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Gu Y, Yu S, Gu W, Li B, Xue J, Liu J, Zhang Q, Yin Y, Zhang H, Guo Q, Yuan M, Lyu Z, Mu Y, Cheng Y. M2 macrophage infusion ameliorates diabetic glomerulopathy via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in db/db mice. Ren Fail 2024; 46:2378210. [PMID: 39090966 PMCID: PMC11299449 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2024.2378210] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives: To explore the therapeutic effects of M2 macrophages in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and their mechanism.Methods: We infused M2 macrophages stimulated with IL-4 into 10-week-old db/db mice once a week for 4 weeks through the tail vein as M2 group. Then we investigated the role of M2 macrophages in alleviating the infammation of DN and explored the mechanism.Results: M2 macrophages hindered the progression of DN, reduced the levels of IL-1β (DN group was 34%, M2 group was 13%, p < 0.01) and MCP-1 (DN group was 49%, M2 group was 16%, p < 0.01) in the glomeruli. It was also proven that M2 macrophages alleviate mesangial cell injury caused by a high glucose environment. M2 macrophage tracking showed that the infused M2 macrophages migrated to the kidney, and the number of M2 macrophages in the kidney reached a maximum on day 3. Moreover, the ratio of M2 to M1 macrophages was 2.3 in the M2 infusion group, while 0.4 in the DN group (p < 0.01). Mechanistically, M2 macrophages downregulated Janus kinase (JAK) 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 in mesangial cells.Conclusions: Multiple infusions of M2 macrophages significantly alleviated inflammation in the kidney and hindered the progression of DN at least partially by abrogating the M1/M2 homeostasis disturbances and suppressing the JAK2/STAT3 pathway in glomerular mesangial cells. M2 macrophage infusion may be a new therapeutic strategy for DN treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Songyan Yu
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Weijun Gu
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Li
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Xue
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiejie Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Life Science, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yaqi Yin
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qinghua Guo
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mingxia Yuan
- Department of Endocrinology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaohui Lyu
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Mu
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School of Chinese PLA, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Zeng M, Zhu Z, Yuan W, Tang Z, Qing Z, Lu Q, Wu X, He J, Li Y, Li Z. Verapamil inhibits inflammation and promotes autophagy to alleviate ureteral scar by regulation of CaMK IIδ/STAT3 axis. Ren Fail 2024; 46:2387432. [PMID: 39177245 PMCID: PMC11346332 DOI: 10.1080/0886022x.2024.2387432] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ureteral stricture (US) is a pathological stenosis in the urinary tract characterized by increased collagen synthesis and inflammation. Autophagy activation has been shown to ameliorate tissue fibrosis and protect against fibrotic diseases. Verapamil has beneficial therapeutic benefits on fibrotic disorders. The pharmacological effects of verapamil on fibroblast autophagy in US and the underlying mechanism need to be investigated further. METHODS US patients were recruited to isolate scar tissues, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome staining were performed to analyze histopathological changes. The US animal model was established and administered with verapamil (0.05 mg/kg) in the drinking water. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was adopted to facilitate collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. The mRNA and protein expressions were examined by qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. ELISA was adopted to measure interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 levels. Molecular interaction experiments like dual luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed to analyze the interaction between signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and RNA polymerase II associated factor 1 (PAF1). RESULTS Herein, our results revealed that verapamil activated TGF-β1-treated fibroblast autophagy and inhibited inflammation and fibrosis by repressing Ca2+⁄calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) δ-mediated STAT3 activation. Our following tests revealed that STAT3 activated PAF1 transcription. PAF1 upregulation abrogated the regulatory effect of verapamil on fibroblast autophagy and fibrosis during US progression. Finally, verapamil mitigated US in vivo by activating fibroblast autophagy. CONCLUSION Taken together, verapamil activated TGF-β1-treated fibroblast autophagy and inhibited fibrosis by repressing the CaMK IIδ/STAT3/PAF1 axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingqiang Zeng
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
- Hunan Provincial Institute of Geriatrics, Research Center for Lower Urinary Tract and Pelvic Floor Functional Diseases, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhiwei Zhu
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Wuxiong Yuan
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhengyan Tang
- Provincial Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Genitourinary System Disease, Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhibiao Qing
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Qiang Lu
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Xuecheng Wu
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Junhuan He
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yuanwei Li
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Zhuo Li
- Department of Urology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P.R. China
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Li W, Liu J, Jiao R, Liu Z, Zhang T, Chai D, Meng L, Yang Z, Liu Y, Gu X, Li X, Yang C. Baricitinib alleviates cardiac fibrosis and inflammation induced by chronic sympathetic activation. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 140:112894. [PMID: 39126736 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112894] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 07/31/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by the over-proliferation, over-transdifferentiation and over-deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Cardiac sympathetic activation is one of the leading causes of myocardial fibrosis. Meanwhile, cardiac fibrosis is often together with cardiac inflammation, which accelerates fibrosis by mediating inflammatory cytokines secretion. Recently, the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT3) signaling pathway has been confirmed by its vital role during the progression of cardiac fibrosis. Thus, JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway is thought to be a potential therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis. Baricitinib (BR), a novel JAK1/2 inhibitor, has been reported excellent effects of anti-fibrosis in multiple fibrotic diseases. However, little is known about whether and how BR ameliorates cardiac fibrosis caused by chronic sympathetic activation. Isoproterenol (ISO), a β-Adrenergic receptor (β-AR) nonselective agonist, was used to modulate chronic sympathetic activation in mice. As expected, our results proved that BR ameliorated ISO-induced cardiac dysfunction. Meanwhile, BR attenuated ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis and cardiac inflammation in mice. Moreover, BR also inhibited ISO-induced cardiac fibroblasts activation and macrophages pro-inflammatory secretion. As for mechanism studies, BR reduced ISO-induced cardiac fibroblasts by JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt signaling, while reduced ISO-induced macrophages pro-inflammatory secretion by JAK1/STAT3 and NF-κB signaling. In summary, BR alleviates cardiac fibrosis and inflammation caused by chronic sympathetic activation. The underlying mechanism involves BR-mediated suppression of JAK1/2/STAT3, PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Jing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Ran Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Zhigang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Tiantian Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Dan Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Lingxin Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Zhongyi Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Yuming Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China
| | - Xiaoting Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Xiaohe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin 300457, China.
| | - Cheng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Pharmacy, Nankai University, Haihe Education Park, 38 Tongyan Road, Tianjin 300353, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Drug Research, International Joint Academy of Biomedicine, Tianjin 300457, China.
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Yuan M, Shi H, Wang B, Cai J, Yu W, Wang W, Qian Q, Wang Y, Zhou X, Liu J. Targeting SOCS2 alleviates myocardial fibrosis by reducing nuclear translocation of β-catenin. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2024; 1871:119804. [PMID: 39084528 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2024.119804] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myocardial fibrosis is an important pathological feature of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). The roles of SOCS2 in fibrosis of different organs are controversial. Herein, we investigated the function and potential mechanism of SOCS2 in myocardial fibrosis. METHODS Bioinformatics, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence (IF), western blot (WB), real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qPCR), rat primary myocardial fibroblasts (rCFs) culture, doxorubicin (DOX) induced mouse dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) model, and in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV) infection were used to explore the role of SOCS2 in DCM. RESULTS Bioinformatics analysis showed that SOCS2 was positively correlated with fibrosis related factors. SOCS2 was significantly upregulated in patients and mice with DCM. In vivo experiments showed that targeted inhibition of cardiac SOCS2 could improve mouse cardiac function and alleviate myocardial fibrosis. Further research demonstrated that SOCS2 promoted the transformation of myofibroblasts. Knockdown of SOCS2 reduced the nuclear localization of β-catenin, which inhibited the fibrogenic effect of Wnt/β-catenin pathway. In addition, bioinformatics analysis suggested that lymphoid enhancer binding factor 1 (LEF1) was significantly positively correlated with SOCS2. Finally, dual luciferase assays demonstrated that LEF1 could bind to the promoter region of SOCS2, thereby mediating its transcriptional activation. CONCLUSION SOCS2 could activate the Wnt/β-catenin by regulating the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, which induces the transcriptional activation of SOCS2. Overall, these results indicated a positive feedback activation phenomenon between SOCS2, β-catenin and LEF1 in DCM. These results suggested that inhibition of SOCS2 could effectively alleviate the progression of myocardial fibrosis and improve cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yuan
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Hongjie Shi
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Cai
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wenjun Yu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Qiaofeng Qian
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Yumou Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China
| | - Xianwu Zhou
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Jinping Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Research Center of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery, Wuhan 430071, China; Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Minimally Invasive Treatment of Structural Heart Disease, Wuhan 430071, China.
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Wang W, Lopez McDonald MC, Hariprasad R, Hamilton T, Frank DA. Oncogenic STAT Transcription Factors as Targets for Cancer Therapy: Innovative Strategies and Clinical Translation. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1387. [PMID: 38611065 PMCID: PMC11011165 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16071387] [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: 02/25/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in our understanding of molecular aspects of oncogenesis, cancer remains a leading cause of death. The malignant behavior of a cancer cell is driven by the inappropriate activation of transcription factors. In particular, signal transducers and activators of transcription (STATs), which regulate many critical cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation, are frequently activated inappropriately in a wide spectrum of human cancers. Multiple signaling pathways converge on the STATs, highlighting their importance in the development and progression of oncogenic diseases. STAT3 and STAT5 are two members of the STAT protein family that are the most frequently activated in cancers and can drive cancer pathogenesis directly. The development of inhibitors targeting STAT3 and STAT5 has been the subject of intense investigations in the last decade, although effective treatment options remain limited. In this review, we investigate the specific roles of STAT3 and STAT5 in normal physiology and cancer biology, discuss the opportunities and challenges in pharmacologically targeting STAT proteins and their upstream activators, and offer insights into novel therapeutic strategies to identify STAT inhibitors as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiyuan Wang
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (W.W.); (M.C.L.M.); (T.H.)
| | - Melanie Cristina Lopez McDonald
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (W.W.); (M.C.L.M.); (T.H.)
| | | | - Tiara Hamilton
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (W.W.); (M.C.L.M.); (T.H.)
| | - David A. Frank
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA; (W.W.); (M.C.L.M.); (T.H.)
