1
|
Zelisko N, Lesyk R, Stoika R. Structure, unique biological properties, and mechanisms of action of transforming growth factor β. Bioorg Chem 2024; 150:107611. [PMID: 38964148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107611] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is a ubiquitous molecule that is extremely conserved structurally and plays a systemic role in human organism. TGF-β is a homodimeric molecule consisting of two subunits joined through a disulphide bond. In mammals, three genes code for TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3 isoforms of this cytokine with a dominating expression of TGF-β1. Virtually, all normal cells contain TGF-β and its specific receptors. Considering the exceptional role of fine balance played by the TGF-β in anumber of physiological and pathological processes in human body, this cytokine may be proposed for use in medicine as an immunosuppressant in transplantology, wound healing and bone repair. TGFb itself is an important target in oncology. Strategies for blocking members of TGF-β signaling pathway as therapeutic targets have been considered. In this review, signalling mechanisms of TGF-β1 action are addressed, and their role in physiology and pathology with main focus on carcinogenesis are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Zelisko
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine
| | - Roman Lesyk
- Department of Pharmaceutical, Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University, Pekarska 69, 79010 Lviv, Ukraine.
| | - Rostyslav Stoika
- Department of Regulation of Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis, Institute of Cell Biology of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Drahomanov 14/16, 79005 Lviv, Ukraine
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang X, Richard ML, Caldwell TS, Sundararaj K, Sato S, Nowling TK, Zhang XK. Role of the transcription factor Fli-1 on the CXCL10/CXCR3 Axis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1219279. [PMID: 37790939 PMCID: PMC10543418 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1219279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Fli-1, a member of the ETS family of transcription factors, is implicated in the pathogenesis of lupus disease. Reduced Fli-1 expression in lupus mice leads to decreased renal Cxcl10 mRNA levels and renal infiltrating CXCR3+ T cells that parallels reduced renal inflammatory cell infiltration and renal damage. Inflammatory chemokine CXCL10 is critical for attracting inflammatory cells expressing the chemokine receptor CXCR3. The CXCL10/CXCR3 axis plays a role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases including lupus. Our data here demonstrate that renal CXCL10 protein levels are significantly lower in Fli-1 heterozygous MRL/lpr mice compared to wild-type MRL/lpr mice. Knockdown of Fli-1 significantly reduced CXCL10 secretion in mouse and human endothelial cells, and human mesangial cells, upon LPS or TNFα stimulation. The Fli-1 inhibitor, Camptothecin, significantly reduced CXCL10 production in human monocyte cells upon interferon stimulation. Four putative Ets binding sites in the Cxcl10 promoter showed significant enrichment for FLI-1; however, FLI-1 did not directly drive transcription from the human or mouse promoters, suggesting FLI-1 may regulate CXCL10 expression indirectly. Our results also suggest that the DNA binding domain of FLI-1 is necessary for regulation of human hCXCR3 promotor activity in human T cells and interactions with co-activators. Together, these results support a role for FLI-1 in modulating the CXCL10-CXCR3 axis by directly or indirectly regulating the expression of both genes to impact lupus disease development. Signaling pathways or drugs that reduce FLI-1 expression may offer novel approaches to lupus treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of General Practice, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Mara Lennard Richard
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Tomika S. Caldwell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Kamala Sundararaj
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Shuzo Sato
- Department of Rheumatology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tamara K. Nowling
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Xian K. Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Distler JHW, Riemekasten G, Denton CP. The Exciting Future for Scleroderma. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2023; 49:445-462. [PMID: 37028846 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2023.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Emerging evidence shows that a complex interplay between cells and mediators and extracellular matrix factors may underlie the development and persistence of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Similar processes may determine vasculopathy. This article reviews recent progress in understanding how fibrosis becomes profibrotic and how the immune system, vascular, and mesenchymal compartment affect disease development. Early phase trials are informing about pathogenic mechanisms in vivo and reverse translation for observational and randomized trials is allowing hypotheses to be developed and tested. In addition to repurposing already available drugs, these studies are paving the way for the next generation of targeted therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, Lübeck 23562, Germany
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Division of Medicine, Department of Inflammation, Centre for Rheumatology, University College London, London, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mikhailova EV, Romanova IV, Bagrov AY, Agalakova NI. Fli1 and Tissue Fibrosis in Various Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031881. [PMID: 36768203 PMCID: PMC9915382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Being initially described as a factor of virally-induced leukemias, Fli1 (Friend leukemia integration 1) has attracted considerable interest lately due to its role in both healthy physiology and a variety of pathological conditions. Over the past few years, Fli1 has been found to be one of the crucial regulators of normal hematopoiesis, vasculogenesis, and immune response. However, abnormal expression of Fli1 due to genetic predisposition, epigenetic reprogramming (modifications), or environmental factors is associated with a few diseases of different etiology. Fli1 hyperexpression leads to malignant transformation of cells and progression of cancers such as Ewing's sarcoma. Deficiency in Fli1 is implicated in the development of systemic sclerosis and hypertensive disorders, which are often accompanied by pronounced fibrosis in different organs. This review summarizes the initial findings and the most recent advances in defining the role of Fli1 in diseases of different origin with emphasis on its pro-fibrotic potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Mikhailova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina V. Romanova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Natalia I. Agalakova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Jun Q, Youhong L, Yuan Z, Xi Y, Wang B, Xinyi S, Fu Y, Kedan C, Lian J, Jianqing Z. Histone modification of endothelial-mesenchymal transition in cardiovascular diseases. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1022988. [PMID: 36568553 PMCID: PMC9768231 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1022988] [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: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a differentiation process in which endothelial cells lose their own characteristics and acquire mesenchymal-like characteristics, which contributes to the formation and development of atherosclerotic plaques. Until now, there is still a lack of effective measures to treat atherosclerosis (AS), so there is an urgent need to understand the underlying mechanisms of AS. In addition, although various studies have shown that EndMT is involved in the pathological stages of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial fibrosis, myocardial hypertrophy, and hypertension, the specific molecular mechanisms driving EndMT are still in the exploratory stage. In this review, we review the role of histone modifications (methylation, demethylation and acetylation, deacetylation) on EndMT in cardiovascular disease, aiming to target histone-modifying enzymes to guide cardiovascular disease therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Jun
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Li Youhong
- Li Huili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhong Yuan
- Ningbo Medical-Industrial Integration Innovation Research Institute, Ningbo, China
| | - Yang Xi
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Bingyu Wang
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Sun Xinyi
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yin Fu
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Cen Kedan
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Jiangfang Lian
- Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China,Jiangfang Lian,
| | - Zhou Jianqing
- Li Huili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University, Ningbo, China,Medicine School of Ningbo University, Ningbo, China,*Correspondence: Zhou Jianqing,
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Riemekasten G, Distler JH. A broad look into the future of systemic sclerosis. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2022; 14:1759720X221109404. [PMID: 35966183 PMCID: PMC9373175 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x221109404] [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: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a systemic autoimmune disease with the key
features of inflammation, vasculopathy and fibrosis. This article
focussed on emerging fields based on the authors’ current work and
expertise. The authors provide a hierarchical structure into the
studies of the pathogenesis of SSc starting with the contribution of
environmental factors. Regulatory autoantibodies (abs) are discussed,
which are parts of the human physiology and are specifically
dysregulated in SSc. Abs against the angiotensin II receptor subtype 1
(AT1R) and the endothelin receptor type A (ETAR) are discussed in more
detail. Extracellular vesicles are another novel player to possess
disease processes. Fibroblasts are a key effector cell in SSc.
Therefore, the current review will provide an overview about their
plasticity in the phenotype and function. Promising nuclear receptors
as key regulators of transcriptional programmes will be introduced as
well as epigenetic modifications, which are pivotal to maintain the
profibrotic fibroblast phenotype independent of external stimuli.
