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Wang M, Hong Y, Fu X, Sun X. Advances and applications of biomimetic biomaterials for endogenous skin regeneration. Bioact Mater 2024; 39:492-520. [PMID: 38883311 PMCID: PMC11179177 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous regeneration is becoming an increasingly important strategy for wound healing as it facilitates skin's own regenerative potential for self-healing, thereby avoiding the risks of immune rejection and exogenous infection. However, currently applied biomaterials for inducing endogenous skin regeneration are simplistic in their structure and function, lacking the ability to accurately mimic the intricate tissue structure and regulate the disordered microenvironment. Novel biomimetic biomaterials with precise structure, chemical composition, and biophysical properties offer a promising avenue for achieving perfect endogenous skin regeneration. Here, we outline the recent advances in biomimetic materials induced endogenous skin regeneration from the aspects of structural and functional mimicry, physiological process regulation, and biophysical property design. Furthermore, novel techniques including in situ reprograming, flexible electronic skin, artificial intelligence, single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics, which have potential to contribute to the development of biomimetic biomaterials are highlighted. Finally, the prospects and challenges of further research and application of biomimetic biomaterials are discussed. This review provides reference to address the clinical problems of rapid and high-quality skin regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyang Wang
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100089, PR China
| | - Yiyue Hong
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100089, PR China
| | - Xiaobing Fu
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100089, PR China
- Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Sun
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated to the Medical Innovation Research Department, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, Beijing, 100853, PR China
- PLA Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, Beijing, 100089, PR China
- Research Unit of Trauma Care, Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, 2019RU051, Beijing, 100048, PR China
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Frangogiannis NG. The fate and role of the pericytes in myocardial diseases. Eur J Clin Invest 2024; 54:e14204. [PMID: 38586936 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
The adult mammalian heart contains a large population of pericytes that play important roles in homeostasis and disease. In the normal heart, pericytes regulate microvascular permeability and flow. Myocardial diseases are associated with marked alterations in pericyte phenotype and function. This review manuscript discusses the role of pericytes in cardiac homeostasis and disease. Following myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac pericytes participate in all phases of cardiac repair. During the inflammatory phase, pericytes may secrete cytokines and chemokines and may regulate leukocyte trafficking, through formation of intercellular gaps that serve as exit points for inflammatory cells. Moreover, pericyte contraction induces microvascular constriction, contributing to the pathogenesis of 'no-reflow' in ischemia and reperfusion. During the proliferative phase, pericytes are activated by growth factors, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and contribute to fibrosis, predominantly through secretion of fibrogenic mediators. A fraction of pericytes acquires fibroblast identity but contributes only to a small percentage of infarct fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. As the scar matures, pericytes form a coat around infarct neovessels, promoting stabilization of the vasculature. Pericytes may also be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure, by regulating inflammation, fibrosis, angiogenesis and myocardial perfusion. Pericytes are also important targets of viral infections (such as SARS-CoV2) and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac complications of COVID19. Considering their role in myocardial inflammation, fibrosis and angiogenesis, pericytes may be promising therapeutic targets in myocardial disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- Department of Medicine (Cardiology), The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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3
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Ten Brink T, Damanik F, Rotmans JI, Moroni L. Unraveling and Harnessing the Immune Response at the Cell-Biomaterial Interface for Tissue Engineering Purposes. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2301939. [PMID: 38217464 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Biomaterials are defined as "engineered materials" and include a range of natural and synthetic products, designed for their introduction into and interaction with living tissues. Biomaterials are considered prominent tools in regenerative medicine that support the restoration of tissue defects and retain physiologic functionality. Although commonly used in the medical field, these constructs are inherently foreign toward the host and induce an immune response at the material-tissue interface, defined as the foreign body response (FBR). A strong connection between the foreign body response and tissue regeneration is suggested, in which an appropriate amount of immune response and macrophage polarization is necessary to trigger autologous tissue formation. Recent developments in this field have led to the characterization of immunomodulatory traits that optimizes bioactivity, the integration of biomaterials and determines the fate of tissue regeneration. This review addresses a variety of aspects that are involved in steering the inflammatory response, including immune cell interactions, physical characteristics, biochemical cues, and metabolomics. Harnessing the advancing knowledge of the FBR allows for the optimization of biomaterial-based implants, aiming to prevent damage of the implant, improve natural regeneration, and provide the tools for an efficient and successful in vivo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Ten Brink
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Febriyani Damanik
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Joris I Rotmans
