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Zhang F, Cui X, Yang K, Guo R, Zhu L, Zhao W, Liu Z, Liu B. Activin A inhibits the migration of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells induced by EGF. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 142:113170. [PMID: 39288626 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113170] [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: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, is involved in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. However, it remains unclear whether activin A can affect the migration of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. In this study, the results of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identification revealed that lung adenocarcinoma tissues exhibited lower expression of activin βA mRNA, but higher expression of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and MMP9 mRNA compared to nontumor tissues. Moreover, we found that activin A inhibited human LUAD A549 cell proliferation promoted by EGF. Additionally, EGF induced A549 cell migration in microfluidic device, while activin A attenuated EGF actions. Simultaneously, EGF increased the levels of migration-related proteins, but activin A played the opposite role. Furthermore, the study revealed that EGF upregulated the ratio of p-ERK/ERK in A549 cells, which was weakened by activin A, and A549 cell migration regulated by activin A was not related to calcium signaling. In addition, the inhibitory effect of activin A on EGF-induced A549 cell migration was attenuated by the ERK inhibitor FR180204. These findings demonstrate that activin A effectively hinders the migration of A549 cells induced by EGF through ERK1/2 signaling, suggesting that targeting activin A may hold promise in the treatment of EGF-dependent LUAD growth and metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China; Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin Province, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Institute of Applied Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, Anhui Province 230031, China
| | - Rui Guo
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Linjing Zhu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin Province, Jilin Province 130021, China; Department of Internal Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China; Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin Province, Jilin Province 130021, China
| | - Boyang Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130021, China; Department of Scientific Research, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, China.
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Wang Y, Liu Z, Qi Y, Wu J, Liu B, Cui X. Activin A, a Novel Chemokine, Induces Mouse NK Cell Migration via AKT and Calcium Signaling. Cells 2024; 13:728. [PMID: 38727264 PMCID: PMC11083611 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can migrate quickly to the tumor site to exert cytotoxic effects on tumors, and some chemokines, including CXCL8, CXCL10 or and CXCL12, can regulate the migration of NK cells. Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, is highly expressed in tumor tissues and involved in tumor development and immune cell activation. In this study, we focus on the effects of activin A on NK cell migration. In vitro, activin A induced NK cell migration and invasion, promoted cell polarization and inhibited cell adhesion. Moreover, activin A increased Ca2+, p-SMAD3 and p-AKT levels in NK cells. An AKT inhibitor and Ca2+ chelator partially blocked activin A-induced NK cell migration. In vivo, exogenous activin A increased tumor-infiltrating NK cells in NS-1 cell solid tumors and inhibited tumor growth, and blocking endogenous activin A with anti-activin A antibody reduced tumor-infiltrating NK cells in 4T-1 cell solid tumors. These results suggest that activin A induces NK cell migration through AKT signaling and calcium signaling and may enhance the antitumor effect of NK cells by increasing tumor-infiltrating NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Boyang Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Scientific Research, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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Zhang F, Qi Y, Li J, Liu B, Liu Z, Cui X. Activin A induces apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. Oncol Rep 2024; 51:29. [PMID: 38131250 PMCID: PMC10777458 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8688] [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: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) superfamily, has been implicated in the tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. However, it remains unclear whether activin A induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway. In the present study, BrdU, flow cytometry and western blotting were used to examine cell proliferation, apoptosis and protein expression, respectively. The present study revealed that activin A inhibited human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and upregulated the protein levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), growth arrest and DNA damage‑inducible protein 34 (GADD34), cleaved‑caspase‑3 and caspase‑12. Furthermore, the administration of activin A did not alter the levels of suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) or phosphorylated (p)‑Smad3 proteins, whereas, it significantly elevated the levels of ActRIIA and p‑extracellular signal regulated kinase proteins 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) proteins in A549 cells. The apoptotic effects of activin A on A549 cells were attenuated by the ERK inhibitor FR180204, which also downregulated CHOP and caspase‑12 protein levels. Additionally, activin A increased intracellular calcium flux in A549 cells, and the calcium ion chelator BAPTA acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA‑AM) inhibited activin A‑induced A549 cell apoptosis, whereas the calcium agonist ionomycin significantly increased apoptosis of A549 cells induced by activin A. These findings indicated that the activation of the ER stress pathway resulting in apoptosis of A549 cells triggered by activin A is facilitated by the ActRIIA‑ERK1/2 signaling and calcium signaling. The present findings suggest that the agonists of ERK and calcium signaling exhibit promising clinical therapeutic potential for the induction of apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Boyang Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Department of Scientific Research, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, P.R. China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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Lu