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Jiang H, Yang J, Li T, Wang X, Fan Z, Ye Q, Du Y. JAK/STAT3 signaling in cardiac fibrosis: a promising therapeutic target. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1336102. [PMID: 38495094 PMCID: PMC10940489 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1336102] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a serious health problem because it is a common pathological change in almost all forms of cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by the transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into cardiac myofibroblasts and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components produced by activated myofibroblasts, which leads to fibrotic scar formation and subsequent cardiac dysfunction. However, there are currently few effective therapeutic strategies protecting against fibrogenesis. This lack is largely because the molecular mechanisms of cardiac fibrosis remain unclear despite extensive research. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling cascade is an extensively present intracellular signal transduction pathway and can regulate a wide range of biological processes, including cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, and immune response. Various upstream mediators such as cytokines, growth factors and hormones can initiate signal transmission via this pathway and play corresponding regulatory roles. STAT3 is a crucial player of the JAK/STAT pathway and its activation is related to inflammation, malignant tumors and autoimmune illnesses. Recently, the JAK/STAT3 signaling has been in the spotlight for its role in the occurrence and development of cardiac fibrosis and its activation can promote the proliferation and activation of CFs and the production of ECM proteins, thus leading to cardiac fibrosis. In this manuscript, we discuss the structure, transactivation and regulation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway and review recent progress on the role of this pathway in cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, we summarize the current challenges and opportunities of targeting the JAK/STAT3 signaling for the treatment of fibrosis. In summary, the information presented in this article is critical for comprehending the role of the JAK/STAT3 pathway in cardiac fibrosis, and will also contribute to future research aimed at the development of effective anti-fibrotic therapeutic strategies targeting the JAK/STAT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heng Jiang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Junjie Yang
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Tao Li
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhongcai Fan
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Qiang Ye
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanfei Du
- Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology, Ministry of Education and Medical Electrophysiological Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Liu Z, Sun M, Liu W, Feng F, Li X, Jin C, Zhang Y, Wang J. Deficiency of purinergic P2X4 receptor alleviates experimental autoimmune hepatitis in mice. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 221:116033. [PMID: 38301964 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Purinergic P2X4 receptor (P2X4R) has been shown to have immunomodulatory properties in infection, inflammation, and organ damage including liver regeneration and fibrosis. However, the mechanisms and pathophysiology associated with P2X4R during acute liver injury remain unknown. We used P2X4R-/- mice to explore the role of P2X4R in three different models of acute liver injury caused by concanavalin A (ConA), carbon tetrachloride, and acetaminophen. ConA treatment results in an increased expression of P2X4R in the liver of mice, which was positively correlated with higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the serum. However, P2X4R gene ablation significantly reduced the severity of acute hepatitis in mice caused by ConA, but not by carbon tetrachloride or acetaminophen. The protective benefits against immune-mediated acute hepatitis were achieved via modulating inflammation (Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-α), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase), apoptosis markers (Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3), autophagy biomarkers (LC3, Beclin-1, and p62), and nucleotide oligomerization domain-likereceptorprotein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome-activated pyroptosis markers (NLRP3, Gasdermin D, Caspase-1, ASC, IL-1β). Additionally, administration of P2X4R antagonist (5-BDBD) or agonist (cytidine 5'-triphosphate) either improved or worsened ConA-induced autoimmune hepatitis, respectively. This study is the first to reveal that the absence of the P2X4 receptor may mitigate immune-mediated liver damage, potentially by restraining inflammation, oxidation, and programmed cell death mechanisms. And highlight P2X4 receptor is essential for ConA-induced acute hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejin Liu
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Mengyang Sun
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Wenhua Liu
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Fangyu Feng
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Chaolei Jin
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Yijie Zhang
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
| | - Junpeng Wang
- Infection and Immunity Institute and Translational Medical Center of Huaihe Hospital, Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China.
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Zhang X, Chen S, Yin G, Liang P, Feng Y, Yu W, Meng D, Liu H, Zhang F. The Role of JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway and Its Downstream Influencing Factors in the Treatment of Atherosclerosis. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2024; 29:10742484241248046. [PMID: 38656132 DOI: 10.1177/10742484241248046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is now widely considered to be a chronic inflammatory disease, with increasing evidence suggesting that lipid alone is not the main factor contributing to its development. Rather, atherosclerotic plaques contain a significant amount of inflammatory cells, characterized by the accumulation of monocytes and lymphocytes on the vessel wall. This suggests that inflammation may play a crucial role in the occurrence and progression of atherosclerosis. As research deepens, other pathological factors have also been found to influence the development of the disease. The Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway is a recently discovered target of inflammation that has gained attention in recent years. Numerous studies have provided evidence for the causal role of this pathway in atherosclerosis, and its downstream signaling factors play a significant role in this process. This brief review aims to explore the crucial role of the JAK/STAT pathway and its representative downstream signaling factors in the development of atherosclerosis. It provides a new theoretical basis for clinically affecting the development of atherosclerosis by interfering with the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Zhang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Suwen Chen
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Guoliang Yin
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Pengpeng Liang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Yanan Feng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Wenfei Yu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Decheng Meng
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Hongshuai Liu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Fengxia Zhang
- Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan City, Shandong Province, China
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Tan M, Wu D, Zhou Y, Duan B. Centella triterpenes cream as a potential drug for the treatment of hypertrophic scar through inhibiting the phosphorylation of STAT3: A network pharmacology analysis and in vitro experiments. J Cosmet Dermatol 2023; 22:3511-3519. [PMID: 37563868 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scars (HS) often affect the normal function and appearance of the skin and bring adverse effects to the body and mind of patients, being a challenge in the fields of burns and plastic surgery as well as rehabilitation. Despite significant efficacy of centella triterpenes cream for treating HS clinically, its pharmacodynamics and molecular targets are still unclear. Therefore, the network pharmacology analysis combined with in vitro cell molecular biology experiments was used to explore the mechanism and targets of centella triterpenes cream treating HS in this study. METHODS First, target genes of asiaticoside (AC) were obtained from the databases including the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, similarity ensemble approach, SwissTargetPrediction and TargetNet, and HS targets were acquired from the databases like Disgenet, GeneCards, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man. The common targets of AC-HS were obtained through plotting a Venn diagram. Subsequently, STRING 11.0 was employed for analyzing the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the common targets, and cytoscape 3.9.0 for analyzing the connectivity of PPI and plotting the network diagram of "drug-component-target". Additionally, a modified tissue culture method was applied to separate primary normal fibroblasts (NFs) in human skin and hypertrophic scar fibroblasts (HSFs). HSFs after 24-h AC treatment were subjected to MTT assay to detect cell viability, scratch assay to assess cell migration ability, and western blot to test the protein expression levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), collagen I (COL 1), fibronectin 1 (FN1), and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). RESULTS In network pharmacology analysis, 134 pharmacodynamic targets of AC and 2333 HS targets were obtained after retrieving the database, 50 AC-HS common targets were obtained by a Venn diagram, and a total of 178 edges and 13 core genes such as JUN and STAT3 were acquired by PPI analysis. In vitro experiments showed that the phosphorylation level of STAT3 (p-STAT3) was increased in HSFs. In addition to reducing p-STAT3 in HSFs, AC significantly inhibited the cell viability and migration of HSFs and downregulated the protein levels of TGF-β1, COL 1, FN 1, and α-SMA. CONCLUSION STAT3 can be activated in HS. AC may exert its pharmacological effects of inhibiting TGF-β1 signal transduction and regulating extracellular matrix remodeling in HS by inhibiting STAT3 phosphorylation. However, the specific molecular mechanism of AC remains to be verified through further experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Tan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dan Wu
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yanshijing Zhou
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bo Duan
- Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Lopez-Yus M, Frendo-Cumbo S, Del Moral-Bergos R, Garcia-Sobreviela MP, Bernal-Monterde V, Rydén M, Lorente-Cebrian S, Arbones-Mainar JM. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of adipocyte genes associated with NAFLD alters adipocyte lipid handling and reduces steatosis in hepatocytes in vitro. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C1178-C1189. [PMID: 37721003 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00291.2023] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) is the primary lipid storage depot and regulates lipid fluxes to other organs. Our previous work identified genes upregulated in scWAT of patients with NAFLD: SOCS3, DUSP1, and SIK1. Herein, we knocked down (KD) their expression in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology and characterized their phenotype. We found that SOCS3, DUSP1, and SIK1 expression in hADMSC-derived adipocytes was not critical for adipogenesis. However, the metabolic characterization of the cells suggested that the genes played important roles in lipid metabolism. Reduction of SIK1 expression significantly increased both de novo lipogenesis (DNL) and palmitate-induced lipogenesis (PIL). Editing out SOCS3 reduced DNL while increasing isoproterenol-induced lipolysis and insulin-induced palmitate accumulation. Conversely, DUSP1 reduced PIL and DNL. Moreover, RNA-sequencing analysis of edited cells showed that these genes not only altered lipid metabolism but also other biological pathways related to inflammatory processes, in the case of DUSP1, extracellular matrix remodeling for SOCS3, or cellular transport for SIK1. Finally, to evaluate a possible adipocyte-hepatocyte axis, human hepatoma HepG2 cells were cocultured with edited hADMSCs-derived adipocytes in the presence of [3H]-palmitate. All HepG2 cells cultured with DUSP1-, SIK1-, or SOCS3-KD adipocytes decreased [3H]-palmitate accumulation compared with control adipocytes. These results support our hypotheses that SOCS3, DUSP1, and SIK1 regulate multiple aspects of adipocyte function, which may play a role in the progression of obesity-associated comorbidities, such as NAFLD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 technology successfully edited genomic DNA of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSC). SOCS3, SIK1, and DUSP1 regulate adipocyte lipid handling. Silencing SOCS3, SIK1, and DUSP1 expression in hADMSC-derived adipocytes reduces hepatocyte lipid storage in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lopez-Yus
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Scott Frendo-Cumbo
- Department of Medicine (H7), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Raquel Del Moral-Bergos
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria Pilar Garcia-Sobreviela
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Vanesa Bernal-Monterde
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- Gastroenterology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Mikael Rydén
- Department of Medicine (H7), Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Huddinge, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Silvia Lorente-Cebrian
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología, Fisiología y Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Zaragoza, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2) (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose M Arbones-Mainar
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Aragonés de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragón, Zaragoza, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Manzéger A, Garmaa G, Mózes MM, Hansmann G, Kökény G. Pioglitazone Protects Tubular Epithelial Cells during Kidney Fibrosis by Attenuating miRNA Dysregulation and Autophagy Dysfunction Induced by TGF-β. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15520. [PMID: 37958504 PMCID: PMC10649561 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115520] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive renal TGF-β production and pro-fibrotic miRNAs are important drivers of kidney fibrosis that lack any efficient treatment. Dysfunctional autophagy might play an important role in the pathogenesis. We aimed to study the yet unknown effects of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist pioglitazone (Pio) on renal autophagy and miRNA dysregulation during fibrosis. Mouse primary tubular epithelial cells (PTEC) were isolated, pre-treated with 5 µM pioglitazone, and then stimulated with 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 for 24 h. Male 10-week-old C57Bl6 control (CTL) and TGF-β overexpressing mice were fed with regular chow (TGF) or Pio-containing chow (20 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks (TGF + Pio). PTEC and kidneys were evaluated for mRNA and protein expression. In PTEC, pioglitazone attenuated (p < 0.05) the TGF-β-induced up-regulation of Col1a1 (1.4-fold), Tgfb1 (2.2-fold), Ctgf (1.5-fold), Egr2 (2.5-fold) mRNAs, miR-130a (1.6-fold), and miR-199a (1.5-fold), inhibited epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and rescued autophagy function. In TGF mice, pioglitazone greatly improved kidney fibrosis and related dysfunctional autophagy (increased LC3-II/I ratio and reduced SQSTM1 protein content (p < 0.05)). These were accompanied by 5-fold, 3-fold, 12-fold, and 2-fold suppression (p < 0.05) of renal Ccl2, Il6, C3, and Lgals3 mRNA expression, respectively. Our results implicate that pioglitazone counteracts multiple pro-fibrotic processes in the kidney, including autophagy dysfunction and miRNA dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Manzéger
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (G.G.); (M.M.M.)
- International Nephrology Research and Training Center, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gantsetseg Garmaa
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (G.G.); (M.M.M.)
| | - Miklós M. Mózes
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (G.G.); (M.M.M.)
- International Nephrology Research and Training Center, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Georg Hansmann
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology and Critical Care, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Gábor Kökény
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary; (A.M.); (G.G.); (M.M.M.)
