Bleomycin induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via bFGF/PI3K/ESRP1 signaling in pulmonary fibrosis

Trimetazidine Alleviates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Targeting the Long Noncoding RNA CBR3-AS1-Mediated miRNA-29 and Resistin-Like Molecule alpha 1: Deciphering a Novel Trifecta Role of LncRNA CBR3-AS1/miRNA-29/FIZZ1 Axis in Lung Fibrosis

Introduction

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and tissue remodeling can greatly impair pulmonary function and often lead to fatal outcomes.

Methodology

In the present study, we explored a novel molecular interplay of long noncoding (Lnc) RNA CBR3-AS1/ miRNA-29/ FIZZ1 axis in moderating the inflammatory processes, immunological responses, and oxidative stress pathways in bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. Furthermore, we investigated the pharmacological potential of Trimetazidine (TMZ) in ameliorating lung fibrosis.

Results

Our results revealed that the BLM-treated group exhibited a significant upregulation in the expression of epigenetic regulators, lncRNA CBR3-AS1 and FIZZ1, compared to the control group (P<0.0001), along with the downregulation of miRNA-29 expression. Furthermore, Correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between lnc CBR3-AS1 and FIZZ1 (R=0.7723, p<0.05) and a significant negative association between miRNA-29 and FIZZ1 (R=-0.7535, p<0.05), suggesting lnc CBR3-AS1 as an epigenetic regulator of FIZZ1 in lung fibrosis. BLM treatment significantly increased the expression of Notch, Jagged1, Smad3, TGFB1, and hydroxyproline. Interestingly, the administration of TMZ demonstrated the ability to attenuate the deterioration effects caused by BLM treatment, as indicated by biochemical and histological analyses. Our investigations revealed that the therapeutic potential of TMZ as an antifibrotic drug could be ascribed to its ability to directly target the epigenetic regulators lncRNA CBR3-AS1/ miRNA-29/ FIZZ1, which in turn resulted in the mitigation of lung fibrosis. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses further validated the potential antifibrotic effects of TMZ by mitigating the structural damage associated with fibrosis.

Discussion

Taken together, our study showed for the first time the interplay between epigenetic lncRNAs CBR3-AS1 and miRNA-29 in lung fibrosis and demonstrated that FIZZ1 could be a downregulatory gene for lncRNA CBR3-AS1 and miRNA-29. Our key findings demonstrate that TMZ significantly reduces the expression of fibrotic, oxidative stress, immunomodulatory, and inflammatory markers, along with epigenetic regulators associated with lung fibrosis. This validates its potential as an effective antifibrotic agent by targeting the CBR3-AS1/miRNA-29/FIZZ1 axis.

Ameliorative Potential of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Versus Prednisolone in a Rat Model of Lung Fibrosis: A Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Biochemical Study

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease of unknown origin with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The encouraging findings from preclinical investigations utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) indicated that they could serve as a promising therapeutic alternative for managing chronic lung conditions, such as IPF. The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) versus prednisolone, the standard anti-inflammatory medication, in rats with bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. Four groups were created: a control group, a BLM group, a prednisolone-treated group, and a BM-MSCs-treated group. To induce lung fibrosis, 5 mg/kg of BLM was administered intratracheally. BLM significantly increased serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. The disturbed lung structure was also revealed by light and transmission electron microscopic studies. Upregulation in the immune expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta-1, and Bax was demonstrated. Interestingly, all findings significantly regressed on treatment with prednisolone and BM-MSCs. However, treatment with BM-MSCs showed better results than with prednisolone. In conclusion, BM-MSCs could be a promising approach for managing lung fibrosis.

AQP5 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor growth through activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in triple-negative breast cancer

BACKGROUND

Emerging data identifies aquaporin 5 (AQP5) as a vital player in many kinds of cancers. Over expression of AQP5 was associated with increased metastasis and poor prognosis, suggesting that AQP5 may facilitate cancer cell proliferation and migration. Our previous studies also showed that AQP3 and AQP5 were highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and the expression of AQP3 and AQP5 in TNBC tissue was positive correlated with advanced clinical stage.

