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Taherian M, Bayati P, Mojtabavi N. Stem cell-based therapy for fibrotic diseases: mechanisms and pathways. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:170. [PMID: 38886859 PMCID: PMC11184790 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03782-5] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a pathological process, that could result in permanent scarring and impairment of the physiological function of the affected organ; this condition which is categorized under the term organ failure could affect various organs in different situations. The involvement of the major organs, such as the lungs, liver, kidney, heart, and skin, is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality across the world. Fibrotic disorders encompass a broad range of complications and could be traced to various illnesses and impairments; these could range from simple skin scars with beauty issues to severe rheumatologic or inflammatory disorders such as systemic sclerosis as well as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Besides, the overactivation of immune responses during any inflammatory condition causing tissue damage could contribute to the pathogenic fibrotic events accompanying the healing response; for instance, the inflammation resulting from tissue engraftment could cause the formation of fibrotic scars in the grafted tissue, even in cases where the immune system deals with hard to clear infections, fibrotic scars could follow and cause severe adverse effects. A good example of such a complication is post-Covid19 lung fibrosis which could impair the life of the affected individuals with extensive lung involvement. However, effective therapies that halt or slow down the progression of fibrosis are missing in the current clinical settings. Considering the immunomodulatory and regenerative potential of distinct stem cell types, their application as an anti-fibrotic agent, capable of attenuating tissue fibrosis has been investigated by many researchers. Although the majority of the studies addressing the anti-fibrotic effects of stem cells indicated their potent capabilities, the underlying mechanisms, and pathways by which these cells could impact fibrotic processes remain poorly understood. Here, we first, review the properties of various stem cell types utilized so far as anti-fibrotic treatments and discuss the challenges and limitations associated with their applications in clinical settings; then, we will summarize the general and organ-specific mechanisms and pathways contributing to tissue fibrosis; finally, we will describe the mechanisms and pathways considered to be employed by distinct stem cell types for exerting anti-fibrotic events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjan Taherian
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Paria Bayati
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazanin Mojtabavi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Trinh-Minh T, Chen CW, Tran Manh C, Li YN, Zhu H, Zhou X, Chakraborty D, Zhang Y, Rauber S, Dees C, Lin NY, Kah D, Gerum R, Bergmann C, Kreuter A, Reuter C, Groeber-Becker F, Eckes B, Distler O, Fabry B, Ramming A, Schambony A, Schett G, Distler JH. Noncanonical WNT5A controls the activation of latent TGF-β to drive fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e159884. [PMID: 38747285 PMCID: PMC11093613 DOI: 10.1172/jci159884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling is a core pathway of fibrosis, but the molecular regulation of the activation of latent TGF-β remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate a crucial role of WNT5A/JNK/ROCK signaling that rapidly coordinates the activation of latent TGF-β in fibrotic diseases. WNT5A was identified as a predominant noncanonical WNT ligand in fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, stimulating fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and tissue fibrosis by activation of latent TGF-β. The activation of latent TGF-β requires rapid JNK- and ROCK-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangements and integrin αV (ITGAV). Conditional ablation of WNT5A or its downstream targets prevented activation of latent TGF-β, rebalanced TGF-β signaling, and ameliorated experimental fibrosis. We thus uncovered what we believe to be a novel mechanism for the aberrant activation of latent TGF-β in fibrotic diseases and provided evidence for targeting WNT5A/JNK/ROCK signaling in fibrotic diseases as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuong Trinh-Minh
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Chih-Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Cuong Tran Manh
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Debomita Chakraborty
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Simon Rauber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Neng-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Delf Kah
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Richard Gerum
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Alexander Kreuter
- Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, HELIOS St. Elisabeth Clinic Oberhausen, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Christiane Reuter
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Florian Groeber-Becker
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Beate Eckes
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Rheumaklinik, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ben Fabry
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Andreas Ramming
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Alexandra Schambony
- Division of Developmental Biology, Biology Department, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Jörg H.W. Distler
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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Spasovski V, Andjelkovic M, Parezanovic M, Komazec J, Ugrin M, Klaassen K, Stojiljkovic M. The Role of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Affected Skin and Lungs in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11212. [PMID: 37446389 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311212] [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: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a complex autoimmune inflammatory disorder with multiple organ involvement. Skin changes present the hallmark of SSc and coincide with poor prognosis. Interstitial lung diseases (ILD) are the most widely reported complications in SSc patients and the primary cause of death. It has been proposed that the processes of autophagy and apoptosis could play a significant role in the pathogenesis and clinical course of different autoimmune diseases, and accordingly in SSc. In this manuscript, we review the current knowledge of autophagy and apoptosis processes in the skin and lungs of patients with SSc. Profiling of markers involved in these processes in skin cells can be useful to recognize the stage of fibrosis and can be used in the clinical stratification of patients. Furthermore, the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes enables the repurposing of already known drugs and the development of new biological therapeutics that aim to reverse fibrosis by promoting apoptosis and regulate autophagy in personalized treatment approach. In SSc-ILD patients, the molecular signature of the lung tissues of each patient could be a distinctive criterion in order to establish the correct lung pattern, which directly impacts the course and prognosis of the disease. In this case, resolving the role of tissue-specific markers, which could be detected in the circulation using sensitive molecular methods, would be an important step toward development of non-invasive diagnostic procedures that enable early and precise diagnosis and preventing the high mortality of this rare disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Spasovski
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Andjelkovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marina Parezanovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jovana Komazec
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milena Ugrin
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Kristel Klaassen
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Stojiljkovic
- Institute of Molecular Genetics and Genetic Engineering, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 444a, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia
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Podyacheva E, Danilchuk M, Toropova Y. Molecular mechanisms of endothelial remodeling under doxorubicin treatment. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114576. [PMID: 36989721 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective antineoplastic agent used to treat various types of cancers. However, its use is limited by the development of cardiotoxicity, which may result in heart failure. The exact mechanisms underlying DOX-induced cardiotoxicity are not fully understood, but recent studies have shown that endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and endothelial damage play a crucial role in this process. EndMT is a biological process in which endothelial cells lose their characteristics and transform into mesenchymal cells, which have a fibroblast-like phenotype. This process has been shown to contribute to tissue fibrosis and remodeling in various diseases, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. DOX-induced cardiotoxicity has been demonstrated to increase the expression of EndMT markers, suggesting that EndMT may play a critical role in the development of this condition. Furthermore, DOX-induced cardiotoxicity has been shown to cause endothelial damage, leading to the disruption of the endothelial barrier function and increased vascular permeability. This can result in the leakage of plasma proteins, leading to tissue edema and inflammation. Moreover, DOX can impair the production of nitric oxide, endothelin-1, neuregulin, thrombomodulin, thromboxane B2 etc. by endothelial cells, leading to vasoconstriction, thrombosis and further impairing cardiac function. In this regard, this review is devoted to the generalization and structuring of information about the known molecular mechanisms of endothelial remodeling under the action of DOX.
