1
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Qi Y, Ma G. Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis reveals a fibroblast-related gene signature for the diagnosis of keloids. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35011. [PMID: 39157347 PMCID: PMC11327581 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Aim A keloid is a fibroproliferative cutaneous disorder secondary to skin injury, caused by an imbalance in fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis. However, the pathogenesis is not fully understood. In this study, candidate genes for keloid were identified and used to construct a diagnostic model. Methods Three datasets related to keloids were downloaded from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus. Fibroblast-related genes were screened, and fibroblast scores for the samples were determined. Then, a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify modules and genes associated with keloids and the fibroblast score. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between keloid and control samples were identified and compared with fibroblast-related genes and genes in the modules. Overlapping genes were evaluated using functional enrichment analyses. Signature genes were further screened, and a diagnostic model was constructed. Finally, correlations between immune cell frequences and signature genes were analyzed. Results In total, 124 fibroblast-related genes were obtained, and the fibroblast score was an effective indicator of the sample type. WGCNA revealed five modules that were significantly correlated with both the disease state and fibroblast scores, including 1760 genes. Additionally, 589 DEGs were identified, including 16 that overlapped with fibroblast-related genes and genes identified in the WGCNA. These genes were related to cell proliferation and apoptosis and were involved in FoxO, Rap1, p53, Ras, MAPK, and PI3K-Akt pathways. Finally, a six fibroblast-related gene signature (CCNB1, EGFR, E2F8, BTG1, TP63, and IGF1) was identified and used for diagnostic model construction. The proportions of regulatory T cells and macrophages were significantly higher in keloid tissues than in controls. Conclusion The established model based on CCNB1, EGFR, E2F8, BTG1, TP63, and IGF1 showed good performance and may be useful for keloid diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qi
- Plastic Surgery Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 33rd BaDaChu Street, Beijing, 100144, China
| | - GuiE Ma
- Plastic Surgery Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 33rd BaDaChu Street, Beijing, 100144, China
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2
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Dorris ER, Phelan DE, Russell J, Murphy M. Bone morphogenetic protein-3 is a negative regulator of transforming growth factor beta and fibrosis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 738:150497. [PMID: 39151293 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150497] [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: 07/12/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis results in one-third of all deaths globally and is a major healthcare challenge. Fibrosis is scarring caused by the excess deposition of extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts. Inhibition of pathways downstream of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) a pluripotent growth factor, has potent antifibrotic effects in different organs. Here we show that loss of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-3) is a feature of kidney fibrosis, independent of the initiating injury, suggesting loss of this cytokine is a core fibrotic mechanism. TGF-β decreased BMP3 expression in human fibroblasts is possibly a feed-forward loop that contributes to increased and sustained TGF-β activity. Recombinant human BMP-3 reduced TGF-β induced fibroblast contraction, migration and invasion, pathways that lead to scarring and tissue stiffening. BMP-3 reduced TGF-β stimulated collagen cross-linking, and Ox-LDL receptor 1, a regulator of collagen deposition. BMP-3 inhibited TGF-β stimulated lysyl oxidase activity. Lysyl oxidase mediated collagen cross-linking is a critical process in TGF-β induced fibrosis. We propose that BMP-3 alters fibroblast responses to TGF-β, shifting the balance from fibrosis to repair. Recombinant human BMP-3 shows promise for development as a novel therapeutic for fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma R Dorris
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; National Children's Research Centre, Children's Health Ireland (Crumlin), Dublin, Ireland
| | - David E Phelan
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; National Children's Research Centre, Children's Health Ireland (Crumlin), Dublin, Ireland
| | - John Russell
- National Children's Research Centre, Children's Health Ireland (Crumlin), Dublin, Ireland; Department of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, Children's Health Ireland (Crumlin), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Madeline Murphy
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; National Children's Research Centre, Children's Health Ireland (Crumlin), Dublin, Ireland.
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3
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Li G, Yang H, Zhang D, Zhang Y, Liu B, Wang Y, Zhou H, Xu ZX, Wang Y. The role of macrophages in fibrosis of chronic kidney disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 177:117079. [PMID: 38968801 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117079] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are widely distributed throughout various tissues of the body, and mounting evidence suggests their involvement in regulating the tissue microenvironment, thereby influencing disease onset and progression through direct or indirect actions. In chronic kidney disease (CKD), disturbances in renal functional homeostasis lead to inflammatory cell infiltration, tubular expansion, glomerular atrophy, and subsequent renal fibrosis. Macrophages play a pivotal role in this pathological process. Therefore, understanding their role is imperative for investigating CKD progression, mitigating its advancement, and offering novel research perspectives for fibrosis treatment from an immunological standpoint. This review primarily delves into the intrinsic characteristics of macrophages, their origins, diverse subtypes, and their associations with renal fibrosis. Particular emphasis is placed on the transition between M1 and M2 phenotypes. In late-stage CKD, there is a shift from the M1 to the M2 phenotype, accompanied by an increased prevalence of M2 macrophages. This transition is governed by the activation of the TGF-β1/SMAD3 and JAK/STAT pathways, which facilitate macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT). The tyrosine kinase Src is involved in both signaling cascades. By thoroughly elucidating macrophage functions and comprehending the modes and molecular mechanisms of macrophage-fibroblast interaction in the kidney, novel, tailored therapeutic strategies for preventing or attenuating the progression of CKD can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangtao Li
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Hongxia Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yanghe Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yuxiong Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Honglan Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Zhi-Xiang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Yishu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pathobiology, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China.
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4
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Streutker EM, Devamoglu U, Vonk MC, Verdurmen WPR, Le Gac S. Fibrosis-on-Chip: A Guide to Recapitulate the Essential Features of Fibrotic Disease. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2303991. [PMID: 38536053 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303991] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis, which is primarily marked by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, is a pathophysiological process associated with many disorders, which ultimately leads to organ dysfunction and poor patient outcomes. Despite the high prevalence of fibrosis, currently there exist few therapeutic options, and importantly, there is a paucity of in vitro models to accurately study fibrosis. This review discusses the multifaceted nature of fibrosis from the viewpoint of developing organ-on-chip (OoC) disease models, focusing on five key features: the ECM component, inflammation, mechanical cues, hypoxia, and vascularization. The potential of OoC technology is explored for better modeling these features in the context of studying fibrotic diseases and the interplay between various key features is emphasized. This paper reviews how organ-specific fibrotic diseases are modeled in OoC platforms, which elements are included in these existing models, and the avenues for novel research directions are highlighted. Finally, this review concludes with a perspective on how to address the current gap with respect to the inclusion of multiple features to yield more sophisticated and relevant models of fibrotic diseases in an OoC format.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma M Streutker
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Utku Devamoglu
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnoloygy and TechMed Centre, Organ-on-Chip Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
| | - Madelon C Vonk
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, PO Box 9101, Nijmegen, 6500 HB, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter P R Verdurmen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, The Netherlands
| | - Séverine Le Gac
- Applied Microfluidics for BioEngineering Research, MESA+ Institute for Nanotechnoloygy and TechMed Centre, Organ-on-Chip Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522 NB, The Netherlands
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5
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Younesi FS, Miller AE, Barker TH, Rossi FMV, Hinz B. Fibroblast and myofibroblast activation in normal tissue repair and fibrosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024; 25:617-638. [PMID: 38589640 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The term 'fibroblast' often serves as a catch-all for a diverse array of mesenchymal cells, including perivascular cells, stromal progenitor cells and bona fide fibroblasts. Although phenotypically similar, these subpopulations are functionally distinct, maintaining tissue integrity and serving as local progenitor reservoirs. In response to tissue injury, these cells undergo a dynamic fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, marked by extracellular matrix secretion and contraction of actomyosin-based stress fibres. Importantly, whereas transient activation into myofibroblasts aids in tissue repair, persistent activation triggers pathological fibrosis. In this Review, we discuss the roles of mechanical cues, such as tissue stiffness and strain, alongside cell signalling pathways and extracellular matrix ligands in modulating myofibroblast activation and survival. We also highlight the role of epigenetic modifications and myofibroblast memory in physiological and pathological processes. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for therapeutically interfering with these factors and the associated signal transduction pathways to improve the outcome of dysregulated healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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6
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D’Urso M, Jorba I, van der Pol A, Bouten CVC, Kurniawan NA. Spatial regulation of substrate adhesion directs fibroblast morphotype and phenotype. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae289. [PMID: 39131910 PMCID: PMC11316223 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
The switching of the fibroblast phenotype to myofibroblast is a hallmark of a wide variety of tissue pathologies. This phenotypical switch is known to be influenced not only by humoral factors such as TGF-β, but also by mechanical and physical cues in the cellular environment, and is accompanied by distinctive changes in cell morphology. However, the causative link between these cues, the concomitant morphological changes, and the resulting phenotypic switch remain elusive. Here, we use protein micropatterning to spatially control dermal fibroblast adhesion without invoking exogenous mechanical changes and demonstrate that varying the spatial configuration of focal adhesions (FAs) is sufficient to direct fibroblast phenotype. We further developed an automated morphometry analysis pipeline, which revealed FA eccentricity as the primary determinant of cell-state positioning along the spectrum of fibroblast phenotype. Moreover, linear fibronectin patterns that constrain the FAs were found to promote a further phenotype transition, characterized by dispersed expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, pointing to an interesting possibility of controlling fibroblast phenotype beyond the canonical fibroblast-myofibroblast axis. Together, our study reveals that the spatial configuration of adhesion to the cellular microenvironment is a key factor governing fibroblast morphotype and phenotype, shedding new light on fibroblast phenotype regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirko D’Urso
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ignasi Jorba
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Unitat de Biofísica i Bioenginyeria, Universitat de Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Atze van der Pol
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Carlijn V C Bouten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Nicholas A Kurniawan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
- Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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7
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Son DO, Benitez R, Diao L, Hinz B. How to Keep Myofibroblasts under Control: Culture of Mouse Skin Fibroblasts on Soft Substrates. J Invest Dermatol 2024:S0022-202X(24)01885-2. [PMID: 39078357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2024.05.033] [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: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
During the physiological healing of skin wounds, fibroblasts recruited from the uninjured adjacent dermis and deeper subcutaneous fascia layers are transiently activated into myofibroblasts to first secrete and then contract collagen-rich extracellular matrix into a mechanically resistant scar. Scar tissue restores skin integrity after damage but comes at the expense of poor esthetics and loss of tissue function. Stiff scar matrix also mechanically activates various precursor cells into myofibroblasts in a positive feedback loop. Persistent myofibroblast activation results in pathologic accumulation of fibrous collagen and hypertrophic scarring, called fibrosis. Consequently, the mechanisms of fibroblast-to-myofibroblast activation and persistence are studied to develop antifibrotic and prohealing treatments. Mechanistic understanding often starts in a plastic cell culture dish. This can be problematic because contact of fibroblasts with tissue culture plastic or glass surfaces invariably generates myofibroblast phenotypes in standard culture. We describe a straight-forward method to produce soft cell culture surfaces for fibroblast isolation and continued culture and highlight key advantages and limitations of the approach. Adding a layer of elastic silicone polymer tunable to the softness of normal skin and the stiffness of pathologic scars allows to control mechanical fibroblast activation while preserving the simplicity of conventional 2-dimensional cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Ok Son
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Raquel Benitez
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Li Diao
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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8
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Xue X, Wu X, Fan Y, Han S, Zhang H, Sun Y, Yin Y, Yin M, Chen B, Sun Z, Zhao S, Zhang Q, Liu W, Zhang J, Li J, Shi Y, Xiao Z, Dai J, Zhao Y. Heterogeneous fibroblasts contribute to fibrotic scar formation after spinal cord injury in mice and monkeys. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6321. [PMID: 39060269 PMCID: PMC11282111 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50564-x] [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: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to fibrotic scar formation at the lesion site, yet the heterogeneity of fibrotic scar remains elusive. Here we show the heterogeneity in distribution, origin, and function of fibroblasts within fibrotic scars after SCI in mice and female monkeys. Utilizing lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), we found that perivascular fibroblasts (PFs), and meningeal fibroblasts (MFs), rather than pericytes/vascular smooth cells (vSMCs), primarily contribute to fibrotic scar in both transection and crush SCI. Crabp2 + /Emb+ fibroblasts (CE-F) derived from meninges primarily localize in the central region of fibrotic scars, demonstrating enhanced cholesterol synthesis and secretion of type I collagen and fibronectin. In contrast, perivascular/pial Lama1 + /Lama2+ fibroblasts (LA-F) are predominantly found at the periphery of the lesion, expressing laminin and type IV collagen and functionally involved in angiogenesis and lipid transport. These findings may provide a comprehensive understanding for remodeling heterogeneous fibrotic scars after SCI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Xianming Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yongheng Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shuyu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Haipeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yuting Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yanyun Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Man Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Bing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zheng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Shuaijing Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Weiyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiaojiao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jiayin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Ya Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Zhifeng Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Jianwu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, China.