OBJECTIVE

We aim to investigate the role of AQP5 in TNBC oncogenesis and development.

METHODS

MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with siRNA-AQP5 and AQP5 overexpression vector to establish a differential expression system for AQP5. Cell proliferation and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) and FCM (flow cytometry), respectively. Cell migration and invasion abilities were evaluated by wound healing assay and transwell assay. The qRT-PCR and western blot assays were used to study the effect of AQP5 expression level on the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) related molecules. The effects of ICG-001, a Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway inhibitor, on the invasive and migratory capabilities of overexpressed AQP5 cells and downstream molecules were measured.

RESULTS

1. The expression of AQP5 in the MDA-MB-231 cells was significantly higher than that in the MCF-10A cells. 2. Up-regulation of AQP5 significantly promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells, while inhibited the cell apoptosis; in addition, up-regulation of AQP5 increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased the expression of Caspase-3. However, knockdown of AQP5 presented the adverse effects of AQP5 overexpression. 3. Overexpressed AQP5 induced the overexpression of EMT-related factors, which further promoted the migration and invasion of cells. 4. Overexpression of AQP5 could up-regulate the expression of β-catenin in the nucleus followed by increasing the expression levels of downstream genes in Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, ICG-001, the inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, could significantly attenuate the effect of overexpression of AQP5 on cells, further confirming that AQP5 may promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of TNBC cells by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

In the TNBC cells, AQP5 modulates the expression levels of EMT-related proteins through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thus enhancing the cell proliferation, migration and invasion while inhibiting the cell apoptosis.

Suppression of Ventilation-Induced Diaphragm Fibrosis through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-γ in a Murine Bleomycin-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model

Mechanical ventilation (MV), used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI), induces diaphragmatic myofiber atrophy and contractile inactivity, termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3K-γ) is crucial in modulating fibrogenesis during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, myofiber fibrosis, and PI3K-γ remain unclear. We hypothesized that MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase diaphragm muscle fibrosis through the PI3K-γ pathway. Five days after receiving a single bolus of 0.075 units of bleomycin intratracheally, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 6 or 10 mL/kg of MV for 8 h after receiving 5 mg/kg of AS605240 intraperitoneally. In wild-type mice, bleomycin exposure followed by MV 10 mL/kg prompted significant increases in disruptions of diaphragmatic myofibrillar organization, transforming growth factor-β1, oxidative loads, Masson's trichrome staining, extracellular collagen levels, positive staining of α-smooth muscle actin, PI3K-γ expression, and myonuclear apoptosis (p < 0.05). Decreased diaphragm contractility and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α levels were also observed (p < 0.05). MV-augmented bleomycin-induced diaphragm fibrosis and myonuclear apoptosis were attenuated in PI3K-γ-deficient mice and through AS605240-induced inhibition of PI3K-γ activity (p < 0.05). MV-augmented diaphragm fibrosis after bleomycin-induced ALI is partially mediated by PI3K-γ. Therapy targeting PI3K-γ may ameliorate MV-associated diaphragm fibrosis.

Unveiling the molecular Hallmarks of Peyronie's disease: a comprehensive narrative review

Peyronie's disease, a fibroinflammatory disorder, detrimentally impacts the sexual well-being of men and their partners. The manifestation of fibrotic plaques within penile tissue, attributed to dysregulated fibrogenesis, is pathognomonic for this condition. The onset of fibrosis hinges on the perturbation of the equilibrium between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), crucial enzymes governing the extracellular matrix, and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs). In the context of Peyronie's disease, there is an elevation in TIMP levels coupled with a decline in MMP levels, culminating in fibrogenesis. Despite the scant molecular insights into fibrotic pathologies, particularly in the context of Peyronie's disease, a comprehensive literature search spanning 1995 to 2023, utilizing PubMed Library, was conducted to elucidate these mechanisms. The findings underscore the involvement of growth factors such as FGF and PDGF, and cytokines like IL-1 and IL-6, alongside PAI-1, PTX-3, HIF, and IgG4 in the fibrotic cascade. Given the tissue-specific modulation of fibrosis, comprehending the molecular underpinnings of penile fibrosis becomes imperative for the innovation of novel and efficacious therapies targeting Peyronie's disease. This review stands as a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians engaged in investigating the molecular basis of fibrotic diseases, offering guidance for advancements in understanding Peyronie's disease.