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Zhao K, Kong C, Shi N, Jiang J, Li P. Potential angiogenic, immunomodulatory, and antifibrotic effects of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in systemic sclerosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1125257. [PMID: 37251412 PMCID: PMC10213547 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1125257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an intricate systemic autoimmune disease with pathological features such as vascular injury, immune dysregulation, and extensive fibrosis of the skin and multiple organs. Treatment options are limited; however, recently, mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been acknowledged in preclinical and clinical trials as being useful in treating autoimmune diseases and are likely superior to MSCs alone. Recent research has also shown that MSC-EVs can ameliorate SSc and the pathological changes in vasculopathy, immune dysfunction, and fibrosis. This review summarizes the therapeutic effects of MSC-EVs on SSc and the mechanisms that have been discovered to provide a theoretical basis for future studies on the role of MSC-EVs in treating SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chenfei Kong
- Scientific Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Naixu Shi
- Department of Stomatology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jinlan Jiang
- Scientific Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ping Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Guo M, Liu D, Jiang Y, Chen W, Zhao L, Bao D, Li Y, Distler JHW, Zhu H. Serum metabolomic profiling reveals potential biomarkers in systemic sclerosis. Metabolism 2023; 144:155587. [PMID: 37156409 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2023.155587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease marked by the skin and visceral fibrosis. Metabolic alterations have been found in SSc patients; however, serum metabolomic profiling has not been thoroughly conducted. Our study aimed to identify alterations in the metabolic profile in both SSc patients before and during treatment, as well as in mouse models of fibrosis. Furthermore, the associations between metabolites and clinical parameters and disease progression were explored. METHODS High-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF-MS)/MS was performed in the serum of 326 human samples and 33 mouse samples. Human samples were collected from 142 healthy controls (HC), 127 newly diagnosed SSc patients without treatment (SSc baseline), and 57 treated SSc patients (SSc treatment). Mouse serum samples were collected from 11 control mice (NaCl), 11 mice with bleomycin (BLM)-induced fibrosis and 11 mice with hypochlorous acid (HOCl)-induced fibrosis. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis (orthogonal partial least-squares discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA)) were conducted to unravel differently expressed metabolites. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was performed to characterize the dysregulated metabolic pathways in SSc. Associations between metabolites and clinical parameters of SSc patients were identified by Pearson's or Spearman's correlation analysis. Machine learning (ML) algorithms were applied to identify the important metabolites that have the potential to predict the progression of skin fibrosis. RESULTS The newly diagnosed SSc patients without treatment showed a unique serum metabolic profile compared to HC. Treatment partially corrected the metabolic changes in SSc. Some metabolites (phloretin 2'-O-glucuronide, retinoyl b-glucuronide, all-trans-retinoic acid, and betaine) and metabolic pathways (starch and sucrose metabolism, proline metabolism, androgen and estrogen metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism) were dysregulated in new-onset SSc, but restored upon treatment. Some metabolic changes were associated with treatment response in SSc patients. Metabolic changes observed in SSc patients were mimicked in murine models of SSc, indicating that they may reflect general metabolic changes associated with fibrotic tissue remodeling. Several metabolic changes were associated with SSc clinical parameters. The levels of allysine and all-trans-retinoic acid were negatively correlated, while D-glucuronic acid and hexanoyl carnitine were positively correlated with modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS). In addition, a panel of metabolites including proline betaine, phloretin 2'-O-glucuronide, gamma-linolenic acid and L-cystathionine were associated with the presence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in SSc. Specific metabolites identified by ML algorithms, such as medicagenic acid 3-O-b-D-glucuronide, 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-3'-O-beta-glucuronide, valproic acid glucuronide, have the potential to predict the progression of skin fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Serum of SSc patients demonstrates profound metabolic changes. Treatment partially restored the metabolic changes in SSc. Moreover, certain metabolic changes were associated with clinical manifestations such as skin fibrosis and ILD, and could predict the progression of skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muyao Guo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Di Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Metabonomics, Institute of Emergency Medicine, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital/The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Weilin Chen
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ding Bao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yisha Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Clinic for Rheumatology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; Provincial Clinical Research Center for Rheumatic and Immunologic Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
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Feng J, Wu Y. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition: Potential Target of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 2023; 23:231-246. [PMID: 36841924 DOI: 10.1007/s40256-023-00573-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
The use of chemotherapeutic agents is becoming more frequent as the proportion of new oncology patients increases worldwide, with prolonged survival after treatment. As one of the most popular chemotherapy drugs, doxorubicin plays a substantial role in the treatment of tumors. Unfortunately, the use of doxorubicin is associated with several adverse effects, particularly severe cardiotoxicity that can be life-threatening, which greatly limits its clinical use. For decades, scientists have tried to explore many cardioprotective agents and therapeutic approaches, but their efficacy remains controversial, and some drugs have even brought about significant adverse effects. The concrete molecular mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity is still to be unraveled, yet endothelial damage is gradually being identified as an important mechanism triggering the development and progression of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a fundamental process regulating morphogenesis in multicellular organisms, is recognized to be associated with endothelial damage repair and acts as an important factor in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, tumors, and rheumatic immune diseases. Mounting evidence suggests that endothelial-mesenchymal transition may play a non-negligible role in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. In this paper, we reviewed the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of EndMT and outlined the molecular mechanisms of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity and the current therapeutic advances. Furthermore, we summarized the basic principles of doxorubicin-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition that lead to endothelial dysfunction and cardiotoxicity, aiming to provide suggestions or new ideas for the prevention and treatment of doxorubicin-induced endothelial and cardiac injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Feng
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yanqing Wu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Perkins RS, Singh R, Abell AN, Krum SA, Miranda-Carboni GA. The role of WNT10B in physiology and disease: A 10-year update. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1120365. [PMID: 36814601 PMCID: PMC9939717 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1120365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
WNT10B, a member of the WNT family of secreted glycoproteins, activates the WNT/β-catenin signaling cascade to control proliferation, stemness, pluripotency, and cell fate decisions. WNT10B plays roles in many tissues, including bone, adipocytes, skin, hair, muscle, placenta, and the immune system. Aberrant WNT10B signaling leads to several diseases, such as osteoporosis, obesity, split-hand/foot malformation (SHFM), fibrosis, dental anomalies, and cancer. We reviewed WNT10B a decade ago, and here we provide a comprehensive update to the field. Novel research on WNT10B has expanded to many more tissues and diseases. WNT10B polymorphisms and mutations correlate with many phenotypes, including bone mineral density, obesity, pig litter size, dog elbow dysplasia, and cow body size. In addition, the field has focused on the regulation of WNT10B using upstream mediators, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). We also discussed the therapeutic implications of WNT10B regulation. In summary, research conducted during 2012-2022 revealed several new, diverse functions in the role of WNT10B in physiology and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S. Perkins
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Rishika Singh
- College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Amy N. Abell
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Susan A. Krum
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States,Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Gustavo A. Miranda-Carboni
- Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States,Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States,*Correspondence: Gustavo A. Miranda-Carboni,
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9
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The Molecular Mechanisms of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Lung Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032963. [PMID: 36769282 PMCID: PMC9917655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder that affects the connective tissues and has the highest mortality rate among the rheumatic diseases. One of the hallmarks of SSc is fibrosis, which may develop systemically, affecting the skin and virtually any visceral organ in the body. Fibrosis of the lungs leads to interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is currently the leading cause of death in SSc. The identification of effective treatments to stop or reverse lung fibrosis has been the main challenge in reducing SSc mortality and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms, altered pathways, and their potential interactions in SSc lung fibrosis is key to developing potential therapies. In this review, we discuss the diverse molecular mechanisms involved in SSc-related lung fibrosis to provide insights into the altered homeostasis state inherent to this fatal disease complication.