Y, Chen Z, Pan Y, Qi F. Identification of Drug Compounds for Capsular Contracture Based on Text Mining and Deep Learning. Plast Reconstr Surg 2023; 152:779e-790e. [PMID: 36862957 DOI: 10.1097/prs.0000000000010350] [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] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Capsular contracture is a common and unpredictable complication after breast implant placement. Currently, the pathogenesis of capsular contracture is unclear, and the effectiveness of nonsurgical treatment is still doubtful. The authors' study aimed to investigate new drug therapies for capsular contracture by using computational methods. METHODS Genes related to capsular contracture were identified by text mining and GeneCodis. Then, the candidate key genes were selected through protein-protein interaction analysis in Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins and Cytoscape. Drugs targeting the candidate genes with relation to capsular contracture were screened out in Pharmaprojects. Based on the drug-target interaction analysis by DeepPurpose, candidate drugs with highest predicted binding affinity were obtained eventually. RESULTS The authors' study identified 55 genes related to capsular contracture. Gene set enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction analysis generated eight candidate genes. One hundred drugs targeting the candidate genes were selected. The seven candidate drugs with the highest predicted binding affinity were determined by DeepPurpose, including tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist, estrogen receptor agonist, insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, and matrix metallopeptidase 1 inhibitor. CONCLUSION Text mining and DeepPurpose can be used as a promising tool for drug discovery in exploring nonsurgical treatment to capsular contracture. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic, V.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeheng Lu
- From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital
| | - Zhiwei Chen
- Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Center, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University
| | - Yuyan Pan
- From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital
| | - Fazhi Qi
- From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital
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Mechanisms of Xiaochaihu Decoction on Treating Hepatic Fibrosis Explored by Network Pharmacology. DISEASE MARKERS 2022; 2022:8925637. [PMID: 36246566 PMCID: PMC9553551 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8925637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose. To explore the material basis and pharmacological mechanism of Xiaochaihu Decoction (XCHD), the classic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formula in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis (HF). Methods. The main components in XCHD were screened from the TCMSP database, ETCM database, and literature, and their potential targets were detected and predicted using the Swiss Target Prediction platform. The HF-related targets were retrieved and screened through GeneCard database and OMIM database, combined with GEO gene chips. The XCHD targets and HF targets were mapped to search common targets. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was acquired via the STRING11.0 database and analyzed visually using Cytoscape 3.8.0 software. The potential mechanisms of the common targets identified through GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were analyzed by using Metascape database. The results were visualized through OmicShare Tools. The “XCHD compound-HF target” network was visually constructed by Cytoscape 3.8.0 software. AutoDockVina1.1.2 and PyMoL software were used to verify the molecular docking of XCHD main active compounds and HF key targets. Results. A total of 164 potential active compounds from XCHD were screened to act on 95 HF-related targets. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that quercetin, β-sitosterol, and kaempferol may be candidate agents, which acted on multiple targets like PTGS2, HSP90AA1, and PTGS1 and regulate multiple key biological pathways like IL-17 signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway to relieve HF. Moreover, molecular docking suggested that quercetin and PTGS2 could statically bind and interact with each other through amino acid residues val-349, LEU-352, PHE-381, etc. Conclusion. This work provides a systems perspective to study the relationship between Chinese medicines and diseases. The therapeutic efficacy of XCHD on HF was the sum of multitarget and multi-approach effects from the bioactive ingredients. This study could be one of the cornerstones for further research.
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Activin A is a novel chemoattractant for migration of microglial BV2 cells. J Neuroimmunol 2022; 371:577929. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2022.577929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Leydig Cells in Patients with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Do They Really Proliferate? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111266. [PMID: 34833142 PMCID: PMC8624241 DOI: 10.3390/life11111266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a form of male infertility caused by disorders of the testicular parenchyma and impaired spermatogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the nature of Leydig cell changes in patients with NOA, especially whether their actual proliferation occurred. Methods: 48 testicular biopsies from infertile patients with NOA and 24 testicular biopsies originating from azoospermic patients suffering from obstructive azoospermia (OA) were included in the study. Leydig cells and their possible proliferative activity were analysed by immunohistochemistry and morphometry (stereology). Results: Unlike in the OA group, Leydig cells in NOA patients were sometimes organised into larger clusters and displayed an abundant cytoplasm/hypertrophy. Moreover, significant fibrosis of the interstitial compartment was demonstrated in some NOA samples, often accompanied by inflammatory cells. Stereological analysis showed no increase/proliferation of Leydig cells; on the contrary, these cells decreased in number in the NOA group. Conclusions: The decrease in the number of Leydig cells can be explained by previous inflammatory changes within the testicular interstitium and consequent interstitial fibrosis. The interstitial fibrosis might have a deteriorating effect on Leydig cells.