Linking NLRP3 inflammasome and pulmonary fibrosis: mechanistic insights and promising therapeutic avenues

Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disorder distinguished by redundant inflammation and matrix accumulation in the lung interstitium. The early inflammatory cascade coupled with recurring tissue injury orchestrates a set of events marked by perturbed matrix hemostasis, deposition of matrix proteins, and remodeling in lung tissue. Numerous investigations have corroborated a direct correlation between the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) activation and the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Dysregulated activation of NLRP3 within the pulmonary microenvironment exacerbates inflammation and may incite fibrogenic responses. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms through which the NLRP3 inflammasome elicits pro-fibrogenic responses remain inadequately defined. Contemporary findings suggest that the pro-fibrotic consequences stemming from NLRP3 signaling primarily hinge on the action of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). IL-1β instigates IL-1 receptor signaling, potentiating the activity of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). This signaling cascade, in turn, exerts influence over various transcription factors, including SNAIL, TWIST, and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB 1/2), which collectively foster myofibroblast activation and consequent lung fibrosis. Here, we have connected the dots to illustrate how the NLRP3 inflammasome orchestrates a multitude of signaling events, including the activation of transcription factors that facilitate myofibroblast activation and subsequent lung remodeling. In addition, we have highlighted the prominent role played by various cells in the formation of myofibroblasts, the primary culprit in lung fibrosis. We also provided a concise overview of various compounds that hold the potential to impede NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, thus offering a promising avenue for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Trigonelline mitigates bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis: Insight into NLRP3 inflammasome and SPHK1/S1P/Hippo signaling modulation

AIMS

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with an increasing incidence following the COVID-19 outbreak. Pirfenidone (Pirf), an FDA-approved pulmonary anti-fibrotic drug, is poorly tolerated and exhibits limited efficacy. Trigonelline (Trig) is a natural plant alkaloid with diverse pharmacological actions. We investigated the underlying prophylactic and therapeutic mechanisms of Trig in ameliorating bleomycin (BLM)-induced PF and the possible synergistic antifibrotic activity of Pirf via its combination with Trig.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single dose of BLM was administered intratracheally to male Sprague-Dawley rats for PF induction. In the prophylactic study, Trig was given orally 3 days before BLM and then for 28 days. In the therapeutic study, Trig and/or Pirf were given orally from day 8 after BLM until the 28th day. Biochemical assay, histopathology, qRT-PCR, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry were performed on lung tissues.

KEY FINDINGS

Trig prophylactically and therapeutically mitigated the inflammatory process via targeting NF-κB/NLRP3/IL-1β signaling. Trig activated the autophagy process which in turn attenuated alveolar epithelial cells apoptosis and senescence. Remarkably, Trig attenuated lung SPHK1/S1P axis and its downstream Hippo targets, YAP-1, and TAZ, with a parallel decrease in YAP/TAZ profibrotic genes. Interestingly, Trig upregulated lung miR-375 and miR-27a expression. Consequently, epithelial-mesenchymal transition in lung tissues was reversed upon Trig administration. These results were simultaneously associated with profound improvement in lung histological alterations.

SIGNIFICANCE

The current study verifies Trig's prophylactic and antifibrotic effects against BLM-induced PF via targeting multiple signaling. Trig and Pirf combination may be a promising approach to synergize Pirf antifibrotic effect.

LncRNA CCAT2 promotes malignant progression of metastatic gastric cancer through regulating CD44 alternative splicing

OBJECTIVE

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most malignant tumors worldwide. Thus, it is necessary to explore the underlying mechanisms of GC progression and develop novel therapeutic regimens. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be abnormally expressed and regulate the malignant behaviors of cancer cells. Our previous research demonstrated that lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) has potential value for GC diagnosis and discrimination. However, the functional mechanisms of lncRNA CCAT2 in GC development remain to be explored.

