfrp1 induced an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype in tumor cells without affecting tumor-intrinsic Wnt signaling, suggesting involvement of nonimmune stromal cells. Blockage of canonical signaling using Sfrp1, Dkk1, or fibroblast-specific genetic ablation of β-catenin strongly decreased the number of cancer-associated myofibroblasts (myCAF). Wnt activity in CAFs was linked with distinct subtypes, where low and high levels induced an inflammatory-like CAF (iCAF) subtype or contractile myCAFs, respectively. Coculture of tumor organoids with iCAFs resulted in significant upregulation of EMT markers, while myCAFs reverted this phenotype. In summary, we show that tumor growth and malignancy are differentially regulated via distinct fibroblast subtypes under the influence of juxtacrine Wnt signals. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides evidence for Wnt-induced functional diversity of colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts, representing a non-cell autonomous mechanism for colon cancer progression. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/80/24/5569/F1.large.jpg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed H Mosa
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Birgitta E Michels
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Constantin Menche
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adele M Nicolas
- Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Tahmineh Darvishi
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Florian R Greten
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany.,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Henner F Farin
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Heidelberg, Germany. .,Georg-Speyer-Haus, Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany.,Frankfurt Cancer Institute, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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