Fibroblasts from SSc patients exhibit a specific signalling and
reactivate developmental pathways and stem cell maintenance such as by
employing hedgehog and WNT, which promote fibroblast-to-myofibroblast
transition and extracellular matrix generation. Pharmacological
interventions, although for other indications, are already in clinical
use to address pathologic signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jörg H.W. Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3,
Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University
(FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lanzi C, Cassinelli G. Combinatorial strategies to potentiate the efficacy of HDAC inhibitors in fusion-positive sarcomas. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 198:114944. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.114944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
|
8
|
Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Cerinic MM, Manetti M. The Role of Pro-fibrotic Myofibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis: from Origin to Therapeutic Targeting. Curr Mol Med 2021; 22:209-239. [PMID: 33823766 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210325102749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex connective tissue disorder characterized by multisystem clinical manifestations resulting from immune dysregulation/autoimmunity, vasculopathy and, most notably, progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. In recent years, it has emerged that the main drivers of SSc-related tissue fibrosis are myofibroblasts, a type of mesenchymal cells with both the extracellular matrix-synthesizing features of fibroblasts and the cytoskeletal characteristics of contractile smooth muscle cells. The accumulation and persistent activation of pro-fibrotic myofibroblasts during SSc development and progression result into elevated mechanical stress and reduced matrix plasticity within the affected tissues and may be ascribed to a reduced susceptibility of these cells to pro-apoptotic stimuli, as well as their increased formation from tissue-resident fibroblasts or transition from different cell types. Given the crucial role of myofibroblasts in SSc pathogenesis, finding the way to inhibit myofibroblast differentiation and accumulation by targeting their formation, function and survival may represent an effective approach to hamper the fibrotic process or even halt or reverse established fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the role of myofibroblasts in SSc-related fibrosis, with a special focus on their cellular origin and the signaling pathways implicated in their formation and persistent activation. Furthermore, we provide an overview of potential therapeutic strategies targeting myofibroblasts that may be able to counteract fibrosis in this pathological condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Marco Matucci Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Fukui Y, Nakamura K, Hirabayashi M, Miyagawa T, Toyama S, Omatsu J, Awaji K, Ikawa T, Norimatsu Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Serum vasohibin-1 levels: A potential marker of dermal and pulmonary fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:951-958. [PMID: 33682189 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) is a potent anti-angiogenic factor mainly produced by endothelial cells. In addition, VASH-1 prevents TGF-β-dependent activation of renal fibroblasts. Since systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy and fibrosis of multiple organs, VASH-1 may be involved in the development of this disease. In this study, we investigated the potential role of VASH-1 in SSc by evaluating the clinical correlation between serum VASH-1 levels and the expression of VASH-1 in SSc-involved skin. Serum VASH-1 levels were higher in SSc patients, especially those with diffuse cutaneous involvement, than in healthy controls and positively correlated with skin score. Furthermore, SSc patients with interstitial lung disease had significantly elevated levels of serum VASH-1 as compared to those without. Importantly, serum VASH-1 levels correlated inversely with both the percentage of predicted vital capacity and the percentage of predicted diffusion lung capacity for carbon monoxide and positively with serum KL-6 levels, but not serum surfactant protein D levels. In SSc-involved skin, VASH1 mRNA was remarkably upregulated compared with healthy control skin, but the major source of VASH-1 was not clear. Fli1 deficiency, a predisposing factor inducing SSc-like endothelial properties, did not affect VASH-1 expression in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Collectively, these results suggest that VASH-1 upregulation in the skin and sera is linked to dermal and pulmonary fibrotic changes in SSc, while the contribution of VASH-1 to SSc vasculopathy seems to be limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Fukui
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Omatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Awaji
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Norimatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Dees C, Chakraborty D, Distler JHW. Cellular and molecular mechanisms in fibrosis. Exp Dermatol 2021; 30:121-131. [PMID: 32931037 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The activation of fibroblasts is required for physiological tissue remodelling such as wound healing. However, when the regulatory mechanisms are disrupted and fibroblasts remain persistently activated, the progressive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins leads to tissue fibrosis, which results in dysfunction or even loss of function of the affected organ. Although fibrosis has been recognized as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in modern societies, there are only few treatment options available that directly disrupt the release of extracellular matrix from fibroblasts. Intensive research in recent years, however, identified several pathways as core fibrotic mechanisms that are shared across different fibrotic diseases and organs. We discuss herein selection of those core pathways, especially downstream of the profibrotic TGF-β pathway, which are druggable and which may be transferable from bench to bedside.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara Dees
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Debomita Chakraborty
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Wang X, Lennard Richard M, Li P, Henry B, Schutt S, Yu XZ, Fan H, Zhang W, Gilkeson G, Zhang XK. Expression of GM-CSF Is Regulated by Fli-1 Transcription Factor, a Potential Drug Target. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 206:59-66. [PMID: 33268481 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1) is an ETS transcription factor and a critical regulator of inflammatory mediators, including MCP-1, CCL5, IL-6, G-CSF, CXCL2, and caspase-1. GM-CSF is a regulator of granulocyte and macrophage lineage differentiation and a key player in the pathogenesis of inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. In this study, we demonstrated that Fli-1 regulates the expression of GM-CSF in both T cells and endothelial cells. The expression of GM-CSF was significantly reduced in T cells and endothelial cells when Fli-1 was reduced. We found that Fli-1 binds directly to the GM-CSF promoter using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. Transient transfection assays indicated that Fli-1 drives transcription from the GM-CSF promoter in a dose-dependent manner, and mutation of the Fli-1 DNA binding domain resulted in a significant loss of transcriptional activation. Mutation of a known phosphorylation site within the Fli-1 protein led to a significant increase in GM-CSF promoter activation. Thus, direct binding to the promoter and phosphorylation are two important mechanisms behind Fli-1-driven activation of the GM-CSF promoter. In addition, Fli-1 regulates GM-CSF expression in an additive manner with another transcription factor Sp1. Finally, we demonstrated that a low dose of a chemotherapeutic drug, camptothecin, inhibited expression of Fli-1 and reduced GM-CSF production in human T cells. These results demonstrate novel mechanisms for regulating the expression of GM-CSF and suggest that Fli-1 is a critical druggable regulator of inflammation and immunity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China.,Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Mara Lennard Richard
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Brittany Henry
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Steven Schutt
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Xue-Zhong Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425; and
| | - Weiru Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Gary Gilkeson
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425
| | - Xian K Zhang
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425;
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
He YS, Yang XK, Hu YQ, Xiang K, Pan HF. Emerging role of Fli1 in autoimmune diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 90:107127. [PMID: 33234418 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Ets transcription factor family exerts crucial role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration. Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli1), a member of the Ets family, is expressed in fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Fli1 gene is participated in the development, proliferation, activation, migration and other processes of immune cells. Fli1 can also affect the function of immune cells by regulating cytokines and chemokines. Emerging evidence has shown that Fli1 is implicated in the etiology of several autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we mainly discuss the current evidence for the role of Fli1 in these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Sheng He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Ke Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Qian Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ma Y, Wu C, Liu J, Liu Y, Lv J, Sun Z, Wang D, Jiang C, Sheng Q, You Z, Nie Z. The stability and antiapoptotic activity of Bm30K-3 can be improved by lysine acetylation in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 103:e21649. [PMID: 31777104 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Acetylation is an important, highly conserved, and reversible post-translational modification of proteins. Previously, we showed by nano-HPLC/MS/MS that many nutrient storage proteins in the silkworm are acetylated. Among these proteins, most of the known 30K proteins were shown to be acetylated, including 23 acetylated 30K proteins containing 49 acetylated sites (Kac), indicating the importance of the acetylation of 30K proteins in silkworm. In this study, Bm30K-3, a 30K protein containing three Kac sites, was further assessed in functional studies of its acetylation. Increasing the level of Bm30K-3 acetylation by adding the deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA) increased the levels of this protein and further inhibited cellular apoptosis induced by H2 O2 . In contrast, decreasing the level of acetylation by adding the acetylase inhibitor C646 could reduce the level of Bm30K-3 and increase H2 O2 -induced apoptosis. Subsequently, BmN cells were treated with CHX and MG132, and increasing the acetylation level using TSA was shown to inhibit protein degradation and improve the stability of Bm30K-3. Furthermore, the acetylation of Bm30K-3 could compete with its ability to be ubiquitinated, suggesting that acetylation could inhibit the ubiquitin-mediated proteasome degradation pathway, improving the stability and accumulation of proteins in cells. These results further indicate that acetylation might regulate nutrition storage and utilization in Bombyx mori, which requires further study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yafei Ma