METHODS

GC and normal adjacent tissues were collected to detect the expression of lncRNA CCAT2, ESRP1 and CD44 in clinical specimens and their clinical significance for GC patients. Cell counting kit-8, wound healing and transwell assays were conducted to investigate the malignant behaviors in vitro. The generation of nude mouse xenografts by subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and tail vein injection was performed to examine GC growth and metastasis in vivo. Co-immunoprecipitation, RNA-binding protein pull-down assay and fluorescence in situ hybridization were performed to reveal the binding relationships between ESRP1 and CD44.

RESULTS

In the present study, lncRNA CCAT2 was overexpressed in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues and correlated with short survival time of patients. lncRNA CCAT2 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells. Its overexpression modulates alternative splicing of Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) variants and facilitates the conversion from the standard form to variable CD44 isoform 6 (CD44v6). Mechanistically, lncRNA CCAT2 upregulated CD44v6 expression by binding to epithelial splicing regulatory protein 1 (ESRP1), which subsequently mediates CD44 alternative splicing. The oncogenic role of the lncRNA CCAT2/ESRP1/CD44 axis in the promotion of malignant behaviors was verified by both in vivo and in vitro experiments.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings identified a novel mechanism by which lncRNA CCAT2, as a type of protein-binding RNA, regulates alternative splicing of CD44 and promotes GC progression. This axis may become an effective target for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

PTTG1 promotes CD34+CD45+ cells to repair the pulmonary vascular barrier via activating the VEGF-bFGF/PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway in rats with phosgene-induced acute lung injury

Accidental exposure to phosgene can cause acute lung injury (ALI), characterized by uncontrolled inflammation and impaired lung blood-gas barrier. CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells with high pituitary tumor transforming gene 1 (PTTG1) expression were identified around rat pulmonary vessels through single-cell RNA sequencing, and have been shown to attenuate P-ALI by promoting lung vascular barrier repair. As a transcription factor closely related to angiogenesis, whether PTTG1 plays a role in CD34⁺CD45⁺ cell repairing the pulmonary vascular barrier in rats with P-ALI remains unclear. This study provided compelling evidence that CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells possess endothelial differentiation potential. Rats with P-ALI were intratracheally administered with CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells transfected with or without PTTG1-overexpressing and sh-PTTG1 lentivirus. It was found that CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells reduced the pulmonary vascular permeability and mitigated the lung inflammation, which could be reversed by knocking down PTTG1. Although PTTG1 overexpression enhanced the ability of CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells to attenuate P-ALI, no significant difference was found. PTTG1 was found to regulate the endothelial differentiation of CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells. In addition, knocking down of PTTG1 significantly reduced the protein levels of VEGF and bFGF, as well as their receptors, which in turn inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway in CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells. Moreover, LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) treatment inhibited the endothelial differentiation of CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells, while SC79 (AKT activator) yielded the opposite effect. These findings suggest that PTTG1 can promote the endothelial differentiation of CD34⁺CD45⁺ cells by activating the VEGF-bFGF/PI3K/AKT/eNOS signaling pathway, leading to the repair of the pulmonary vascular barrier in rats with P-ALI.

A novel prognostic index based on the analysis of glycolysis-related genes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lung disease that is both chronic and progressive and is characterized by glycolysis. However, glycolysis's function and its clinical significance in IPF are still not well understood. We accessed the Gene Expression Omnibus database to retrieve mRNA expression information for lung tissue and other samples. We identified genes associated with glycolysis that had differential expression levels between IPF and controls. In this work, we conducted a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis to systematically examine the glycolysis-associated genes with differential expression and subsequently investigated the possible prognostic significance of these genes. Additionally, the expression profiles of the associated prognostic genes were further investigated via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in our cohort. In this investigation, we found that the expression of 16 genes involved in glycolysis was differentially expressed. Among them, 12 were upregulated and 4 were downregulated. We found that 3 glycolysis-related genes (stanniocalcin 2, transketolase like 1, artemin) might serve as hub genes for anticipating patient prognosis. The data from these genes were used to generate the prognostic models. The findings confirmed that high-risk IPF patients recorded a shorter overall survival relative to low-risk patients. This prognostic model yielded 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates of 0.666, 0.651, and 0.717, correspondingly, based on the area under the curve of the survival-dependent receiver operating characteristic. The GSE27957 and GSE70866 cohorts validated these findings, indicating the model has a good predictive performance. All 3 glycolysis-associated genes were validated to be expressed in our cohort. Finally, we used mRNA levels from 3 genes to produce a nomogram to quantitatively predict the prognosis of IPF individuals. As possible indicators for the prognosis of IPF, the glycolysis-related genes stanniocalcin 2, transketolase like 1, and artemin were shown to be promising candidate markers.