- Department of Internal Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, Leiden, 2333ZA, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ER, The Netherlands
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4
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Higginbotham S, Workman VL, Giblin AV, Green NH, Lambert DW, Hearnden V. Inhibition and reversal of a TGF-β1 induced myofibroblast phenotype by adipose tissue-derived paracrine factors. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:166. [PMID: 38867276 PMCID: PMC11170827 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-03776-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypertrophic scarring results from myofibroblast differentiation and persistence during wound healing. Currently no effective treatment for hypertrophic scarring exists however, autologous fat grafting has been shown to improve scar elasticity, appearance, and function. The aim of this study was to understand how paracrine factors from adipose tissues and adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSC) affect fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. METHODS The transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced model of myofibroblast differentiation was used to test the effect of conditioned media from adipose tissue, ADSC or lipid on the proportion of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts. RESULTS Adipose tissue conditioned media inhibited the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts but this inhibition was not observed following treatment with ADSC or lipid conditioned media. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was readily detected in the conditioned medium from adipose tissue but not ADSC. Cells treated with HGF, or fortinib to block HGF, demonstrated that HGF was not responsible for the inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation. Conditioned media from adipose tissue was shown to reduce the proportion of myofibroblasts when added to fibroblasts previously treated with TGF-β1, however, conditioned media treatment was unable to significantly reduce the proportion of myofibroblasts in cell populations isolated from scar tissue. CONCLUSIONS Cultured ADSC or adipocytes have been the focus of most studies, however, this work highlights the importance of considering whole adipose tissue to further our understanding of fat grafting. This study supports the use of autologous fat grafts for scar treatment and highlights the need for further investigation to determine the mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Higginbotham
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
- Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group, Institute of Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
| | - V L Workman
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - A-V Giblin
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - N H Green
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - D W Lambert
- School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - V Hearnden
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- INSIGNEO Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Vásquez-Pacheco E, Marega M, Lingampally A, Fassy J, Truchi M, Goth K, Trygub L, Taghizadeh S, Bartkuhn M, Alexopoulos I, Dong Y, Lebrigand K, Gunther A, Chen C, Zhang J, Chao CM, Al Alam D, El Agha E, Mari B, Bellusci S, Rivetti S. Highlighting fibroblast plasticity in lung fibrosis: the WI-38 cell line as a model for investigating the myofibroblast and lipofibroblast switch. Theranostics 2024; 14:3603-3622. [PMID: 38948058 PMCID: PMC11209726 DOI: 10.7150/thno.93519] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Myofibroblasts (MYFs) are generally considered the principal culprits in excessive extracellular matrix deposition and scar formation in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. Lipofibroblasts (LIFs), on the other hand, are defined by their lipid-storing capacity and are predominantly found in the alveolar regions of the lung. They have been proposed to play a protective role in lung fibrosis. We previously reported that a LIF to MYF reversible differentiation switch occurred during fibrosis formation and resolution. In this study, we tested whether WI-38 cells, a human embryonic lung fibroblast cell line, could be used to study fibroblast differentiation towards the LIF or MYF phenotype and whether this could be relevant for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods: Using WI-38 cells, Fibroblast (FIB) to MYF differentiation was triggered using TGF-β1 treatment and FIB to LIF differentiation using Metformin treatment. We also analyzed the MYF to LIF and LIF to MYF differentiation by pre-treating the WI-38 cells with TGF-β1 or Metformin respectively. We used IF, qPCR and bulk RNA-Seq to analyze the phenotypic and transcriptomic changes in the cells. We correlated our in vitro transcriptome data from WI-38 cells (obtained via bulk RNA sequencing) with the transcriptomic signature of LIFs and MYFs derived from the IPF cell atlas as well as with our own single-cell transcriptomic data from IPF patients-derived lung fibroblasts (LF-IPF) cultured in vitro. We also carried out alveolosphere assays to evaluate the ability of the proposed LIF and MYF cells to support the growth of alveolar epithelial type 2 cells. Results: WI-38 cells and LF-IPF display similar phenotypical and gene expression responses to TGF-β1 and Metformin treatment. Bulk RNA-Seq analysis of WI-38 cells and LF-IPF treated with TGF-β1, or Metformin indicate similar transcriptomic changes. We also show the partial conservation of the LIF and MYF signature extracted from the Habermann et al. scRNA-seq dataset in WI-38 cells treated with Metformin or TGF-β1, respectively. Alveolosphere assays indicate that LIFs enhance organoid growth, while MYFs inhibit organoid growth. Finally, we provide evidence supporting the MYF to LIF and LIF to MYF reversible switch using WI-38 cells. Conclusions: WI-38 cells represent a versatile and reliable model to study the intricate dynamics of fibroblast differentiation towards the MYF or LIF phenotype associated with lung fibrosis formation and resolution, providing valuable insights to drive future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmeralda Vásquez-Pacheco
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Manuela Marega
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Helios Universitätsklinikum Wuppertal-Universität Witten/Herdecke, Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR), Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, 42283 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Arun Lingampally