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chengcheng Wu
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiahan Liu
- School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A & F University, Linan, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Zhejiang Economic & Trade Polytechnic, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiao Lv
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zihan Sun
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Wang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Caiying Jiang
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qing Sheng
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhengying You
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zuoming Nie
- College of Life Sciences and Medicine, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Zhang Y, Distler JHW. Therapeutic molecular targets of SSc-ILD. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2020; 5:17-30. [DOI: 10.1177/2397198319899013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a fibrosing chronic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. A major hallmark of systemic sclerosis is the uncontrolled and persistent activation of fibroblasts, which release excessive amounts of extracellular matrix, lead to organ dysfunction, and cause high mobility and motility of patients. Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease is one of the most common fibrotic organ manifestations in systemic sclerosis and a major cause of death. Treatment options for systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease and other fibrotic manifestations, however, remain very limited. Thus, there is a huge medical need for effective therapies that target tissue fibrosis, vascular alterations, inflammation, and autoimmune disease in systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease. In this review, we discuss data suggesting therapeutic ways to target different genes in distinct tissues/organs that contribute to the development of SSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg HW Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang J, Wu M, Zheng D, Zhang H, Lv Y, Zhang L, Tan HS, Zhou H, Lao YZ, Xu HX. Garcinol inhibits esophageal cancer metastasis by suppressing the p300 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:82-92. [PMID: 31371781 PMCID: PMC7471459 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-019-0271-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis causes the main lethality in esophageal cancer patient. Garcinol, a natural compound extracted from Gambogic genera, is a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor that has shown anticancer activities such as cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction. In this study, we investigated the effects of garcinol on the metastasis of esophageal cancer in vitro and in vivo. We found that garcinol (5–15 μM) dose-dependently inhibited the migration and invasion of human esophageal cancer cell lines KYSE150 and KYSE450 in wound healing, transwell migration, and Matrigel invasion assays. Furthermore, garcinol treatment dose-dependently decreased the protein levels of p300/CBP (transcriptional cofactors and HATs) and p-Smad2/3 expression in the nucleus, thus impeding tumor cell proliferation and metastasis. Knockdown of p300 could inhibit cell metastasis, but CBP knockdown did not affect the cell mobility. It has been reported that TGF-β1 stimulated the phosphorylation of Smad2/3, which directly interact with p300/CBP in the nucleus, and upregulating HAT activity of p300. We showed that garcinol treatment dose-dependently suppressed TGF-β1-activated Smad and non-Smad pathway, inhibiting esophageal cancer cell metastasis. In a tail vein injection pulmonary metastasis mouse model, intraperitoneal administration of garcinol (20 mg/kg) or 5-FU (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased the number of lung tumor nodules and the expression levels of Ki-67, p300, and p-Smad2/3 in lung tissues. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that garcinol inhibits esophageal cancer metastasis in vitro and in vivo, which might be related to the suppression of p300 and TGF-β1 signaling pathways, suggesting the therapeutic potential of Garcinol for metastatic tumors.
Collapse
|
16
|
Distler JHW, Györfi AH, Ramanujam M, Whitfield ML, Königshoff M, Lafyatis R. Shared and distinct mechanisms of fibrosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2019; 15:705-730. [DOI: 10.1038/s41584-019-0322-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
17
|
Penke LR, Peters-Golden M. Molecular determinants of mesenchymal cell activation in fibroproliferative diseases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:4179-4201. [PMID: 31563998 PMCID: PMC6858579 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-019-03212-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Uncontrolled scarring, or fibrosis, can interfere with the normal function of virtually all tissues of the body, ultimately leading to organ failure and death. Fibrotic diseases represent a major cause of death in industrialized countries. Unfortunately, no curative treatments for these conditions are yet available, highlighting the critical need for a better fundamental understanding of molecular mechanisms that may be therapeutically tractable. The ultimate indispensable effector cells responsible for deposition of extracellular matrix proteins that comprise scars are mesenchymal cells, namely fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. In this review, we focus on the biology of these cells and the molecular mechanisms that regulate their pertinent functions. We discuss key pro-fibrotic mediators, signaling pathways, and transcription factors that dictate their activation and persistence. Because of their possible clinical and therapeutic relevance, we also consider potential brakes on mesenchymal cell activation and cellular processes that may facilitate myofibroblast clearance from fibrotic tissue-topics that have in general been understudied.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Loka R Penke
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 6301 MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5642, USA
| | - Marc Peters-Golden
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, 6301 MSRB III, 1150 W. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5642, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Saigusa R, Yamashita T, Miura S, Hirabayashi M, Nakamura K, Miyagawa T, Fukui Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. A potential contribution of decreased galectin‐7 expression in stratified epithelia to the development of cutaneous and oesophageal manifestations in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:536-542. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.13900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Yuki Fukui
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Pinheiro DML, de Oliveira AHS, Coutinho LG, Fontes FL, de Medeiros Oliveira RK, Oliveira TT, Faustino ALF, Lira da Silva V, de Melo Campos JTA, Lajus TBP, de Souza SJ, Agnez-Lima LF. Resveratrol decreases the expression of genes involved in inflammation through transcriptional regulation. Free Radic Biol Med 2019; 130:8-22. [PMID: 30366059 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.10.432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress generated during inflammation is associated with a wide range of pathologies. Resveratrol (RESV) displays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, being a candidate for the development of adjuvant therapies for several inflammatory diseases. Despite this potential, the cellular responses induced by RESV are not well known. In this work, transcriptomic analysis was performed following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of monocyte cultures in the presence of RESV. Induction of an inflammatory response was observed after LPS treatment and the addition of RESV led to decreases in expression of the inflammatory mediators, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), without cytotoxicity. RNA sequencing revealed 823 upregulated and 2098 downregulated genes (cutoff ≥2.0 or ≤-2.0) after RESV treatment. Gene ontology analysis showed that the upregulated genes were associated with metabolic processes and the cell cycle, consistent with normal cell growth and differentiation under an inflammatory stimulus. The downregulated genes were associated with inflammatory responses, gene expression, and protein modification. The prediction of master regulators using the iRegulon tool showed nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and GA-binding protein alpha subunit (GABPA) as the main regulators of the downregulated genes. Using immunoprecipitation and protein expression assays, we observed that RESV was able to decrease protein acetylation patterns, such as acetylated apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease-1/reduction-oxidation factor 1 (APE1/Ref-1), and increase histone methylation. In addition, reductions in p65 (nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) subunit) and lysine-specific histone demethylase-1 (LSD1) expression were observed. In conclusion, our data indicate that treatment with RESV caused significant changes in protein acetylation and methylation patterns, suggesting the induction of deacetylase and reduction of demethylase activities that mainly affect regulatory cascades mediated by NF-кB and Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling. NRF1 and GABPA seem to be the main regulators of the transcriptional profile observed after RESV treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Helena Sales de Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Brazil; Chemistry Department, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leonam Gomes Coutinho
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Brazil; Instituto Federal de Educação Tecnológica do Rio Grande do Norte, IFRN, São Paulo do Potengi, Brazil
| | - Fabrícia Lima Fontes
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Brazil
| | | | - Thais Teixeira Oliveira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Brazil
| | - André Luís Fonseca Faustino
- Instituto do Cérebro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), IMD, UFRN, Brazil
| | - Vandeclécio Lira da Silva
- Instituto do Cérebro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), IMD, UFRN, Brazil
| | | | - Tirzah Braz Petta Lajus
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Genética, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, UFRN, Natal, Brazil
| | - Sandro José de Souza