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10
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Bayati P, Poormoghim H, Mojtabavi N. Aberrant expression of miR-138 as a novel diagnostic biomarker in systemic sclerosis. Biomark Insights 2022; 17:11772719221135442. [PMID: 36518749 PMCID: PMC9742580 DOI: 10.1177/11772719221135442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MicroRNAs are short nucleotide sequences that contribute to the regulation of various biological functions and therefore their roles have been investigated in many pathologic conditions such as epithelial to mesenchymal transition in cancer and fibrosis; among them, miR-138 has been mostly studied in cancer biology and is well-known for its suppressing effect on cancer progression. Being able to suppress major pathways involved in EMT, miR-138 could be a good candidate to be investigated in fibrotic responses too. Based on our previous studies, and the capability of miR-138 to target and regulate several components of the EMT pathway; we hypothesized a role for miR-138 in systemic sclerosis. Accordingly, the gene expression of miR-138 was assessed to find any alterations in the whole blood of the SSc patients. METHODS Blood was collected from 70 patients with systemic sclerosis (equally divided between 2 groups of limited and diffuse categories) and 30 healthy individuals as controls. RNA was immediately isolated from the fresh whole blood; afterward, the resulting RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA and then the relative expression of miR-138 was compared between the patients and the controls by the means of qPCR, and specific TaqMan primer and probes. RESULTS The relative expression of miR-138 was significantly lower in patients with systemic sclerosis compared to the controls. No significant difference was observed between the limited and diffuse patient groups. ROC curve analysis showed an appropriate diagnostic value of miR-138 in effectively differentiating SSc patients from the healthy controls. CONCLUSION miR-138 is likely involved in the pathogenesis of SSc and with further evaluations may be utilized as a diagnostic biomarker in SSc. Also, targeting miR-138 in future studies could be promising for finding a novel treatment option for patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paria Bayati
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hadi Poormoghim
- Scleroderma study group Firuzgar Hospital Iran University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazanin Mojtabavi
- Immunology Research Center, Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Heim X, Bermudez J, Joshkon A, Kaspi E, Bachelier R, Nollet M, Vélier M, Dou L, Brodovitch A, Foucault-Bertaud A, Leroyer AS, Benyamine A, Daumas A, Granel B, Sabatier F, Dignat-George F, Blot-Chabaud M, Bardin N. CD146 at the Interface between Oxidative Stress and the Wnt Signaling Pathway in Systemic Sclerosis. J Invest Dermatol 2022; 142:3200-3210.e5. [PMID: 35690141 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2022.03.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
CD146 involvement was recently described in skin fibrosis of systemic sclerosis through its regulation of the Wnt pathway. Because the interaction between Wnt and ROS signaling plays a major role in fibrosis, we hypothesized that in systemic sclerosis, CD146 may regulate Wnt/ROS crosstalk. Using a transcriptomic and western blot analysis performed on CD146 wild-type or knockout mouse embryonic fibroblasts, we showed a procanonical Wnt hallmark in the absence of CD146 that is reversed when CD146 expression is restored. We found an elevated ROS content in knockout cells and an increase in DNA oxidative damage in the skin sections of knockout mice compared with those of wild-type mice. We also showed that ROS increased CD146 and its noncanonical Wnt ligand, WNT5A, only in wild-type cells. In humans, fibroblasts from patients with systemic sclerosis presented higher ROS content and expressed CD146, whereas control fibroblasts did not. Moreover, CD146 and its ligand were upregulated by ROS in both human fibroblasts. The increase in bleomycin-induced WNT5A expression was abrogated when CD146 was silenced. We showed an interplay between Wnt and ROS signaling in systemic sclerosis, regulated by CD146, which promotes the noncanonical Wnt pathway and prevents ROS signaling, opening the way for innovative therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Heim
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Service d'immunologie, Biogénopôle, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France.
| | | | - Ahmad Joshkon
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
| | - Elise Kaspi
- Aix Marseille University, APHM, INSERM, MMG, Hôpital la Timone, Service de Biologie Cellulaire, Marseille, France
| | | | - Marie Nollet
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
| | - Mélanie Vélier
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Hematology and Vascular Biology Department, Hopital de la Conception, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | - Laetitia Dou
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France
| | - Alexandre Brodovitch
- Service d'immunologie, Biogénopôle, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | | | | | - Audrey Benyamine
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Internal Medicine Department, Hopital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | - Aurélie Daumas
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Internal Medicine, Geriatric and Therapeutic Department, Hopital de la Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | - Brigitte Granel
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Internal Medicine Department, Hopital Nord, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | - Florence Sabatier
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Cell Therapy Laboratory, INSERM CIC BT 1409, Hôpital de la Conception, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | - Françoise Dignat-George
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Hematology and Vascular Biology Department, Hopital de la Conception, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
| | | | - Nathalie Bardin
- Aix Marseille Univ, INSERM, INRAE, C2VN, Marseille, France; Service d'immunologie, Biogénopôle, Hôpital de la Timone, Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Marseille (AP-HM), Marseille, France
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12
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SFRP4 Expression Is Linked to Immune-Driven Fibrotic Conditions, Correlates with Skin and Lung Fibrosis in SSc and a Potential EMT Biomarker. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245820. [PMID: 34945116 PMCID: PMC8706846 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Secreted Frizzled Receptor Protein 4 (SFRP4) has been shown to be increased in Scleroderma (SSc). To determine its role in immune-driven fibrosis, we analysed SSc and sclerotic Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease (sclGVHD) biosamples; skin biopsies (n = 24) from chronic GVHD patients (8 with and 5 without sclGVHD), 8 from SSc and 3 healthy controls (HC) were analysed by immunofluorescence (IF) and SSc patient sera (n = 77) assessed by ELISA. Epithelial cell lines used for in vitro Epithelial-Mesenchymal-Transition (EMT) assays and analysed by Western Blot, RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. SclGVHD skin biopsies resembled pathologic features of SSc. IF of fibrotic skin biopsies indicated the major source of SFRP4 expression were dermal fibroblasts, melanocytes and vimentin positive/caveolin-1 negative cells in the basal layer of the epidermis. In vitro studies showed increased vimentin and SFRP4 expression accompanied with decreased caveolin-1 expression during TGFβ-induced EMT. Additionally, SFRP4 serum concentration correlated with severity of lung and skin fibrosis in SSc. In conclusion, SFRP4 expression is increased during skin fibrosis in two different immune-driven conditions, and during an in vitro EMT model. Its serum levels correlate with skin and lung fibrosis in SSc and may function as biomarker of EMT. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the role of SFRP4 in EMT within the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis.
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13
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Höppner J, Bruni C, Distler O, Robson SC, Burmester GR, Siegert E, Distler JHW. Purinergic signaling in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 61:2770-2782. [PMID: 34849624 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keab859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease that involves numerous organs and presents major management challenges. The histopathologic hallmarks of SSc include vasculopathy, fibrosis and autoimmune phenomena involving both innate and adaptive immune systems. Purinergic signalling is a pathway that may be implicated in the pathophysiology of several of these disease manifestations. Extracellular purines are potent signalling mediators, which have been shown to be dysregulated in SSc. As examples, purines can exacerbate vasculopathy and provoke platelet dysfunction; as well as contributing to immune dysregulation. Elements of purinergic signalling further promote organ and tissue fibrosis in several disease models. Here, we provide an overview of extracellular purine metabolism in purinergic signalling and link disorders of these to the molecular pathology of SSc. We also discuss targeting the purinergic signalling and explore the translational applications for new therapeutic options in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Höppner
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cosimo Bruni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.,Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simon C Robson
- Departments of Anesthesia and Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gerd R Burmester
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Elise Siegert
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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14
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Thulabandu V, Nehila T, Ferguson JW, Atit RP. Dermal EZH2 orchestrates dermal differentiation and epidermal proliferation during murine skin development. Dev Biol 2021; 478:25-40. [PMID: 34166654 PMCID: PMC8384472 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.06.008] [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: 03/08/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Skin development and patterning is dependent on factors that regulate the stepwise differentiation of dermal fibroblasts concomitant with dermal-epidermal reciprocal signaling, two processes that are poorly understood. Here we show that dermal EZH2, the methyltransferase enzyme of the epigenetic Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2), is a new coordinator of both these processes. Dermal EZH2 activity is present during dermal fibroblast differentiation and is required for spatially restricting Wnt/β-catenin signaling to reinforce dermal fibroblast cell fate. Later in development, dermal EZH2 regulates the expression of reticular dermal markers and initiation of secondary hair follicles. Embryos lacking dermal Ezh2 have elevated epidermal proliferation and differentiation that can be rescued by small molecule inhibition of retinoic acid (RA) signaling. Together, our study reveals that dermal EZH2 is acting like a rheostat to control the levels of Wnt/β-catenin and RA signaling to impact fibroblast differentiation cell autonomously and epidermal keratinocyte development non-cell autonomously, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Timothy Nehila
- Dept. of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - James W Ferguson
- Dept. of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Radhika P Atit
- Dept. of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Dept. of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Dept. of Dermatology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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15