| | - Yannan Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
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Deng L, Ouyang B, Tang W, Wang N, Yang F, Shi H, Zhang Z, Yu H, Chen M, Wei Y, Dong J. Icariside II modulates pulmonary fibrosis via PI3K/Akt/β-catenin pathway inhibition of M2 macrophage program. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 130:155687. [PMID: 38759312 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating interstitial lung disorder characterized by its limited therapeutic interventions. Macrophages, particularly the alternatively activated macrophages (M2 subtype), have been acknowledged for their substantial involvement in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Hence, targeting macrophages emerges as a plausible therapeutic avenue for IPF. Icariside II (ISE II) is a natural flavonoid glycoside molecule known for its excellent anti-tumor and anti-fibrotic activities. Nevertheless, the impact of ISE II on pulmonary fibrosis and the intricate mechanisms through which it operates have yet to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE To scrutinize the impact of ISE II on the regulation of M2 macrophage polarization and its inhibitory effect on pulmonary fibrosis, as well as to delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms of its actions. METHODS The effect of ISE II on proliferation and apoptosis in RAW264.7 cells was assessed through the use of EdU-488 labeling and the Annexin V/PI assay. Flow cytometry, western blot, and qPCR were employed to detect markers associated with the M2 polarization phenotype. The anti-fibrotic effects of ISE II in NIH-3T3 cells were investigated in a co-culture with M2 macrophages. Si-Ctnnb1 and pcDNA3.1(+)-Ctnnb1 plasmid were used to investigate the mechanism of targeted intervention. The murine model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin (BLM). Pulmonary function, histopathological manifestations, lung M2 macrophage infiltration, and markers associated with pulmonary fibrosis were evaluated. Furthermore, in vivo transcriptomics analysis was employed to elucidate differentially regulated genes in lung tissues. Immunofluorescence, western blot, and immunohistochemistry were conducted for corresponding validation. RESULTS Our investigation demonstrated that ISE II effectively inhibited the proliferation of RAW264.7 cells and mitigated the pro-fibrotic characteristics of M2 macrophages, exemplified by the downregulation of CD206, Arg-1, and YM-1, Fizz1, through the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This impact led to the amelioration of myofibroblast activation and the suppression of nuclear translocation of β-catenin of NIH-3T3 cells in a co-culture. Consequently, it resulted in decreased collagen deposition, reduced infiltration of profibrotic macrophages, and a concurrent restoration of pulmonary function in mice IPF models. Furthermore, our RNA sequencing results showed that ISE II could suppress the expression of genes related to M2 polarization, primarily by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt and β-catenin signaling pathway. In essence, our findings suggest that ISE II holds potential as an anti-fibrotic agent by orchestrating macrophage polarization. This may have significant implications in clinical practice. CONCLUSION This study has provided evidence that ISE II exerts a significant anti-fibrotic effect by inhibiting macrophage M2 polarization through the suppression of the PI3K/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings underscore the potential of ISE II as a promising candidate for the development of anti-fibrotic pharmaceuticals in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Deng
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Boshu Ouyang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weifeng Tang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Wang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fangyong Yang
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanlin Shi
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhang
- Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital, Fudan University, China
| | - Hang Yu
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengmeng Chen
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Wei
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Jingcheng Dong
- Department of Integrative Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Integrative Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Vissers G, Peek R, Verdurmen WPR, Nap AW. Endometriotic tissue fragments are viable after cryopreservation in an ex vivo tissue model recapitulating the fibrotic microenvironment. Hum Reprod 2024:deae164. [PMID: 39025483 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae164] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is it possible to establish an ex vivo endometriosis model using cryopreserved endometriotic tissue fragments? SUMMARY ANSWER Cryopreserved endometriotic tissue fragments remain viable after thawing and during at least 3 days of culture and can therefore be used to establish an ex vivo endometriosis model to efficiently test potential therapeutic agents. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Endometriosis is the most prevalent benign gynecologic disease with an enormous societal burden; however, curative therapies are still lacking. To efficiently test potential new therapies, an ex vivo model based on previously cryopreserved endometriotic tissue that recapitulates the different endometriosis subtypes and their microenvironment is highly desirable. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Endometriotic tissue fragments of three different subtypes were obtained from 28 patients by surgical resection. After cryopreservation and thawing, viability and metabolic activity of these tissue fragments were assessed. Viability was compared with fresh fragments from 11 patients directly after surgical removal. Experimental intervention studies were performed in cryopreserved and thawed tissue fragments from two patients to confirm the usability of these tissues for ex vivo intervention studies. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Endometriotic tissue fragments (n = 45) were cryopreserved according to three different protocols. After thawing, fragments were cultured for 24 h. A resazurin-based assay was performed to assess the metabolic activity of the tissue fragments. In addition, cell type-specific viability was analyzed by VivaFix, Hoechst 33342, and α-smooth muscle actin immunofluorescence staining and confocal microscopy. The presence of endometriosis was histologically confirmed based on hematoxylin-eosin staining. Cryopreserved and thawed tissue fragments were treated for 72 h with pirfenidone or metformin and COL1A1 and CEMIP gene expressions were assessed using RT-PCR and RT-qPCR, either in the whole tissue fragments or in myofibroblasts isolated by laser capture microdissection. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Metabolic activity of endometriotic tissue fragments obtained from peritoneal (PER), ovarian (OMA), and deep (DE) endometriotic lesions was well preserved after cryopreservation in a dimethyl sulfoxide-based medium and was comparable with fresh tissue fragments. Relative metabolic activity compared to fresh tissue was 70% (CI: 92-47%) in PER, 43% (CI: 53-15%) in OMA and 94% (CI: 186-3%) in DE lesions. In fragments from PE lesions 92% (CI: 87-96%), from OMA lesions 95% (CI: 91-98%), and from DE lesions 88% (CI: 78-98%) of cells were viable after cryopreservation and thawing followed by a 24-h culture period. Differences in gene expression of fibrotic markers COL1A1 and CEMIP after 72-h treatment with pirfenidone or metformin could be detected in whole tissue fragments and in isolated myofibroblasts, indicating that cryopreserved and thawed endometriotic tissue fragments are suitable for testing anti-fibrotic interventions. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Viability and metabolic activity of the endometriotic tissue fragments may have been partially compromised by damage sustained during the surgical procedure, contributing to inter-sample variance. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The storage of viable endometriotic tissue fragments for later usage in an ex vivo model creates the possibility to efficiently test potential new therapeutic strategies and facilitates the exchange of viable endometriotic tissue between different research laboratories. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was not financially supported by external funding. The authors declare no competing interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Vissers
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - R Peek
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - W P R Verdurmen
- Department of Medical BioSciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - A W Nap
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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11
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Shao M, Qiu Y, Shen M, Liu W, Feng D, Luo Z, Zhou Y. Procyanidin C1 inhibits bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by selective clearance of senescent myofibroblasts. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23749. [PMID: 38953707 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202302547rr] [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: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a formidable challenge in chronic and age-related lung diseases. Myofibroblasts secrete large amounts of extracellular matrix and induce pro-repair responses during normal wound healing. Successful tissue repair results in termination of myofibroblast activity via apoptosis; however, some myofibroblasts exhibit a senescent phenotype and escape apoptosis, causing over-repair that is characterized by pathological fibrotic scarring. Therefore, the removal of senescent myofibroblasts using senolytics is an important method for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. Procyanidin C1 (PCC1) has recently been discovered as a senolytic compound with very low toxicity and few side effects. This study aimed to determine whether PCC1 could improve lung fibrosis by promoting apoptosis in senescent myofibroblasts and to investigate the mechanisms involved. The results showed that PCC1 attenuates bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. In addition, we found that PCC1 inhibited extracellular matrix deposition and promoted the apoptosis of senescent myofibroblasts by increasing PUMA expression and activating the BAX signaling pathway. Our findings represent a new method of pulmonary fibrosis management and emphasize the potential of PCC1 as a senotherapeutic agent for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, providing hope for patients with pulmonary fibrosis worldwide. Our results advance our understanding of age-related diseases and highlight the importance of addressing cellular senescence in treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Shao
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yujia Qiu
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengxia Shen
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Community Nursing, Xiangya Nursing School, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dandan Feng
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Ziqiang Luo
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Organ Fibrosis, Changsha, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
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12
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Roodnat AW, Callaghan B, Doyle C, Vallabh NA, Atkinson SD, Willoughby CE. Genome-wide RNA sequencing of ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous and normal eyes: Implications for glaucoma management. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0307227. [PMID: 38990974 PMCID: PMC11239048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary open angle glaucoma is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness which is commonly treated with drugs or laser but may require surgery. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts are involved in wound-healing after glaucoma filtration surgery and may compromise a favourable outcome of glaucoma surgery by contributing to fibrosis. To investigate changes in gene expression and key pathways contributing to the glaucomatous state we performed genome-wide RNA sequencing. Human Tenon's ocular fibroblasts were cultured from normal and glaucomatous human donors undergoing eye surgery (n = 12). mRNA was extracted and RNA-Seq performed on the Illumina platform. Differentially expressed genes were identified using a bioinformatics pipeline consisting of FastQC, STAR, FeatureCounts and edgeR. Changes in biological functions and pathways were determined using Enrichr and clustered using Cytoscape. A total of 5817 genes were differentially expressed between Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from normal versus glaucomatous eyes. Enrichment analysis showed 787 significantly different biological functions and pathways which were clustered into 176 clusters. Tenon's ocular fibroblasts from glaucomatous eyes showed signs of fibrosis with fibroblast to myofibroblast transdifferentiation and associated changes in mitochondrial fission, remodeling of the extracellular matrix, proliferation, unfolded protein response, inflammation and apoptosis which may relate to the pathogenesis of glaucoma or the detrimental effects of topical glaucoma therapies. Altered gene expression in glaucomatous Tenon's ocular fibroblasts may contribute to an unfavourable outcome of glaucoma filtration surgery. This work presents a genome-wide transcriptome of glaucomatous versus normal Tenon's ocular fibroblasts which may identify genes or pathways of therapeutic value to improve surgical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton W. Roodnat
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Breedge Callaghan
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Chelsey Doyle
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Neeru A. Vallabh
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Insitute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
- St. Paul’s Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah D. Atkinson
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Colin E. Willoughby
- Centre for Genomic Medicine, Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Ulster University, Coleraine, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
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13
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Poole K, Iyer KS, Schmidtke DW, Petroll WM, Varner VD. Corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts exhibit distinct transcriptional profiles in vitro. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.28.582620. [PMID: 38464034 PMCID: PMC10925317 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.28.582620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Purpose After stromal injury to the cornea, the release of growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines promotes the activation of quiescent keratocytes into a migratory fibroblast and/or fibrotic myofibroblast phenotype. Persistence of the myofibroblast phenotype can lead to corneal fibrosis and scarring, which are leading causes of blindness worldwide. This study aims to establish comprehensive transcriptional profiles for cultured corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts to gain insights into the mechanisms through which these phenotypic changes occur. Methods Primary rabbit corneal keratocytes were cultured in either defined serum-free media (SF), fetal bovine serum (FBS) containing media, or in the presence of TGF-β1 to induce keratocyte, fibroblast, or myofibroblast phenotypes, respectively. Bulk RNA sequencing followed by bioinformatic analyses was performed to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and enriched biological pathways for each phenotype. Results Genes commonly associated with keratocytes, fibroblasts, or myofibroblasts showed high relative expression in SF, FBS, or TGF-β1 culture conditions, respectively. Differential expression and functional analyses revealed novel DEGs for each cell type, as well as enriched pathways indicative of differences in proliferation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, cell-ECM interactions, cytokine signaling, and cell mechanics. Conclusions Overall, these data demonstrate distinct transcriptional differences among cultured corneal keratocytes, fibroblasts, and myofibroblasts. We have identified genes and signaling pathways that may play important roles in keratocyte differentiation, including many related to mechanotransduction and ECM biology. Our findings have revealed novel molecular markers for each cell type, as well as possible targets for modulating cell behavior and promoting physiological corneal wound healing.