- Instituto do Cérebro, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Natal, RN, Brazil; Bioinformatics Multidisciplinary Environment (BioME), IMD, UFRN, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Miyagawa T, Asano Y, Saigusa R, Hirabayashi M, Yamashita T, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Nakamura K, Miura S, Yoshizaki A, Miyagaki T, Sato S. A potential contribution of trappin‐2 to the development of vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33:753-760. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Y. Asano
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - R. Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - M. Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - K. Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - S. Miura
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - A. Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Miyagaki
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - S. Sato
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Progranulin overproduction due to constitutively activated c-Abl/PKC-δ/Fli1 pathway contributes to the resistance of dermal fibroblasts to the anti-fibrotic effect of tumor necrosis factor-α in localized scleroderma. J Dermatol Sci 2018; 92:207-214. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 09/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
|
22
|
Györfi AH, Matei AE, Distler JH. Targeting TGF-β signaling for the treatment of fibrosis. Matrix Biol 2018; 68-69:8-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
|
23
|
Stawski L, Marden G, Trojanowska M. The Activation of Human Dermal Microvascular Cells by Poly(I:C), Lipopolysaccharide, Imiquimod, and ODN2395 Is Mediated by the Fli1/FOXO3A Pathway. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2017; 200:248-259. [PMID: 29141862 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1601968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction has been associated with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases; however, the factors contributing to this dysfunction have not been fully explored. Because activation of TLRs has been implicated in autoimmune diseases, the goal of this study was to determine the effects of TLR ligands on EC function. Human dermal microvascular ECs (HDMECs) treated with TLR3 [Poly(I:C)], TLR4 (LPS), and TLR7 (imiquimod) agonists showed decreased proliferation and a reduced total number of branching tubules in three-dimensional human dermal organoid ex vivo culture. In contrast, the TLR9 ligand class C, ODN2395, increased angiogenesis. The antiproliferative effects of TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 ligands correlated with significant downregulation of a key regulator of vascular homeostasis, Fli1, whereas TLR9 increased Fli1 levels. Furthermore, Poly(I:C) and LPS induced endothelial to mesenchymal transition that was reversed by the pretreatment with TGF-β neutralizing Ab or re-expression of Fli1. We showed that Fli1 was required for the HDMEC proliferation by transcriptionally repressing FOXO3A. In contrast to TLR9, which suppressed activation of the FOXO3A pathway, TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 ligands activated FOXO3A as indicated by decreased phosphorylation and increased nuclear accumulation. The inverse correlation between Fli1 and FOXO3A was also observed in the vasculature of scleroderma patients. This work revealed opposing effects of TLR9 and TLR3, TLR4, and TLR7 on the key angiogenic pathways, Fli1 and FOXO3A. Our results provide a mechanistic insight into the regulation of angiogenesis by TLRs and confirm a central role of Fli1 in regulating vascular homeostasis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lukasz Stawski
- Section of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Grace Marden
- Section of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Section of Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hirabayashi M, Asano Y, Yamashita T, Miura S, Nakamura K, Taniguchi T, Saigusa R, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Miyagawa T, Yoshizaki A, Miyagaki T, Sugaya M, Sato S. Possible pro-inflammatory role of heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor in the active phase of systemic sclerosis. J Dermatol 2017; 45:182-188. [PMID: 29044628 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.14088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family growth factors, which affects multiple aspects of the wound healing process such as epithelialization, wound contraction and angiogenesis. In our study, we measured the serum HB-EGF levels of 51 systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, which showed a significant increase compared with those of 20 normal subjects. Further analysis revealed a positive correlation between the HB-EGF level and pulmonary ground-glass score but no correlation between the former and pulmonary fibrosis score. Other findings include: a significant increase of serum sialylated carbohydrate antigen KL-6 levels and significant shortness of disease duration in the diffuse cutaneous SSc patients with elevated HB-EGF levels; and significantly higher HB-EGF levels in the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon, in that of telangiectasia, and in the absence of contracture of phalanges in all SSc patients. We then evaluated HB-EGF mRNA levels of fibroblasts harvested from skin samples of the SSc patients and those of foreskin-derived fibroblasts treated with transforming growth factor-β, both of which were significantly higher than each control. In conclusion, we speculate that HB-EGF plays a pro-inflammatory role in the active skin and lung lesions of SSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomomitsu Miyagaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Taniguchi T, Miyagawa T, Tamaki Z, Nakamura K, Yamashita T, Saigusa R, Takahashi T, Toyama T, Ichimura Y, Yoshizaki A, Tada Y, Sugaya M, Kadono T, Sato S, Asano Y. A possible implication of reduced levels of LIF, LIFR, and gp130 in vasculopathy related to systemic sclerosis. Arch Dermatol Res 2017; 309:833-842. [DOI: 10.1007/s00403-017-1786-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2016] [Revised: 09/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
|
26
|
Looney AP, Han R, Stawski L, Marden G, Iwamoto M, Trojanowska M. Synergistic Role of Endothelial ERG and FLI1 in Mediating Pulmonary Vascular Homeostasis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 57:121-131. [PMID: 28248553 PMCID: PMC5516275 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0200oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cell (EC) activation underlies many vascular diseases, including pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Several members of the E-twenty six (ETS) family of transcription factors are important regulators of the gene network governing endothelial homeostasis, and their aberrant expression is associated with pathological angiogenesis. The goal of this study was to determine whether deficiencies of the ETS family member, Friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (FLI1), and its closest homolog, ETS-related gene (ERG), are associated with PAH. We found that endothelial ERG was significantly reduced in the lung samples from patients with PAH, as well as in chronically hypoxic mice. Functional studies revealed that depletion of ERG or FLI1 in human pulmonary ECs led to increased expression of inflammatory genes, including IFN genes, whereas genes regulating endothelial homeostasis and cell-cell adhesion were down-regulated. Simultaneous knockdown of both ERG and FLI1 had synergistic or additive effects on the expression of these genes, suggesting that ERG and FLI1 coregulate at least a subset of their target genes. Functionally, knockdown of ERG and FLI1 induced cell monolayer permeability with a potency similar to that of vascular endothelial growth factor. Notably, stimulation of ECs with Toll-like receptor 3 ligand poly(I:C) suppressed ERG expression and induced ERG dissociation from the IFNB1 promoter, while promoting signal transducers and activators of transcription 1 (STAT1) recruitment. Consistent with the up-regulation of inflammatory genes seen in vitro, Erg and Fli1 double-heterozygote mice showed increased immune cell infiltration and expression of cytokines in the lung. In conclusion, loss of ERG and FLI1 might contribute to the pathogenesis of vascular lung complications through the induction of inflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka P. Looney
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Rong Han
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Lukasz Stawski
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Grace Marden
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| | - Masahiro Iwamoto
- Orthopaedic Research, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Boston University School of Medicine, Arthritis Center/Rheumatology, Boston, Massachusetts; and
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Taniguchi T, Asano Y, Nakamura K, Yamashita T, Saigusa R, Ichimura Y, Takahashi T, Toyama T, Yoshizaki A, Sato S. Fli1 Deficiency Induces CXCL6 Expression in Dermal Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells, Contributing to the Development of Fibrosis and Vasculopathy in Systemic Sclerosis. J Rheumatol 2017; 44:1198-1205. [DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.161092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Objective.CXCL6, a chemokine with proangiogenic property, is reported to be involved in vasculopathy associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). We investigated the contribution of CXCL6 to SSc development by focusing on the association of friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli1) deficiency, a potential predisposing factor of SSc, with CXCL6 expression and clinical correlation of serum CXCL6 levels.Methods.mRNA levels of target genes and the binding of Fli1 to the CXCL6 promoter were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation, respectively. Serum CXCL6 levels were determined by ELISA.Results.FLI1 siRNA significantly enhanced CXCL6 mRNA expression in human dermal fibroblasts and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, while Fli1 haploinsufficiency significantly suppressed CXCL6 mRNA expression in murine peritoneal macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. Supporting a critical role of Fli1 deficiency to induce SSc-like phenotypes, CXCL6 mRNA expression was higher in SSc dermal fibroblasts than in normal dermal fibroblasts. Importantly, Fli1 bound to the CXCL6 promoter in dermal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and THP-1 cells. In patients with SSc, serum CXCL6 levels correlated positively with the severity of dermal and pulmonary fibrosis and were elevated in association with cardiac and pulmonary vascular involvement and cutaneous vascular symptoms, including Raynaud phenomenon, digital ulcers (DU)/pitting scars, and telangiectasia. Especially, serum CXCL6 levels were associated with DU/pitting scars and heart involvement by multiple regression analysis.Conclusion.CXCL6 expression is upregulated by Fli1 deficiency in fibroblasts and endothelial cells, potentially contributing to the development of fibrosis and vasculopathy in the skin, lung, and heart of SSc.