- International Nephrology Research and Training Center, Semmelweis University, Nagyvárad tér 4, 1089 Budapest, Hungary
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12
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Yang H, Cheng H, Dai R, Shang L, Zhang X, Wen H. Macrophage polarization in tissue fibrosis. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16092. [PMID: 37849830 PMCID: PMC10578305 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis can occur in all major organs with relentless progress, ultimately leading to organ failure and potentially death. Unfortunately, current clinical treatments cannot prevent or reverse tissue fibrosis. Thus, new and effective antifibrotic therapeutics are urgently needed. In recent years, a growing body of research shows that macrophages are involved in fibrosis. Macrophages are highly heterogeneous, polarizing into different phenotypes. Some studies have found that regulating macrophage polarization can inhibit the development of inflammation and cancer. However, the exact mechanism of macrophage polarization in different tissue fibrosis has not been fully elucidated. This review will discuss the major signaling pathways relevant to macrophage-driven fibrosis and profibrotic macrophage polarization, the role of macrophage polarization in fibrosis of lung, kidney, liver, skin, and heart, potential therapeutics targets, and investigational drugs currently in development, and hopefully, provide a useful review for the future treatment of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidan Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Rongrong Dai
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Lili Shang
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
| | - Hongyan Wen
- Department of Rheumatology, Shanxi Medical University Second Affiliated Hospital, Taiyuan, Shanxi Province, China
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Lee JL, Wang YC, Hsu YA, Chen CS, Weng RC, Lu YP, Chuang CY, Wan L. Galectin-12 modulates Kupffer cell polarization to alter the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Glycobiology 2023; 33:673-682. [PMID: 37504513 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwad062] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is caused by an imbalance in lipid metabolism and immune response to pose a risk factor for liver fibrosis. Recent evidence indicates that M2 macrophages secrete transforming growth factor-β1, which contributes to liver fibrosis. Galectin-12 has been demonstrated to regulate lipid metabolism and macrophage polarization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of galectin-12 in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and fibrosis. Liver tissue from wild-type C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet containing cholesterol and cholic acid for 4-12 weeks was used to examine galectin-12 expression and its correlation with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, the effects of galectin-12 on M2 macrophages during the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were investigated by studying Kupffer cells from galectin-12 knockout mice and doxycycline-inducible Gal12-/-THP-1 cells. Ablation of galectin-12 promoted M2 polarization of Kupffer cells, as indicated by higher levels of M2 markers, such as arginase I and chitinase 3-like protein 3. Furthermore, the activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 was significantly higher in Gal12-/- macrophages activated by interleukin-4, which was correlated with higher levels of transforming growth factor-β1. Moreover, Gal12-/- macrophage-conditioned medium promoted hepatic stellate cells myofibroblast differentiation, which was indicated by higher α-smooth muscle actin expression levels compared with those treated with LacZ control medium. Finally, we demonstrated that galectin-12 knockdown negatively regulated the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 levels. These findings suggested that galectin-12 balances M1/M2 polarization of Kupffer cells to prevent nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyun-Lin Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yao-Chien Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Taichung 427, Taiwan
| | - Yu-An Hsu
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Sheng Chen
- Division of Chinese Medicine, Asia University Hospital, Taichung 413, Taiwan
- Department of Food Nutrition and Health Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 401, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medicine University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
| | - Rui-Cian Weng
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Electronics and Bioinformatics, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
- National Applied Research Laboratories, Taiwan Instrument Research Institute, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Pei Lu
- National Applied Research Laboratories, Taiwan Instrument Research Institute, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Chuang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Lei Wan
- School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, Asia University, Taichung 413, Taiwan
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14
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Di X, Gao X, Peng L, Ai J, Jin X, Qi S, Li H, Wang K, Luo D. Cellular mechanotransduction in health and diseases: from molecular mechanism to therapeutic targets. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:282. [PMID: 37518181 PMCID: PMC10387486 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01501-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular mechanotransduction, a critical regulator of numerous biological processes, is the conversion from mechanical signals to biochemical signals regarding cell activities and metabolism. Typical mechanical cues in organisms include hydrostatic pressure, fluid shear stress, tensile force, extracellular matrix stiffness or tissue elasticity, and extracellular fluid viscosity. Mechanotransduction has been expected to trigger multiple biological processes, such as embryonic development, tissue repair and regeneration. However, prolonged excessive mechanical stimulation can result in pathological processes, such as multi-organ fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and cancer immunotherapy resistance. Although the associations between mechanical cues and normal tissue homeostasis or diseases have been identified, the regulatory mechanisms among different mechanical cues are not yet comprehensively illustrated, and no effective therapies are currently available targeting mechanical cue-related signaling. This review systematically summarizes the characteristics and regulatory mechanisms of typical mechanical cues in normal conditions and diseases with the updated evidence. The key effectors responding to mechanical stimulations are listed, such as Piezo channels, integrins, Yes-associated protein (YAP) /transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). We also reviewed the key signaling pathways, therapeutic targets and cutting-edge clinical applications of diseases related to mechanical cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingpeng Di
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xiaoshuai Gao
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Liao Peng
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Jianzhong Ai
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Xi Jin
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Shiqian Qi
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Hong Li
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China
| | - Kunjie Wang
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
| | - Deyi Luo
- Department of Urology and Institute of Urology, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, P.R. China.
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Li YJ, Zhang C, Martincuks A, Herrmann A, Yu H. STAT proteins in cancer: orchestration of metabolism. Nat Rev Cancer 2023; 23:115-134. [PMID: 36596870 DOI: 10.1038/s41568-022-00537-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 69.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Reprogrammed metabolism is a hallmark of cancer. However, the metabolic dependency of cancer, from tumour initiation through disease progression and therapy resistance, requires a spectrum of distinct reprogrammed cellular metabolic pathways. These pathways include aerobic glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, reactive oxygen species generation, de novo lipid synthesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, amino acid (notably glutamine) metabolism and mitochondrial metabolism. This Review highlights the central roles of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins, notably STAT3, STAT5, STAT6 and STAT1, in orchestrating the highly dynamic metabolism not only of cancer cells but also of immune cells and adipocytes in the tumour microenvironment. STAT proteins are able to shape distinct metabolic processes that regulate tumour progression and therapy resistance by transducing signals from metabolites, cytokines, growth factors and their receptors; defining genetic programmes that regulate a wide range of molecules involved in orchestration of metabolism in cancer and immune cells; and regulating mitochondrial activity at multiple levels, including energy metabolism and lipid-mediated mitochondrial integrity. Given the central role of STAT proteins in regulation of metabolic states, they are potential therapeutic targets for altering metabolic reprogramming in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Jia Li
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Antons Martincuks
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Herrmann
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA
- Sorrento Therapeutics, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Hua Yu
- Department of Immuno-Oncology, Beckman Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
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Liu J, Wang F, Luo F. The Role of JAK/STAT Pathway in Fibrotic Diseases: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13010119. [PMID: 36671504 PMCID: PMC9855819 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
There are four members of the JAK family and seven of the STAT family in mammals. The JAK/STAT molecular pathway could be activated by broad hormones, cytokines, growth factors, and more. The JAK/STAT signaling pathway extensively mediates various biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, and immune regulation. JAK/STAT activation is closely related to growth and development, homeostasis, various solid tumors, inflammatory illness, and autoimmune diseases. Recently, with the deepening understanding of the JAK/STAT pathway, the relationship between JAK/STAT and the pathophysiology of fibrotic diseases was noticed, including the liver, renal, heart, bone marrow, and lung. JAK inhibitor has been approved for myelofibrosis, and subsequently, JAK/STAT may serve as a promising target for fibrosis in other organs. Therefore, this article reviews the roles and mechanisms of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway in fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Liu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Faping Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Fengming Luo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-18980601355
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Li A, Anbuchelvan M, Fathi A, Abu-Zahra M, Evseenko D, Petrigliano FA, Dar A. Distinct human skeletal muscle-derived CD90 progenitor subsets for myo-fibro-adipogenic disease modeling and treatment in multiplexed conditions. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1173794. [PMID: 37143896 PMCID: PMC10151706 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1173794] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic muscle injuries, such as massive rotator cuff tears, are associated with progressive muscle wasting, fibrotic scarring, and intramuscular fat accumulation. While progenitor cell subsets are usually studied in culture conditions that drive either myogenic, fibrogenic, or adipogenic differentiation, it is still unknown how combined myo-fibro-adipogenic signals, which are expected to occur in vivo, modulate progenitor differentiation. We therefore evaluated the differentiation potential of retrospectively generated subsets of primary human muscle mesenchymal progenitors in multiplexed conditions in the presence or absence of 423F drug, a modulator of gp130 signaling. We identified a novel CD90+CD56- non-adipogenic progenitor subset that maintained a lack of adipogenic potential in single and multiplexed myo-fibro-adipogenic culture conditions. CD90-CD56- demarcated fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAP) and CD56+CD90+ progenitors were typified as myogenic. These human muscle subsets exhibited varying degrees of intrinsically regulated differentiation in single and mixed induction cultures. Modulation of gp130 signaling via 423F drug mediated muscle progenitor differentiation in a dose-, induction-, and cell subset-dependent manner and markedly decreased fibro-adipogenesis of CD90-CD56- FAP. Conversely, 423F promoted myogenesis of CD56+CD90+ myogenic subset, indicated by increased myotube diameter and number of nuclei per myotube. 423F treatment eliminated FAP-derived mature adipocytes from mixed adipocytes-FAP cultures but did not modify the growth of non-differentiated FAP in these cultures. Collectively, these data demonstrate that capability of myogenic, fibrogenic, or adipogenic differentiation is largely dependent on the intrinsic features of cultured subsets, and that the degree of lineage differentiation varies when signals are multiplexed. Moreover, our tests performed in primary human muscle cultures reveal and confirm the potential triple-therapeutic effects of 423F drug which simultaneously attenuates degenerative fibrosis, fat accumulation and promotes myo-regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Madhavan Anbuchelvan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Amir Fathi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Maya Abu-Zahra
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Denis Evseenko
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Frank A. Petrigliano
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Ayelet Dar
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- *Correspondence: Ayelet Dar,
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Titanji BK, Lee M, Wang Z, Chen J, Hui Q, Lo Re III V, So-Armah K, Justice AC, Xu K, Freiberg M, Gwinn M, Marconi VC, Sun YV. Epigenome-wide association study of biomarkers of liver function identifies albumin-associated DNA methylation sites among male veterans with HIV. Front Genet 2022; 13:1020871. [PMID: 36303554 PMCID: PMC9592923 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1020871] [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: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Liver disease (LD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality for people with HIV (PWH). The molecular factors linked with LD in PWH are varied and incompletely characterized. We performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) to identify associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and biomarkers of liver function-aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, platelet count, FIB-4 score, and APRI score-in male United States veterans with HIV. Methods: Blood samples and clinical data were obtained from 960 HIV-infected male PWH from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. DNAm was assessed using the Illumina 450K or the EPIC 850K array in two mutually exclusive subsets. We performed a meta-analysis for each DNAm site measured by either platform. We also examined the associations between four measures of DNAm age acceleration (AA) and liver biomarkers. Results: Nine DNAm sites were positively associated with serum albumin in the meta-analysis of the EPIC and 450K EWAS after correcting for multiple testing. Four DNAm sites (cg16936953, cg18942579, cg01409343, and cg12054453), annotated within the TMEM49 and four of the remaining five sites (cg18181703, cg03546163, cg20995564, and cg23966214) annotated to SOCS3, FKBP5, ZEB2, and SAMD14 genes, respectively. The DNAm site, cg12992827, was not annotated to any known coding sequence. No significant associations were detected for the other six liver biomarkers. Higher PhenoAA was significantly associated with lower level of serum albumin (β = -0.007, p-value = 8.6 × 10-4, CI: -0.011116, -0.002884). Conclusion: We identified epigenetic associations of both individual DNAm sites and DNAm AA with liver function through serum albumin in men with HIV. Further replication analyses in independent cohorts are warranted to confirm the epigenetic mechanisms underlying liver function and LD in PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boghuma K. Titanji
- Division of Infectious Disease, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Mitch Lee
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zeyuan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Junyu Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Qin Hui
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Vincent Lo Re III
- Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Kaku So-Armah
- Boston University Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Amy C. Justice
- Connecticut Veteran Health System, West Haven, CT, United States,Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Ke Xu
- Connecticut Veteran Health System, West Haven, CT, United States,Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Matthew Freiberg
- Cardiovascular Medicine Division and Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Marta Gwinn
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Vincent C. Marconi
- Division of Infectious Disease, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States,Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States,Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, GA, United States,Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yan V. Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States,Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Decatur, GA, United States,*Correspondence: Yan V. Sun,
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Nintedanib induces senolytic effect via STAT3 inhibition. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:760. [PMID: 36055997 PMCID: PMC9440251 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-05207-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Selective removal of senescent cells, or senolytic therapy, has been proposed to be a potent strategy for overcoming age-related diseases and even for reversing aging. We found that nintedanib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, selectively induced the death of primary human dermal fibroblasts undergoing RS. Similar to ABT263, a well-known senolytic agent, nintedanib triggered intrinsic apoptosis in senescent cells. Additionally, at the concentration producing the senolytic effect, nintedanib arrested the cell cycle of nonsenescent cells in the G1 phase without inducing cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the mechanism by which nintedanib activated caspase-9 in the intrinsic apoptotic pathway differed from that of ABT263 apoptosis induction; specifically, nintedanib did not decrease the levels of Bcl-2 family proteins in senescent cells. Moreover, nintedanib suppressed the activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, which caused the drug-induced death of senescent cells. STAT3 knockdown in senescent cells induced caspase activation. Moreover, nintedanib reduced the number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase-positive senescent cells in parallel with a reduction in STAT3 phosphorylation and ameliorated collagen deposition in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Consistently, nintedanib exhibited a senolytic effect through bleomycin-induced senescence of human pulmonary fibroblasts. Overall, we found that nintedanib can be used as a new senolytic agent and that inhibiting STAT3 may be an approach for inducing the selective death of senescent cells. Our findings pave the way for expanding the senolytic toolkit for use in various aging statuses and age-related diseases.