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Julien Fassy
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, IPMC, FHU-OncoAge, IHU RespiERA, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Marin Truchi
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, IPMC, FHU-OncoAge, IHU RespiERA, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Kerstin Goth
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Lisa Trygub
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sara Taghizadeh
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marek Bartkuhn
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ioannis Alexopoulos
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ying Dong
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kevin Lebrigand
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, IPMC, FHU-OncoAge, IHU RespiERA, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Andreas Gunther
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Chengshui Chen
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000 Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - JinSan Zhang
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Interventional Pulmonology of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, 325000 Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cho-Ming Chao
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, Centre for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTR), Helios University Hospital Wuppertal, Witten/Herdecke University, 42283 Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Elie El Agha
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Institute for Lung Health (ILH), 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Bernard Mari
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS UMR7275, IPMC, FHU-OncoAge, IHU RespiERA, Sophia Antipolis, Valbonne, France
| | - Saverio Bellusci
- The Quzhou Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Quzhou People's Hospital, Quzhou 324000, Zhejiang, China
- Laboratory of Extracellular Lung Matrix Remodelling, Department of Internal Medicine, Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Institute for Lung Health, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefano Rivetti
- Cardio-Pulmonary Institute and Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Hilgendorf I, Frantz S, Frangogiannis NG. Repair of the Infarcted Heart: Cellular Effectors, Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities. Circ Res 2024; 134:1718-1751. [PMID: 38843294 PMCID: PMC11164543 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.124.323658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
The adult mammalian heart has limited endogenous regenerative capacity and heals through the activation of inflammatory and fibrogenic cascades that ultimately result in the formation of a scar. After infarction, massive cardiomyocyte death releases a broad range of damage-associated molecular patterns that initiate both myocardial and systemic inflammatory responses. TLRs (toll-like receptors) and NLRs (NOD-like receptors) recognize damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) and transduce downstream proinflammatory signals, leading to upregulation of cytokines (such as interleukin-1, TNF-α [tumor necrosis factor-α], and interleukin-6) and chemokines (such as CCL2 [CC chemokine ligand 2]) and recruitment of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Expansion and diversification of cardiac macrophages in the infarcted heart play a major role in the clearance of the infarct from dead cells and the subsequent stimulation of reparative pathways. Efferocytosis triggers the induction and release of anti-inflammatory mediators that restrain the inflammatory reaction and set the stage for the activation of reparative fibroblasts and vascular cells. Growth factor-mediated pathways, neurohumoral cascades, and matricellular proteins deposited in the provisional matrix stimulate fibroblast activation and proliferation and myofibroblast conversion. Deposition of a well-organized collagen-based extracellular matrix network protects the heart from catastrophic rupture and attenuates ventricular dilation. Scar maturation requires stimulation of endogenous signals that inhibit fibroblast activity and prevent excessive fibrosis. Moreover, in the mature scar, infarct neovessels acquire a mural cell coat that contributes to the stabilization of the microvascular network. Excessive, prolonged, or dysregulated inflammatory or fibrogenic cascades accentuate adverse remodeling and dysfunction. Moreover, inflammatory leukocytes and fibroblasts can contribute to arrhythmogenesis. Inflammatory and fibrogenic pathways may be promising therapeutic targets to attenuate heart failure progression and inhibit arrhythmia generation in patients surviving myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Hilgendorf
- Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Heart Center Freiburg-Bad Krozingen and Faculty of Medicine at the University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Frantz
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx NY
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7
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Haase M, Comlekoglu T, Petrucciani A, Peirce SM, Blemker SS. Agent-based model demonstrates the impact of nonlinear, complex interactions between cytokinces on muscle regeneration. eLife 2024; 13:RP91924. [PMID: 38828844 PMCID: PMC11147512 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Muscle regeneration is a complex process due to dynamic and multiscale biochemical and cellular interactions, making it difficult to identify microenvironmental conditions that are beneficial to muscle recovery from injury using experimental approaches alone. To understand the degree to which individual cellular behaviors impact endogenous mechanisms of muscle recovery, we developed an agent-based model (ABM) using the Cellular-Potts framework to simulate the dynamic microenvironment of a cross-section of murine skeletal muscle tissue. We referenced more than 100 published studies to define over 100 parameters and rules that dictate the behavior of muscle fibers, satellite stem cells (SSCs), fibroblasts, neutrophils, macrophages, microvessels, and lymphatic vessels, as well as their interactions with each other and the microenvironment. We utilized parameter density estimation to calibrate the model to temporal biological datasets describing cross-sectional