Collapse
|
28
|
Asano Y. Recent advances in animal models of systemic sclerosis. J Dermatol 2017; 43:19-28. [PMID: 26782003 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.13185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterized by the three cardinal pathological features, comprising aberrant immune activation, vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis, with unknown etiology. Although many inducible and genetic animal models mimicking the selected aspects of SSc have been well documented, the lack of models encompassing the full clinical manifestations hindered the development and preclinical testing of therapies against this disease. Under this situation, three new genetic animal models have recently been established, such as Fra2 transgenic mice, urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor deficient mice and Klf5(+/-) ;Fli1(+/-) mice, all of which recapitulate the pathological cascade of SSc. The former two murine models demonstrate endothelial cell apoptosis and capillary loss followed by tissue fibrosis, whereas the immune systems show no remarkable abnormality. Klf5(+/-) ;Fli1(+/-) mice develop immune activation, vasculopathy and tissue fibrosis in this sequence, eventually resulting in the development of dermal fibrosis, interstitial lung disease and pulmonary vascular involvement resembling those of SSc. Because Krueppel-like factor (KLF)5 and Friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (Fli1) are the transcription factors epigenetically suppressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts, the reproduction of SSc manifestations in Klf5(+/-) ;Fli1(+/-) mice supports the canonical idea that environmental influences play a central role in the development of SSc in genetically predisposed individuals. These new animal models offer important clues for the better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of SSc pathology and the identification of potential molecular targets for the treatment of this incurable disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Lou N, Lennard Richard ML, Yu J, Kindy M, Zhang XK. The Fli-1 transcription factor is a critical regulator for controlling the expression of chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 2 (CXCL2). Mol Immunol 2016; 81:59-66. [PMID: 27889620 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2016.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2016] [Revised: 10/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cells produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in response to innate immune signals and their expression is tightly regulated. Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2), also known as macrophage inflammatory protein 2-alpha (MIP2-alpha), is an inflammatory chemokine belonging to the CXC chemokine family. CXCL2 is chemotactic for neutrophils and elevated expression of CXCL2 is associated with many inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The Fli-1 gene belongs to the large Ets transcription factor family, whose members regulate a wide variety of cellular functions including the immune response. In this study, we demonstrate that endothelial cells transfected with Fli-1 specific siRNA produce significantly less CXCL2 compared to cells transfected with control siRNA after stimulation by the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 ligands, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The production of CXCL2 in endothelial cells stimulated with LPS stimulation is dose-dependent. We found that Fli-1 binds to the CXCL2 promoter as established by Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. Transient transfection assays show that Fli-1 drives transcription from the CXCL2 promoter in a dose-dependent manner and Fli-1 regulates the expression of CXCL2 largely by directly binding to the promoter. Targeted knockdown and transient transfection experiments suggest that both Fli-1 and the p65 subunit of NF-κB affect the activation of CXCL2 in an additive manner. These results indicate that Fli-1 is a novel, critical transcription factor that regulates the expression of the inflammatory chemokine CXCL2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ning Lou
- Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shangdong, China; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Mara L Lennard Richard
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Jin Yu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Mark Kindy
- Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States
| | - Xian K Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Takahashi T, Asano Y, Nakamura K, Yamashita T, Saigusa R, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Taniguchi T, Yoshizaki A, Tamaki Z, Tada Y, Sugaya M, Kadono T, Sato S. A potential contribution of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 to tissue fibrosis and vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis. Br J Dermatol 2016; 175:1195-1203. [PMID: 27105895 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND LL-37 is an antimicrobial peptide with pleiotropic effects on the immune system, angiogenesis and tissue remodelling. These are cardinal pathological events in systemic sclerosis (SSc). OBJECTIVES To elucidate the potential role of LL-37 in SSc. METHODS The expression of target molecules was evaluated by immunostaining and quantitative reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction in human and murine skin. The mechanisms regulating LL-37 expression in endothelial cells were examined by gene silencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Serum LL-37 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS In SSc lesional skin, LL-37 expression was increased in dermal fibroblasts, perivascular inflammatory cells, keratinocytes and, particularly, dermal small vessels. Expression positively correlated with interferon-α expression, possibly reflecting LL-37-dependent induction of interferon-α. In SSc animal models, bleomycin-treated skin exhibited the expression pattern of CRAMP, a murine homologue of LL-37, similar to that of LL-37 in SSc lesional skin. Furthermore, Fli1+/- mice showed upregulated expression of CRAMP in dermal small vessels. Fli1 binding to the CAMP (LL-37 gene) promoter and Fli1 deficiency-dependent induction of LL-37 were also confirmed in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. In the analysis of sera, patients with SSc had serum LL-37 levels significantly higher than in healthy controls. Furthermore, serum LL-37 levels positively correlated with skin score and the activity of alveolitis and were significantly elevated in patients with digital ulcers compared with those without. CONCLUSIONS LL-37 upregulation, induced by Fli1 deficiency at least in endothelial cells, potentially contributes to the development of skin sclerosis, interstitial lung disease and digital ulcers in SSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - K Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - R Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - A Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Z Tamaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Tada
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - M Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Kadono
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - S Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Lennard Richard ML, Brandon D, Lou N, Sato S, Caldwell T, Nowling TK, Gilkeson G, Zhang XK. Acetylation impacts Fli-1-driven regulation of granulocyte colony stimulating factor. Eur J Immunol 2016; 46:2322-2332. [PMID: 27431361 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201646315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Fli-1 has emerged as a critical regulator of inflammatory mediators, including MCP-1, CCL5, and IL-6. The cytokine, granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) regulates neutrophil precursor maturation and survival, and activates mature neutrophils. Previously, a significant decrease in neutrophil infiltration into the kidneys of Fli-1+/- lupus-prone mice was observed. In this study, a significant decrease in G-CSF protein expression was detected in stimulated murine and human endothelial cells when expression of Fli-1 was inhibited. The murine G-CSF promoter contains numerous putative Fli-1 binding sites and several regions within the proximal promoter are significantly enriched for Fli-1 binding. Transient transfection assays indicate that Fli-1 drives transcription from the G-CSF promoter and mutation of the Fli-1 DNA binding domain resulted in a 94% loss of transcriptional activation. Mutation of a known acetylation site, led to a significant increase in G-CSF promoter activation. The histone acetyltransferases p300/CBP and p300/CBP associated factor (PCAF) significantly decrease Fli-1 specific activation of the G-CSF promoter. Thus, acetylation appears to be an important mechanism behind Fli-1 driven activation of the G-CSF promoter. These results further support the theory that Fli-1 plays a major role in the regulation of several inflammatory mediators, ultimately affecting inflammatory disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mara L Lennard Richard
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Danielle Brandon
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Ning Lou
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Jinan Central Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shangdong, China
| | - Shuzo Sato
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Tomika Caldwell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Tamara K Nowling
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Gary Gilkeson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.,Medical Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Xian K Zhang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. .,Medical Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Charleston, SC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Yamashita T, Asano Y, Taniguchi T, Nakamura K, Saigusa R, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Yoshizaki A, Miyagaki T, Sugaya M, Sato S. A potential contribution of altered cathepsin L expression to the development of dermal fibrosis and vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2016; 25:287-92. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Tetsuo Toyama
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomomitsu Miyagaki