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Verapamil inhibited the development of ureteral stricture by blocking CaMK II-mediated STAT3 and Smad3/JunD pathways. Int Urol Nephrol 2022; 54:2855-2866. [PMID: 35922702 DOI: 10.1007/s11255-022-03284-4] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ureteral stricture (US) is a fibrotic process that leads to urinary tract obstruction and even kidney damage, with the characteristic of reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and increased collagen synthesis. Verapamil, as a calcium channel blocker, was reported to prevent scar formation. Our work aimed to investigate the biological effects and mechanism of verapamil in US. METHODS Fibroblasts were subjected to transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) to stimulate collagen synthesis, and the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expressions in fibroblasts were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The location of phosphorylation-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) and Jund proto-oncogene subunit (JunD) in fibroblasts were determined by immunofluorescence (IF). The binding relationship between signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and collagen type I alpha1 (COL1A1)/collagen type III alpha 1 chain (COL3A1) and the binding relationship between JunD and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) were verified by dual luciferase reporter gene and chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. RESULTS Herein, we found that verapamil could inhibit TGF-β1/Ca2 + ⁄calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II)-mediated STAT3 activation in fibroblasts, and STAT3 inhibition repressed collagen production. In addition, verapamil could inhibit TGF-β1/CaMK II-mediated Mothers against DPP homolog 3 (Smad3)/JunD pathway activation in fibroblasts, and JunD silencing inhibited TIMP1 (a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor) expression. Our subsequent experiments revealed that STAT3 bound with COL1A1 promoter and COL3A1 promoter and activated their transcription, and JunD bound with TIMP1 promoter and activated its transcription. Moreover, as expected, STAT3 activation could eliminate the inhibitory effect of verapamil treatment on TGF-β1-induced collagen production in fibroblasts, and JunD overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of verapamil treatment on TGF-β1-induced TIMP1 expression in fibroblasts. CONCLUSION Verapamil inhibited collagen production and TIMP-1 expression in US by blocking CaMK II-mediated STAT3 and Smad3/JunD pathways.
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21
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Lopez-Yus M, Lorente-Cebrian S, Del Moral-Bergos R, Hörndler C, Garcia-Sobreviela MP, Casamayor C, Sanz-Paris A, Bernal-Monterde V, Arbones-Mainar JM. Identification of novel targets in adipose tissue involved in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease progression. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22429. [PMID: 35792898 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200118rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is a major risk factor for the development of Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We hypothesize that a dysfunctional subcutaneous white adipose tissue (scWAT) may lead to an accumulation of ectopic fat in the liver. Our aim was to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in the causative role of scWAT in NALFD progression. We performed a RNA-sequencing analysis in a discovery cohort (n = 45) to identify genes in scWAT correlated with fatty liver index, a qualitative marker of liver steatosis. We then validated those targets in a second cohort (n = 47) of obese patients who had liver biopsies available. Finally, we obtained scWAT mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from 13 obese patients at different stages of NAFLD and established in vitro models of human MSC (hMSC)-derived adipocytes. We observed impaired adipogenesis in hMSC-derived adipocytes as liver steatosis increased, suggesting that an impaired adipogenic capacity is a critical event in the development of NAFLD. Four genes showed a differential expression pattern in both scWAT and hMSC-derived adipocytes, where their expression paralleled steatosis degree: SOCS3, DUSP1, SIK1, and GADD45B. We propose these genes as key players in NAFLD progression. They could eventually constitute potential new targets for future therapies against liver steatosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Lopez-Yus
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Silvia Lorente-Cebrian
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Departamento de Farmacología, Fisiología y Medicina Legal y Forense, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón (IA2) (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Raquel Del Moral-Bergos
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carlos Hörndler
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Pathology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Maria Pilar Garcia-Sobreviela
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Carmen Casamayor
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Endocrine, Bariatric and Breast Surgery Unit, General and Digestive Surgery Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alejandro Sanz-Paris
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Nutrition Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Vanesa Bernal-Monterde
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,Gastroenterology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Jose M Arbones-Mainar
- Adipocyte and Fat Biology Laboratory (AdipoFat), Translational Research Unit, University Hospital Miguel Servet, Instituto Aragones de Ciencias de la Salud (IACS), Zaragoza, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (IIS) Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.,CIBER Fisiopatología Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERObn), Instituto Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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22
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Liu Y, Hu M, Fan G, Xing N, Zhang R. Effect of Baricitinib on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of alveolar epithelial cells induced by IL-6. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 110:109044. [PMID: 35850052 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the common complications of Connective tissue disease (CTD). Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one of the main pathological mechanisms of ILD. IL-6 may induce ILD through the JAK/STAT pathway. Therefore, exploring the mechanism of IL-6 on the EMT of alveolar epithelial cells and inhibition JAK/STAT pathway with Baricitinib on the EMT of alveolar epithelial cells is helpful in revealing the pathogenesis of CTD-ILD and guiding treatment. METHODS Electrochemiluminescence was applied to detect the changes in serum IL-6 levels before and after treatment in 37 patients with anti-synthetase syndrome-associated ILD; A549 cells (a human AEC cell line) were incubated with IL-6, Baricitinib, or both IL-6 and Baricitinib, and changes in EMT-related markers levels were measured using real-time PCR, western blotting and fluorescence microscopy. The related proteins in the JAK/STAT signaling pathways were examined by western blot. The level of Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and Hydroxyproline (Hyp) in cell supernatants was measured by ELISA. RESULTS Serum IL-6 level in patients with anti-synthetase syndrome-associated ILD was significantly higher than that in health (6.78(4.19, 16.14)pg/ml vs. 2.10(1.43, 5.18)pg/ml, p < 0.01). The level of IL-6 in the improvement group of ASS-ILD was considerably decreased than that before treatment(before(7.48(4.54, 22.76) pg/mL vs. 5.00(3.46, 11.32)pg/mL, p < 0.01), p < 0.01), and the level of IL-6 in the progressive group of ASS-ILD was significantly higher than that before treatment(before(7.49(6.77, 35.80) pg/mL vs. 30.02(8.01, 82.98) pg/mL, p < 0.05). IL-6 increased the expression of epithelial phenotypic marker E-cadherin and inhibited mesenchymal phenotypic markers, including vimentin and N-cadherin in A549 cells. Moreover, IL-6-induced EMT was attenuated by Baricitinib. Furthermore, we found that IL-6 activated the phosphorylation of JAK1/2, STAT3, and Baricitinib, partially inhibiting these changes in this process. Baricitinib reduced the secretion of CTGF and Hyp in A549 cells. CONCLUSION The significant higher level of IL-6 in patients with anti-synthase syndrome-associated ILD may be related to disease activity and recurrence. Our results suggest that Baricitinib attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial cells in the presence of IL-6 through the JAK/STAT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiping Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China
| | - Ming Hu
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China
| | - Guanzhi Fan
- Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University, China
| | - Nanshu Xing
- Department of Infectious Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, China.