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14
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Kim E, Kim HK, Sul JH, Lee J, Baek SH, Cho Y, Han J, Kim J, Park S, Park JH, Cho YW, Jo DG. Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Adipose Stem Cells Alleviate Systemic Sclerosis by Inhibiting TGF-β Pathway. Biomol Ther (Seoul) 2024; 32:432-441. [PMID: 38835111 PMCID: PMC11214968 DOI: 10.4062/biomolther.2023.191] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunae Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Hark Kyun Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Sul
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongmi Lee
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Baek
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonsuk Cho
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihoon Han
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Junsik Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunyoung Park
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hyung Park
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 06355, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- ExoStemTech Inc., Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
- School of Chemical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Woo Cho
- ExoStemTech Inc., Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
- Department of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Gyu Jo
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 06355, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Institute for Convergence, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea
- ExoStemTech Inc., Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
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15
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Belle JI, Sen D, Baer JM, Liu X, Lander VE, Ye J, Sells BE, Knolhoff BL, Faiz A, Kang LI, Qian G, Fields RC, Ding L, Kim H, Provenzano PP, Stewart SA, DeNardo DG. Senescence Defines a Distinct Subset of Myofibroblasts That Orchestrates Immunosuppression in Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Discov 2024; 14:1324-1355. [PMID: 38683144 DOI: 10.1158/2159-8290.cd-23-0428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) therapeutic resistance is largely attributed to a unique tumor microenvironment embedded with an abundance of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Distinct CAF populations were recently identified, but the phenotypic drivers and specific impact of CAF heterogeneity remain unclear. In this study, we identify a subpopulation of senescent myofibroblastic CAFs (SenCAF) in mouse and human PDAC. These SenCAFs are a phenotypically distinct subset of myofibroblastic CAFs that localize near tumor ducts and accumulate with PDAC progression. To assess the impact of endogenous SenCAFs in PDAC, we used an LSL-KRASG12D;p53flox;p48-CRE;INK-ATTAC (KPPC-IA) mouse model of spontaneous PDAC with inducible senescent cell depletion. Depletion of senescent stromal cells in genetic and pharmacologic PDAC models relieved immune suppression by macrophages, delayed tumor progression, and increased responsiveness to chemotherapy. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that SenCAFs promote PDAC progression and immune cell dysfunction. Significance: CAF heterogeneity in PDAC remains poorly understood. In this study, we identify a novel subpopulation of senescent CAFs that promotes PDAC progression and immunosuppression. Targeting CAF senescence in combination therapies could increase tumor vulnerability to chemo or immunotherapy. See related article by Ye et al., p. 1302.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jad I Belle
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Devashish Sen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - John M Baer
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Xiuting Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Varintra E Lander
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jiayu Ye
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Blake E Sells
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Brett L Knolhoff
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ahmad Faiz
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Liang-I Kang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Guhan Qian
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Ryan C Fields
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Hyun Kim
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Paolo P Provenzano
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Transplantation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Sheila A Stewart
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - David G DeNardo
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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16
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Tsukui T, Wolters PJ, Sheppard D. Alveolar fibroblast lineage orchestrates lung inflammation and fibrosis. Nature 2024; 631:627-634. [PMID: 38987592 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-07660-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are present throughout the body and function to maintain tissue homeostasis. Recent studies have identified diverse fibroblast subsets in healthy and injured tissues1,2, but the origins and functional roles of injury-induced fibroblast lineages remain unclear. Here we show that lung-specialized alveolar fibroblasts take on multiple molecular states with distinct roles in facilitating responses to fibrotic lung injury. We generate a genetic tool that uniquely targets alveolar fibroblasts to demonstrate their role in providing niches for alveolar stem cells in homeostasis and show that loss of this niche leads to exaggerated responses to acute lung injury. Lineage tracing identifies alveolar fibroblasts as the dominant origin for multiple emergent fibroblast subsets sequentially driven by inflammatory and pro-fibrotic signals after injury. We identify similar, but not completely identical, fibroblast lineages in human pulmonary fibrosis. TGFβ negatively regulates an inflammatory fibroblast subset that emerges early after injury and stimulates the differentiation into fibrotic fibroblasts to elicit intra-alveolar fibrosis. Blocking the induction of fibrotic fibroblasts in the alveolar fibroblast lineage abrogates fibrosis but exacerbates lung inflammation. These results demonstrate the multifaceted roles of the alveolar fibroblast lineage in maintaining normal alveolar homeostasis and orchestrating sequential responses to lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatsuya Tsukui
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Paul J Wolters
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dean Sheppard
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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17
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Patrick R, Janbandhu V, Tallapragada V, Tan SSM, McKinna EE, Contreras O, Ghazanfar S, Humphreys DT, Murray NJ, Tran YTH, Hume RD, Chong JJH, Harvey RP. Integration mapping of cardiac fibroblast single-cell transcriptomes elucidates cellular principles of fibrosis in diverse pathologies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadk8501. [PMID: 38905342 PMCID: PMC11192082 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adk8501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell technology has allowed researchers to probe tissue complexity and dynamics at unprecedented depth in health and disease. However, the generation of high-dimensionality single-cell atlases and virtual three-dimensional tissues requires integrated reference maps that harmonize disparate experimental designs, analytical pipelines, and taxonomies. Here, we present a comprehensive single-cell transcriptome integration map of cardiac fibrosis, which underpins pathophysiology in most cardiovascular diseases. Our findings reveal similarity between cardiac fibroblast (CF) identities and dynamics in ischemic versus pressure overload models of cardiomyopathy. We also describe timelines for commitment of activated CFs to proliferation and myofibrogenesis, profibrotic and antifibrotic polarization of myofibroblasts and matrifibrocytes, and CF conservation across mouse and human healthy and diseased hearts. These insights have the potential to inform knowledge-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Patrick
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Vaibhao Janbandhu
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Shannon S. M. Tan
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Emily E. McKinna
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Osvaldo Contreras
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Shila Ghazanfar
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Sydney Precision Data Science Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - David T. Humphreys
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Nicholas J. Murray
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
| | - Yen T. H. Tran
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Robert D. Hume
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- School of Medical Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
- Centre for Heart Failure and Diseases of the Aorta, The Baird Institute, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia
| | - James J. H. Chong
- Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Richard P. Harvey
- Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Science, UNSW Sydney, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
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18
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Flaxman HA, Chrysovergi MA, Han H, Kabir F, Lister RT, Chang CF, Yvon R, Black KE, Weigert A, Savai R, Egea-Zorrilla A, Pardo-Saganta A, Lagares D, Woo CM. Sanglifehrin A mitigates multiorgan fibrosis by targeting the collagen chaperone cyclophilin B. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e171162. [PMID: 38900587 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.171162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Pathological deposition and crosslinking of collagen type I by activated myofibroblasts drives progressive tissue fibrosis. Therapies that inhibit collagen synthesis have potential as antifibrotic agents. We identify the collagen chaperone cyclophilin B as a major cellular target of the natural product sanglifehrin A (SfA) using photoaffinity labeling and chemical proteomics. Mechanistically, SfA inhibits and induces the secretion of cyclophilin B from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and prevents TGF-β1-activated myofibroblasts from synthesizing and secreting collagen type I in vitro, without inducing ER stress or affecting collagen type I mRNA transcription, myofibroblast migration, contractility, or TGF-β1 signaling. In vivo, SfA induced cyclophilin B secretion in preclinical models of fibrosis, thereby inhibiting collagen synthesis from fibrotic fibroblasts and mitigating the development of lung and skin fibrosis in mice. Ex vivo, SfA induces cyclophilin B secretion and inhibits collagen type I secretion from fibrotic human lung fibroblasts and samples from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Taken together, we provide chemical, molecular, functional, and translational evidence for demonstrating direct antifibrotic activities of SfA in preclinical and human ex vivo fibrotic models. Our results identify the cellular target of SfA, the collagen chaperone cyclophilin B, as a mechanistic target for the treatment of organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hope A Flaxman
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria-Anna Chrysovergi
- Fibrosis Research Center, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hongwei Han
- Fibrosis Research Center, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Farah Kabir
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachael T Lister
- Fibrosis Research Center, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chia-Fu Chang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Robert Yvon
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Katharine E Black
- Fibrosis Research Center, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Andreas Weigert
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biochemistry I, Germany
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
| | - Rajkumar Savai
- Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI), Goethe University, and German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Bad Nauheim, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), DZL, Giessen, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Department of Internal Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Alejandro Egea-Zorrilla
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), DZL, Giessen, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Department of Internal Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Ana Pardo-Saganta
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig University, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), DZL, Giessen, Germany
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Department of Internal Medicine, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - David Lagares
- Fibrosis Research Center, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christina M Woo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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19
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Xie C, Zhong L, Feng H, Wang R, Shi Y, Lv Y, Hu Y, Li J, Xiao D, Liu S, Chen Q, Tao Y. Exosomal miR-17-5p derived from epithelial cells is involved in aberrant epithelium-fibroblast crosstalk and induces the development of oral submucosal fibrosis. Int J Oral Sci 2024; 16:48. [PMID: 38897993 PMCID: PMC11187069 DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00302-2] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic and inflammatory mucosal disease caused by betel quid chewing, which belongs to oral potentially malignant disorders. Abnormal fibroblast differentiation leading to disordered collagen metabolism is the core process underlying OSF development. The epithelium, which is the first line of defense against the external environment, can convert external signals into pathological signals and participate in the remodeling of the fibrotic microenvironment. However, the specific mechanisms by which the epithelium drives fibroblast differentiation remain unclear. In this study, we found that Arecoline-exposed epithelium communicated with the fibrotic microenvironment by secreting exosomes. MiR-17-5p was encapsulated in epithelial cell-derived exosomes and absorbed by fibroblasts, where it promoted cell secretion, contraction, migration and fibrogenic marker (α-SMA and collagen type I) expression. The underlying molecular mechanism involved miR-17-5p targeting Smad7 and suppressing the degradation of TGF-β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) through the E3 ubiquitination ligase WWP1, thus facilitating downstream TGF-β pathway signaling. Treatment of fibroblasts with an inhibitor of miR-17-5p reversed the contraction and migration phenotypes induced by epithelial-derived exosomes. Exosomal miR-17-5p was confirmed to function as a key regulator of the phenotypic transformation of fibroblasts. In conclusion, we demonstrated that Arecoline triggers aberrant epithelium-fibroblast crosstalk and identified that epithelial cell-derived miR-17-5p mediates fibroblast differentiation through the classical TGF-β fibrotic pathway, which provided a new perspective and strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of OSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Xie