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Györfi AH, Matei AE, Fuchs M, Liang C, Rigau AR, Hong X, Zhu H, Luber M, Bergmann C, Dees C, Ludolph I, Horch RE, Distler O, Wang J, Bengsch B, Schett G, Kunz M, Distler JH. Engrailed 1 coordinates cytoskeletal reorganization to induce myofibroblast differentiation. J Exp Med 2021; 218:e20201916. [PMID: 34259830 PMCID: PMC8288503 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is a key mediator of fibroblast activation in fibrotic diseases, including systemic sclerosis. Here we show that Engrailed 1 (EN1) is reexpressed in multiple fibroblast subpopulations in the skin of SSc patients. We characterize EN1 as a molecular amplifier of TGFβ signaling in myofibroblast differentiation: TGFβ induces EN1 expression in a SMAD3-dependent manner, and in turn, EN1 mediates the profibrotic effects of TGFβ. RNA sequencing demonstrates that EN1 induces a profibrotic gene expression profile functionally related to cytoskeleton organization and ROCK activation. EN1 regulates gene expression by modulating the activity of SP1 and other SP transcription factors, as confirmed by ChIP-seq experiments for EN1 and SP1. Functional experiments confirm the coordinating role of EN1 on ROCK activity and the reorganization of cytoskeleton during myofibroblast differentiation, in both standard fibroblast culture systems and in vitro skin models. Consistently, mice with fibroblast-specific knockout of En1 demonstrate impaired fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and are partially protected from experimental skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea-Hermina Györfi
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alexandru-Emil Matei
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maximilian Fuchs
- Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Chunguang Liang
- Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aleix Rius Rigau
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Xuezhi Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China
| | - Markus Luber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ingo Ludolph
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raymund E. Horch
- Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Department of Rheumatology, Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China
| | - Bertram Bengsch
- Department of Medicine II: Gastroenterology, Hepatology, Endocrinology, and Infectious Disease, University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- BIOSS Centre for Biological Signaling Studies, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Meik Kunz
- Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H.W. Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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16
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Bergmann C, Hallenberger L, Chenguiti Fakhouri S, Merlevede B, Brandt A, Dees C, Zhu H, Zehender A, Zhou X, Schwab A, Chen CW, Györfi AH, Matei AE, Chakraborty D, Trinh-Minh T, Rauber S, Coras R, Bozec A, Kreuter A, Ziemer M, Schett G, Distler JHW. X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) inhibition in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Ann Rheum Dis 2021; 80:1048-1056. [PMID: 33903093 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-219822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) is a multifunctional protein with important functions in apoptosis, cellular differentiation and cytoskeletal organisation and is emerging as potential target for the treatment of various cancers. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of XIAP in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS The expression of XIAP in human skin samples of patients with SSc and chronic graft versus host disease (cGvHD) and healthy individuals was analysed by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence (IF) and western blot. XIAP was inactivated by siRNA-mediated knockdown and pharmacological inhibition. The effects of XIAP inactivation were analysed in cultured fibroblasts and in the fibrosis models bleomycin-induced and topoisomerase-I-(topoI)-induced fibrosis and in Wnt10b-transgenic mice. RESULTS The expression of XIAP, but not of other inhibitor of apoptosis protein family members, was increased in fibroblasts in SSc and sclerodermatous cGvHD. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) induced the expression of XIAP in a SMAD3-dependent manner. Inactivation of XIAP reduced WNT-induced fibroblast activation and collagen release. Inhibition of XIAP also ameliorated fibrosis induced by bleomycin, topoI and overexpression of Wnt10b in well-tolerated doses. The profibrotic effects of XIAP were mediated via WNT/β-catenin signalling. Inactivation of XIAP reduces binding of β-catenin to TCF to in a TLE-dependent manner to block WNT/β-catenin-dependent transcription. CONCLUSIONS Our data characterise XIAP as a novel link between two core pathways of fibrosis. XIAP is overexpressed in SSc and cGvHD in a TGF-β/SMAD3-dependent manner and in turn amplifies the profibrotic effects of WNT/β-catenin signalling on fibroblasts via transducin-like enhancer of split 3. Targeted inactivation of XIAP inhibits the aberrant activation of fibroblasts in murine models of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Ludwig Hallenberger
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Sara Chenguiti Fakhouri
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Benita Merlevede
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Amelie Brandt
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany.,Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ariella Zehender
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Annemarie Schwab
- Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research, University Hospital Erlangen, FAU-Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Chih-Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Andrea Hermina Györfi
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Alexandru Emil Matei
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Debomita Chakraborty
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Thuong Trinh-Minh
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Simon Rauber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Roland Coras
- Department of Neuropathology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Aline Bozec
- Institute for Clinical Immunology University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Alexander Kreuter
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, HELIOS Sankt Elisabeth Klinik Oberhausen, Oberhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
| | - Mirjana Ziemer
- Klinik für Dermatologie, Venerologie und Allergologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Sachsen, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
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17
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Dees C, Chakraborty D, Distler JHW. Cellular and molecular mechanisms in fibrosis. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:121-131. [PMID: 32931037 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The activation of fibroblasts is required for physiological tissue remodelling such as wound healing. However, when the regulatory mechanisms are disrupted and fibroblasts remain persistently activated, the progressive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins leads to tissue fibrosis, which results in dysfunction or even loss of function of the affected organ. Although fibrosis has been recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in modern societies, there are only few treatment options available that directly disrupt the release of extracellular matrix from fibroblasts. Intensive research in recent years, however, identified several pathways as core fibrotic mechanisms that are shared across different fibrotic diseases and organs. We discuss herein selection of those core pathways, especially downstream of the profibrotic TGF-β pathway, which are druggable and which may be transferable from bench to bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Dees
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Debomita Chakraborty
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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Gaikwad AV, Eapen MS, McAlinden KD, Chia C, Larby J, Myers S, Dey S, Haug G, Markos J, Glanville AR, Sohal SS. Endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) and vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Rev Respir Med 2020; 14:1027-1043. [PMID: 32659128 DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2020.1795832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible fibrotic disease associated with respiratory failure. The disease remains idiopathic, but repeated alveolar epithelium injury, disruption of alveolar-capillary integrity, abnormal vascular repair, and pulmonary vascular remodeling are considered possible pathogenic mechanisms. Also, the development of comorbidities such as pulmonary hypertension (PH) could further impact disease outcome, quality of life and survival rates in IPF. AREAS COVERED The current review provides a comprehensive literature survey of the mechanisms involved in the development and manifestations of IPF and their links to PH pathology. This review also provides the current understanding of molecular mechanisms that link the two pathologies and will specifically decipher the role of endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT) along with the possible triggers of EndMT. The possibility of targeting EndMT as a therapeutic option in IPF is discussed. EXPERT OPINION With a steady increase in prevalence and mortality, IPF is no longer considered a rare disease. Thus, it is of utmost importance and urgency that the underlying profibrotic pathways and mechanisms are fully understood, to enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana Vijay Gaikwad
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Mathew Suji Eapen
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Kielan D McAlinden
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Collin Chia
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Josie Larby
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Stephen Myers
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Surajit Dey
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
| | - Greg Haug
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - James Markos
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Launceston General Hospital , Launceston, Australia
| | - Allan R Glanville
- Lung Transplant Unit, Department of Thoracic Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital , Sydney, Australia
| | - Sukhwinder Singh Sohal
- Respiratory Translational Research Group, Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania , Launceston, Australia
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Feng D, Gerarduzzi C. Emerging Roles of Matricellular Proteins in Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4776. [PMID: 32640520 PMCID: PMC7369781 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a rare chronic heterogenous disease that involves inflammation and vasculopathy, and converges in end-stage development of multisystem tissue fibrosis. The loss of tight spatial distribution and temporal expression of proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM) leads to progressive organ stiffening, which is a hallmark of fibrotic disease. A group of nonstructural matrix proteins, known as matricellular proteins (MCPs) are implicated in dysregulated processes that drive fibrosis such as ECM remodeling and various cellular behaviors. Accordingly, MCPs have been described in the context of fibrosis in sclerosis (SSc) as predictive disease biomarkers and regulators of ECM synthesis, with promising therapeutic potential. In this present review, an informative summary of major MCPs is presented highlighting their clear correlations to SSc- fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Feng
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Faculté de Médecine, Centre affilié à l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H1T 2M4, Canada
| | - Casimiro Gerarduzzi
- Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada;
- Centre de recherche de l’Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Faculté de Médecine, Centre affilié à l’Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H1T 2M4, Canada
- Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada
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Li L, Zuo X, Liu D, Luo H, Zhu H. The profiles of miRNAs and lncRNAs in peripheral blood neutrophils exosomes of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. J Dermatol Sci 2020; 98:88-97. [PMID: 32147195 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2020.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis (dSSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease with skin fibrosis. Neutrophils display important roles in autoimmunity, inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis. Exosomes (EXOs) are cell-derived vesicles contained various noncoding RNAs, mRNA and proteins with biological roles. OBJECTIVE To investigate the roles of miRNAs and lncRNAs from dSSc neutrophils EXOs. METHODS EXOs were isolated from cultured neutrophils supernatants and identified by transmission electron microscopy. Global expression of miRNAs and lncRNAs in neutrophils EXOs were sequenced by Illumina HiSeq 3000 and bioinformatic analyses were performed by R/Bioconductor. Genes were validated by real-time quantitative PCR. RESULTS In profiles of neutrophils EXOs, we identified 22 dysregulated miRNAs and 281 dysregulated lncRNAs. Predicted target genes of them were enriched in GO, KEGG and Reactome pathways, Wnt, AMPK, IL-23 and NOTCH signaling pathways were selected for further analysis. Widely interactions among them were also found. Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and human primary skin fibroblasts were stimulated with dSSc neutrophils EXOs, these fibrosis related genes were detected and some changes were found, such as ENST00000533886.1-hsa-miR-1268a-CAMK2G in Wnt and IL-23 signaling pathways, ENST00000610091.1-hsa-miR-299-3p, 512-3p-CPT1A in IL-23 and AMPK signaling pathways, NR_001564.2, ENST00000520562.1, ENST00000596567.1-hsa-miR-299-3p, 512-3p -TFDP2 in IL-23, AMPK and NOTCH signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS The profiles of miRNAs and lncRNAs of neutrophils EXOs provided novel clues for dSSc pathogenesis. We identified several gene pairs in the Wnt, AMPK, IL-23 and NOTCH signaling pathways, which could be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets in dSSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liya Li
- Department of Rheumatology and immunology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; The Institute of Rheumatology and Immunology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Zuo
- Department of Rheumatology and immunology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; The Institute of Rheumatology and Immunology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Di Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and immunology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; The Institute of Rheumatology and Immunology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Hui Luo
- Department of Rheumatology and immunology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; The Institute of Rheumatology and Immunology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and immunology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China; The Institute of Rheumatology and Immunology, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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Čolić J, Matucci Cerinic M, Guiducci S, Damjanov N. Microparticles in systemic sclerosis, targets or tools to control fibrosis: This is the question! JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2020; 5:6-20. [PMID: 35382401 PMCID: PMC8922594 DOI: 10.1177/2397198319857356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is the main systemic fibrotic disease with unknown etiology characterized by peripheral microvascular injury, activation of immune system, and wide-spread progressive fibrosis. Microparticles can be derived from any cell type during normal cellular differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis, and also upon cellular activation. Carrying along a broad range of surface cytoplasmic and nuclear molecules of originating cells, microparticles are closely implicated in inflammation, thrombosis, angiogenesis, and immunopathogenesis. Recently, microparticles have been proposed as biomarkers of endothelial injury, which is the primary event in the genesis of tissue fibrosis. Microparticles may have a role in fostering endothelial to mesenchymal transition, thus giving a significant contribution to the development of myofibroblasts, the most important final effectors responsible for tissue fibrosis and fibroproliferative vasculopathy. Thanks to potent profibrotic mediators, such as transforming growth factor beta, platelet-derived growth factor, high mobility group box 1 protein, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4, and antifibrotic agents, such as matrix metalloproteinases, microparticles may play an opposite role in fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Čolić
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of
Rheumatology, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marco Matucci Cerinic
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of
Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC)
and Denothe Centre, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Serena Guiducci
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of
Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi (AOUC)
and Denothe Centre, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Nemanja Damjanov
- Department of Rheumatology, Institute of
Rheumatology, Belgrade, Serbia
- School of Medicine, University of
Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Distler JHW, Györfi AH, Ramanujam M, Whitfield ML, Königshoff M, Lafyatis R. Shared and distinct mechanisms of fibrosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2019; 15:705-730. [DOI: 10.1038/s41584-019-0322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in systemic sclerosis provides novel targets to understand disease pathogenesis. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:144. [PMID: 31651337 PMCID: PMC6813992 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that both genetic susceptibilities and changes in DNA methylation influence pivotal biological pathways and thereby contribute to the disease. The role of DNA methylation in SSc has not been fully elucidated, because existing investigations of DNA methylation predominantly focused on nucleotide CpGs within restricted genic regions, and were performed on samples containing mixed cell types. Methods We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing on purified CD4+ T lymphocytes from nine SSc patients and nine controls in a pilot study, and then profiled genome-wide cytosine methylation as well as genetic variations. We adopted robust statistical methods to identify differentially methylated genomic regions (DMRs). We then examined pathway enrichment associated with genes located in these DMRs. We also tested whether changes in CpG methylation were associated with adjacent genetic variation. Results We profiled DNA methylation at more than three million CpG dinucleotides genome-wide. We identified 599 DMRs associated with 340 genes, among which 54 genes exhibited further associations with adjacent genetic variation. We also found these genes were associated with pathways and functions that are known to be abnormal in SSc, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, skin lesion formation and progression, and angiogenesis. Conclusion The CD4+ T cell DNA cytosine methylation landscape in SSc involves crucial genes in disease pathogenesis. Some of the methylation patterns are also associated with genetic variation. These findings provide essential foundations for future studies of epigenetic regulation and genome-epigenome interaction in SSc.
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Henry TW, Mendoza FA, Jimenez SA. Role of microRNA in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy. Autoimmun Rev 2019; 18:102396. [PMID: 31520794 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2019.102396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) pathogenesis involves multiple immunological, vascular and fibroproliferative abnormalities that contribute to a severe and complex clinical picture. Vasculopathy and fibroproliferative alterations are two hallmark pathological processes in SSc that are responsible for the most severe clinical manifestations of the disease and determine its clinical outcome and mortality. However, the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy and of the uncontrolled SSc fibrotic process remain incompletely understood. Recent investigations into the molecular pathways involved in these processes have identified an important role for epigenetic processes that contribute to overall disease progression and have emphasized microRNAs (miRNAs) as crucial epigenetic regulators. MiRNAs hold unique potential for elucidating SSc pathogenesis, improving diagnosis and developing effective targeted therapies for the disease. This review examines the important role that miRNAs play in the development and regulation of vascular and fibroproliferative alterations associated with SSc pathogenesis and their possible participation in the establishment of pathogenetic connections between these two processes. This review also emphasizes that further understanding of the involvement of miRNA in SSc fibrosis and vasculopathy will very likely provide novel future research directions and allow for the identification of groundbreaking therapeutic interventions within these processes. MiR-21, miR- 31, and miR-155 are of particular interest owing to their important involvement in both SSc vasculopathy and fibroproliferative alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler W Henry
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia 19107, USA; Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, USA
| | - Fabian A Mendoza
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, USA; Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, USA
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine and Scleroderma Center, Thomas Jefferson University, USA.
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A bigenic mouse model of FSGS reveals perturbed pathways in podocytes, mesangial cells and endothelial cells. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0216261. [PMID: 31461442 PMCID: PMC6713350 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0216261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis is a major cause of end stage renal disease. Many patients prove unresponsive to available therapies. An improved understanding of the molecular basis of the disease process could provide insights leading to novel therapeutic approaches. In this study we carried out an RNA-seq analysis of the altered gene expression patterns of podocytes, mesangial cells and glomerular endothelial cells of the bigenic Cd2ap+/-, Fyn-/- mutant mouse model of FSGS. In the podocytes we observed upregulation of many genes related to the Tgfβ family/pathway, including Gdnf, Tgfβ1, Tgfβ2, Snai2, Vegfb, Bmp4, and Tnc. The mutant podocytes also showed upregulation of Acta2, a marker of smooth muscle and associated with myofibroblasts, which are implicated in driving fibrosis. GO analysis of the podocyte upregulated genes identified elevated protein kinase activity, increased expression of growth factors, and negative regulation of cell adhesion, perhaps related to the observed podocyte loss. Both podocytes and mesangial cells showed strong upregulation of aldehyde dehydrogenase genes involved in the synthesis of retinoic acid. Similarly, the Cd2ap+/-, Fyn-/- mesangial cells, as well as podocytes in other genetic models, and the glomeruli of human FSGS patients, all show upregulation of the serine protease Prss23, with the common thread suggesting important functionality. Another gene with strong upregulation in the Cd2ap+/-, Fyn-/- mutant mesangial cells as well as multiple other mutant mouse models of FSGS was thrombospondin, which activates the secreted inactive form of Tgfβ. The Cd2ap+/-, Fyn-/- mutant endothelial cells showed elevated expression of genes involved in cell proliferation, angioblast migration, angiogenesis, and neovasculature, all consistent with the formation of new blood vessels in the diseased glomerulus. The resulting global definition of the perturbed molecular pathways in the three major cell types of the mutant glomerulus provide deeper understanding of the molecular pathogenic pathways.