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23
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Zhang XL, Zhang XY, Ge XQ, Liu MX. Mangiferin prevents hepatocyte epithelial-mesenchymal transition in liver fibrosis via targeting HSP27-mediated JAK2/STAT3 and TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Phytother Res 2022; 36:4167-4182. [PMID: 35778992 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocytes has been confirmed to undergo EMT and can be converted into myofibroblasts during hepatic fibrogenesis. However, the mechanism of hepatocyte EMT regulation in hepatic fibrosis, particularly through HSP27 (human homologue of rodent HSP25), remains unclear. Mangiferin (MAN), a compound extracted from Mangifera indica L, has been reported to attenuate liver injury. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying HSP27 inhibition and the anti-fibrotic effect of MAN in liver fibrosis. Our results revealed that the expression of HSP27 was remarkably increased in the liver tissues of patients with liver cirrhosis and CCl4 -induced fibrotic rats. However, HSP27 shRNA treatment significantly alleviated fibrosis. Furthermore, MAN was found to inhibit CCl4 - and TGF-β1-induced liver fibrosis and reduced hepatocyte EMT. More importantly, MAN decreased HSP27 expression to suppress the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and subsequently blocked TGF-β1/Smad signaling, which were consistent with its protection against CCl4 -induced EMT and liver fibrosis. Together, these results suggest that HSP27 may play a crucial role in hepatocyte EMT and liver fibrosis by activating JAK2/STAT3 signaling and TGF-β1/Smad pathway. The suppression of HSP27 expression by MAN may be a novel strategy for attenuating the hepatocyte EMT in liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ling Zhang
- College of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Xiao-Qun Ge
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, PR China
| | - Ming-Xuan Liu
- College of Pharmacy, Nantong University, Nantong, PR China.,State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substance and Function of Natural Medicines, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, PR China
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Pettinelli P, Arendt BM, Schwenger KJ, Sivaraj S, Bhat M, Comelli EM, Lou W, Allard JP. Relationship Between Hepatic Gene Expression, Intestinal Microbiota, and Inferred Functional Metagenomic Analysis in NAFLD. Clin Transl Gastroenterol 2022; 13:e00466. [PMID: 35166723 PMCID: PMC10476782 DOI: 10.14309/ctg.0000000000000466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We previously reported a lower fecal abundance of Ruminococcus spp., Faecalibacterium prausnitzii , and Coprococcus spp. in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this article, we assess the associations between hepatic gene expression, the specific taxa, and bacterial pathways. METHODS The relationships between hepatic genes that were differentially expressed in patients with NAFLD vs healthy controls (HC) and the abundance of these specific taxa were studied. Inferred functional metagenomic analysis using Piphillin was also performed to investigate associations with bacterial pathways. RESULTS Fifteen patients with NAFLD and 6 HC participated. Of 728 hepatic genes examined, 176 correlated with the abundance of Ruminococcus spp., 138 with F. prausnitzii , and 92 with Coprococcus spp. For Ruminococcus spp., genes were enriched in gene ontology (GO) terms related to apoptotic process, response to external and cytokine stimuli, and regulation of signaling. Several genes related to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway insulin resistance were correlated with F. prausnitzii . The hepatic genes associated with F. prausnitzii were enriched in GO terms related to cellular response to different stimuli, apoptotic process, and regulation of metabolic pathways. For Coprococcus spp., only the GO term response to external stimulus was enriched. There was a distinct pattern of associations between hepatic genes and bacterial taxa in NAFLD vs HC. For bacterial pathways, 65 and 18 hepatic genes correlated with bacterial metabolic functions in NAFLD and HC, respectively. DISCUSSION Hepatic gene expression related to insulin resistance, inflammation, external stimuli, and apoptosis correlated with bacterial taxa. Patients with NAFLD showed a higher presence of bacterial pathways associated with lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Pettinelli
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
- Departamento de Ciencias de la Salud, Carrera de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Bianca M. Arendt
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
| | | | - Saranya Sivaraj
- Multi Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mamatha Bhat
- Multi Organ Transplant Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elena M. Comelli
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Joannah and Brian Lawson Centre for Child Nutrition and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
| | - Wendy Lou
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Health Sciences Building, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Johane P. Allard
- Toronto General Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada;
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Jones KM, Poveda C, Versteeg L, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ. Preclinical advances and the immunophysiology of a new therapeutic chagas disease vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2022; 21:1185-1203. [PMID: 35735065 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2093721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic infection with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi leads to a progressive cardiac disease, known as chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC). A new therapeutic Chagas disease vaccine is in development to augment existing antiparasitic chemotherapy drugs. AREAS COVERED We report on our current understanding of the underlying immunologic and physiologic mechanisms that lead to CCC, including parasite immune escape mechanisms that allow persistence and the subsequent inflammatory and fibrotic processes that lead to clinical disease. We report on vaccine design and the observed immunotherapeutic effects including induction of a balanced TH1/TH2/TH17 immune response that leads to reduced parasite burdens and tissue pathology. Further, we report vaccine-linked chemotherapy, a dose sparing strategy to further reduce parasite burdens and tissue pathology. EXPERT OPINION Our vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach is a multimodal treatment strategy, addressing both the parasite persistence and the underlying deleterious host inflammatory and fibrotic responses that lead to cardiac dysfunction. In targeting treatment towards patients with chronic indeterminate or early determinate Chagas disease, this vaccine-linked chemotherapeutic approach will be highly economical and will reduce the global disease burden and deaths due to CCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn M Jones
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Leroy Versteeg
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Cell Biology and Immunology Group, Wageningen University & Research, De Elst 1, 6708 WD Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, Texas, United States of America.,James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America.,Hagler Institute for Advanced Study at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
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26
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Zou J, Zhou X, Chen X, Ma Y, Yu R. Shenkang Injection for Treating Renal Fibrosis-Metabonomics and Regulation of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Smurfs on TGF-β/Smads Signal Transduction. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:849832. [PMID: 35721120 PMCID: PMC9201572 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.849832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, TGF-β is the most critical fibrogenic factor known. Smad ubiquitin ligase Smurfs play an important role in the regulation of the TGF-/Smads signaling pathway, which is linked to metabolite changes in renal fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that Shenkang injection can prevent and treat chronic kidney disease through multiple channels of action. However, the precise relationship between Shenkang injection and the regulation of the TGF-/Smads signaling pathway in the treatment of chronic kidney disease is unknown. Here, we evaluated the pharmacological effects of Shenkang injection on ubiquitination and metabolic changes of the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in UUO mice using pathology-related indicators, immunoprecipitation, subcellular co-location, and metabonomics analysis. Our findings indicate that Shenkang injection can promote nuclear translocation of Smurf1 and Smurf2 to TGF- membrane receptors TR-I and Smad2 and ubiquitinated degradation of these proteins. Furthermore, the formation of TβR-I/TβR-II, TβR-I/Smad2, and TβR-I/Smad3 complexes was inhibited to negatively regulate the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway induced renal tubular epithelial transdifferentiation (EMT). The EMT process is not very relevant in vivo, although it is clear that TGF-β induces EMT in cultured cells, which has been demonstrated by numerous teams around the world. However, this is not the case with the in vivo models of kidney fibrosis, especially UUO. In addition, Shenkang injection can improve amino acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junju Zou
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Research in TCM Prescriptions and Zheng, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Xiaotao Zhou
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Xian Chen
- Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuerong Ma
- School of Basic Medicine, Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Rong Yu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Translational Research in TCM Prescriptions and Zheng, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
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27
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Alkreathy HM, Esmat A. Lycorine Ameliorates Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatic Fibrosis in Rats: Emphasis on Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and STAT3 Inhibition Effects. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15030369. [PMID: 35337166 PMCID: PMC8955817 DOI: 10.3390/ph15030369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a foremost medical concern worldwide. In Saudi Arabia, numerous risk factors contribute to its high rates. Lycorine—a natural alkaloid—has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activates. It has been reported to inhibit STAT3 in cancer. Therefore, this study aimed at investigating the possible antifibrotic effect of lycorine against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats and at elucidating the possible mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced by TAA (200 mg/kg i.p.), three per week for four weeks. Treatment with lycorine (0.5 and 1 mg/kg/d) amended TAA-induced rise of serum transaminases that was confirmed histopathologically. Moreover, it ameliorated liver fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner, as indicated by hindering the TAA-induced increase of hepatic hydroxyproline content, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) expressions. TAA-induced oxidative stress was amended by lycorine treatment via restoring reduced glutathione and diminishing lipid peroxidation. Moreover, lycorine ameliorated hepatic inflammation by preventing the rise of inflammatory cytokines. Notably, lycorine inhibited STAT3 activity, as evidenced by the decreased phospho-STAT3 expression, accompanied by the elevation of the hepatic Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. In conclusion, lycorine hinders TAA-induced liver fibrosis in rats, due to—at least partly—its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, along with its ability to inhibit STAT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huda Mohammed Alkreathy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Ahmed Esmat
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia;
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
- Correspondence:
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OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:1489-1504. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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29
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Li T, Xing Y, Zhang G, Wang Y, Wei Y, Cui L, Zhang S, Wang Q. Circular RNA Plasmacytoma Variant Translocation 1 (CircPVT1) knockdown ameliorates hypoxia-induced bladder fibrosis by regulating the miR-203/Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) signaling axis. Bioengineered 2022; 13:1288-1303. [PMID: 35000524 PMCID: PMC8805914 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2001221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of circular RNAs (circRNAs) on bladder outlet obstruction (BOO)-induced hypertrophy and fibrogenesis in rats and hypoxia-induced bladder smooth muscle cell (BSMC) fibrosis remain unclear. This study aimed to determine the regulatory role of circRNAs in the phenotypic changes in BSMCs in BOO-induced rats.circRNAmicroarray and real-time PCR were used to explore differentiated expressed circRNAs. Bioinformatics analyses and dual-luciferase reporter were performed to identify the targets for circRNA PVT1 (circPVT1). BOO was performed to establish a bladder fibrosis animal model. The circPVT1 and suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression levels were upregulated (p = 0.0061 and 0.0328, respectively), whereas the microRNA-203a (miR-203) level was downregulated in rats with bladder remodeling (p=0.0085). Bioinformatics analyses and dual-luciferase reporter assay results confirmed that circPVT1 sponges miR-203 and that the latter targets the 3'-untranslated region of SOCS3. Additionally, circPVT1 knockdown alleviated BOO-induced bladder hypertrophy and fibrogenesis. Furthermore, hypoxia was induced in BSMCs to establish a cell model of bladder fibrosis. Hypoxia induction in BSMCs resulted in upregulated circPVT1 and SOCS3 levels (p = 0.0052) and downregulated miR-203 levels. Transfection with circPVT1 and SOCS3 shRNA ameliorated hypoxia-induced transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1), TGFβR1, α-smooth muscle actin, fibrotic growth factor, extracellular matrix subtypes, BSMC proliferation, and apoptosis-associated cell injury, whereas co-transfection with miR-203 inhibitor counteracted the effect of circPVT1 shRNA on these phenotypes.These findings revealed a novel circRNA regulator of BOO-associated bladder wall remodeling and hypoxia-induced phenotypic changes in BMSCs by targeting the miR-203-SOCS3 signaling axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yi Xing
- Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Guoxian Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yinsheng Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lingang Cui
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shaojin Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qingwei Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Wieczfinska J, Sitarek P, Kowalczyk T, Rieske P, Pawliczak R. Curcumin modulates airway remodelling-contributing genes-the significance of transcription factors. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 26:736-749. [PMID: 34939316 PMCID: PMC8817128 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bronchial epithelial cells and fibroblasts play an essential role in airway remodelling, due to their protective and secretory functions. There are many studies proving that infection caused by human rhinovirus may contribute to the process of airway remodelling. The beneficial properties of curcumin, the basic ingredient of turmeric, have been proved in many studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was the evaluation of curcumin immunomodulatory properties in development of airway remodelling. Fibroblasts (WI‐38 and HFL1) and epithelial cells (NHBE) were incubated with curcumin. Additionally, remodelling conditions were induced with rhinovirus (HRV). Airway remodelling genes were determined by qPCR and immunoblotting. Moreover, NF‐κB, c‐Myc and STAT3 were silenced to analyse the pathways involved in airway remodelling. Curcumin reduced the expression of the genes analysed, especially MMP‐9, TGF‐β and collagen I. Moreover, curcumin inhibited the HRV‐induced expression of MMP‐9, TGF‐β, collagen I and LTC4S (p < 0.05). NF‐κB, c‐Myc and STAT3 changed their course of expression. Concluding, our study shows that curcumin significantly downregulated gene expression related to the remodelling process, which is dependent on NF‐κB and, partially, on c‐Myc and STAT3. The results suggest that the remodelling process may be limited and possibly prevented, however this issue requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Przemysław Sitarek
- Department of Biology and Pharmaceutical Botany, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kowalczyk
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Genetics, University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| | - Piotr Rieske
- Department of Tumor Biology, Medical University of Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafal Pawliczak
- Department of Immunopathology, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
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Borza CM, Bolas G, Bock F, Zhang X, Akabogu FC, Zhang MZ, de Caestecker M, Yang M, Yang H, Lee E, Gewin L, Fogo AB, McDonald WH, Zent R, Pozzi A. DDR1 contributes to kidney inflammation and fibrosis by promoting the phosphorylation of BCR and STAT3. JCI Insight 2021; 7:150887. [PMID: 34941574 PMCID: PMC8855801 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.150887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Discoidin domain receptor 1 (DDR1), a receptor tyrosine kinase activated by collagen, contributes to chronic kidney disease. However, its role in acute kidney injury and subsequent development of kidney fibrosis is not clear. Thus, we performed a model of severe ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury that progressed to kidney fibrosis in WT and Ddr1-null mice. We showed that Ddr1-null mice had reduced acute tubular injury, inflammation, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis with overall decreased renal monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) levels and STAT3 activation. We identified breakpoint cluster region (BCR) protein as a phosphorylated target of DDR1 that controls MCP-1 production in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells. DDR1-induced BCR phosphorylation or BCR downregulation increased MCP-1 secretion, suggesting that BCR negatively regulates the levels of MCP-1. Mechanistically, phosphorylation or downregulation of BCR increased β-catenin activity and in turn MCP-1 production. Finally, we showed that DDR1-mediated STAT3 activation was required to stimulate the secretion of TGF-β. Thus, DDR1 contributes to acute and chronic kidney injury by regulating BCR and STAT3 phosphorylation and in turn the production of MCP-1 and TGF-β. These findings identify DDR1 an attractive therapeutic target for ameliorating both proinflammatory and profibrotic signaling in kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corina M. Borza
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Gema Bolas
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Fabian Bock
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Xiuqi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Favour C. Akabogu
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Ming-Zhi Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | | | - Min Yang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
| | - Haichun Yang
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ethan Lee
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Leslie Gewin
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Agnes B. Fogo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - W. Hayes McDonald
- Proteomics Laboratory, Mass Spectrometry Research Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Roy Zent
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Ambra Pozzi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, and
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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Abstract
Janus protein tyrosine kinase (JAK) has the ability to activate signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). STAT3 is a valued member of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. In recent years, several studies have documented that STAT3 is closely related to the occurrence and development of liver fibrosis caused by various factors. Activation of STAT3 can play anti- or pro-inflammatory roles in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. This article reviewed the recent studies on STAT3 in the development of various liver fibrosis to find a more effective method to relieve and cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), schistosomiasis, and chemical liver injury.