Attenuation of Ventilation-Enhanced Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition through the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase-γ in a Murine Bleomycin-Induced Acute Lung Injury Model

Mechanical ventilation (MV) used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI) induces lung inflammation and causes fibroblast proliferation and excessive collagen deposition—a process termed epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Phosphoinositide 3-kinase-γ (PI3K-γ) is crucial in modulating EMT during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, EMT, and PI3K-γ remain unclear. We hypothesized that MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase EMT through the PI3K-γ pathway. C57BL/6 mice, either wild-type or PI3K-γ-deficient, were exposed to 6 or 30 mL/kg MV for 5 h after receiving 5 mg/kg AS605240 intraperitoneally 5 days after bleomycin administration. We found that, after bleomycin exposure in wild-type mice, high-tidal-volume MV induced substantial increases in inflammatory cytokine production, oxidative loads, Masson’s trichrome staining level, positive staining of α-smooth muscle actin, PI3K-γ expression, and bronchial epithelial apoptosis (p < 0.05). Decreased respiratory function, antioxidants, and staining of the epithelial marker Zonula occludens-1 were also observed (p < 0.05). MV-augmented bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrogenesis and epithelial apoptosis were attenuated in PI3K-γ-deficient mice, and we found pharmacological inhibition of PI3K-γ activity through AS605240 (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that MV augmented EMT after bleomycin-induced ALI, partially through the PI3K-γ pathway. Therapy targeting PI3K-γ may ameliorate MV-associated EMT.

Underlying mechanisms of epithelial splicing regulatory proteins in cancer progression

Cancer is the second-leading disease-related cause of global mortality after cardiovascular disease. Despite significant advances in cancer therapeutic strategies, cancer remains one of the major obstacles to human life extension. Cancer pathogenesis is extremely complicated and not fully understood. Epithelial splicing regulatory proteins (ESRPs), including ESRP1 and ESRP2, belong to the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family of RNA-binding proteins and are crucial regulators of the alternative splicing of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The expression and activity of ESRPs are modulated by various mechanisms, including post-translational modifications and non-coding RNAs. Although a growing body of evidence suggests that ESRP dysregulation is closely associated with cancer progression, the detailed mechanisms remain inconclusive. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the structures, functions, and regulatory mechanisms of ESRPs and focus on their underlying mechanisms in cancer progression. We also highlight the clinical implications of ESRPs as prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. The information reviewed herein could be extremely beneficial to the development of individualized therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.

Role of integrin α2 in methotrexate-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in alveolar epithelial A549 cells

Methotrexate (MTX) is widely used to treat various diseases. However, it induces adverse reactions like serious lung injury, including pulmonary fibrosis. Increasing evidence suggests that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in injured alveolar epithelium contributes to the development of the pathophysiological state of the lung. We demonstrated that MTX induced EMT in cultured alveolar epithelial cell lines. Integrin-mediated signaling is considered a significant factor in recognizing the EMT process. However, the relationship between MTX-induced EMT and integrin family members is poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the role of integrin in MTX-induced EMT in A549 and NCI-H1299 (H1299) cells by focusing on the integrin alpha 2 (ITGA2) subunit, selected based on our microarray analysis. MTX treatment for 72 h significantly increased the mRNA and cell surface expression of ITGA2 in both cell lines. However, this upregulation by MTX was suppressed by co-treatment with SB431542 and folic acid, which are inhibitors of MTX-induced EMT in A549 cells. The mRNA expression levels of EMT-related genes were more affected in the MTX-treated A549 cells with high ITGA2 expression than in those with low ITGA2 expression. Finally, E7820, an ITGA2 inhibitor, suppressed MTX-induced EMT-related phenotypic changes, such as morphology and mRNA and protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin, a representative EMT marker. These findings suggest that ITGA2 may play a key role in MTX-induced EMT in alveolar epithelial cells.