area (CSA) recovery, SSC, and fibroblast cell counts at multiple timepoints following injury. The calibrated model was validated by comparison of other model outputs (macrophage, neutrophil, and capillaries counts) to experimental observations. Predictions for eight model perturbations that varied cell or cytokine input conditions were compared to published experimental studies to validate model predictive capabilities. We used Latin hypercube sampling and partial rank correlation coefficient to identify in silico perturbations of cytokine diffusion coefficients and decay rates to enhance CSA recovery. This analysis suggests that combined alterations of specific cytokine decay and diffusion parameters result in greater fibroblast and SSC proliferation compared to individual perturbations with a 13% increase in CSA recovery compared to unaltered regeneration at 28 days. These results enable guided development of therapeutic strategies that similarly alter muscle physiology (i.e. converting extracellular matrix [ECM]-bound cytokines into freely diffusible forms as studied in cancer therapeutics or delivery of exogenous cytokines) during regeneration to enhance muscle recovery after injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Haase
- University of VirginiaCharlottesvilleUnited States
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8
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Zhuang Y, Lin F, Xiang L, Cai Z, Wang F, Cui W. Prevented Cell Clusters' Migration Via Microdot Biomaterials for Inhibiting Scar Adhesion. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2312556. [PMID: 38563392 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Cluster-like collective cell migration of fibroblasts is one of the main factors of adhesion in injured tissues. In this research, a microdot biomaterial system is constructed using α-helical polypeptide nanoparticles and anti-inflammatory micelles, which are prepared by ring-opening polymerization of α-amino acids-N-carboxylic anhydrides (NCAs) and lactide, respectively. The microdot biomaterial system slowly releases functionalized polypeptides targeting mitochondria and promoting the influx of extracellular calcium ions under the inflammatory environment, thus inhibiting the expression of N-cadherin mediating cell-cell interaction, and promoting apoptosis of cluster fibroblasts, synergistically inhibiting the migration of fibroblast clusters at the site of tendon injury. Meanwhile, the anti-inflammatory micelles are celecoxib (Cex) solubilized by PEG/polyester, which can improve the inflammatory microenvironment at the injury site for a long time. In vitro, the microdot biomaterial system can effectively inhibit the migration of the cluster fibroblasts by inhibiting the expression of N-cadherin between cell-cell and promoting apoptosis. In vivo, the microdot biomaterial system can promote apoptosis while achieving long-acting anti-inflammation effects, and reduce the expression of vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibroblasts. Thus, this microdot biomaterial system provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of tendon adhesion by inhibiting the cluster migration of fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaping Zhuang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, 310000, P. R. China
| | - Lei Xiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Zhengwei Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
| | - Wenguo Cui
- Department of Orthopaedics, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin 2nd Road, Shanghai, 200025, P. R. China
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9
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An B, Fang Y, Wang L, Nie W, Wang M, Nie H, Wu C, Wang R. Inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling by compound 5aa: A potential treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Bioorg Chem 2024; 147:107374. [PMID: 38636433 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
The incidence of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been steadily increasing each year, posing significant challenges in its treatment. In this study, we conducted the design and synthesis of 23 new inhibitors that specifically target the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway. Initially, we employed a cell model of TGF-β-induced pulmonary fibrosis, using cell survival rate and HYP expression as indicators to identify the potent ingredient 5aa, which demonstrated significant anti-pulmonary fibrosis activity. Subsequently, we induced mice with bleomycin (BLM) to establish an experimental animal model of pulmonary fibrosis, and evaluated the pharmacodynamics of 5aa in vivo against pulmonary fibrosis. The alterations in HYP and collagen levels in BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice were analyzed using ELISA and immunohistochemistry techniques. The results indicated that compound 5aa effectively suppressed the fibrotic response induced by TGF-β1, inhibited the expression of the fibrotic marker α-SMA, and hindered the EMT process in NIH3T3 cells. Additionally, oral administration of 5aa demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in a mouse model of IPF, comparable to the established drug Nintedanib. Moreover, compound 5aa exhibited higher bioavailability in vivo compared to Nintedanib. These collective outcomes suggest that 5aa holds promise as a potential inhibitor of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling for the treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baijiao An
- The Key Laboratory of biomarker high throughput screening and target translation of breast and gastrointestinal tumor, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, No.6 Jiefang Street, Zhongshan District, Dalian, Liaoning 116001, China; School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China; School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Yanhua Fang
- The Key Laboratory of biomarker high throughput screening and target translation of breast and gastrointestinal tumor, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, No.6 Jiefang Street, Zhongshan District, Dalian, Liaoning 116001, China
| | - Lihan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Wenyan Nie
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Mengxuan Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Haoran Nie
- School of Pharmacy, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong, 264003, China
| | - Chengjun Wu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China.