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Makoto Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Ichimura Y, Asano Y, Akamata K, Noda S, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Toyama T, Tada Y, Sugaya M, Sato S, Kadono T. Progranulin Overproduction Due to Fli-1 Deficiency Contributes to the Resistance of Dermal Fibroblasts to Tumor Necrosis Factor in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2016; 67:3245-55. [PMID: 26245842 DOI: 10.1002/art.39312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Accepted: 07/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Progranulin is a growth factor that is active in wound repair and is an antagonist of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, regulating fibroblast activation, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Because long-standing activation of gene programs related to wound healing is a hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc), we sought to investigate the role of progranulin in SSc. METHODS Progranulin expression levels in human and murine skin samples were determined by immunohistochemical analysis and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The role of progranulin in fibroblast activation was examined using a gene-silencing technique. Progranulin levels in serum obtained from 60 patients with SSc and 16 healthy control subjects were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Progranulin expression was increased in SSc dermal fibroblasts compared with normal dermal fibroblasts, both in vivo and in vitro. Transcription factor Fli-1, a deficiency of which is involved in the activation of SSc dermal fibroblasts, served as a potent repressor of the progranulin gene, and Fli-1(+/-) mice and bleomycin-treated wild-type mice exhibited up-regulated expression of progranulin in dermal fibroblasts. SSc dermal fibroblasts were resistant to the antifibrotic effect of TNF, but this resistance was reversed by gene silencing of progranulin. Serum progranulin levels were elevated in patients with early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), especially in those with inflammatory skin symptoms, and were positively correlated with the C-reactive protein level. CONCLUSION Progranulin overproduction due to Fli-1 deficiency may contribute to the constitutive activation of SSc dermal fibroblasts by antagonizing the antifibrotic effect of TNF. Progranulin may also be involved in the inflammatory process associated with progressive skin sclerosis in early dcSSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Ichimura
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kaname Akamata
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Noda
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | - Tetsuo Toyama
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Tada
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugaya
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kadono
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Saigusa R, Asano Y, Yamashita T, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Yoshizaki A, Miyagaki T, Sugaya M, Sato S. Fli1 deficiency contributes to the downregulation of endothelial protein C receptor in systemic sclerosis: a possible role in prothrombotic conditions. Br J Dermatol 2015; 174:338-47. [DOI: 10.1111/bjd.14183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - Y. Asano
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - T. Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - T. Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - T. Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - Y. Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - T. Toyama
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - A. Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - T. Miyagaki
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - M. Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| | - S. Sato
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8655 Japan
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Asano Y. [A Uuifying hypothesis for the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis based on the deficiency of transcription factor Fli1 - the development of a new animal model of systemic sclerosis -]. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 37:475-87. [PMID: 25748132 DOI: 10.2177/jsci.37.475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disease featured by immune abnormalities, vasculopathy and resultant fibrosis of the skin and various internal organs. Although the pathogenesis of SSc remains incompletely elucidated, it is currently accepted that this disease is caused by the complex interplay between hereditary and environmental factors. The deficiency of transcription factor Fli1, which is epigenetically suppressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts, potentially causes SSc-like phenotypical alteration in various cell types such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages, suggesting that Fli1 is a predisposing factor of SSc. KLF5 is another transcription factor which is suppressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts through an epigenetic mechanism. Importantly, double heterozygous mice for Fli1 and KLF5 develop three cardinal features of SSc, including immune abnormalities, vasculopathy and fibrosis. Therefore, these two transcription factors are likely to be critical predisposing factors regulating the development of SSc. Given that potential disease modifying drugs, bosentan and imatinib, reverse the expression and transcriptional activity of Fli1, the studies on the pathological process of double heterozygous mice and the impact of these transcription factors on various cell types may provide a new clue to further understand the pathogenesis of SSc leading to the development of new therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Epigenetic suppression of Fli1, a potential predisposing factor in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 67:86-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2015] [Revised: 06/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
37
|
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem connective tissue disorder featured by vascular injury and fibrosis of the skin and various internal organs with autoimmune background. Although the pathogenesis of SSc still remains elusive, it is generally accepted that initial vascular injury due to autoimmunity and/or environmental factors causes structural and functional abnormalities of vasculature which eventually result in the constitutive activation of fibroblasts in various organs. Structural alterations consist of destructive vasculopathy (loss of small vessels) and proliferative obliterative vasculopathy (occlusion of arterioles and small arteries with fibro-proliferative change) caused by impaired compensatory vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Impaired function of SSc vasculature includes the altered expression of cell adhesion molecules predominantly inducing Th2 and Th17 cell infiltration, endothelial dysfunction primarily due to the low availability of nitric oxide, the activated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition leading to fibro-proliferative vascular change and tissue fibrosis, and the impaired coagulation/fibrinolysis system promoting the formation of intravascular fibrin deposits. Recent new insights into the therapeutic mechanisms of intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse and bosentan and the establishment of a new SSc animal model (Klf5 (+/-);Fli1 (+/-) mice) provide us useful clues to further understand the development of vascular alterations characteristic of SSc. This article overviewed the present understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy.
Collapse
|
38
|
De Langhe E, Lories R. Fibrogenesis, novel lessons from animal models. Semin Immunopathol 2015; 37:565-74. [PMID: 26141608 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-015-0510-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a devastating chronic autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy, autoimmunity with inflammation, and progressive fibrogenesis. The current paradigm of the pathogenesis of SSc is that of an unknown initial trigger, leading to a complex interaction of immune cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts, producing cytokines, growth and angiogenic factors, and resulting in uncontrolled and persistent tissue fibrogenesis by an altered mesenchymal cell compartment. Animal models are of utmost importance to investigate the different steps in the pathogenesis. This review will elaborate on recent findings in established and more recently developed animal models, presenting data on compounds that are in or ready to be translated into clinical trials, or provide interesting new findings in the understanding of the pathophysiology of SSc. We focus on recent findings concerning the vessel-extracellular matrix interaction, the initial triggering aggressor, the concept of autoimmunity and inflammatory changes, the effector cells and their origins, and the complex interaction of the different signaling pathways in fibrogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ellen De Langhe
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | | |
Collapse
|
39
|
Akamata K, Asano Y, Yamashita T, Noda S, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Trojanowska M, Sato S. Endothelin receptor blockade ameliorates vascular fragility in endothelial cell-specific Fli-1-knockout mice by increasing Fli-1 DNA binding ability. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:1335-44. [PMID: 25707716 DOI: 10.1002/art.39062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE It is generally accepted that blockade of endothelin receptors has potentially beneficial effects on vasculopathy associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aim of this study was to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying these effects using endothelial cell-specific Fli-1-knockout (Fli-1 ECKO) mice, an animal model of SSc vasculopathy. METHODS Levels of messenger RNA for target genes and the expression and phosphorylation levels of target proteins were determined in human and murine dermal microvascular endothelial cells by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. The binding of Fli-1 to the target gene promoters was evaluated using chromatin immunoprecipitation. Expression levels of Fli-1 and α-smooth muscle actin in murine skin were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. Vascular structure and permeability were evaluated in mice injected with fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran and Evans blue dye, respectively. RESULTS In human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, endothelin 1 induced phosphorylation of Fli-1 at Thr(312) through the sequential activation of c-Abl and protein kinase Cδ, leading to a decrease in Fli-1 protein levels as well as a decrease in binding of Fli-1 to the target gene promoters, whereas bosentan treatment reversed those effects. In Fli-1 ECKO mice, 4 weeks of treatment with bosentan increased endothelial Fli-1 expression, resulting in vascular stabilization and the restoration of impaired leaky vessels. CONCLUSION The vascular fragility of Fli-1 ECKO mice was improved by bosentan through the normalization of Fli-1 protein levels and activity in endothelial cells, which may explain, in part, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of endothelin receptor blockade on SSc vasculopathy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaname Akamata