FGF2 isoforms play distinct roles in tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in diabetic nephropathy

INTRODUCTION

The role of different isoforms of Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in diabetic nephropathy remains unknown. We aimed to evaluate the role of FGF2 isoforms in the pathogenesis of EMT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to assess the expression of FGF2 isoforms in db/db mice and high glucose-stimulated HK2 cells. The effects of specific FGF2 isoforms on EMT were explored via overexpression or knockdown of the corresponding isoform in HK2 cells cultivated in high glucose.

RESULTS

Expression of low molecular weight (LMW) FGF2 was up-regulated while high molecular weight (HMW) FGF2 was down-regulated in the kidney of db/db mice and HK2 cells cultured in high glucose that underwent EMT. Overexpression of the LMW FGF2 enhanced EMT changes, while overexpression of the HMW FGF2 attenuated EMT. Knockdown of HMW FGF2 in HK2 cells promoted the EMT process.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression and function of LMW and HMW FGF2 differed in the process of EMT in tubular cells. LMW FGF2 contributed to EMT, while HMW FGF2 played a protective role in the EMT process.

Recent Advances in Molecular Diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis for Precision Medicine

Pulmonary fibrosis is a serious, progressive lung disease characterized by scarring and stiffening lung tissues, affecting the respiratory system and leading to organ failure. It is a complex disease consisting of alveolar damage, chronic inflammation, and a varying degree of lung fibrosis. Significant challenges with pulmonary fibrosis include the lack of effective means to diagnose the disease at early stages, identify patients at higher risks of progress, and assess disease progression and treatment response. Precision medicine powered by accurate molecular profiling and phenotyping could significantly improve our understanding of the disease's heterogeneity, potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis, and molecular targets for treatment development. This Review discusses various translational model systems, including organoids and lung-on-a-chip systems, biomarkers in single cells and extracellular vesicles, and functional pharmacodynamic markers. We also highlight emerging sensing technologies for molecular characterization of pulmonary fibrosis and biomarker detection.

NecroX-5 ameliorates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting NLRP3-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Background

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and usually lethal pulmonary disease. Despite considerable research efforts, no effective therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis has been developed. NecroX-5 has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we aimed to determine whether NecroX-5 exhibits antifibrotic property in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Results

We found that pre-treatment with NecroX-5 alleviated inflammatory response, reduced oxidative stress, inhibited epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and ameliorated pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. Our data further indicated that NecroX-5 substantially reduced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, NLRP3 overexpression significantly reversed the protective effects of NecroX-5 in lung epithelial cells exposed to BLM.

Conclusions

Overall, our results demonstrate the potent antifibrotic properties of NecroX-5 and its therapeutic potential for pulmonary fibrosis.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12931-022-02044-3.

Fatty acid nitroalkene reversal of established lung fibrosis

Tissue fibrosis occurs in response to dysregulated metabolism, pro-inflammatory signaling and tissue repair reactions. For example, lungs exposed to environmental toxins, cancer therapies, chronic inflammation and other stimuli manifest a phenotypic shift to activated myofibroblasts and progressive and often irreversible lung tissue scarring. There are no therapies that stop or reverse fibrosis. The 2 FDA-approved anti-fibrotic drugs at best only slow the progression of fibrosis in humans. The present study was designed to test whether a small molecule electrophilic nitroalkene, nitro-oleic acid (NO₂-OA), could reverse established pulmonary fibrosis induced by the intratracheal administration of bleomycin in C57BL/6 mice. After 14 d of bleomycin-induced fibrosis development in vivo, lungs were removed, sectioned and precision-cut lung slices (PCLS) from control and bleomycin-treated mice were cultured ex vivo for 4 d with either vehicle or NO₂-OA (5 μM). Biochemical and morphological analyses showed that over a 4 d time frame, NO₂-OA significantly inhibited pro-inflammatory mediator and growth factor expression and reversed key indices of fibrosis (hydroxyproline, collagen 1A1 and 3A1, fibronectin-1). Quantitative image analysis of PCLS immunohistology reinforced these observations, revealing that NO₂-OA suppressed additional hallmarks of the fibrotic response, including alveolar epithelial cell loss, myofibroblast differentiation and proliferation, collagen and α-smooth muscle actin expression. NO₂-OA also accelerated collagen degradation by resident macrophages. These effects occurred in the absence of the recognized NO₂-OA modulation of circulating and migrating immune cell activation. Thus, small molecule nitroalkenes may be useful agents for reversing pathogenic fibrosis of lung and other organs.