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- Hospital of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hui Feng
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan 3D Printing Engineering Research Center of Oral Care & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Rifu Wang
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan 3D Printing Engineering Research Center of Oral Care & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuxin Shi
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan 3D Printing Engineering Research Center of Oral Care & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yonglin Lv
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan 3D Printing Engineering Research Center of Oral Care & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yanjia Hu
- Hunan Key Laboratory of Oral Health Research & Hunan 3D Printing Engineering Research Center of Oral Care & Hunan Clinical Research Center of Oral Major Diseases and Oral Health & Xiangya Stomatological Hospital & Xiangya School of Stomatology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Desheng Xiao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Medical Sciences, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qianming Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology and Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Center for Stomatology & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Oral Carcinogenesis and Management, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Yongguang Tao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis, Cancer Research Institute, School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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20
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Fioretto BS, Rosa I, Tani A, Andreucci E, Romano E, Sgambati E, Manetti M. Blockade of Sialylation with Decrease in Polysialic Acid Levels Counteracts Transforming Growth Factor β1-Induced Skin Fibroblast-to-Myofibroblast Transition. Cells 2024; 13:1067. [PMID: 38920695 PMCID: PMC11201575 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121067] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Aberrant sialylation with overexpression of the homopolymeric glycan polysialic acid (polySia) was recently reported in fibroblasts from fibrotic skin lesions. Yet, whether such a rise in polySia levels or sialylation in general may be functionally implicated in profibrotic activation of fibroblasts and their transition to myofibroblasts remains unknown. Therefore, we herein explored whether inhibition of sialylation could interfere with the process of skin fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition induced by the master profibrotic mediator transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Adult human skin fibroblasts were pretreated with the competitive pan-sialyltransferase inhibitor 3-Fax-peracetyl-Neu5Ac (3-Fax) before stimulation with recombinant human TGFβ1, and then analyzed for polySia expression, cell viability, proliferation, migratory ability, and acquisition of myofibroblast-like morphofunctional features. Skin fibroblast stimulation with TGFβ1 resulted in overexpression of polySia, which was effectively blunted by 3-Fax pre-administration. Pretreatment with 3-Fax efficiently lessened TGFβ1-induced skin fibroblast proliferation, migration, changes in cell morphology, and phenotypic and functional differentiation into myofibroblasts, as testified by a significant reduction in FAP, ACTA2, COL1A1, COL1A2, and FN1 gene expression, and α-smooth muscle actin, N-cadherin, COL1A1, and FN-EDA protein levels, as well as a reduced contractile capability. Moreover, skin fibroblasts pre-administered with 3-Fax displayed a significant decrease in Smad3-dependent canonical TGFβ1 signaling. Collectively, our in vitro findings demonstrate for the first time that aberrant sialylation with increased polySia levels has a functional role in skin fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and suggest that competitive sialyltransferase inhibition might offer new therapeutic opportunities against skin fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (A.T.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (A.T.)
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Tani
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (A.T.)
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Elena Andreucci
- Section of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 50, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Section of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Eleonora Sgambati
- Department of Biosciences and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Fonte Lappone, Pesche, 86090 Isernia, Italy;
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy; (B.S.F.); (I.R.); (A.T.)
- Imaging Platform, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
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21
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Cheng KC, Chong PCT, Hsieh CC, Lin YT, Ye CH, Khumsupan D, Lu JJ, Yu WC, Cheng KW, Yap KY, Kou WS, Cheng MT, Hsu CC, Sheen LY, Lin SP, Wei AC, Yu SH. Identification of anti-fibrotic and pro-apoptotic bioactive compounds from Ganoderma formosanum and their possible mechanisms in modulating TGF-β1-induced lung fibrosis. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 327:118008. [PMID: 38458343 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2024.118008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE The Compendium of Materia Medica and the Classic of Materia Medica, the two most prominent records of traditional Chinese medicine, documented the therapeutic benefits of Ganoderma sinense particularly in addressing pulmonary-related ailments. Ganoderma formosanum, an indigenous subspecies of G. sinense from Taiwan, has demonstrated the same therapeutic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY The aim of this study is to identify bioactive compounds and evaluate the potential of G. formosanum extracts as a novel treatment to alleviate pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Using an in-house drug screening platform, two-stage screening was performed to determine their anti-fibrotic efficacy. METHODS AND MATERIALS G. formosanum was fractionated into four partitions by solvents of different polarities. To determine their antifibrotic and pro-apoptotic properties, the fractions were analyzed using two TGF-β1-induced pulmonary fibrosis cell models (NIH-3T3) and human pulmonary fibroblast cell lines, immunoblot, qRT-PCR, and annexin V assays. Subsequently, transcriptomic analysis was conducted to validate the findings and explore possible molecular pathways. The identification of potential bioactive compounds was achieved through UHPLC-MS/MS analysis, while molecular interaction study was investigated by multiple ligands docking and molecular dynamic simulations. RESULTS The ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) extracted from G. formosanum demonstrated substantial anti-fibrotic and pro-apoptotic effects on TGF-β1-induced fibrotic models. Moreover, the EAF exhibited no discernible cytotoxicity. Untargeted UHPLC-MS/MS analysis identified potential bioactive compounds in EAF, including stearic acid, palmitic acid, and pentadecanoic acid. Multiple ligands docking and molecular dynamic simulations further confirmed that those bioactive compounds possess the ability to inhibit TGF-β receptor 1. CONCLUSION Potential bioactive compounds in G. formosanum were successfully extracted and identified in the EAF, whose anti-fibrotic and pro-apoptotic properties could potentially modulate pulmonary fibrosis. This finding not only highlights the EAF's potential as a promising therapeutic candidate to treat pulmonary fibrosis, but it also elucidates how Ganoderma confers pulmonary health benefits as described in the ancient texts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Chen Cheng
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C; Institute of Food Science Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C; Department of Optometry, Asia University, No. 500, Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung, Taiwan. R.O.C; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91, Hsueh-Shih Rd., Taichung, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Patrick Chun Theng Chong
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Chen-Che Hsieh
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Yu-Te Lin
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Chih-Hung Ye
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Darin Khumsupan
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Jheng-Jhe Lu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Wei-Chieh Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Kai-Wen Cheng
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Kah Yi Yap
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Weng Si Kou
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Meng-Tsung Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No.33, Linsen S. Rd., Taipei, 100025, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Cheng-Chih Hsu
- Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C; Leeuwenhoek Laboratories Co. Ltd., No. 71, Fanglan Rd, Taipei, 106038, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Lee-Yan Sheen
- Institute of Food Science Technology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Shin-Ping Lin
- School of Food Safety, Taipei Medical University, No. 250, Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - An-Chi Wei
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei 10617, Taiwan. R.O.C
| | - Shu-Han Yu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Sec. 4, Roosevelt Rd., Taipei, Taiwan. R.O.C.
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22
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Deng X, Cheng Z, Li Y, Duan M, Qi J, Hao C, Yao W. FAP expression dynamics and role in silicosis: Insights from epidemiological and experimental models. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124311. [PMID: 38838811 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Prolonged exposure to free silica leads to the development of silicosis, wherein activated fibroblasts play a pivotal role in its pathogenesis and progression. Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP), as a biomarker for activated fibroblasts, its expression pattern and role in key aspects of silicosis pathogenesis remain unclear. This study elucidated the expression pattern and function of FAP through population-based epidemiological investigations, establishment of mouse models of silicosis, and in vitro cellular models. Results indicated a significant elevation of FAP in plasma from silicosis patients and lung tissues from mouse models of silicosis. In the cellular model, we observed a sharp increase in FAP expression early in the differentiation process, which remained high expression. Inhibition of FAP suppressed fibroblast differentiation, while overexpression of FAP produced the opposite effect. Moreover, fibroblast-derived FAP can alter the phenotype and function of neighboring macrophages. In summary, we revealed a high expression pattern of FAP in silicosis and its potential mechanistic role in fibrosis, suggesting FAP as a potential therapeutic target for silicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuedan Deng
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Zhiwei Cheng
- Department of Case Management, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Yiping Li
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China; Library, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Meixiu Duan
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Jingyi Qi
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Changfu Hao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China
| | - Wu Yao
- Department of Occupational Health and Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450001, China.
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23
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Trujillo Cubillo L, Gurdal M, Zeugolis DI. Corneal fibrosis: From in vitro models to current and upcoming drug and gene medicines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115317. [PMID: 38642593 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases are characterised by myofibroblast differentiation, uncontrolled pathological extracellular matrix accumulation, tissue contraction, scar formation and, ultimately tissue / organ dysfunction. The cornea, the transparent tissue located on the anterior chamber of the eye, is extremely susceptible to fibrotic diseases, which cause loss of corneal transparency and are often associated with blindness. Although topical corticosteroids and antimetabolites are extensively used in the management of corneal fibrosis, they are associated with glaucoma, cataract formation, corneoscleral melting and infection, imposing the need of far more effective therapies. Herein, we summarise and discuss shortfalls and recent advances in in vitro models (e.g. transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) / ascorbic acid / interleukin (IL) induced) and drug (e.g. TGF-β inhibitors, epigenetic modulators) and gene (e.g. gene editing, gene silencing) therapeutic strategies in the corneal fibrosis context. Emerging therapeutical agents (e.g. neutralising antibodies, ligand traps, receptor kinase inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides) that have shown promise in clinical setting but have not yet assessed in corneal fibrosis context are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trujillo Cubillo
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mehmet Gurdal
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.