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Sun D, Jiang Z, Chen Y, Shang D, Miao P, Gao J. MiR-455-5p upregulation in umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells attenuates endometrial injury and promotes repair of damaged endometrium via Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signaling. Bioengineered 2021; 12:12891-12904. [PMID: 34784837 PMCID: PMC8810187 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2006976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) are regarded as an ideal source for clinical use. Increasing evidence has suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) work as a crucial regulator in the development of plentiful diseases, including intrauterine adhesions (IUA). Herein, we investigated the specific impacts of UCMSCs overexpressing miR-455-5p in IUA. UCMSCs were cocultured with endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). Thirty-two female mice were divided into four different treated groups: sham, model, model + UCMSC-miR-NC and model + UCMSC-miR-455-5p. Mice in model groups were induced by uterine curettage. MiR-455-5p overexpressed UCMSCs facilitated the proliferation and cell cycle progression of ESCs according to 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine assay and flow cytometry analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining revealed that miR-455-5p upregulation in UCMSCs increased the number of endometrial glands and suppressed endometrial fibrosis in murine uterine tissues. Western blotting displayed that miR-455-5p overexpressed UCMSCs promoted the activation of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) signaling in ESCs and murine uterine tissues. Mechanistically, miR-455-5p targeted 3’ untranslated region of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), which was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that miR-455-5p was lowly expressed and SOCS3 was highly expressed in murine uterine tissues of IUA model. Moreover, Pearson correlation analysis showed that their expression was inversely correlated. Rescue assays suggested that inhibiting JAK/STAT3 signaling reversed effects of miR-455-5p on the behaviors of ESCs. The results indicated that miR-455-5p overexpression in UCMSCs helps to attenuate endometrial injury and repair damaged endometrium by activating SOCS3-mediated JAK/STAT3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyan Sun
- Department of Gynecology, Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430000, Hubei, China
| | - Zhihe Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Yanling Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Di Shang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
| | - Pan Miao
- Yangtze University Health Science Center, Jingzhou 430199, Hubei, China
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430072, Hubei, China
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Zheng H, Yan Y, Cheng J, Yu S, Wang Y. Association between SOCS3 hypermethylation and HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma and effect of sex and age: A meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27604. [PMID: 34713837 PMCID: PMC8556007 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suppressor 3 of cytokine signaling (SOCS3) hypermethylation has been reported to participate in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression, but conflicting results were published. This study aimed to analyze the clinical effects of SOCS3 hypermethylation in HCC and the effects of sex and age on SOCS3 hypermethylation in HCC. METHODS Databases were searched for relevant case-control and cohort studies on SOCS3 hypermethylation in HBV-related HCC. In vitro and in vivo studies and studies of patients with serious comorbidities were excluded. Review Manager 5.2 was used to estimate the effects of the results among the selected studies. Forest plots, sensitivity analysis, and bias analysis for the included studies were also conducted. RESULTS Finally, 8 relevant studies met the inclusion criteria. A significant difference in SOCS3 hypermethylation in HCC was found between tumor and nontumor groups (the odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.48-2.73, P < .00001; P for heterogeneity = .39, I2 = 5%). The meta-analysis suggested no significant difference in the effect of sex (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.76-1.31, P = .76; P for heterogeneity = .44, I2 = 0%) and age on SOCS3 hypermethylation in HCC (OR = 1.11, 100% CI: 0.78-1.29, P = .03; P for heterogeneity = .14, I2 = 36%). Limited publication bias was observed in this study. CONCLUSION SOCS3 hypermethylation is associated with HBV-related HCC. Sex and age do not affect the association between SOCS3 hypermethylation and HCC. SOCS3 might be a treatment target for HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hairu Zheng
- Department of Physical Examination, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Yanggang Yan
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Jiajia Cheng
- Cancer Center of Minimally Invasive and Comprehensive Therapy, Hainan Cancer Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Shuyong Yu
- Cancer Center of Minimally Invasive and Comprehensive Therapy, Hainan Cancer Hospital, Haikou, China
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Interventional Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
- Research Unit of Island Emergency Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2019RU013), Hainan Medical University, China
- Key laboratory of Emergency and Trauma (Hainan Medical University), Ministry of Education, China
- Hainan Clinical Research Center for Acute and Critical Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, China
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Chen D, Zheng G, Yang Q, Luo L, Shen J. IL-35 subunit EBI3 alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via suppressing DNA enrichment of STAT3. Respir Res 2021; 22:280. [PMID: 34711217 PMCID: PMC8551952 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01858-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND IL-35 subunit EBI3 is up-regulated in pulmonary fibrosis tissues. In this study, we investigated the pathological role of EBI3 in pulmonary fibrosis and dissected the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was established, and samples were performed gene expression analyses through RNAseq, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Wild type and EBI3 knockout mice were exposed to bleomycin to investigate the pathological role of IL-35, via lung function and gene expression analyses. Primary lung epithelial cells were used to dissect the regulatory mechanism of EBI3 on STAT1/STAT4 and STAT3. RESULTS IL-35 was elevated in both human and mouse with pulmonary fibrosis. EBI3 knockdown aggravated the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis in mice. EBI3 deficiency enhanced the expressions of fibrotic and extracellular matrix-associated genes. Mechanistically, IL-35 activated STAT1 and STAT4, which in turn suppressed DNA enrichment of STAT3 and inhibited the fibrosis process. CONCLUSION IL-35 might be one of the potential therapeutic targets for bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghong Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University/China Medical University, Seven South Road, Shenyang, 110005 Liaoning China
| | - Guofeng Zheng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University/China Medical University, Seven South Road, Shenyang, 110005 Liaoning China
| | - Qing Yang
- Emergency Department, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University/China Medical University, Seven South Road, Shenyang, 110005 Liaoning China
| | - Le Luo
- Shanghai Yunhao Biotech Center, Shanghai, 200000 China
| | - Jinglian Shen
- Emergency Department, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University/China Medical University, Seven South Road, Shenyang, 110005 Liaoning China
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Wang J, Xu Z, Wang Z, Du G, Lun L. TGF-beta signaling in cancer radiotherapy. Cytokine 2021; 148:155709. [PMID: 34597918 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 09/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) plays key roles in regulating cellular proliferation and maintaining tissue homeostasis. TGF-β exerts tumor-suppressive effects in the early stages of carcinogenesis, but it also plays tumor-promoting roles in established tumors. Additionally, it plays a critical role in cancer radiotherapy. TGF-β expression or activation increases in irradiated tissues, and studies have shown that TGF-β plays dual roles in cancer radiosensitivity and is involved in ionizing radiation-induced fibrosis in different tumor microenvironments (TMEs). Furthermore, TGF-β promotes radioresistance by inducing the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cells (CSCs) and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), suppresses the immune system and facilitates cancer resistance. In particular, the links between TGF-β and the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) axis play a critical role in cancer therapeutic resistance. Growing evidence has shown that TGF-β acts as a radiation protection agent, leading to heightened interest in using TGF-β as a therapeutic target. The future of anti-TGF-β signaling therapy for numerous diseases appears bright, and the outlook for the use of TGF-β inhibitors in cancer radiotherapy as TME-targeting agents is promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, Shandong, China
| | - Zhonghang Xu
- Department of Gastrointestinal Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130033, Jilin, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, Shandong, China
| | - Guoqiang Du
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Qingdao Municipal Hospital (Group), Qingdao 266071, Shandong, China.
| | - Limin Lun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266061, Shandong, China.