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Croitoru AM, Karaçelebi Y, Saatcioglu E, Altan E, Ulag S, Aydoğan HK, Sahin A, Motelica L, Oprea O, Tihauan BM, Popescu RC, Savu D, Trusca R, Ficai D, Gunduz O, Ficai A. Electrically Triggered Drug Delivery from Novel Electrospun Poly(Lactic Acid)/Graphene Oxide/Quercetin Fibrous Scaffolds for Wound Dressing Applications. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13070957. [PMID: 34201978 PMCID: PMC8309188 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13070957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The novel controlled and localized delivery of drug molecules to target tissues using an external electric stimulus makes electro-responsive drug delivery systems both feasible and desirable, as well as entailing a reduction in the side effects. Novel micro-scaffold matrices were designed based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and graphene oxide (GO) via electrospinning. Quercetin (Q), a natural flavonoid, was loaded into the fiber matrices in order to investigate the potential as a model drug for wound dressing applications. The physico-chemical properties, electrical triggering capacity, antimicrobial assay and biocompatibility were also investigated. The newly fabricated PLA/GO/Q scaffolds showed uniform and smooth surface morphologies, without any beads, and with diameters ranging from 1107 nm (10%PLA/0.1GO/Q) to 1243 nm (10%PLA). The in vitro release tests of Q from the scaffolds showed that Q can be released much faster (up to 8640 times) when an appropriate electric field is applied compared to traditional drug-release approaches. For instance, 10 s of electric stimulation is enough to ensure the full delivery of the loaded Q from the 10%PLA/1%GO/Q microfiber scaffold at both 10 Hz and at 50 Hz. The antimicrobial tests showed the inhibition of bacterial film growth. Certainly, these materials could be loaded with more potent agents for anti-cancer, anti-infection, and anti-osteoporotic therapies. The L929 fibroblast cells cultured on these scaffolds were distributed homogeneously on the scaffolds, and the highest viability value of 82.3% was obtained for the 10%PLA/0.5%GO/Q microfiber scaffold. Moreover, the addition of Q in the PLA/GO matrix stimulated the production of IL-6 at 24 h, which could be linked to an acute inflammatory response in the exposed fibroblast cells, as a potential effect of wound healing. As a general conclusion, these results demonstrate the possibility of developing graphene oxide-based supports for the electrically triggered delivery of biological active agents, with the delivery rate being externally controlled in order to ensure personalized release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa-Maria Croitoru
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu St. 1-7, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-M.C.); (L.M.); (O.O.); (R.T.); (D.F.)
| | - Yasin Karaçelebi
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Elif Saatcioglu
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey; (E.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Eray Altan
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey; (E.S.); (E.A.)
| | - Songul Ulag
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Institute of Pure and Applied Sciences, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Huseyin Kıvanc Aydoğan
- Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Ali Sahin
- Genetic and Metabolic Diseases Research and Investigation Center, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Ludmila Motelica
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu St. 1-7, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-M.C.); (L.M.); (O.O.); (R.T.); (D.F.)
| | - Ovidiu Oprea
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu St. 1-7, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-M.C.); (L.M.); (O.O.); (R.T.); (D.F.)
| | - Bianca-Maria Tihauan
- Research and Development Department, The National Institute for Research & Development in Food Bioresources, Dinu Vintila St. 6, 021102 Bucharest, Romania; or
- Research Institute of the University of Bucharest—ICUB, Spl. Independentei 91-95, 50567 Bucharest, Romania
- Research & Development for Advanced Biotechnologies and Medical Devices, SC Sanimed International Impex SRL, 087040 Călugareni, Romania
| | - Roxana-Cristina Popescu
- “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Research & Development in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului, No. 30, 077125 Magurele, Romania; (R.-C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Diana Savu
- “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Research & Development in Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Reactorului, No. 30, 077125 Magurele, Romania; (R.-C.P.); (D.S.)
| | - Roxana Trusca
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu St. 1-7, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-M.C.); (L.M.); (O.O.); (R.T.); (D.F.)
| | - Denisa Ficai
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu St. 1-7, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-M.C.); (L.M.); (O.O.); (R.T.); (D.F.)
| | - Oguzhan Gunduz
- Center for Nanotechnology & Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey; (E.S.); (E.A.)
- Correspondence: (O.G.); (A.F.)
| | - Anton Ficai
- Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest, Gh. Polizu St. 1-7, 060042 Bucharest, Romania; (A.-M.C.); (L.M.); (O.O.); (R.T.); (D.F.)
- Correspondence: (O.G.); (A.F.)
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Jiang L, Qi Y, Kong X, Wang R, Qi J, Lin F, Cui X, Liu Z. Activin A as a Novel Chemokine Induces Migration of L929 Fibroblasts by ERK Signaling in Microfluidic Devices. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:660316. [PMID: 34095123 PMCID: PMC8175620 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.660316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily, contributes to tissue healing and fibrosis. As the innate tissue cells, fibroblasts also play an important role in wound healing and fibrosis. Herein, this study was aimed to investigate how activin A exhibited regulatory effects on adhesion and migration of fibroblasts. We found that activin A induced the migration of fibroblast cell line L929 cells in transwell chamber and microfluidic device. Activin A also promoted L929 cells adhesion, but did not affect L929 cells viability or proliferation. In addition, activin A induced α-SMA expression and TGF-β1 release, which were factors closely related to tissue fibrosis, but had no effect on IL-6 production, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Furthermore, activin A elevated calcium levels in L929 cells and increased p-ERK protein levels. Activin A-induced migration of L929 cells was attenuated by ERK inhibitor FR180204. To conclude, these data indicated that activin A as a novel chemokine induced the chemotactic migration of L929 cells via ERK signaling and possessed the pro-fibrosis role. These findings provide a new insight into understanding of activin A in tissue fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Jiang
- Department of Oral Comprehensive Therapy, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xianghan Kong
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Runnan Wang
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jianfei Qi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Francis Lin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Xueling Cui
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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