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24
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Zhu H, Luo H, Skaug B, Tabib T, Li YN, Tao Y, Matei AE, Lyons MA, Schett G, Lafyatis R, Assassi S, Distler JHW. Fibroblast Subpopulations in Systemic Sclerosis: Functional Implications of Individual Subpopulations and Correlations with Clinical Features. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:1251-1261.e13. [PMID: 38147960 PMCID: PMC11116078 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.09.288] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts constitute a heterogeneous population of cells. In this study, we integrated single-cell RNA-sequencing and bulk RNA-sequencing data as well as clinical information to study the role of individual fibroblast populations in systemic sclerosis (SSc). SSc skin demonstrated an increased abundance of COMP+, COL11A1+, MYOC+, CCL19+, SFRP4/SFRP2+, and PRSS23/SFRP2+ fibroblasts signatures and decreased proportions of CXCL12+ and PI16+ fibroblast signatures in the Prospective Registry of Early Systemic Sclerosis and Genetics versus Environment in Scleroderma Outcome Study cohorts. Numerical differences were confirmed by multicolor immunofluorescence for selected fibroblast populations. COMP+, COL11A1+, SFRP4/SFRP2+, PRSS23/SFRP2+, and PI16+ fibroblasts were similarly altered between normal wound healing and patients with SSc. The proportions of profibrotic COMP+, COL11A1+, SFRP4/SFRP2+, and PRSS23/SFRP2+ and proinflammatory CCL19+ fibroblast signatures were positively correlated with clinical and histopathological parameters of skin fibrosis, whereas signatures of CXCL12+ and PI16+ fibroblasts were inversely correlated. Incorporating the proportions of COMP+, COL11A1+, SFRP4/SFRP2+, and PRSS23/SFRP2+ fibroblast signatures into machine learning models improved the classification of patients with SSc into those with progressive versus stable skin fibrosis. In summary, the profound imbalance of fibroblast subpopulations in SSc may drive the progression of skin fibrosis. Specific targeting of disease-relevant fibroblast populations may offer opportunities for the treatment of SSc and other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honglin Zhu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
| | - Hui Luo
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Brian Skaug
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tracy Tabib
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Yongguang Tao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China; Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion of the Chinese Ministry of Education, Cancer Research Institute, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Alexandru-Emil Matei
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Marka A Lyons
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Robert Lafyatis
- Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Shervin Assassi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3, Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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25
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Guo Q, Ji J, Chen F, Shi J, Liu H, Zhu C. Effect of black cloth ointment on hypertrophic scar formation: An investigation using integrated network pharmacology and animal assay. Skin Res Technol 2024; 30:e13791. [PMID: 38895902 PMCID: PMC11187852 DOI: 10.1111/srt.13791] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scars (HS) are a common disfiguring condition in daily clinical encounters which brings a lot of anxieties and concerns to patients, but the treatment options of HS are limited. Black cloth ointment (BCO), as a cosmetic ointment applicable to facial scars, has shown promising therapeutic effects for facial scarring. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS Network pharmacology was first applied to analyze the major active components of BCO and the related signaling pathways. Subsequently, rabbit ear scar model was successfully established to determine the pharmacological effects of BCO and its active component β-elemene on HS. Finally, the molecular mechanism of BCO and β-elemene was analyzed by Western blot. RESULTS Through the network pharmacology, it showed that β-elemene was the main active ingredient of BCO, and it could significantly improve the pathological structure of HS and reduce collagen deposition. BCO and β-elemene could increase the expression of ER stress-related markers and promote the increase of apoptotic proteins in the Western blot experiment and induce the apoptosis of myofibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the material basis for the scar-improving effects of the BCO is β-elemene, and cellular apoptosis is the key mechanism through which the BCO and β-elemene exert their effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Guo
- Department of DermatologyAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Jin Ji
- Department of DermatologyAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of DermatologyAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Jianxin Shi
- Department of DermatologyAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Huaxu Liu
- Hospital for Skin DiseasesShandong First Medical UniversityJinanChina
| | - Changle Zhu
- Department of PathologyAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
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Liu G, Zhang L, Zhou X, Xue J, Xia R, Gan X, Lv C, Zhang Y, Mao X, Kou X, Shi S, Chen Z. Inducing the "re-development state" of periodontal ligament cells via tuning macrophage mediated immune microenvironment. J Adv Res 2024; 60:233-248. [PMID: 37597747 PMCID: PMC11156709 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Periodontal regeneration, specifically the restoration of the cementum-periodontal ligament (PDL)-alveolar bone complex, remains a formidable challenge in the field of regenerative dentistry. In light of periodontal development, harnessing the multi-tissue developmental capabilities of periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) and reinitiating the periodontal developmental process hold great promise as an effective strategy to foster the regeneration of the periodontal complex. OBJECTIVES This study aims to delve into the potential effects of the macrophage-mediated immune microenvironment on the "developmental engineering" regeneration strategy and its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS In this study, we conducted a comprehensive examination of the periodontium developmental process in the rat mandibular first molar using histological staining. Through the induction of diverse immune microenvironments in macrophages, we evaluated their potential effects on periodontal re-development events using a cytokine array. Additionally, we investigated PDLC-mediated periodontal re-development events under these distinct immune microenvironments through transcriptome sequencing and relevant functional assays. Furthermore, the underlying molecular mechanism was also performed. RESULTS The activation of development-related functions in PDLCs proved challenging due to their declined activity. However, our findings suggest that modulating the macrophage immune response can effectively regulate PDLCs-mediated periodontium development-related events. The M1 type macrophage immune microenvironment was found to promote PDLC activities associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fiber degradation, osteoclastogenesis, and inflammation through the Wnt, IL-17, and TNF signaling pathways. Conversely, the M2 type macrophage immune microenvironment demonstrated superiority in inducing epithelium induction, fibers formation, and mineralization performance of PDLCs by upregulating the TGFβ and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The results of this study could provide some favorable theoretical bases for applying periodontal development engineering strategy in resolving the difficulties in periodontal multi-tissue regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanqi Liu
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Linjun Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Xuan Zhou
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Junlong Xue
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Ruidi Xia
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Xuejing Gan
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Chunxiao Lv
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Yanshu Zhang
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China
| | - Xueli Mao
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; South China Center of Craniofacial Stem Cell Research,510055, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxing Kou
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; South China Center of Craniofacial Stem Cell Research,510055, Guangzhou, China
| | - Songtao Shi
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; South China Center of Craniofacial Stem Cell Research,510055, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zetao Chen
- Hospital of Stomatology, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Guangzhou 510055, China; Guangdong Research Center for Dental and Cranial Rehabilitation and Material Engineering, Guangzhou 510055, China.
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Cheng WH, Chang PL, Wu YC, Wang SA, Chen CL, Hsu FL, Neoh MM, Lin LY, Yuliani FS, Lin CH, Chen BC. Neutralization of CX3CL1 Attenuates TGF-β-Induced Fibroblast Differentiation Through NF-κB Activation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Airway Fibrosis. Lung 2024; 202:343-356. [PMID: 38678499 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-024-00701-6] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe asthma, characterized by inflammation and airway remodeling, involves fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts expressing α-SMA. This process leads to the production of fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), driven by factors such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Furthermore, the persistent presence of myofibroblasts is associated with resistance to apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction. The chemokine (C-X3-C motif) ligand 1 (CX3CL1) plays a role in tissue fibrosis. However, it is currently unknown whether neutralization of CX3CL1 decreases TGF-β-induced fibroblast differentiation and mitochondrial dysfunction in normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLFs). METHODS CX3CL1/C-X3-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1), CX3CL1 was analyzed by immunofluorescence (IF) or immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of ovalbumin-challenged mice. CX3CL1 release was detected by ELISA. TGF-β-induced CTGF, fibronectin, and α-SMA expression were evaluated in NHLFs following neutralization of CX3CL1 (TP213) treatment for the indicated times by Western blotting or IF staining. Mitochondrion function was detected by a JC-1 assay and seahorse assay. Cell apoptosis was observed by a terminal uridine nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. RESULTS An increase in CX3CL1 expression was observed in lung tissues from mice with ovalbumin-induced asthma by IF staining. CX3CR1 was increased in the subepithelial layer of the airway by IHC staining. Moreover, CX3CR1 small interfering (si)RNA downregulated TGF-β-induced CTGF and fibronectin expression in NHLFs. CX3CL1 induced CTGF and fibronectin expression in NHLFs. TGF-β-induced CX3CL1 secretion from NHLFs. Furthermore, TP213 decreased TGF-β-induced CTGF, fibronectin, and α-SMA expression in NHLFs. Mitochondrion-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were examined after CX3CL1 neutralization in TGF-β-treated NHLFs. TP213 alleviated TGF-β-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis resistance in NHLFs. CX3CL1 induced p65, IκBα, and IKKα phosphorylation in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, CX3CL1-induced fibronectin expression and JC-1 monomer were decreased by p65 siRNA. TP213 reduced TGF-β-induced p65 and α-SMA expression in NHLFs. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that neutralizing CX3CL1 attenuates lung fibroblast activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Understanding the impacts of CX3CL1 neutralization on fibroblast mitochondrial function could contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies for managing airway remodeling in severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wun-Hao Cheng
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Respiratory Therapy, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pao-Lung Chang
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chih Wu
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shao-An Wang
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ling Chen
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Lin Hsu
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Mei-May Neoh
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan
| | - Lee-Yuan Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Fara Silvia Yuliani
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Chien-Huang Lin
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
| | - Bing-Chang Chen
- School of Respiratory Therapy, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Hsing Street, Taipei, 11031, Taiwan.
- Division of Thoracic Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Xu S, Jiemy WF, Brouwer E, Burgess JK, Heeringa P, van der Geest KSM, Alba-Rovira R, Corbera-Bellalta M, Boots AH, Cid MC, Sandovici M. Current evidence on the role of fibroblasts in large-vessel vasculitides: From pathogenesis to therapeutics. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103574. [PMID: 38782083 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2024.103574] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Large-vessel vasculitides (LVV) comprise a group of chronic inflammatory diseases of the aorta and its major branches. The most common forms of LVV are giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). Both GCA and TAK are characterized by granulomatous inflammation of the vessel wall accompanied by a maladaptive immune and vascular response that promotes vascular damage and remodeling. The inflammatory process in LVV starts in the adventitia where fibroblasts constitute the dominant cell population. Fibroblasts are traditionally recognized for synthesizing and renewing the extracellular matrix thereby being major players in maintenance of normal tissue architecture and in tissue repair. More recently, fibroblasts have emerged as a highly plastic cell population exerting various functions, including the regulation of local immune processes and organization of immune cells at the site of inflammation through production of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors as well as cell-cell interaction. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge on fibroblasts in LVV. Furthermore, we identify key questions that need to be addressed to fully understand the role of fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of LVV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Xu
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Netherlands
| | - William F Jiemy
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Brouwer
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Netherlands
| | - Janette K Burgess
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, the Netherlands
| | - Peter Heeringa
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, the Netherlands
| | - Kornelis S M van der Geest
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Netherlands
| | - Roser Alba-Rovira
- Vasculitis Research Group, Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Corbera-Bellalta
- Vasculitis Research Group, Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Annemieke H Boots
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Netherlands
| | - Maria C Cid
- Vasculitis Research Group, Department of Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Sandovici
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, the Netherlands.
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Bao YN, Yang Q, Shen XL, Yu WK, Zhou L, Zhu QR, Shan QY, Wang ZC, Cao G. Targeting tumor suppressor p53 for organ fibrosis therapy. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:336. [PMID: 38744865 PMCID: PMC11094089 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06702-w] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a reparative and progressive process characterized by abnormal extracellular matrix deposition, contributing to organ dysfunction in chronic diseases. The tumor suppressor p53 (p53), known for its regulatory roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, aging, and metabolism across diverse tissues, appears to play a pivotal role in aggravating biological processes such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell apoptosis, and cell senescence. These processes are closely intertwined with the pathogenesis of fibrotic disease. In this review, we briefly introduce the background and specific mechanism of p53, investigate the pathogenesis of fibrosis, and further discuss p53's relationship and role in fibrosis affecting the kidney, liver, lung, and heart. In summary, targeting p53 represents a promising and innovative therapeutic approach for the prevention and treatment of organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Ni Bao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Xin-Lei Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Wen-Kai Yu
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Li Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Qing-Ru Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Qi-Yuan Shan
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Zhi-Chao Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China
| | - Gang Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, No. 548 Binwen Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310053, China.