- University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
40
|
Takahashi T, Asano Y, Noda S, Aozasa N, Akamata K, Taniguchi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Sumida H, Kuwano Y, Tada Y, Sugaya M, Kadono T, Sato S. A possible contribution of lipocalin-2 to the development of dermal fibrosis, pulmonary vascular involvement and renal dysfunction in systemic sclerosis. Br J Dermatol 2015; 173:681-9. [PMID: 25781362 DOI: 10.1111/bjd.13779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipocalin-2 is an adipocytokine implicated in apoptosis, innate immunity, angiogenesis, and the development of chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of lipocalin-2 in systemic sclerosis (SSc). MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum lipocalin-2 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 50 patients with SSc and 19 healthy subjects. Lipocalin-2 expression was evaluated in the skin of patients with SSc and bleomycin (BLM)-treated mice and in Fli1-deficient endothelial cells by reverse transcriptase-real time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting and/or immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Although serum lipocalin-2 levels were comparable between patients with SSc and healthy controls, the prevalence of scleroderma renal crisis was significantly higher in patients with SSc with elevated serum lipocalin-2 levels than in those with normal levels. Furthermore, serum lipocalin-2 levels inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in patients with SSc with renal dysfunction. Among patients with SSc with normal renal function, serum lipocalin-2 levels positively correlated with skin score in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc with disease duration of < 3 years and inversely correlated with estimated right ventricular systolic pressure in total patients with SSc. Importantly, in SSc lesional skin, lipocalin-2 expression was increased in dermal fibroblasts and endothelial cells. In BLM-treated mice, lipocalin-2 was highly expressed in dermal fibroblasts, but not in endothelial cells. On the other hand, the deficiency of transcription factor Fli1, which is implicated in SSc vasculopathy, induced lipocalin-2 expression in cultivated endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Lipocalin-2 may be involved in renal dysfunction and dermal fibrosis of SSc. Dysregulated matrix metalloproteinase-9/lipocalin-2-dependent angiogenesis due to Fli1 deficiency may contribute to the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with SSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- T Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - S Noda
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - N Aozasa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - K Akamata
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - H Sumida
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Kuwano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Y Tada
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - M Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - T Kadono
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - S Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Asano Y. Double heterozygous mice for Klf5 and Fli1 genes: a new animal model of systemic sclerosis recapitulating its three cardinal pathological features. Med Mol Morphol 2015; 48:123-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s00795-015-0107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|
42
|
Taniguchi T, Asano Y, Akamata K, Noda S, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Trojanowska M, Sato S. Fibrosis, vascular activation, and immune abnormalities resembling systemic sclerosis in bleomycin-treated Fli-1-haploinsufficient mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67:517-26. [PMID: 25385187 DOI: 10.1002/art.38948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 11/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Fli-1, a potential predisposing factor for systemic sclerosis (SSc), is constitutively down-regulated in the lesional skin of patients with SSc by an epigenetic mechanism. To investigate the impact of Fli-1 deficiency on the induction of an SSc phenotype in various cell types, we generated bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis in Fli-1(+/-) mice and investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying its phenotypic alterations. METHODS Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and protein expression of target molecules were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunostaining. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) bioassay was used to evaluate the activation of latent TGFβ. The binding of Fli-1 to the target gene promoters was assessed with chromatin immunoprecipitation. RESULTS Bleomycin induced more severe dermal fibrosis in Fli-1(+/-) mice than in wild-type mice. Fli-1 haploinsufficiency activated dermal fibroblasts via the up-regulation of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins and activation of latent TGFβ. Dermal fibrosis in Fli-1(+/-) mice was also attributable to endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, which is directly induced by Fli-1 deficiency and amplified by bleomycin. Th2/Th17-skewed inflammation and increased infiltration of mast cells and macrophages were seen, partly due to the altered expression of cell adhesion molecules in endothelial cells as well as the induction of the skin chemokines. Fli-1(+/-) mouse macrophages preferentially differentiated into an M2 phenotype upon stimulation with interleukin-4 (IL-4) or IL-13. CONCLUSION Our findings provide strong evidence for the fundamental role of Fli-1 deficiency in inducing SSc-like phenotypic alterations in dermal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages in a manner consistent with human disease.
Collapse
|
43
|
Saigusa R, Asano Y, Taniguchi T, Yamashita T, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Tamaki Z, Tada Y, Sugaya M, Kadono T, Sato S. A possible contribution of endothelial CCN1 downregulation due to Fli1 deficiency to the development of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2015; 24:127-32. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.12602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Tetsuo Toyama
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Zenshiro Tamaki
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yayoi Tada
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Makoto Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Takafumi Kadono
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology; University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine; Tokyo Japan
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Akamata K, Asano Y, Taniguchi T, Yamashita T, Saigusa R, Nakamura K, Noda S, Aozasa N, Toyama T, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Sumida H, Tada Y, Sugaya M, Kadono T, Sato S. Increased expression of chemerin in endothelial cells due to Fli1 deficiency may contribute to the development of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2014; 54:1308-16. [PMID: 25539827 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keu479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Chemerin is a member of adipocytokines with a chemoattractant effect on plasmacytoid dendritic cells and macrophages and pro-angiogenic properties. We investigated the potential role of chemerin in the development of SSc. METHODS Chemerin expression was evaluated by immunostaining and/or real-time quantitative RT-PCR in human and murine skin. The mechanisms regulating chemerin expression in dermal fibroblasts and endothelial cells were examined using the gene silencing technique and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Serum chemerin levels were determined by ELISA in 64 SSc patients and 19 healthy subjects. RESULTS In SSc lesional skin, chemerin was up-regulated in small blood vessels, while it was down-regulated in fibroblasts surrounded with thickened collagen bundles. The decreased expression of chemerin was significantly reversed by TGF-β1 antisense oligonucleotide in cultured SSc dermal fibroblasts and chemerin expression was markedly decreased in dermal fibroblasts of bleomycin-treated mice. Gene silencing of transcription factor Fli1, which binds to the chemerin promoter, induced chemerin expression in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and Fli1(+/-) mice exhibited elevated chemerin expression in dermal blood vessels. Serum chemerin levels inversely correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate in SSc patients with renal dysfunction. In SSc patients with normal renal function, patients with digital ulcers had higher serum chemerin levels than those without. CONCLUSION Chemerin is down-regulated in SSc dermal fibroblasts by autocrine TGF-β, while it is up-regulated in SSc dermal blood vessels through endothelial Fli1 deficiency. Increased chemerin expression in dermal blood vessels may be associated with the development of digital ulcers in SSc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaname Akamata
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinji Noda
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naohiko Aozasa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hayakazu Sumida
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yayoi Tada
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Sugaya
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kadono
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Simultaneous downregulation of KLF5 and Fli1 is a key feature underlying systemic sclerosis. Nat Commun 2014; 5:5797. [PMID: 25504335 PMCID: PMC4268882 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is manifested by fibrosis, vasculopathy and immune dysregulation. So far, a unifying hypothesis underpinning these pathological events remains unknown. Given that SSc is a multifactorial disease caused by both genetic and environmental factors, we focus on the two transcription factors, which modulate the fibrotic reaction and are epigenetically suppressed in SSc dermal fibroblasts, Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli1) and Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5). In addition to Fli1 silencing-dependent collagen induction, simultaneous knockdown of Fli1 and KLF5 synergistically enhances expression of connective tissue growth factor. Notably, mice with double heterozygous deficiency of Klf5 and Fli1 mimicking the epigenetic phenotype of SSc skin spontaneously recapitulate all the three features of SSc, including fibrosis and vasculopathy of the skin and lung, B cell activation, and autoantibody production. These studies implicate the epigenetic downregulation of Fli1 and KLF5 as a central event triggering the pathogenic triad of SSc.