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van de Vlekkert D, Demmers J, Nguyen XX, Campos Y, Machado E, Annunziata I, Hu H, Gomero E, Qiu X, Bongiovanni A, Feghali-Bostwick CA, d’Azzo A. Excessive exosome release is the pathogenic pathway linking a lysosomal deficiency to generalized fibrosis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaav3270. [PMID: 31328155 PMCID: PMC6636989 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aav3270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Lysosomal exocytosis is a ubiquitous process negatively regulated by neuraminidase 1 (NEU1), a sialidase mutated in the glycoprotein storage disease sialidosis. In Neu1-/- mice, excessive lysosomal exocytosis is at the basis of disease pathogenesis. Yet, the tissue-specific molecular consequences of this deregulated pathway are still unfolding. We now report that in muscle connective tissue, Neu1-/- fibroblasts have features of myofibroblasts and are proliferative, migratory, and exocytose large amounts of exosomes. These nanocarriers loaded with activated transforming growth factor-β and wingless-related integration site (WNT)/β-catenin signaling molecules propagate fibrotic signals to other cells, maintaining the tissue in a prolonged transitional status. Myofibroblast-derived exosomes fed to normal fibroblasts convert them into myofibroblasts, changing the recipient cells' proliferative and migratory properties. These findings reveal an unexpected exosome-mediated signaling pathway downstream of NEU1 deficiency that propagates a fibrotic disease and could be implicated in idiopathic forms of fibrosis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diantha van de Vlekkert
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Jeroen Demmers
- Proteomics Center, Erasmus University Medical Center, Wytemaweg 80, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Xinh-Xinh Nguyen
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Yvan Campos
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Eda Machado
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Ida Annunziata
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Huimin Hu
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Elida Gomero
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xiaohui Qiu
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Antonella Bongiovanni
- Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology (IBIM), National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Alessandra d’Azzo
- Department of Genetics, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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Liang R, Kagwiria R, Zehender A, Dees C, Bergmann C, Ramming A, Krasowska D, Michalska-Jakubus M, Kreuter A, Kraner ME, Schett G, Distler JHW. Acyltransferase skinny hedgehog regulates TGFβ-dependent fibroblast activation in SSc. Ann Rheum Dis 2019; 78:1269-1273. [PMID: 31177096 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Revised: 05/10/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by aberrant hedgehog signalling in fibrotic tissues. The hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT) skinny hedgehog catalyses the attachment of palmitate onto sonic hedgehog (SHH). Palmitoylation of SHH is required for multimerisation of SHH proteins, which is thought to promote long-range, endocrine hedgehog signalling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of HHAT in the pathogenesis of SSc. METHODS Expression of HHAT was analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), immunofluorescence and histomorphometry. The effects of HHAT knockdown were analysed by reporter assays, target gene studies and quantification of collagen release and myofibroblast differentiation in cultured human fibroblasts and in two mouse models. RESULTS The expression of HHAT was upregulated in dermal fibroblasts of patients with SSc in a transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)/SMAD-dependent manner. Knockdown of HHAT reduced TGFβ-induced hedgehog signalling as well as myofibroblast differentiation and collagen release in human dermal fibroblasts. Knockdown of HHAT in the skin of mice ameliorated bleomycin-induced and topoisomerase-induced skin fibrosis. CONCLUSION HHAT is regulated in SSc in a TGFβ-dependent manner and in turn stimulates TGFβ-induced long-range hedgehog signalling to promote fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. Targeting of HHAT might be a novel approach to more selectively interfere with the profibrotic effects of long-range hedgehog signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruifang Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Rosebeth Kagwiria
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Ariella Zehender
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Andreas Ramming
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Dorota Krasowska
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Pediatric Dermatology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | | | - Alexander Kreuter
- Department of Dermatology, Venereolog and Allergology, HELIOS St Elisabeth Hospital Oberhausen, University Witten-Herdecke, Oberhausen, Germany
| | - Max E Kraner
- Department of Biology, Division of Biochemistry, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3- Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Bayern, Germany
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Deng Q, Luo Y, Chang C, Wu H, Ding Y, Xiao R. The Emerging Epigenetic Role of CD8+T Cells in Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review. Front Immunol 2019; 10:856. [PMID: 31057561 PMCID: PMC6482221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are usually complex and multifactorial, characterized by aberrant production of autoreactive immune cells and/or autoantibodies against healthy cells and tissues. However, the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases has not been clearly elucidated. The activation, differentiation, and development of CD8+ T cells can be affected by numerous inflammatory cytokines, transcription factors, and chemokines. In recent years, epigenetic modifications have been shown to play an important role in the fate of CD8+ T cells. The discovery of these modifications that contribute to the activation or suppression of CD8+ cells has been concurrent with the increasing evidence that CD8+ T cells play a role in autoimmunity. These relationships have been studied in various autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic sclerosis (SSc), type 1 diabetes (T1D), Grave's disease (GD), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), aplastic anemia (AA), and vitiligo. In each of these diseases, genes that play a role in the proliferation or activation of CD8+ T cells have been found to be affected by epigenetic modifications. Various cytokines, transcription factors, and other regulatory molecules have been found to be differentially methylated in CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diseases. These genes are involved in T cell regulation, including interferons, interleukin (IL),tumor necrosis factor (TNF), as well as linker for activation of T cells (LAT), cytotoxic T-lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 (CTLA4), and adapter proteins. MiRNAs also play a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases and several known miRNAs that are involved in these diseases have also been shown to play a role in CD8+ regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiancheng Deng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yangyang Luo
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Dermatology, Hunan Children's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Christopher Chang
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Haijing Wu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Ding
- Department of Dermatology, Hainan Provincial Dermatology Disease Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Rong Xiao
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition: Role in Physiology and in the Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Physiol Rev 2019; 99:1281-1324. [PMID: 30864875 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00021.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 308] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have demonstrated that endothelial cells are capable of undergoing endothelial to mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation. EndMT is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells adopt a mesenchymal phenotype displaying typical mesenchymal cell morphology and functions, including the acquisition of cellular motility and contractile properties. Endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose the expression of endothelial cell-specific proteins such as CD31/platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule, von Willebrand factor, and vascular-endothelial cadherin and initiate the expression of mesenchymal cell-specific genes and the production of their encoded proteins including α-smooth muscle actin, extra domain A fibronectin, N-cadherin, vimentin, fibroblast specific protein-1, also known as S100A4 protein, and fibrillar type I and type III collagens. Transforming growth factor-β1 is considered the main EndMT inducer. However, EndMT involves numerous molecular and signaling pathways that are triggered and modulated by multiple and often redundant mechanisms depending on the specific cellular context and on the physiological or pathological status of the cells. EndMT participates in highly important embryonic development processes, as well as in the pathogenesis of numerous genetically determined and acquired human diseases including malignant, vascular, inflammatory, and fibrotic disorders. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of EndMT remain to be elucidated. The identification of molecules and regulatory pathways involved in EndMT and the discovery of specific EndMT inhibitors should provide novel therapeutic approaches for various human disorders mediated by EndMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Distler JHW, Feghali-Bostwick C, Soare A, Asano Y, Distler O, Abraham DJ. Review: Frontiers of Antifibrotic Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2019; 69:257-267. [PMID: 27636741 DOI: 10.1002/art.39865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alina Soare
- University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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33
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Frost J, Estivill X, Ramsay M, Tikly M. Dysregulation of the Wnt signaling pathway in South African patients with diffuse systemic sclerosis. Clin Rheumatol 2018; 38:933-938. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-018-4298-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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34
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Györfi AH, Matei AE, Distler JH. Targeting TGF-β signaling for the treatment of fibrosis. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:8-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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35
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Juillerat-Jeanneret L, Aubert JD, Mikulic J, Golshayan D. Fibrogenic Disorders in Human Diseases: From Inflammation to Organ Dysfunction. J Med Chem 2018; 61:9811-9840. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucienne Juillerat-Jeanneret
- Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - John-David Aubert
- Pneumology Division and Transplantation Center, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV), CH1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Josip Mikulic
- Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Dela Golshayan
- Transplantation Center and Transplantation Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Switzerland
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36