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Hoffmann MH, Kirchner H, Krönke G, Riemekasten G, Bonelli M. Inflammatory tissue priming: novel insights and therapeutic opportunities for inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Ann Rheum Dis 2024:ard-2023-224092. [PMID: 38702177 DOI: 10.1136/ard-2023-224092] [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: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Due to optimised treatment strategies and the availability of new therapies during the last decades, formerly devastating chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic sclerosis (SSc) have become less menacing. However, in many patients, even state-of-the-art treatment cannot induce remission. Moreover, the risk for flares strongly increases once anti-inflammatory therapy is tapered or withdrawn, suggesting that underlying pathological processes remain active even in the absence of overt inflammation. It has become evident that tissues have the ability to remember past encounters with pathogens, wounds and other irritants, and to react more strongly and/or persistently to the next occurrence. This priming of the tissue bears a paramount role in defence from microbes, but on the other hand drives inflammatory pathologies (the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde aspect of tissue adaptation). Emerging evidence suggests that long-lived tissue-resident cells, such as fibroblasts, macrophages, long-lived plasma cells and tissue-resident memory T cells, determine inflammatory tissue priming in an interplay with infiltrating immune cells of lymphoid and myeloid origin, and with systemically acting factors such as cytokines, extracellular vesicles and antibodies. Here, we review the current state of science on inflammatory tissue priming, focusing on tissue-resident and tissue-occupying cells in arthritis and SSc, and reflect on the most promising treatment options targeting the maladapted tissue response during these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Henriette Kirchner
- Institute for Human Genetics, Epigenetics and Metabolism Lab, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Gerhard Krönke
- Department of Rheumatology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Michael Bonelli
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Arthritis and Rehabilitation, Vienna, Austria
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31
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Goldmann WH. Durotaxis: A cause of organ fibrosis and metastatic cancer? Cell Biol Int 2024; 48:553-555. [PMID: 38501430 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.12156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang H Goldmann
- Department of Biophysics, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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32
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Ye C, Zhang X, Wang Y, Jing Y, Song Y, Celentano A, Ni Y. Effects of cancer-associated fibroblasts deletion using HSVtk suicide system in OSCC. Oral Dis 2024; 30:1981-1988. [PMID: 37203377 DOI: 10.1111/odi.14612] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the biological characteristics of oral cancer cells co-cultured with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs)-HSVtk and to assess the reliability of the CAFs-HSVtk suicide system in a co-culture model. METHODS CAFs were lentivirus-transfected with PCDH-HSVtk. Ganciclovir (GCV) was added and the survival rates of the CAFs-HSVtk were measured. In parallel with the selective elimination of CAFs, comparison was made of the effects of CAF-HSVtk on tumor cell proliferation/migration in a CAFs-tumor co-cultural system. Cell death of co-cultured oral cancer cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS Q-PCR analysis showed that the expression of HSVtk in the CAFs-HSVtk group was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.01). The survival rates of CAFs-HSVtk with GCV were significantly reduced (p < 0.01). Following selective depletion of CAFs-HSVtk, the growth and migration rates of oral cancer cells co-cultured with CAFs-HSVtk were reduced in a mixture ratio of 1:2 (p < 0.01, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Enhanced proliferation and migration rates of oral cancer cells in co-culture were seriously impaired after deleting CAFs using the HSVtk suicide system, while oral tumor cell death was not affected. Therefore, CAFs-HSVtk can be utilized as a valid model for CAF signature identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuanjin Ye
- Department of Oral Pathology, Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoxin Zhang
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuhan Wang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Jing
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuxian Song
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Antonio Celentano
- Melbourne Dental School, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yanhong Ni
- Central Laboratory of Stomatology, Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Yang B, Qiao Y, Yan D, Meng Q. Targeting Interactions between Fibroblasts and Macrophages to Treat Cardiac Fibrosis. Cells 2024; 13:764. [PMID: 38727300 PMCID: PMC11082988 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090764] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition is a defining feature of cardiac fibrosis. Most notably, it is characterized by a significant change in the concentration and volume fraction of collagen I, a disproportionate deposition of collagen subtypes, and a disturbed ECM network arrangement, which directly affect the systolic and diastolic functions of the heart. Immune cells that reside within or infiltrate the myocardium, including macrophages, play important roles in fibroblast activation and consequent ECM remodeling. Through both direct and indirect connections to fibroblasts, monocyte-derived macrophages and resident cardiac macrophages play complex, bidirectional, regulatory roles in cardiac fibrosis. In this review, we discuss emerging interactions between fibroblasts and macrophages in physiology and pathologic conditions, providing insights for future research aimed at targeting macrophages to combat cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yang
- Center for Organoid and Regeneration Medicine, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Guangzhou 511466, China;
| | - Yan Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Regulation and Breeding of Grassland Livestock, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China;
| | - Dong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China;
| | - Qinghang Meng
- Center for Organoid and Regeneration Medicine, Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Guangzhou 511466, China;
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Wu Y, Wu Y, Yu J, Zhang Y, Dai X, Chen J, Sun Y, Yang Y, Zhao K, Xiao Q. Irisin alters D-galactose-induced apoptosis by increasing caveolin-1 expression in C2C12 myoblasts and skeletal muscle fibroblasts. Mol Cell Biochem 2024:10.1007/s11010-024-04990-6. [PMID: 38581552 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-04990-6] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Muscle atrophy and skeletal muscle fibrosis are significant pathological manifestations of primary sarcopenia. The regulation of C2C12 myoblast and skeletal muscle fibroblast apoptosis is associated with these pathological changes. Previous studies have indicated that irisin, the cleaved form of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), can alleviate primary sarcopenia. However, the mechanisms of the effect of irisin in age-related apoptosis remain unknown. Our present research aimed to explore the effect of irisin and the underlying mechanism of D-galactose (D-gal)-induced apoptosis in skeletal muscle fibroblasts and C2C12 myoblasts. We found the opposite effects of D-gal on C2C12 myoblasts and fibroblasts. We also found that irisin suppressed C2C12 cell apoptosis and promoted fibroblast apoptosis. Mechanistically, irisin altered D-gal-induced apoptosis by increasing caveolin-1 expression. Taken together, these findings further demonstrated that irisin is a potential agent that can treat aged-relative muscle atrophy and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoxuan Wu
- Geriatric Diseases Institute of Chengdu, Department of Geriatrics, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chengdu, 611137, China
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yongxin Wu
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Jing Yu
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yingxiao Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xin Dai
- Department of General Practice, Yongchuan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Jinliang Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310001, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yongxue Yang
- Geriatric Diseases Institute of Chengdu, Department of Geriatrics, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chengdu, 611137, China.
| | - Kexiang Zhao
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China.
| | - Qian Xiao
- Department of Geriatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1St You Yi Road, Yu Zhong District, Chongqing, 400010, China
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Sun M, Acosta AC, Emerick V, Adams S, Avila MY, Margo CE, Espana EM. Dysfunctional latent transforming growth factor β activation after corneal injury in a classical Ehlers-Danlos model. Matrix Biol 2024; 128:21-30. [PMID: 38340967 PMCID: PMC10996040 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Patients with classical Ehlers Danlos syndrome (cEDS) suffer impaired wound healing and from scars formed after injuries that are atrophic and difficult to close surgically. Haploinsufficiency in COL5A1 creates systemic morphological and functional alterations in the entire body. We investigated mechanisms that impair wound healing from corneal lacerations (full thickness injuries) in a mouse model of cEDS (Col5a1+/-). We found that collagen V reexpression in this model is upregulated during corneal tissue repair and that wound healing is delayed, impaired, and results in large atrophic corneal scars. We noted that in a matrix with a 50 % content of collagen V, activation of latent Transforming Growth Factor (TGF) β is dysregulated. Corneal myofibroblasts with a haploinsufficiency of collagen V failed to mechanically activate latent TGF β. Second harmonic imaging microscopy showed a disorganized, undulated, and denser collagen matrix in our Col5a1+/- model that suggested alterations in the extracellular matrix structure and function. We hypothesize that a regenerated collagen matrix with only 50 % content of collagen V is not resistant enough mechanically to allow adequate activation of latent TGF β by fibroblasts and myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 13330 USF Laurel Dr., 4th floor, MDC11, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Ana Carolina Acosta
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 13330 USF Laurel Dr., 4th floor, MDC11, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Victoria Emerick
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 13330 USF Laurel Dr., 4th floor, MDC11, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Sheila Adams
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 13330 USF Laurel Dr., 4th floor, MDC11, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Marcel Y Avila
- Departament of Ophthalmology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Curtis E Margo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 13330 USF Laurel Dr., 4th floor, MDC11, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Pathology and Cell Biology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Edgar M Espana
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cornea and External Disease, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 13330 USF Laurel Dr., 4th floor, MDC11, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
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36
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Yasuma T, Gabazza EC. Cell Death in Acute Organ Injury and Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3930. [PMID: 38612740 PMCID: PMC11012379 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue fibrosis is characterized by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in various organs, including the lungs, liver, skin, kidneys, pancreas, and heart, ultimately leading to organ failure [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Taro Yasuma
- Department of Immunology, Mie University Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine, Edobashi 2-174, Tsu 514-8507, Japan;
- Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, Mie University Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine, Edobashi 2-174, Tsu 514-8507, Japan
| | - Esteban C. Gabazza
- Department of Immunology, Mie University Faculty and Graduate School of Medicine, Edobashi 2-174, Tsu 514-8507, Japan;
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37
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Le Saux CJ, Ho TC, Brumwell AM, Kathiriya JJ, Wei Y, Hughes JWB, Garakani K, Atabai K, Auyeung VC, Papa FR, Chapman HA. BCL-2 Modulates IRE1α Activation to Attenuate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2024; 70:247-258. [PMID: 38117250 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0109oc] [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: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BCL-2 family members are known to be implicated in survival in numerous biological settings. Here, we provide evidence that in injury and repair processes in lungs, BCL-2 mainly acts to attenuate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and limit extracellular matrix accumulation. Days after an intratracheal bleomycin challenge, mice lose a fraction of their alveolar type II epithelium from terminal ER stress driven by activation of the critical ER sensor and stress effector IRE1α. This fraction is dramatically increased by BCL-2 inhibition, because IRE1α activation is dependent on its physical association with the BCL-2-proapoptotic family member BAX, and we found BCL-2 to disrupt this association in vitro. In vivo, navitoclax (a BCL-2/BCL-xL inhibitor) given 15-21 days after bleomycin challenge evoked strong activation of IRE-1α in mesenchymal cells and markers of ER stress, but not apoptosis. Remarkably, after BCL-2 inhibition, bleomycin-exposed mice demonstrated persistent collagen accumulation at Day 42, compared with resolution in controls. Enhanced fibrosis proved to be due to the RNAase activity of IRE1α downregulating MRC2 mRNA and protein, a mediator of collagen turnover. The critical role of MRC2 was confirmed in precision-cut lung slice cultures of Day-42 lungs from bleomycin-exposed wild-type and MRC2 null mice. Soluble and tissue collagen accumulated in precision-cut lung slice cultures from navitoclax-treated, bleomycin-challenged mice compared with controls, in a manner nearly identical to that of challenged but untreated MRC2 null mice. Thus, apart from mitochondrial-based antiapoptosis, BCL-2 functions to attenuate ER stress responses, fostering tissue homeostasis and injury repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Jourdan Le Saux
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Tsung Che Ho
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Alexis M Brumwell
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Jaymin J Kathiriya
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Ying Wei
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | | | - Kiana Garakani
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Kamran Atabai
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Vincent C Auyeung
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Ferroz R Papa
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
| | - Harold A Chapman
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California; and
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38
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Mori K, Nakagawa Y, Watanabe B, Miyata H, Morita T, Hayashi K. Novel ability of diflubenzuron as an inhibitor of mitochondrial function. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 167:104088. [PMID: 38342197 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2024.104088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Compounds classified as benzoylphenylurea (BPU), such as diflubenzuron (DFB), are used as insecticides. Although BPU disrupts molting by inhibiting chitin biosynthesis and exhibits insecticidal activity, their exact mode of action remains unknown. Since epidermal cells proliferate and morphologically change from squamous to columnar cells during the early stages of insect molting, we speculate that a transition similar to that from epithelium to mesenchyme occurs and that BPU may inhibit this transition. Here, we addressed this possibility. We found that DFB decreases actin expression in insect cells (the tissue cultures of insect integument). Detailed analysis in Schneider S2 cells reveals that DFB inhibits the expression of actin isoforms (Act5C and Act42A) and the Drosophila ortholog of myocardin-related transcription factor (Mrtf), leading to cell growth suppression. Proteomics identified the Drosophila ortholog of prohibitin (Phb1D and Phb2E) as one of the DFB-binding proteins. DFB inhibits the interaction between Phb1D and Phb2E and induces mitochondrial dysfunction. The knock-down of Phb2E suppresses the expression of Act5C, Act42A, and Mrtf, leading to cell growth inhibition. Thus, the disruption of Phb function is a possible novel target of DFB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kotaro Mori
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nakagawa
- Division of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kitashirakawa-Oiwakecho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan
| | - Bunta Watanabe
- Chemistry Laboratory, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 8-3-1 Kokuryo, Chofu, Tokyo, 182-8570, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Miyata
- Department of Surgery, Osaka International Cancer Institute, 3-1-69 Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 541-8567, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Morita
- Department of Biology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, 580 Mikazura, Wakayama, 641-0011, Japan
| | - Ken'ichiro Hayashi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Minami-Kogushi 1-1-1, Ube, Yamaguchi, 755-8505, Japan; Department of RNA Biology and Neuroscience, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
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39
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Wang X, Zhang X, Liu Z, Zhao N, Li X, Su P, Zheng G, Zhang X, Wang H, Zhang Y. Naringenin nanoparticles targeting cyclin B1 suppress the progression of rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung cancer by inhibiting fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2024; 169:106557. [PMID: 38460905 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2024.106557] [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: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
There is growing evidence of an elevated risk of lung cancer in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The poor prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung cancer and the lack of therapeutic options pose an even greater challenge to the clinical management of patients. This study aimed to identify potential molecular targets associated with the progression of rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung cancer and examine the efficacy of naringenin nanoparticles targeting cyclin B1. Mendelian randomizatio analysis revealed that rheumatoid arthritis has a positive correlation with the risk of lung cancer. Cyclin B1 was significantly upregulated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung cancer and was significantly overexpressed in synovial tissue fibroblasts. Furthermore, the overexpression of cyclin B1 in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes, which promotes their proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, can significantly contribute to the growth and infiltration of lung cancer cells. Importantly, our prepared naringenin nanoparticles targeting cyclin B1 effectively attenuated proliferation and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition by blocking cells at the G2/M phase. In vivo experiments, naringenin nanoparticles targeting cyclin B1 significantly alleviated the development of collagen-induced arthritis and lung orthotopic tumors. Collectively, our results reveal that naringenin nanoparticles targeting cyclin B1 can suppress the progression of rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung cancer by inhibiting fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition. These findings provide new insights into the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xilong Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Hematology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Zhipu Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiaohan Li
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Peng Su
- Department of Pathology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Guixi Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Hongxing Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China; Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan 250012, China.