Collapse
|
46
|
Chan ESL, Liu H, Fernandez P, Luna A, Perez-Aso M, Bujor AM, Trojanowska M, Cronstein BN. Adenosine A(2A) receptors promote collagen production by a Fli1- and CTGF-mediated mechanism. Arthritis Res Ther 2014; 15:R58. [PMID: 23663495 PMCID: PMC4060252 DOI: 10.1186/ar4229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2012] [Revised: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Adenosine, acting through the A2A receptor, promotes tissue matrix production in the skin and the liver and induces the development of dermal fibrosis and cirrhosis in murine models. Since expression of A2A receptors is increased in scleroderma fibroblasts, we examined the mechanisms by which the A2A receptor produces its fibrogenic effects. Methods The effects of A2A receptor ligation on the expression of the transcription factor, Fli1, a constitutive repressor for the synthesis of matrix proteins, such as collagen, is studied in dermal fibroblasts. Fli1 is also known to repress the transcription of CTGF/CCN2, and the effects of A2A receptor stimulation on CTGF and TGF-β1 expression are also examined. Results A2A receptor occupancy suppresses the expression of Fli1 by dermal fibroblasts. A2A receptor activation induces the secretion of CTGF by dermal fibroblasts, and neutralization of CTGF abrogates the A2A receptor-mediated enhancement of collagen type I production. A2AR activation, however, resulted in a decrease in TGF-β1 protein release. Conclusions Our results suggest that Fli1 and CTGF are important mediators of the fibrogenic actions of adenosine and the use of small molecules such as adenosine A2A receptor antagonists may be useful in the therapy of dermal fibrosis in diseases such as scleroderma.
Collapse
|
47
|
Epigenetic histone methylation regulates transforming growth factor β-1 expression following bile duct ligation in rats. J Gastroenterol 2014; 49:1285-97. [PMID: 24097032 DOI: 10.1007/s00535-013-0892-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Multiple mechanisms contribute to the liver fibrosis following cholestasis. Recent research has focused on the role of transforming growth factor β-1 (TGF-β1) in the progression of fibrosis. The aim of our study is to examine the role of epigenetic chromatin marks, such as histone H3 lysine methylation (H3Kme), in bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced TGF-β1 gene expression in rat liver. METHODS Time course of methylated-histone H3 and SET7/9 recruitment were determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation in livers from BDL rats on days 1, 4, 9 and 14. Levels of TGF-β1 and SET7/9 were determined by western blots. The effect of SET7/9 knockdown on BDL-induced expression of TGF-β1, serum enzymes and liver collagen content was studied in vivo. RESULTS Results showed that BDL increased the expression of the TGF β-1. Increased levels of active chromatin marks (H3K4me1, H3K4me2, and H3K4me3) and decreased levels of repressive marks (H3K9me2 and H3K9me3) in TGF-β1 promoter accompanied the changes in expression of the TGF β-1. BDL also increased expression of the H3K4 methyltransferase SET7/9 and recruitment to the promoter. SET7/9 gene knockdown with siRNAs significantly attenuated BDL-induced TGF-β1 gene expression, serum enzymes and liver collagen content. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, these results show the functional role of epigenetic chromatin histone H3Kme in BDL-induced TGF-β1 expression. Pharmacologic and other therapies that reverse these modifications could have potential hepatoprotective effects for BDL-induced cirrhosis.
Collapse
|
48
|
Elzi DJ, Song M, Hakala K, Weintraub ST, Shiio Y. Proteomic Analysis of the EWS-Fli-1 Interactome Reveals the Role of the Lysosome in EWS-Fli-1 Turnover. J Proteome Res 2014; 13:3783-91. [PMID: 24999758 PMCID: PMC4123944 DOI: 10.1021/pr500387m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Ewing
sarcoma is a cancer of bone and soft tissue in children that
is characterized by a chromosomal translocation involving EWS and
an Ets family transcription factor, most commonly Fli-1. EWS-Fli-1
fusion accounts for 85% of cases. The growth and survival of Ewing
sarcoma cells are critically dependent on EWS-Fli-1. A large body
of evidence has established that EWS-Fli-1 functions as a DNA-binding
transcription factor that regulates the expression of a number of
genes important for cell proliferation and transformation. However,
little is known about the biochemical properties of the EWS-Fli-1
protein. We undertook a series of proteomic analyses to dissect the
EWS-Fli-1 interactome. Employing a proximity-dependent biotinylation
technique, BioID, we identified cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate
receptor (CIMPR) as a protein located in the vicinity of EWS-Fli-1
within a cell. CIMPR is a cargo that mediates the delivery of lysosomal
hydrolases from the trans-Golgi network to the endosome, which are
subsequently transferred to the lysosomes. Further molecular cell
biological analyses uncovered a role for lysosomes in the turnover
of the EWS-Fli-1 protein. We demonstrate that an mTORC1 active-site
inhibitor, torin 1, which stimulates the TFEB-lysosome pathway, can
induce the degradation of EWS-Fli-1, suggesting a potential therapeutic
approach to target EWS-Fli-1 for degradation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Elzi
- †Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute and ‡Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Meihua Song
- †Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute and ‡Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Kevin Hakala
- †Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute and ‡Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Susan T Weintraub
- †Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute and ‡Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| | - Yuzuru Shiio
- †Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute and ‡Department of Biochemistry, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, United States
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
The ets transcription factor Fli-1 in development, cancer and disease. Oncogene 2014; 34:2022-31. [PMID: 24909161 PMCID: PMC5028196 DOI: 10.1038/onc.2014.162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 05/03/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Friend Leukemia Virus Induced erythroleukemia-1 (Fli-1), an ETS transcription factor, was isolated a quarter century ago through a retrovirus mutagenesis screen. Fli-1 has since been recognized to play critical roles in normal development and homeostasis. For example, it transcriptionally regulates genes that drive normal hematopoiesis and vasculogenesis. Indeed, Fli-1 is one of 10 key regulators of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell maintenance and differentiation. Aberrant expression of Fli-1 also underlies a number of virally induced leukemias, including Friend virus-induced erythroleukemia and various types of human cancers, and it is the target of chromosomal translocations in childhood Ewing’s sarcoma. Abnormal expression of Fli-1 is important in the aetiology of auto-immune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). These studies establish Fli-1 as a strong candidate for drug development. Despite difficulties in targeting transcription factors, recent studies identified small molecule inhibitors for Fli-1. Here we review past and ongoing research on Fli-1 with emphasis on its mechanistic function in autoimmune disease and malignant transformation. The significance of identifying Fli-1 inhibitors and their clinical applications for treatment of disease and cancer with deregulated Fli-1 expression are discussed.
Collapse
|
50
|
CtBP and associated LSD1 are required for transcriptional activation by NeuroD1 in gastrointestinal endocrine cells. Mol Cell Biol 2014; 34:2308-17. [PMID: 24732800 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.01600-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene expression programs required for differentiation depend on both DNA-bound transcription factors and surrounding histone modifications. Expression of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) protein NeuroD1 is restricted to endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where it is important for endocrine differentiation. RREB1 (RAS-responsive element binding protein 1), identified as a component of the CtBP corepressor complex, binds to nearby DNA elements to associate with NeuroD and potentiate transcription of a NeuroD1 target gene. Transcriptional activation by RREB1 depends on recruitment of CtBP with its associated proteins, including LSD1, through its PXDLS motifs. The mechanism of transcriptional activation by CtBP has not been previously characterized. Here we found that activation was dependent on the histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) demethylase activity of LSD1, which removes repressive methyl marks from dimethylated H3K9 (H3K9Me2), to facilitate subsequent H3K9 acetylation by the NeuroD1-associated histone acetyltransferase, P300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF). The secretin, β-glucokinase, insulin I, and insulin II genes, four known direct targets of NeuroD1 in intestinal and pancreatic endocrine cells, all show similar promoter occupancy by CtBP-associated proteins and PCAF, with acetylation of H3K9. This work may indicate a mechanism for selective regulation of transcription by CtBP and LSD1 involving their association with specific transcription factors and cofactors to drive tissue-specific transcription.
Collapse
|