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Furue M, Mitoma C, Mitoma H, Tsuji G, Chiba T, Nakahara T, Uchi H, Kadono T. Pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis-current concept and emerging treatments. Immunol Res 2018; 65:790-797. [PMID: 28488090 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-017-8926-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an intractable multifaceted disease with high mortality. Although its pathogenesis is not fully understood, recent studies have advanced our knowledge on SSc. The cardinal pathological features of SSc are autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis. The B cells in SSc are constitutively activated and lead to the production of a plethora of autoantibodies, such as anti-topoisomerase I and anti-centromere antibodies. In addition to these autoantibodies, which are valuable for diagnostic criteria or biomarkers, many other autoantibodies targeting endothelial cells, including endothelin type A receptor and angiotensin II type I receptor, are known to be functional and induce activation or apoptosis of endothelial cells. The autoantibody-mediated endothelial cell perturbation facilitates inflammatory cell infiltration, cytokine production, and myofibroblastic transformation of fibroblasts and endothelial cells. Profibrotic cytokines, such as transforming growth factor β, connective tissue growth factor, interleukin 4/interleukin 13, and interleukin 6, play a pivotal role in collagen production from myofibroblasts. Specific treatments targeting these causative molecules may improve the clinical outcomes of patients with SSc. In this review, we summarize recent topics on the pathogenesis (autoantibodies, vasculopathy, and fibrosis), animal models, and emerging treatments for SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masutaka Furue
- Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan. .,Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. .,Division of Skin Surface Sensing, Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
| | - Chikage Mitoma
- Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.,Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroki Mitoma
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology/Infectious Disease, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Gaku Tsuji
- Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.,Research and Clinical Center for Yusho and Dioxin, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takahito Chiba
- Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takeshi Nakahara
- Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan.,Division of Skin Surface Sensing, Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Uchi
- Department of Dermatology, Kyushu University, Maidashi 3-1-1, Higashiku, Fukuoka, 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kadono
- Department of Dermatology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
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37
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Dolcino M, Pelosi A, Fiore PF, Patuzzo G, Tinazzi E, Lunardi C, Puccetti A. Gene Profiling in Patients with Systemic Sclerosis Reveals the Presence of Oncogenic Gene Signatures. Front Immunol 2018; 9:449. [PMID: 29559981 PMCID: PMC5845728 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by three pathogenetic hallmarks: vasculopathy, dysregulation of the immune system, and fibrosis. A particular feature of SSc is the increased frequency of some types of malignancies, namely breast, lung, and hematological malignancies. Moreover, SSc may also be a paraneoplastic disease, again indicating a strong link between cancer and scleroderma. The reason of this association is still unknown; therefore, we aimed at investigating whether particular genetic or epigenetic factors may play a role in promoting cancer development in patients with SSc and whether some features are shared by the two conditions. We therefore performed a gene expression profiling of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) derived from patients with limited and diffuse SSc, showing that the various classes of genes potentially linked to the pathogenesis of SSc (such as apoptosis, endothelial cell activation, extracellular matrix remodeling, immune response, and inflammation) include genes that directly participate in the development of malignancies or that are involved in pathways known to be associated with carcinogenesis. The transcriptional analysis was then complemented by a complex network analysis of modulated genes which further confirmed the presence of signaling pathways associated with carcinogenesis. Since epigenetic mechanisms, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), are believed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of SSc, we also evaluated whether specific cancer-related miRNAs could be deregulated in the serum of SSc patients. We focused our attention on miRNAs already found upregulated in SSc such as miR-21-5p, miR-92a-3p, and on miR-155-5p, miR 126-3p and miR-16-5p known to be deregulated in malignancies associated to SSc, i.e., breast, lung, and hematological malignancies. miR-21-5p, miR-92a-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-16-5p expression was significantly higher in SSc sera compared to healthy controls. Our findings indicate the presence of modulated genes and miRNAs that can play a predisposing role in the development of malignancies in SSc and are important for a better risk stratification of patients and for the identification of a better individualized precision medicine strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marzia Dolcino
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Andrea Pelosi
- Immunology Area, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Elisa Tinazzi
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Puccetti
- Immunology Area, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, Rome, Italy.,Department of Experimental Medicine - Section of Histology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
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Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Analysis in Systemic Sclerosis Reveals Hypomethylation of IFN-Associated Genes in CD4 + and CD8 + T Cells. J Invest Dermatol 2017; 138:1069-1077. [PMID: 29248544 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 12/05/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, play an important role in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. In this study, we characterized the DNA methylome in primary T cells of patients with systemic sclerosis. Genome-wide DNA methylation assays of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from 24 systemic sclerosis patients and 24 matched controls were conducted and differentially methylated regions were validated. In the discovery stage, we found that hypomethylation of genes involved in the type I IFN signaling pathway was significantly enriched in both CD4+ (P = 7.59 × 10-6) and CD8+ (P = 2.10 × 10-8) differentially methylated regions. In the validation stage, we confirmed these changes for five type I IFN-associated genes. In addition, protein levels of both type I IFN-α (P < 0.0001) and β (P = 0.002) were significantly elevated in the sera of systemic sclerosis patients. Moreover, significant associations between type I IFN-α/β protein levels with the DNA methylation status as well as the expression profiles of these IFN-associated genes were confirmed. In conclusion, the type I IFN pathway is dysfunctional at the epigenetic level in systemic sclerosis patients, indicating that hypomethylation and upregulation of type I IFN-associated genes might be critical in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We discuss recent advances in evaluating and optimizing animal models of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Such models could be of value for illuminating etiopathogenesis using hypothesis-testing experimental approaches, for developing effective disease-modifying therapies, and for uncovering clinically relevant biomarkers. RECENT FINDINGS We describe recent advances in previously reported and novel animal models of SSc. The limitations of each animal model and their ability to recapitulate the pathophysiology of recognized molecular subsets of SSc are discussed. We highlight attrition of dermal white adipose tissue as a consistent pathological feature of dermal fibrosis in mouse models, and its relevance to SSc-associated cutaneous fibrosis. SUMMARY Several animal models potentially useful for studying SSc pathogenesis have been described. Recent studies highlight particular strengths and weaknesses of selected models in recapitulating distinct features of the human disease. When used in the appropriate experimental setting, and in combination, these models singly and together provide a powerful set of in-vivo tools to define underlying mechanisms of disease and to develop and evaluate effective antifibrotic therapies.
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40
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Bergmann C, Distler JHW. Epigenetic factors as drivers of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Epigenomics 2017; 9:463-477. [DOI: 10.2217/epi-2016-0150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Prolonged activation of fibroblasts is a central hallmark of fibrosing disorders such as systemic sclerosis (SSc). Fibroblasts are the key effector cells. They differentiate into an activated myofibroblast phenotype. In contrast to normal wound healing with transient activation, myofibroblasts persist in fibrosing disorders. Current hypothesis suggests that profibrotic cytokines might trigger epigenetic changes which contribute to the persistently activated fibroblast phenotype. In the last years, several epigenetic alterations have been described in SSc and have been linked to different pathogenic aspects of the disease, in particular to aberrant fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis, but also to vascular manifestations and inflammation. The focus of this review is the current knowledge on epigenetic changes in fibroblast activation in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg HW Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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41
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Integration of microRNA and mRNA expression profiles in the skin of systemic sclerosis patients. Sci Rep 2017; 7:42899. [PMID: 28211533 PMCID: PMC5314349 DOI: 10.1038/srep42899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 01/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the fibrosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, the underlying miRNA-mRNA regulatory network is not fully understood. A systemic investigation of the role of miRNAs would be very valuable for increasing our knowledge of the pathogenesis of SSc. Here, we combined miRNA and mRNA expression profiles and bioinformatics analyses and then performed validation experiments. we identified 21 miRNAs and 2698 mRNAs that were differentially expressed in SSc. Among these, 17 miRNAs and their 33 target mRNAs (55 miRNA-mRNA pairs) were involved in Toll-like receptor, transforming growth factor β and Wnt signalling pathways. Validation experiments revealed that miR-146b, miR-130b, miR-21, miR-31 and miR-34a levels were higher whereas miR-145 levels were lower in SSc skin tissues and fibroblasts, normal fibroblasts and endothelial cells that were stimulated with SSc serum. ACVR2B, FZD2, FZD5 and SOX2 levels were increased in SSc skin fibroblasts, normal fibroblasts and endothelial cells that were stimulated with SSc serum. We did not identify any negative correlations among these miRNA-mRNA pairs. miR-21 was specifically expressed at higher levels in SSc serum. Six miRNAs and 4 mRNAs appear to play important roles in the pathogenesis of SSc are worth investigating in future functional studies.