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40
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Lozinski BM, Ghorbani S, Yong VW. Biology of neurofibrosis with focus on multiple sclerosis. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1370107. [PMID: 38596673 PMCID: PMC11002094 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1370107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Tissue damage elicits a wound healing response of inflammation and remodeling aimed at restoring homeostasis. Dysregulation of wound healing leads to accumulation of effector cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) components, collectively termed fibrosis, which impairs organ functions. Fibrosis of the central nervous system, neurofibrosis, is a major contributor to the lack of neural regeneration and it involves fibroblasts, microglia/macrophages and astrocytes, and their deposited ECM. Neurofibrosis occurs commonly across neurological conditions. This review describes processes of wound healing and fibrosis in tissues in general, and in multiple sclerosis in particular, and considers approaches to ameliorate neurofibrosis to enhance neural recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - V. Wee Yong
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and the Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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41
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Fortier SM, Walker NM, Penke LR, Baas JD, Shen Q, Speth JM, Huang SK, Zemans RL, Bennett AM, Peters-Golden M. MAPK phosphatase 1 inhibition of p38α within lung myofibroblasts is essential for spontaneous fibrosis resolution. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e172826. [PMID: 38512415 PMCID: PMC11093610 DOI: 10.1172/jci172826] [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: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis following tissue injury is distinguished from normal repair by the accumulation of pathogenic and apoptosis-resistant myofibroblasts (MFs), which arise primarily by differentiation from resident fibroblasts. Endogenous molecular brakes that promote MF dedifferentiation and clearance during spontaneous resolution of experimental lung fibrosis may provide insights that could inform and improve the treatment of progressive pulmonary fibrosis in patients. MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP1) influences the cellular phenotype and fate through precise and timely regulation of MAPK activity within various cell types and tissues, yet its role in lung fibroblasts and pulmonary fibrosis has not been explored. Using gain- and loss-of-function studies, we found that MKP1 promoted lung MF dedifferentiation and restored the sensitivity of these cells to apoptosis - effects determined to be mainly dependent on MKP1's dephosphorylation of p38α MAPK (p38α). Fibroblast-specific deletion of MKP1 following peak bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis largely abrogated its subsequent spontaneous resolution. Such resolution was restored by treating these transgenic mice with the p38α inhibitor VX-702. We conclude that MKP1 is a critical antifibrotic brake whose inhibition of pathogenic p38α in lung fibroblasts is necessary for fibrosis resolution following lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean M. Fortier
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Natalie M. Walker
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Loka R. Penke
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jared D. Baas
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Qinxue Shen
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jennifer M. Speth
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Steven K. Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Rachel L. Zemans
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anton M. Bennett
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Marc Peters-Golden
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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42
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Lapthorn AR, Ilg MM, Dziewulski P, Cellek S. Hydroxypyridone anti-fungals selectively induce myofibroblast apoptosis in an in vitro model of hypertrophic scars. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 967:176369. [PMID: 38325796 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176369] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars are a common complication of burn injuries, yet there are no medications to prevent their formation. During scar formation, resident fibroblasts are transformed to myofibroblasts which become resistant to apoptosis. Previously, we have shown that hydroxypyridone anti-fungals can inhibit transformation of fibroblasts, isolated from hypertrophic scars, to myofibroblasts. This study aimed to investigate if these drugs can also target myofibroblast persistence. Primary human dermal fibroblasts, derived from burn scar tissue, were exposed to transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) for 72 h to induce myofibroblast transformation. The cells were then incubated with three hydroxypyridone anti-fungals (ciclopirox, ciclopirox ethanolamine and piroctone olamine; 0.03-300 μM) for a further 72 h. The In-Cell ELISA method was utilised to quantify myofibroblast transformation by measuring alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and DRAQ5 staining, to measure cell viability. TUNEL staining was utilised to assess if the drugs could induce apoptosis. When given to established myofibroblasts, the three hydroxypyridones did not reverse myofibroblast transformation, but instead elicited a concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability. TUNEL staining confirmed that the hydroxypyridone anti-fungals induced apoptosis in established myofibroblasts. This is the first study to show that hydroxypyridone anti-fungals are capable of inducing apoptosis in established myofibroblasts. Together with our previous results, we suggest that hydroxypyridone anti-fungals can prevent scar formation by preventing the formation of new myofibroblasts and by reducing the number of existing myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Ruth Lapthorn
- Fibrosis Research Group, Medical Technology Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK.
| | - Marcus Maximillian Ilg
- Fibrosis Research Group, Medical Technology Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
| | - Peter Dziewulski
- Fibrosis Research Group, Medical Technology Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK; St. Andrew's Centre for Plastic Surgery and Burns, Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, UK; St Andrew's Anglia Ruskin Research Group (StAAR), Chelmsford, UK
| | - Selim Cellek
- Fibrosis Research Group, Medical Technology Research Centre, School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Social Care, Anglia Ruskin University, Chelmsford, UK
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43
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Yang ZR, Suo H, Fan JW, Lv N, Du K, Ma T, Qin H, Li Y, Yang L, Zhou N, Jiang H, Tao J, Zhu J. Endogenous stimuli-responsive separating microneedles to inhibit hypertrophic scar through remodeling the pathological microenvironment. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2038. [PMID: 38448448 PMCID: PMC10917775 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46328-2] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic scar (HS) considerably affects the appearance and causes tissue dysfunction in patients. The low bioavailability of 5-fluorouracil poses a challenge for HS treatment. Here we show a separating microneedle (MN) consisting of photo-crosslinked GelMA and 5-FuA-Pep-MA prodrug in response to high reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the HS pathological microenvironment. In vivo experiments in female mice demonstrate that the retention of MN tips in the tissue provides a slowly sustained drug release manner. Importantly, drug-loaded MNs could remodel the pathological microenvironment of female rabbit ear HS tissues by ROS scavenging and MMPs consumption. Bulk and single cell RNA sequencing analyses confirm that drug-loaded MNs could reverse skin fibrosis through down-regulation of BCL-2-associated death promoter (BAD), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) pathways, simultaneously regulate inflammatory response and keratinocyte differentiation via up-regulation of toll-like receptors (TOLL), interleukin-1 receptor (IL1R) and keratinocyte pathways, and promote the interactions between fibroblasts and keratinocytes via ligand-receptor pair of proteoglycans 2 (HSPG2)-dystroglycan 1(DAG1). This study reveals the potential therapeutic mechanism of drug-loaded MNs in HS treatment and presents a broad prospect for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo-Ran Yang
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Huinan Suo
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Jing-Wen Fan
- Department of Radiology, Xijing Hospital, The Forth Military Medical University (FMMU), Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Niannian Lv
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Kehan Du
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Teng Ma
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Huimin Qin
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Liu Yang
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Nuoya Zhou
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Hao Jiang
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Juan Tao
- Department of Dermatology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan, 430022, China.
| | - Jintao Zhu
- Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), Wuhan, 430074, China.
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44
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O'Reilly S. S100A4 a classical DAMP as a therapeutic target in fibrosis. Matrix Biol 2024; 127:1-7. [PMID: 38219976 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.01.002] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis regardless of aetiology is characterised by persistently activated myofibroblasts that are contractile and secrete excessive amounts of extracellular matrix molecules that leads to loss of organ function. Damage-Associated Molecular Patterns (DAMPs) are endogenous host-derived molecules that are released from cells dying or under stress that can be triggered by a variety of insults, either chemical or physical, leading to an inflammatory response. Among these DAMPs is S100A4, part of the S100 family of calcium binding proteins that participate in a variety of cellular processes. S100A4 was first described in context of cancer as a pro-metastatic factor. It is now appreciated that aside from its role in cancer promotion, S100A4 is intimately involved in tissue fibrosis. The extracellular form of S100A4 exerts its effects through multiple receptors including Toll-Like Receptor 4 and RAGE to evoke signalling cascades involving downstream mediators facilitating extracellular matrix deposition and myofibroblast generation and can play a role in persistent activation of myofibroblasts. S100A4 may be best understood as an amplifier of inflammatory and fibrotic processes. S100A4 appears critical in systemic sclerosis pathogenesis and blocking the extracellular form of S100A4 in vivo in various animal models of disease mitigates fibrosis and may even reverse established disease. This review appraises S100A4's position as a DAMP and its role in fibrotic conditions and highlight therapeutically targeting this protein to halt fibrosis, suggesting that it is a tractable target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven O'Reilly
- Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, United Kingdom.