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Small molecule electrophiles, pleiotropic anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic drugs.

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NO₂-OA inhibits activated myofibroblasts, induces dedifferentiation to fibroblasts.

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NO₂-OA activates extracellular matrix degradation by macrophages.

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NO₂-OA promotes proliferation of alveolar type 1 and 2 epithelial cells.

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NO₂-OA reverses established lung fibrosis in murine lung slices.

GED-0507 attenuates lung fibrosis by counteracting myofibroblast transdifferentiation in vivo and in vitro

The development of more effective, better tolerated drug treatments for progressive pulmonary fibrosis (of which idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common and severe form) is a research priority. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is a key regulator of inflammation and fibrosis and therefore represents a potential therapeutic target. However, the use of synthetic PPAR-γ agonists may be limited by their potentially severe adverse effects. In a mouse model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we have demonstrated that the non-racemic selective PPAR-γ modulator GED-0507 is able to reduce body weight loss, ameliorate clinical and histological features of pulmonary fibrosis, and increase survival rate without any safety concerns. Here, we focused on the biomolecular effects of GED-0507 on various inflammatory/fibrotic pathways. We demonstrated that preventive and therapeutic administration of GED-0507 reduced the BLM-induced mRNA expression of several markers of fibrosis, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, alpha-smooth muscle actin, collagen and fibronectin as well as epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and expression of mucin 5B. The beneficial effect of GED-0507 on pulmonary fibrosis was confirmed in vitro by its ability to control TGFβ-induced myofibroblast activation in the A549 human alveolar epithelial cell line, the MRC-5 lung fibroblast line, and primary human lung fibroblasts. Compared with the US Food and Drug Administration-approved antifibrotic drugs pirfenidone and nintedanib, GED-0507 displayed greater antifibrotic activity by controlling alveolar epithelial cell dysfunction, EMT, and extracellular matrix remodeling. In conclusion, GED-0507 demonstrated potent antifibrotic properties and might be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Role of CXCL16 in BLM-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human A549 cells

Alveolar epithelial cells play an essential role in the initiation and progression of pulmonary fibrosis, and the occurrence of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be the early events of pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have shown chemokines are involved in the complex process of EMT, and CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) is also associated with many fibrosis-related diseases. However, whether CXCL16 is dysregulated in alveolar epithelial cells and the role of CXCL16 in modulating EMT in pulmonary fibrosis has not been reported. In this study, we found that CXCL16 and its receptor C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6) were upregulated in bleomycin induced EMT in human alveolar type II-like epithelial A549 cells. Synergistic effect of CXCL16 and bleomycin in promoting EMT occurrence, extracellular matrix (ECM) excretion, as well as the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines productions in A549 cells were observed, and those biological functions were impaired by CXCL16 siRNA. We further confirmed that CXCL16 regulated EMT in A549 cells via the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways. These results indicated that CXCL16 could promote pulmonary fibrosis by promoting the process of EMT via the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Thal protects against paraquat-induced lung injury through a microRNA-141/HDAC6/IκBα-NF-κB axis in rat and cell models