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Hoffman KA, Villar MJ, Poveda C, Bottazzi ME, Hotez PJ, Tweardy DJ, Jones KM. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription-3 Modulation of Cardiac Pathology in Chronic Chagasic Cardiomyopathy. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:708325. [PMID: 34504808 PMCID: PMC8421853 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.708325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) is a severe clinical manifestation that develops in 30%–40% of individuals chronically infected with the protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi and is thus an important public health problem. Parasite persistence during chronic infection drives pathologic changes in the heart, including myocardial inflammation and progressive fibrosis, that contribute to clinical disease. Clinical manifestations of CCC span a range of symptoms, including cardiac arrhythmias, thromboembolic disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the role of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) in cardiac pathology in a mouse model of CCC. STAT3 is a known cellular mediator of collagen deposition and fibrosis. Mice were infected with T. cruzi and then treated daily from 70 to 91 days post infection (DPI) with TTI-101, a small molecule inhibitor of STAT3; benznidazole; a combination of benznidazole and TTI-101; or vehicle alone. Cardiac function was evaluated at the beginning and end of treatment by echocardiography. By the end of treatment, STAT3 inhibition with TTI-101 eliminated cardiac fibrosis and fibrosis biomarkers but increased cardiac inflammation; serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IFN−γ; cardiac gene expression of STAT1 and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB); and upregulation of IL-6 and Type I and Type II IFN responses. Concurrently, decreased heart function was measured by echocardiography and myocardial strain. These results indicate that STAT3 plays a critical role in the cardiac inflammatory–fibrotic axis during CCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristyn A Hoffman
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Jose Villar
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Cristina Poveda
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - David J Tweardy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control & Employee Health, Division of Internal Medicine and Department of Molecular & Cellular Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Kathryn M Jones
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, Section of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States.,Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, Houston, TX, United States
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Gwon MG, An HJ, Gu H, Kim YA, Han SM, Park KK. Apamin inhibits renal fibrosis via suppressing TGF-β1 and STAT3 signaling in vivo and in vitro. J Mol Med (Berl) 2021; 99:1265-1277. [PMID: 34031696 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-021-02087-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a progressive and chronic process that influences kidneys with chronic kidney disease (CKD), irrespective of cause, leading to irreversible failure of renal function and end-stage kidney disease. Among the signaling related to renal fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling is a major pathway that induces the activation of myofibroblasts and the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. Apamin, a component of bee venom (BV), has been studied in relation to various diseases. However, the effect of apamin on renal interstitial fibrosis has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to estimate the beneficial effect of apamin in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis and TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblast activation. This study revealed that obstructive kidney injury induced an inflammatory response, tubular atrophy, and ECM accumulation. However, apamin treatment suppressed the increased expression of fibrotic-related genes, including α-SMA, vimentin, and fibronectin. Administration of apamin also attenuated the renal tubular cells injury and tubular atrophy. In addition, apamin attenuated fibroblast activation, ECM synthesis, and inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by suppressing the TGF-β1-canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways. This study showed that apamin inhibits UUO-induced renal fibrosis in vivo and TGF-β1-induced renal fibroblasts activation in vitro. Apamin inhibited the inflammatory response, tubular atrophy, ECM accumulation, fibroblast activation, and renal interstitial fibrosis through suppression of TGF-β1/Smad2/3 and STAT3 signaling pathways. These results suggest that apamin might be a potential therapeutic agent for renal fibrosis. KEY MESSAGES: UUO injury can induce renal dysfunction; however, apamin administration prevents renal failure in UUO mice. Apamin inhibited renal inflammatory response and ECM deposition in UUO-injured mice. Apamin suppressed the activation of myofibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. Apamin has the anti-fibrotic effect on renal fibrosis via regulation of TGF-β1 canonical and non-canonical signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Gyeong Gwon
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, 33, Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-gu, 42472, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun-Jin An
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, 33, Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-gu, 42472, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyemin Gu
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, 33, Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-gu, 42472, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ah Kim
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, 33, Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-gu, 42472, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Mi Han
- National Academy of Agricultural Science, Jeonjusi, Jeonbuk, 54875, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan-Kyu Park
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Daegu, 33, Duryugongwon-ro 17-gil, Nam-gu, 42472, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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Ge Y, Gu P, Wang W, Cao L, Zhang L, Li J, Mu W, Wang H. Benzo[a]pyrene stimulates miR-650 expression to promote the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma via SOCS3/JAK/STAT3 cascades. J Mol Cell Biol 2021; 13:mjab052. [PMID: 34450627 PMCID: PMC8697348 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern diets, which often feature high levels of fat and charcoal-grilled meat, contribute to the pathogenesis of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), resulting in liver cancer progression. Benzo(a)pyrene (B[a]P) is a common environmental and foodborne pollutant found in smoke and fire-grilled foods, which can have an adverse effect on human health. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The epidemiological studies suggest that both environmental risk factors and chronic liver injury including NAFL are important for HCC development, but the precise mechanisms linking eating habits to hepato-carcinogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that various miRNAs in B[a]P-exposed tumor cells contribute to tumor metastasis, among which miR-650 could be the most potent inducer. Furthermore, we found that suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) is directly regulated by miR-650 and its suppression regulates the activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK/STAT3) cascade. Our findings reveal a possible adverse outcome pathway of SOCS3/JAK/STAT3 regulation in B[a]P-induced HCC progress. These results provide a better understanding of the adverse effects of chronic exposure to B[a]P on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-cell
Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of
Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Pengfei Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-cell
Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of
Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wenbo Wang
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine,
Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Liyuan Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-cell
Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of
Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Lulu Zhang
- Institute of Military Health Management, Second Military Medical
University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Jingquan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-cell
Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of
Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Wei Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-cell
Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of
Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Center for Single-cell
Omics, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of
Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Nutrition, Metabolism and Food Safety, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
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40
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Liang J, Yuan H, Xu L, Wang F, Bao X, Yan Y, Wang H, Zhang C, Jin R, Ma L, Zhang J, Huri L, Su X, Xiao R, Ma Y. Study on the effect of Mongolian medicine Qiwei Qinggan Powder on hepatic fibrosis through JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2021; 85:775-785. [PMID: 33686395 DOI: 10.1093/bbb/zbab001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This research aimed to evaluate the antihepatic fibrosis effect and explore the mechanism of Qiwei Qinggan Powder (QGS-7) in vivo and in vitro. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-treated rats and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) were used. QGS-7 treatment significantly improved the liver function of rats as indicated by decreased serum enzymatic activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase. Meanwhile, the hydroxyproline of liver was significantly decreased. Histopathological results indicated that QGS-7 alleviated liver damage and reduced the formation of fibrosis septa. Moreover, QGS-7 significantly attenuated expressions of Alpha smooth muscle actin, Collagen I, Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), phosphorylation-JAK2, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), phosphorylation-STAT3 in the rat hepatic fibrosis model. QGS-7 inhibited HSC proliferation and promoted it apoptosis. QGS-7 may affect hepatic fibrosis through JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway so as to play an antihepatic fibrosis role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hongwei Yuan
- Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Liping Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiaomei Bao
- Department of Pharmaceutical Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yuxin Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Haisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Chunyan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Rong Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lijie Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Jianyu Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lebagen Huri
- School of Mongolian Medicine and Pharmacy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Xiaoli Su
- Functional Science laboratory, Institute of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Rui Xiao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology Inner, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Yuehong Ma
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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Zhang Y, Jin D, Kang X, Zhou R, Sun Y, Lian F, Tong X. Signaling Pathways Involved in Diabetic Renal Fibrosis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:696542. [PMID: 34327204 PMCID: PMC8314387 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.696542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), as the most common complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is the major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal interstitial fibrosis is a crucial metabolic change in the late stage of DKD, which is always considered to be complex and irreversible. In this review, we discuss the pathological mechanisms of diabetic renal fibrosis and discussed some signaling pathways that are closely related to it, such as the TGF-β, MAPK, Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, JAK/STAT, and Notch pathways. The cross-talks among these pathways were then discussed to elucidate the complicated cascade behind the tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Finally, we summarized the new drugs with potential therapeutic effects on renal fibrosis and listed related clinical trials. The purpose of this review is to elucidate the mechanisms and related pathways of renal fibrosis in DKD and to provide novel therapeutic intervention insights for clinical research to delay the progression of renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Zhang
- Endocrinology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - De Jin
- Endocrinology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Kang
- Endocrinology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Rongrong Zhou
- Endocrinology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yuting Sun
- Endocrinology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Fengmei Lian
- Endocrinology Department, Guang'anmen Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolin Tong
- Endocrinology Department, Affiliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, China
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Trairatphisan P, de Souza TM, Kleinjans J, Jennen D, Saez-Rodriguez J. Contextualization of causal regulatory networks from toxicogenomics data applied to drug-induced liver injury. Toxicol Lett 2021; 350:40-51. [PMID: 34229068 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2021.06.020] [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: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, network-based methods have become an attractive analytical approach for toxicogenomics studies. They can capture not only the global changes of regulatory gene networks but also the relationships between their components. Among them, a causal reasoning approach depicts the mechanisms of regulation that connect upstream regulators in signaling networks to their downstream gene targets. In this work, we applied CARNIVAL, a causal network contextualisation tool, to infer upstream signaling networks deregulated in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) from gene expression microarray data from the TG-GATEs database. We focussed on six compounds that induce observable histopathologies linked to DILI from repeated dosing experiments in rats. We compared responses in vitro and in vivo to identify potential cross-platform concordances in rats as well as network preservations between rat and human. Our results showed similarities of enriched pathways and network motifs between compounds. These pathways and motifs induced the same pathology in rats but not in humans. In particular, the causal interactions "LCK activates SOCS3, which in turn inhibits TFDP1" was commonly identified as a regulatory path among the fibrosis-inducing compounds. This potential pathology-inducing regulation illustrates the value of our approach to generate hypotheses that can be further validated experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panuwat Trairatphisan
- Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Computational Biomedicine, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Terezinha Maria de Souza
- Department of Toxicogenomics (TGX), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jos Kleinjans
- Department of Toxicogenomics (TGX), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Danyel Jennen
- Department of Toxicogenomics (TGX), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University, 6200 MD, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Julio Saez-Rodriguez
- Heidelberg University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Computational Biomedicine, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany; RWTH Aachen University, Faculty of Medicine, Joint Research Centre for Computational Biomedicine (JRC-COMBINE), 52074, Aachen, Germany.