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45
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Menendez JA, Cuyàs E, Encinar JA, Vander Steen T, Verdura S, Llop‐Hernández À, López J, Serrano‐Hervás E, Osuna S, Martin‐Castillo B, Lupu R. Fatty acid synthase (FASN) signalome: A molecular guide for precision oncology. Mol Oncol 2024; 18:479-516. [PMID: 38158755 PMCID: PMC10920094 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13582] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
The initial excitement generated more than two decades ago by the discovery of drugs targeting fatty acid synthase (FASN)-catalyzed de novo lipogenesis for cancer therapy was short-lived. However, the advent of the first clinical-grade FASN inhibitor (TVB-2640; denifanstat), which is currently being studied in various phase II trials, and the exciting advances in understanding the FASN signalome are fueling a renewed interest in FASN-targeted strategies for the treatment and prevention of cancer. Here, we provide a detailed overview of how FASN can drive phenotypic plasticity and cell fate decisions, mitochondrial regulation of cell death, immune escape and organ-specific metastatic potential. We then present a variety of FASN-targeted therapeutic approaches that address the major challenges facing FASN therapy. These include limitations of current FASN inhibitors and the lack of precision tools to maximize the therapeutic potential of FASN inhibitors in the clinic. Rethinking the role of FASN as a signal transducer in cancer pathogenesis may provide molecularly driven strategies to optimize FASN as a long-awaited target for cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier A. Menendez
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Elisabet Cuyàs
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Jose Antonio Encinar
- Institute of Research, Development and Innovation in Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE) and Molecular and Cell Biology Institute (IBMC)Miguel Hernández University (UMH)ElcheSpain
| | - Travis Vander Steen
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMNUSA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer CenterRochesterMNUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology LaboratoryMayo Clinic LaboratoryRochesterMNUSA
| | - Sara Verdura
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Àngela Llop‐Hernández
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Júlia López
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
| | - Eila Serrano‐Hervás
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
- CompBioLab Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) and Departament de QuímicaUniversitat de GironaGironaSpain
| | - Sílvia Osuna
- CompBioLab Group, Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi (IQCC) and Departament de QuímicaUniversitat de GironaGironaSpain
- ICREABarcelonaSpain
| | - Begoña Martin‐Castillo
- Metabolism & Cancer Group, Program Against Cancer Therapeutic Resistance (ProCURE)Catalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
- Girona Biomedical Research InstituteGironaSpain
- Unit of Clinical ResearchCatalan Institute of OncologyGironaSpain
| | - Ruth Lupu
- Division of Experimental Pathology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and PathologyMayo ClinicRochesterMNUSA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer CenterRochesterMNUSA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology LaboratoryMayo Clinic LaboratoryRochesterMNUSA
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46
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Qin X, Zeng B, Sooranna SR, Li M. LAMB3 Promotes Myofibrogenesis and Cytoskeletal Reorganization in Endometrial Stromal Cells via the RhoA/ROCK1/MYL9 Pathway. Cell Biochem Biophys 2024; 82:127-137. [PMID: 37801199 PMCID: PMC10867058 DOI: 10.1007/s12013-023-01186-5] [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: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
LAMB3, a major extracellular matrix and basal membrane component, is involved in wound healing. We aimed to understand its role in Asherman's syndrome (AS), which is associated with infertility, by using bioinformatics analysis and cultured endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). MRNAs extracted from tissues obtained from control subjects and patients with severe intrauterine adhesion were sequenced and subjected to bioinformatics analysis and the RhoA/ROCK1/MYL9 pathway was implicated and this subsequently studied using cultured primary ESCs. The effects of overexpression and knockdown and activation and inhibition of LAMB3 on the mesenchymal to myofibroblastic phenotypic transformation of ECCs were assessed using PCR and western blot analysis. Phalloidin was used to localize the actin cytoskeletal proteins. Silencing of LAMB3 reversed the TGF-β-induced ESC myofibroblast phenotype conversion, whereas overexpression of LAMB3 promoted this process. Activation and silencing of LAMB3 led to remodeling of the ESC cytoskeleton. Overexpression and silencing of LAMB3 caused activation and inhibition of ESCs, respectively. Y-27632 and LPA reversed the activation and inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK1/MYL9 pathway after overexpression and silencing, respectively. These results suggest that LAMB3 can regulate ESC fibrosis transformation and cytoskeleton remodeling via the RhoA/ROCK1/MYL9 pathway. This study provides a potential new target for gene therapy and drug intervention of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Qin
- Gynecology Section, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, 530000, Nanning, China
| | - Bin Zeng
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, 530000, Nanning, China
| | - Suren R Sooranna
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction Faculty of Medicine Imperial College London Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, SW10 9NH, UK
- Life Science and Clinical Research Center, Youjiang Medical University for Nationalities, Baise, China
| | - Mujun Li
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, 530000, Nanning, China.
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Wang C, Zhang S, Li Y, Gong L, Yao C, Fu K, Li Y. Phillygenin Inhibits TGF-β1-induced Hepatic Stellate Cell Activation and Inflammation: Regulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 and Wnt/β-catenin Pathways. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-01984-w. [PMID: 38393550 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-01984-w] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Hepatic fibrosis (HF), a precursor to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, is caused by abnormal proliferation of connective tissue and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix in the liver. Notably, activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is a key link in the development of HF. Phillygenin (PHI, C21H24O6) is a lignan component extracted from the traditional Chinese medicine Forsythiae Fructus, which has various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-tumour effects. However, whether PHI can directly inhibit HSC activation and ameliorate the mechanism of action of HF has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro anti-HF effects of PHI and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-activated mouse HSCs (mHSCs) and human HSCs (LX-2 cells) were used as an in vitro model of HF and treated with different concentrations of PHI for 24 h. Subsequently, cell morphological changes were observed under the microscope, cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay, cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry, and the mechanism of anti-fibrotic effect of PHI was explored by immunofluorescence, ELISA, RT-qPCR and western blot. The results showed that PHI suppressed the proliferation of TGF-β1-activated mHSCs and LX-2 cells, arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase, decreased the levels of α-SMA, Collagen I, TIMP1 and MMP2 genes and proteins, and promoted apoptosis in activated mHSCs and LX-2 cells. Besides, PHI reduced the expression of inflammatory factors in activated mHSCs and LX-2 cells, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect. Mechanically, PHI inhibited TGF-β1-induced HSC activation and inflammation, at least in part through modulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Overall, PHI has significant anti-HF effects and may be a promising agent for the treatment of HF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Shenglin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanzhi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Lihong Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Chenhao Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Ke Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China
| | - Yunxia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Key Laboratory of Standardization for Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 611137, Sichuan, China.
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48
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Voza FA, Huerta CT, Le N, Shao H, Ribieras A, Ortiz Y, Atkinson C, Machuca T, Liu ZJ, Velazquez OC. Fibroblasts in Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2172. [PMID: 38396848 PMCID: PMC10889208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042172] [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: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are stromal cells ubiquitously distributed in the body of nearly every organ tissue. These cells were previously considered to be "passive cells", solely responsible for ensuring the turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, their versatility, including their ability to switch phenotypes in response to tissue injury and dynamic activity in the maintenance of tissue specific homeostasis and integrity have been recently revealed by the innovation of technological tools such as genetically modified mouse models and single cell analysis. These highly plastic and heterogeneous cells equipped with multifaceted functions including the regulation of angiogenesis, inflammation as well as their innate stemness characteristics, play a central role in the delicately regulated process of wound healing. Fibroblast dysregulation underlies many chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and diabetes mellitus (DM), which represent the current major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), one of the most severe complications of DM affects 40 to 60 million people. Chronic non-healing DFU wounds expose patients to substantial sequelae including infections, gangrene, amputation, and death. A complete understanding of the pathophysiology of DFU and targeting pathways involved in the dysregulation of fibroblasts are required for the development of innovative new therapeutic treatments, critically needed for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca A. Voza
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Carlos Theodore Huerta
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Nga Le
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Hongwei Shao
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Antoine Ribieras
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Yulexi Ortiz
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Carl Atkinson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
| | - Tiago Machuca
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Omaida C. Velazquez
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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49
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Chen Y, Li Z, Ji G, Wang S, Mo C, Ding B. Lung regeneration: diverse cell types and the therapeutic potential. MedComm (Beijing) 2024; 5:e494. [PMID: 38405059 PMCID: PMC10885188 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.494] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Lung tissue has a certain regenerative ability and triggers repair procedures after injury. Under controllable conditions, lung tissue can restore normal structure and function. Disruptions in this process can lead to respiratory system failure and even death, causing substantial medical burden. The main types of respiratory diseases are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Multiple cells, such as lung epithelial cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and immune cells, are involved in regulating the repair process after lung injury. Although the mechanism that regulates the process of lung repair has not been fully elucidated, clinical trials targeting different cells and signaling pathways have achieved some therapeutic effects in different respiratory diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the cell type involved in the process of lung regeneration and repair, research models, and summarize molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of lung regeneration and fibrosis. Moreover, we discuss the current clinical trials of stem cell therapy and pharmacological strategies for COPD, IPF, and ARDS treatment. This review provides a reference for further research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of lung regeneration, drug development, and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Chen
- The Department of Endovascular SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Zhen Li
- The Department of Endovascular SurgeryThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Gaili Ji
- Department of GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Shaochi Wang
- Department of Translational MedicineThe First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Chunheng Mo
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Bi‐Sen Ding
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan UniversityChengduChina
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50
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Salminen A. AMPK signaling inhibits the differentiation of myofibroblasts: impact on age-related tissue fibrosis and degeneration. Biogerontology 2024; 25:83-106. [PMID: 37917219 PMCID: PMC10794430 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-023-10072-9] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and an accumulation of fibrotic lesions within tissues are two of the distinctive hallmarks of the aging process. Tissue fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells which display an impressive plasticity in the regulation of ECM integrity and thus on tissue homeostasis. Single-cell transcriptome studies have revealed that tissue fibroblasts exhibit a remarkable heterogeneity with aging and in age-related diseases. Excessive stress and inflammatory insults induce the differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts which are fusiform contractile cells and abundantly secrete the components of the ECM and proteolytic enzymes as well as many inflammatory mediators. Detrimental stresses can also induce the transdifferentiation of certain mesenchymal and myeloid cells into myofibroblasts. Interestingly, many age-related stresses, such as oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses, ECM stiffness, inflammatory mediators, telomere shortening, and several alarmins from damaged cells are potent inducers of myofibroblast differentiation. Intriguingly, there is convincing evidence that the signaling pathways stimulated by the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are potent inhibitors of myofibroblast differentiation and accordingly AMPK signaling reduces fibrotic lesions within tissues, e.g., in age-related cardiac and pulmonary fibrosis. AMPK signaling is not only an important regulator of energy metabolism but it is also able to control cell fate determination and many functions of the immune system. It is known that AMPK signaling can delay the aging process via an integrated signaling network. AMPK signaling inhibits myofibroblast differentiation, e.g., by suppressing signaling through the TGF-β, NF-κB, STAT3, and YAP/TAZ pathways. It seems that AMPK signaling can alleviate age-related tissue fibrosis and degeneration by inhibiting the differentiation of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antero Salminen
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 1627, 70211, Kuopio, Finland.
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