The protective functions of thalidomide in paraquat (PQ)-induced injury have been reported. But the mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this research, a PQ-treated rat model was established and further treated with thalidomide. Oedema and pathological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, fibrosis and cell apoptosis in rat lungs were detected. A PQ-treated RLE-6TN cell model was constructed, and the viability and apoptosis rate of cells were measured. Differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) after thalidomide administration were screened out. Binding relationship between miR-141 and histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) was validated. Altered expression of miR-141 and HDAC6 was introduced to identify their involvements in thalidomide-mediated events. Consequently, thalidomide administration alone exerted no damage to rat lungs; in addition it reduced PQ-induced oedema. The oxidative stress, inflammation and cell apoptosis in rat lungs were reduced by thalidomide. In RLE-6TN cells, thalidomide increased cell viability and decreased apoptosis. miR-141 was responsible for thalidomide-mediated protective events by targeting HDAC6. Overexpression of HDAC6 blocked the protection of thalidomide against PQ-induced injury via activating the IkBα-NF-κB signalling pathway. Collectively, this study evidenced that thalidomide protects lung tissues from PQ-induced injury through a miR-141/HDAC6/IkBα-NF-κB axis.

LncRNA PVT1 Suppresses the Progression of Renal Fibrosis via Inactivation of TGF-β Signaling Pathway

BACKGROUND

Renal fibrosis is a frequent pathway leading to end-stage kidney dysfunction. In addition, renal fibrosis is the ultimate manifestation of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are known to be involved in occurrence of renal fibrosis, and lncRNA plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been reported to act as a key biomarker in renal diseases. However, the role of PVT1 in renal fibrosis remains unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HK-2 cells were treated with TGF-β1 to mimic renal fibrosis in vitro. Gene and protein expressions in HK-2 cells were measured by qRT-PCR and Western-blot, respectively. ELISA was used to test the level of creatinine (CR) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum of mice. Additionally, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis mice model was established to investigate the effect of PVT1 on renal fibrosis in vivo.

RESULTS

PVT1 was upregulated in TGF-β1-treated HK-2 cells. In addition, TGF-β1-induced upregulation of α-SMA and fibronectin in HK-2 cells was significantly reversed by PVT1 knockdown. Meanwhile, PVT1 bound to miR-181a-5p in HK-2 cells. Moreover, miR-181a-5p directly targeted TGF-βR1. Furthermore, miR-181a-5p antagonist could significantly reverse the anti-fibrotic effect of PVT1 knockdown. Besides, knockdown of PVT1 notably attenuated the symptom of renal fibrosis in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Knockdown of PVT1 significantly inhibited the progression of renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Thus, PVT1 may serve as a potential target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Upregulation of miRNA-1228-3p alleviates TGF-β-induced fibrosis in renal tubular epithelial cells

BACKGROUND

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has become a major public health issue, which can lead to renal fibrosis regardless of the initial injury. It has been previously reported that miRNA-1228-3p was correlate with the progression of kidney fibrosis. However, the mechanism by which miRNA-1228-3p regulates renal fibrosis remains unclear.

METHODS

Renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were treated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) in an in vitro model of renal fibrosis. Gene and protein expressions in HK-2 cells were measured by Western-blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. The relation between miRNA-1228-3p and its target gene was investigated by dual luciferase report analysis.

RESULTS

Upregulation of miRNA-1228-3p significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibrosis of HK-2 cells in vitro by targeting GDF11. In addition, miRNA-1228-3p exhibited anti-fibrosis effect through inhibition of the smad2/smad4 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Upregulation of miRNA-1228-3p markedly inhibited the progression of renal fibrosis in vitro, indicating that miRNA-1228-3p may serve as a potential novel target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Circular RNAs: Regulatory functions in respiratory tract cancers

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of single-stranded RNAs having a covalently closed loop structure generated from back-splicing of pre-mRNA. These novel RNAs are characterized by high stability, abundance and conservation. Accumulating evidence has revealed that circRNAs are intimately associated with the pathogenesis, development and progression of multiple human diseases, including respiratory tract cancers. CircRNAs may serve as oncogenes or tumor suppressors to influence cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. CircRNAs may act as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, interact with RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), regulate gene transcription and/or translate into mini-peptides or proteins. In this review, we discuss recent progress in understanding the pathologic roles of circRNAs in respiratory tract cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and especially lung adenocarcinoma. We further discuss the diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic roles as potential biomarkers in respiratory tract cancers, providing insight into the possibilities of applying circRNAs as therapeutic targets and biomarkers in precision oncology.