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43
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Yang X, Bao M, Fang Y, Yu X, Ji J, Ding X. STAT3/HIF-1α signaling activation mediates peritoneal fibrosis induced by high glucose. J Transl Med 2021; 19:283. [PMID: 34193173 PMCID: PMC8246671 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02946-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of mesothelial cells is a key step in the peritoneal fibrosis (PF). Recent evidence indicates that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) might mediate the process of renal fibrosis, which could induce the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Here, we investigated the effect of STAT3 activation on HIF-1α expression and the EMT of mesothelial cells, furthermore the role of pharmacological blockade of STAT3 in the process of PF during peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. METHODS Firstly, we investigated the STAT3 signaling in human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) from drained PD effluent. Secondly, we explored the effect of STAT3 signaling activation on the EMT and the expression of HIF-1α in human mesothelial cells (Met-5A) induced by high glucose. Finally, peritoneal fibrosis was induced by daily intraperitoneal injection with peritoneal dialysis fluid (PDF) so as to explore the role of pharmacological blockade of STAT3 in this process. RESULTS Compared with the new PD patient, the level of phosphorylated STAT3 was up-regulated in peritoneal mesothelial cells from long-term PD patients. High glucose (60 mmol/L) induced over-expression of Collagen I, Fibronectin, α-SMA and reduced the expression of E-cadherin in Met-5A cells, which could be abrogated by STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 pretreatment as well as by siRNA for STAT3. Furthermore, high glucose-mediated STAT3 activation in mesothelial cells induced the expression of HIF-1α and the profibrotic effect of STAT3 signaling was alleviated by siRNA for HIF-1α. Daily intraperitoneal injection of high-glucose based dialysis fluid (HG-PDF) induced peritoneal fibrosis in the mice, accompanied by the phosphorylation of STAT3. Immunostaining showed that phosphorylated STAT3 was expressed mostly in α-SMA positive cells in the peritoneal membrane induced by HG-PDF. Administration of S3I-201 prevented the progression of peritoneal fibrosis, angiogenesis, macrophage infiltration as well as the expression of HIF-1α in the peritoneal membrane induced by high glucose. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these findings identified a novel mechanism linking STAT3/HIF-1α signaling to peritoneal fibrosis during long-term PD treatment. It provided the first evidence that pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 signaling attenuated high glucose-mediated mesothelial cells EMT as well as peritoneal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Yang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180, Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, China.,Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Manchen Bao
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180, Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, China.,Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Fang
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180, Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, China.,Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaofang Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180, Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, China.,Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Ji
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180, Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, China. .,Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaoqiang Ding
- Department of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, No. 180, Fenglin Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Medical Center of Kidney, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Institute of Kidney and Dialysis, Shanghai, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Kidney and Blood Purification, Shanghai, China. .,Hemodialysis Quality Control Center of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
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Gong X, Wang X, Zhou F. Liver microRNA-29b-3p positively correlates with relative enhancement values of magnetic resonance imaging and represses liver fibrosis. J Biochem 2021; 168:603-609. [PMID: 32653922 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to identify potential microRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to liver fibrosis progression and investigate how the miRNA is involved. We recruited totally 58 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging was employed to detect fibrosis. Classification of liver fibrosis was carried out by Ishak scoring system. Cell viability was tested using cell counting kit-8. Measurements of mRNA and protein expressions were conducted using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay was recruited for determination of miR-29b-3p targets. We found that relative enhancement (RE) values were reduced with the increases in fibrosis stages and was negatively associated with Ishak scores. In comparison with patients without liver fibrosis, miR-29b-3p level was remarkably reduced in those with liver fibrosis. Its level was found to be positively associated with RE values. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation significantly decreased miR-29b-3p expression. However, miR-29b-3p overexpression repressed TGF-β1-induced collagen I protein and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. As expected, its overexpression also reduced cell viability. We found that miR-29b-3p directly bind to signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and suppressed its expression. Our study demonstrates that low expression of miR-29b-3p may contribute to the progression of liver fibrosis by suppressing STAT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xijun Gong
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, Anhui, China
| | - Xiaolin Wang
- Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College, Bengbu 233004, Anhui, China
| | - Fangfang Zhou
- Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, Anhui, China
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Li CY, Chen CY, An JH, Wu JB, Shen H. Normal Basal Epithelial Cells Stimulate the Migration and Invasion of Prostate Cancer Cell RM-1 by TGF-β1/STAT3 Axis in vitro. Cancer Manag Res 2021; 13:3685-3697. [PMID: 33994809 PMCID: PMC8114913 DOI: 10.2147/cmar.s303122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Basal epithelial cells are absent in distant prostate cancer. This study aimed to investigate whether basal epithelial cells could suppress migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells to become a new treatment strategy for prostate cancer. Main Methods Basal epithelial cells were identified by immunofluorescence with anti-p63. Wound healing assays or transwell assays were used to explore the effects of basal epithelial cells, TGF-β1, SB431542 (inhibitor of TGF-β type I receptor) or stattic (inhibitor of phosphorylated STAT3) on migration or invasion of mouse prostate cancer cell (RM-1). Concentration of TGF-β1 was measured by ELISA assay. HE staining was used to investigate cell morphology. Immunocytochemistry with anti-p63 was used to identify basal epithelial cells. Levels of STAT3, p-STAT3 (Ser727) and proteins associated with EMT were measured with Western blot assay. Cell proliferation was measured with MTT or CCK8 assay. Results Normal basal epithelial cells acquired from mouse prostate were specific to anti-p63 and more than 90%. Basal epithelial cells and RM-1 could both secrete TGF-β1. Basal epithelial cells and TGF-β1 promoted the migration and invasion of RM-1 through changing the cell morphology and up-regulating expression of ZEB1, N-cadherin, vimentin, snail and p-STAT3 (Ser727), at the same time down-regulating E-cadherin of RM-1. SB431542 strongly suppressed migration, invasion as well as the expressions of EMT relevant proteins and p-STAT3 (Ser727) of co-cultured RM-1. In addition, stattic suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion of non-treated RM-1 and co-cultured RM-1. Conclusion Our study suggests that normal basal epithelial cells might stimulate the migration and invasion of RM-1 by TGF-β1/STAT3 axis which could be suppressed by inhibitor of TGF-β receptor and inhibitor of p-STAT3. So, basal epithelial cells might not become a treatment strategy for prostate cancer, but our results could provide some researching references for other diseases which include basal epithelial cells such as prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, prostatic hyperplasia, cervical cancer, or urinary bladder cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yan Li
- South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Chun-Ya Chen
- South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Hong An
- South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian-Bin Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510407, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Shen
- South China University of Technology School of Medicine, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Guangzhou, 510006, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.,Department of Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, People's Republic of China
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Hassan NME, Shehatou GSG, Kenawy HI, Said E. Dasatinib mitigates renal fibrosis in a rat model of UUO via inhibition of Src/STAT-3/NF-κB signaling. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2021; 84:103625. [PMID: 33617955 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2021.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This research aimed to investigate the reno-protective impact of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor dasatinib (DAS) against renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats. DAS administration improved renal function and mitigated renal oxidative stress with paralleled reduction in the ligated kidney mass index, significant retraction in renal histopathological alterations and suppression of renal interstitial fibrosis. Nevertheless, DAS administration attenuated renal expression of phosphorylated Src (p-Src), Abelson (c-Abl) tyrosine kinases, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65, and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT-3)/STAT-3 with paralleled reduction in renal contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). DAS diminished interstitial macrophage infiltration and decreased renal profibrotic transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) levels and suppressed interstitial expression of renal α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin. Collectively, DAS slowed the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis, possibly via attenuating renal oxidative stress, impairing Src/STAT-3/NF-κB signaling, and reducing renal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabila M E Hassan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - George S G Shehatou
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt; Department of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Delta University for Science and Technology, Gamasa City, Egypt
| | - Hany Ibrahim Kenawy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Eman Said
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
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Wang X, Wang J, Huang G, Li Y, Guo S. miR‑320a‑3P alleviates the epithelial‑mesenchymal transition of A549 cells by activation of STAT3/SMAD3 signaling in a pulmonary fibrosis model. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:357. [PMID: 33760151 PMCID: PMC7974326 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.11996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a common, chronic and incurable lung disease, in which the lungs become scarred over time. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) serve key roles in various biological processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and the regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of miR-320a-3p as a potential therapeutic target for PF. Clinical samples and microarray datasets collected from various databases were used to evaluate the expression of miR-320a-3p in PF. A549 cells were used to construct an EMT model of PF. A dual-luciferase reporter assay system was used to identify target genes of miR-320a-3p. Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining were used to determine the roles of miR-320a-3p and its target genes in the EMT process in PF. The present study found that, compared with lung tissue of healthy control subjects, the expression of miR-320a-3p in lung tissue of PF patients was significantly reduced. The expression levels of miR-320a-3p decreased in TGF-β1-stimulated A549 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The overexpression of miR-320a-3p suppressed EMT markers induced by TGF-β1 in A549 cells and STAT3 was identified as a potential target gene of miR-320a-3p. Furthermore, the expression changes of miR-320a-3p and STAT3 were found to significantly affect the expression of phosphorylated SMAD3 in TGF-β1-stimulated A549 cells. Briefly, overexpression of miR-320a-3p could inhibit the EMT process in PF by downregulating STAT3 expression. The mechanism mediating these effects may partly involve crosstalk between the SMAD3 and STAT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, People's Hospital of Deyang City, Deyang, Sichuan 618000, P.R. China
| | - Guichuan Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Yishi Li
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
| | - Shuliang Guo
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P.R. China
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Chen Y, Ding X, Wang S, Ding P, Xu Z, Li J, Wang M, Xiang R, Wang X, Wang H, Feng Q, Qiu J, Wang F, Huang Z, Zhang X, Tang G, Tang S. A single-cell atlas of mouse olfactory bulb chromatin accessibility. J Genet Genomics 2021; 48:147-162. [PMID: 33926839 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.02.007] [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: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Olfaction, the sense of smell, is a fundamental trait crucial to many species. The olfactory bulb (OB) plays pivotal roles in processing and transmitting odor information from the environment to the brain. The cellular heterogeneity of the mouse OB has been studied using single-cell RNA sequencing. However, the epigenetic landscape of the mOB remains mostly unexplored. Herein, we apply single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing to profile the genome-wide chromatin accessibility of 9,549 single cells from the mOB. Based on single-cell epigenetic signatures, mOB cells are classified into 21 clusters corresponding to 11 cell types. We identify distinct sets of putative regulatory elements specific to each cell cluster from which putative target genes and enriched potential functions are inferred. In addition, the transcription factor motifs enriched in each cell cluster are determined to indicate the developmental fate of each cell lineage. Our study provides a valuable epigenetic data set for the mOB at single-cell resolution, and the results can enhance our understanding of regulatory circuits and the therapeutic capacity of the OB at the single-cell level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yin Chen
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiangning Ding
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Shiyou Wang
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Peiwen Ding
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Zaoxu Xu
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Jiankang Li
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Mingyue Wang
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Rong Xiang
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Xiaoling Wang
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Haoyu Wang
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Qikai Feng
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Jiaying Qiu
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Feiyue Wang
- BGI Education Center, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518083, China; BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China; School of Biological Science & Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Zhen Huang
- Southern Center for Biomedical Research and Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350117, China
| | - Xingliang Zhang
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518083, China; Department of Pediatrics, the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang 524000, China.
| | - Gen Tang
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518083, China.
| | - Shengping Tang
- Shenzhen Children's Hospital, Shenzhen 518083, China; Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou 563099, China; China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110122, China.
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Hirudo Lyophilized Powder Ameliorates Renal Injury in Diabetic Rats by Suppressing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2021; 2021:6657673. [PMID: 33688363 PMCID: PMC7920712 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6657673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
As diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and destructive microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, the goal of this study, therefore, was to investigate the renal protective effect and latent mechanisms of Hirudo lyophilized powder on diabetic rats. In this study, all rats were randomly assigned into the control group and diabetic group. The rats of diabetic group were injected with low-dose STZ (35 mg/kg) intraperitoneal plus high-fat diet to induce diabetes. Then, the successful diabetic model rats were weighed and randomly assigned into four groups: (1) diabetic model group (DM group); (2) Hirudo lyophilized powder 0.3 g/kg treatment group (SL group); (3) Hirudo lyophilized powder 0.6 g/kg treatment group (SM group); (4) Hirudo lyophilized powder 1.2 g/kg treatment group (SH group). Their fasting blood glucoses (FBG) were measured every 4 weeks. After treatment with Hirudo lyophilized powder at a corresponding dose once a day for 16 weeks, their metabolic and biochemical as well as oxidative stress parameters were tested, and the kidney weight (KW)/body weight (BW) was calculated. The renal tissues were used for histological, mRNA, and protein expression analysis. The results showed that Hirudo lyophilized powder could protect against the structural damages and functional changes of diabetic renal tissue by inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, it was found in the further research that inhibiting the NOX4 expression and JAK2/STAT1/STAT3 pathway activation might be the underlying mechanisms. Collectively, Hirudo lyophilized powder might be a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of DN.
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STAT3 Promotes Schistosome-Induced Liver Injury by Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Proliferation, and Apoptosis Signal Pathway. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00309-20. [PMID: 33257536 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00309-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is a parasitic helminth disease that can cause organ lesions leading to health damage. During a schistosome infection, schistosome eggs can flow into the liver along the portal vein. Numerous inflammatory cells gather around the eggs, causing granulomas and fibrosis in the liver. In this process, many molecules are involved in the initiation and regulation of the fibrous scar formation. However, the precise molecular mechanisms responsible for the progression of granuloma formation and fibrosis initiation caused by schistosome infection have not been extensively studied. In this study, C57BL/6 wild-type mice and Stat3flox/flox Alb-Cre mice were infected with cercariae of Schistosoma japonicum Liver injury, effector molecule levels, and RNA transcriptome resequencing of liver tissue were detected at 4, 5, and 6 weeks postinfection. We investigated the role of STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) in Schistosoma-induced liver injury in mice. After 6 weeks postinfection, there was obvious liver fibrosis. A sustained pathological process (inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation, and apoptosis) occurred in S. japonicum-induced liver fibrosis initiation. Meanwhile, we observed activation of the STAT3 pathway in hepatic injury during S. japonicum infection by RNA transcriptome resequencing. Liver deficiency of phospho-STAT3 alleviated infection-induced liver dysfunction, hepatic granuloma formation, and fibrosis initiation. It also promoted STAT3-dependent apoptosis and reduced liver inflammation, oxidative stress, and proliferation. Our results suggest that STAT3 signal pathway and its mediating inflammation, oxidative stress, proliferation, and apoptosis are involved in S. japonicum-induced liver injury and may be a new potential guideline for the treatment of schistosomiasis.
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