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- The Key Laboratory of biomarker high throughput screening and target translation of breast and gastrointestinal tumor, Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Dalian University, No.6 Jiefang Street, Zhongshan District, Dalian, Liaoning 116001, China.
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10
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Rojas L, Tobar N, Espinoza J, Ríos S, Martínez C, Martínez J, Graves DT, Smith PC. FOXO1 regulates wound-healing responses in human gingival fibroblasts. J Periodontal Res 2024; 59:611-621. [PMID: 38500269 PMCID: PMC11116056 DOI: 10.1111/jre.13257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Forkhead box-O 1 (FOXO1) is a transcription factor actively involved in oral wound healing at the epithelial barrier. However, less is known regarding the role of FOXO1 during the tissue repair response in the connective tissue compartment. This study explored the involvement of FOXO1 in the modulation of fibroblast activity related to wound healing. METHODS Primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts were obtained from four healthy young donors. Myofibroblastic differentiation, collagen gel contraction, cell migration, cell spreading, and integrin activation were evaluated in the presence or absence of a FOXO1 inhibitor (AS1842856). Variations in mRNA and proteins of interest were evaluated through qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Distribution of actin, α-smooth muscle actin, and β1 integrin was evaluated using immunofluorescence. FOXO1 and TGF-β1 expression in gingival wound healing was assessed by immunohistochemistry in gingival wounds performed in C57BL/6 mice. Images were analyzed using ImageJ/Fiji. ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Tukey's or Dunn's post-hoc test was performed. All data are expressed as mean ± SD. p < .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS FOXO1 inhibition caused a decrease in the expression of the myofibroblastic marker α-SMA along with a reduction in fibronectin, type I collagen, TGF-β1, and β1 integrin mRNA level. The FOXO1 inhibitor also caused decreases in cell migration, cell spreading, collagen gel contraction, and β1 integrin activation. FOXO1 and TGF-β1 were prominently expressed in gingival wounds in fibroblastic cells located at the wound bed. CONCLUSION The present study indicates that FOXO1 plays an important role in the modulation of several wound-healing functions in gingival fibroblast. Moreover, our findings reveal an important regulatory role for FOXO1 on the differentiation of gingival myofibroblasts, the regulation of cell migration, and collagen contraction, all these functions being critical during tissue repair and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia. Rojas
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nicolás Tobar
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile
| | - Javier Espinoza
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
| | - Susana Ríos
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
| | - Constanza Martínez
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
| | - Jorge Martínez
- Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, University of Chile
| | - Dana T. Graves
- Department of Periodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Patricio C. Smith
- School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
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11
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Ge S, Khachemoune A. Neuroanatomy of the Cutaneous Nervous System Regarding Wound Healing. INT J LOW EXTR WOUND 2024; 23:191-204. [PMID: 34779294 DOI: 10.1177/15347346211054598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Wound healing is an important topic in modern medicine across many disciplines. Healing of all cutaneous wounds, whether accidentally sustained or intentionally created, requires the common yet complex set of interactions between the immune, circulatory, nervous, endocrine, and integumentary systems. Deficits in any of these systems or the molecular factors that mediate their communications can contribute to impaired healing of cutaneous wounds. While the stages of wound repair, angiogenesis, growth factors, and cytokines involved have been extensively studied, the role of the cutaneous nervous system in wound healing has not been well outlined. We have provided a basic overview of cutaneous innervation and wound repair for the dermatologic surgeon by outlining the normal cutaneous nervous anatomy and function and discussing the most important neuropeptides that mediate the wound healing process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amor Khachemoune
- Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- SUNY Downstate, Brooklyn, NY USA
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12