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Rosenbloom J, Macarak E, Piera-Velazquez S, Jimenez SA. Human Fibrotic Diseases: Current Challenges in Fibrosis Research. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1627:1-23. [PMID: 28836191 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7113-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Human fibrotic diseases constitute a major health problem worldwide owing to the large number of affected individuals, the incomplete knowledge of the fibrotic process pathogenesis, the marked heterogeneity in their etiology and clinical manifestations, the absence of appropriate and fully validated biomarkers, and, most importantly, the current void of effective disease-modifying therapeutic agents. The fibrotic disorders encompass a wide spectrum of clinical entities including systemic fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc), sclerodermatous graft vs. host disease, and nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, as well as numerous organ-specific disorders including radiation-induced fibrosis and cardiac, pulmonary, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Although their causative mechanisms are quite diverse and in several instances have remained elusive, these diseases share the common feature of an uncontrolled and progressive accumulation of fibrotic tissue in affected organs causing their dysfunction and ultimate failure. Despite the remarkable heterogeneity in the etiologic mechanisms responsible for the development of fibrotic diseases and in their clinical manifestations, numerous studies have identified activated myofibroblasts as the common cellular element ultimately responsible for the replacement of normal tissues with nonfunctional fibrotic tissue. Critical signaling cascades, initiated primarily by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), but also involving numerous cytokines and signaling molecules which stimulate profibrotic reactions in myofibroblasts, offer potential therapeutic targets. Here, we briefly review the current knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of tissue fibrosis and point out some of the most important challenges to research in the fibrotic diseases and to the development of effective therapeutic approaches for this often fatal group of disorders. Efforts to further clarify the complex pathogenetic mechanisms of the fibrotic process should be encouraged to attain the elusive goal of developing effective therapies for these serious, untreatable, and often fatal disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Rosenbloom
- The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Center for Fibrotic Diseases and The Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Edward Macarak
- The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Center for Fibrotic Diseases and The Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Center for Fibrotic Diseases and The Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- The Joan and Joel Rosenbloom Center for Fibrotic Diseases and The Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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43
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SnapshotDx Quiz: November 2016. J Invest Dermatol 2016; 136:e115. [PMID: 30477672 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2016.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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44
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Chia JJ, Zhu T, Chyou S, Dasoveanu DC, Carballo C, Tian S, Magro CM, Rodeo S, Spiera RF, Ruddle NH, McGraw TE, Browning JL, Lafyatis R, Gordon JK, Lu TT. Dendritic cells maintain dermal adipose-derived stromal cells in skin fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:4331-4345. [PMID: 27721238 DOI: 10.1172/jci85740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Scleroderma is a group of skin-fibrosing diseases for which there are no effective treatments. A feature of the skin fibrosis typical of scleroderma is atrophy of the dermal white adipose tissue (DWAT). Adipose tissue contains adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ADSCs) that have regenerative and reparative functions; however, whether DWAT atrophy in fibrosis is accompanied by ADSC loss is poorly understood, as are the mechanisms that might maintain ADSC survival in fibrotic skin. Here, we have shown that DWAT ADSC numbers were reduced, likely because of cell death, in 2 murine models of scleroderma skin fibrosis. The remaining ADSCs showed a partial dependence on dendritic cells (DCs) for survival. Lymphotoxin β (LTβ) expression in DCs maintained ADSC survival in fibrotic skin by activating an LTβ receptor/β1 integrin (LTβR/β1 integrin) pathway on ADSCs. Stimulation of LTβR augmented the engraftment of therapeutically injected ADSCs, which was associated with reductions in skin fibrosis and improved skin function. These findings provide insight into the effects of skin fibrosis on DWAT ADSCs, identify a DC-ADSC survival axis in fibrotic skin, and suggest an approach for improving mesenchymal stromal cell therapy in scleroderma and other diseases.
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45
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Fang C, Li L, Li J. Conditional Knockout in Mice Reveals the Critical Roles of Ppp2ca in Epidermis Development. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17050756. [PMID: 27213341 PMCID: PMC4881577 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17050756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The epidermis is an important tissue in Homo sapines and other animals, and an abnormal epidermis will cause many diseases. Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is an important serine and threonine phosphatase. The α isoform of the PP2A catalytic subunit (Ppp2ca gene encoding PP2Acα) is critical for cell proliferation, growth, metabolism and tumorigenesis. However, to date, no study has revealed its roles in epidermis development. To specifically investigate the roles of PP2Acα in epidermis development, we first generated Ppp2caflox/flox transgenic mice, and conditionally knocked out Ppp2ca in the epidermis driven by Krt14-Cre. Our study showed that Ppp2caflox/flox; Krt14-Cre mice had significant hair loss. In addition, histological analyses showed that the morphogenesis and hair regeneration cycle of hair follicles were disrupted in these mice. Moreover, Ppp2caflox/flox; Krt14-Cre mice had smaller size, melanin deposition and hyperproliferation at the base of the claws. Accordingly, our study demonstrates that PP2Acα plays important roles in both hair follicle and epidermis development. Additionally, the Ppp2caflox/flox mice generated in this study can serve as a useful transgene model to study the roles of PP2Acα in other developmental processes and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
| | - Lei Li
- Translational Medicine Center, Yancheng No. 1 People's Hospital, Yancheng 224000, China.
| | - Jianmin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
- Key Laboratory of National Reproductive Medicine Department of Cell Biology and Medical Genetics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Disease Translational Medicine, Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, Nanjing 210029, China.
- Department of cell biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China.
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46
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Piera-Velazquez S, Mendoza FA, Jimenez SA. Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT) in the Pathogenesis of Human Fibrotic Diseases. J Clin Med 2016; 5:jcm5040045. [PMID: 27077889 PMCID: PMC4850468 DOI: 10.3390/jcm5040045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases encompass a wide spectrum of clinical entities including systemic fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous graft versus host disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and IgG₄-associated sclerosing disease, as well as numerous organ-specific disorders including radiation-induced fibrosis, and cardiac, pulmonary, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Although their causative mechanisms are quite diverse, these diseases share the common feature of an uncontrolled and progressive accumulation of fibrous tissue macromolecules in affected organs leading to their dysfunction and ultimate failure. The pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases is complex and despite extensive investigation has remained elusive. Numerous studies have identified myofibroblasts as the cells responsible for the establishment and progression of the fibrotic process. Tissue myofibroblasts in fibrotic diseases originate from several sources including quiescent tissue fibroblasts, circulating CD34+ fibrocytes, and the phenotypic conversion of various cell types including epithelial and endothelial cells into activated myofibroblasts. However, the role of the phenotypic transition of endothelial cells into mesenchymal cells (Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition or EndoMT) in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders has not been fully elucidated. Here, we review the evidence supporting EndoMT's contribution to human fibrotic disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonsoles Piera-Velazquez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th Street, Suite 509 BLSB, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Fabian A Mendoza
- Rheumatology Division, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th Street, Suite 509 BLSB, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
| | - Sergio A Jimenez
- Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, 233 S. 10th Street, Suite 509 BLSB, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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