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Reed EB, Sitikov A, Hamanaka RB, Cetin-Atalay R, Mutlu GM, Mongin AA, Dulin NO. Critical role of Gα12 and Gα13 proteins in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596473. [PMID: 38854083 PMCID: PMC11160726 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Myofibroblast differentiation, characterized by accumulation of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts, is a key process in wound healing and pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is the most powerful known driver of myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β signals through transmembrane receptor serine/threonine kinases that phosphorylate Smad transcription factors (Smad2/3) leading to activation of transcription of target genes. Heterotrimeric G proteins mediate a distinct signaling from seven-transmembrane G protein coupled receptors, not commonly linked to Smad activation. We asked if G protein signaling plays any role in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation, using primary cultured human lung fibroblasts. Activation of Gαs by cholera toxin blocked TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation without affecting Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Inhibition of Gαi by pertussis toxin, or siRNA-mediated combined knockdown of Gαq and Gα11 had no significant effect on TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. A combined knockdown of Gα12 and Gα13 resulted in a drastic inhibition of TGF-β-stimulated expression of myofibroblast marker proteins (collagen-1, fibronectin, smooth-muscle α-actin), with siGα12 being significantly more potent than siGα13. Mechanistically, a combined knockdown of Gα12 and Gα13 resulted in a substantially reduced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 in response to TGF-β, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression of TGFβ receptors (TGFBR1, TGFBR2) and of Smad3 under siGα12/13 conditions. In conclusion, our study uncovers a novel role of Gα12/13 proteins in the control of TGF-β signaling and myofibroblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor B. Reed
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Albert Sitikov
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert B. Hamanaka
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rengül Cetin-Atalay
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gökhan M. Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander A. Mongin
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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13
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Kim HJ, Hong JH. Multiplicative Effects of Essential Oils and Other Active Components on Skin Tissue and Skin Cancers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5397. [PMID: 38791435 PMCID: PMC11121510 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Naturally derived essential oils and their active components are known to possess various properties, ranging from anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-cancer activities. Numerous types of essential oils and active components have been discovered, and their permissive roles have been addressed in various fields. In this comprehensive review, we focused on the roles of essential oils and active components in skin diseases and cancers as discovered over the past three decades. In particular, we opted to highlight the effectiveness of essential oils and their active components in developing strategies against various skin diseases and skin cancers and to describe the effects of the identified essential-oil-derived major components from physiological and pathological perspectives. Overall, this review provides a basis for the development of novel therapies for skin diseases and cancers, especially melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jeong Hee Hong
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Gachon University, Lee Gil Ya Cancer and Diabetes Institute, 155 Getbeolro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21999, Republic of Korea;
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14
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Han R, Zhong H, Zhang Y, Yu H, Zhang Y, Huang S, Yang Z, Zhong Y. MiR-146a reduces fibrosis after glaucoma filtration surgery in rats. J Transl Med 2024; 22:440. [PMID: 38720358 PMCID: PMC11080255 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05170-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the impact of microRNA 146a (miR-146a) and the underlying mechanisms in profibrotic changes following glaucoma filtering surgery (GFS) in rats and stimulation by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts. METHODS Cultured rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were treated with TGF-β1 and analyzed with microarrays for mRNA profiling to validate miR-146a as the target. The Tenon's capsule fibroblasts were then respectively treated with lentivirus-mediated transfection of miR-146a mimic or inhibitor following TGF-β1 stimulation in vitro, while GFS was performed in rat eyes with respective intraoperative administration of miR-146a, mitomycin C (MMC), or 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in vivo. Profibrotic genes expression levels (fibronectin, collagen Iα, NF-KB, IL-1β, TNF-α, SMAD4, and α-smooth muscle actin) were determined through qPCR, Western blotting, immunofluorescence staining and/or histochemical analysis in vitro and in vivo. SMAD4 targeting siRNA was further used to treat the fibroblasts in combination with miR-146a intervention to confirm its role in underlying mechanisms. RESULTS Upregulation of miR-146a reduced the proliferation rate and profibrotic changes of rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1 in vitro, and mitigated subconjunctival fibrosis to extend filtering blebs survival after GFS in vivo, where miR-146a decreased expression levels of NF-KB-SMAD4-related genes, such as fibronectin, collagen Iα, NF-KB, IL-1β, TNF-α, SMAD4, and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA). Additionally, SMAD4 is a key target gene in the process of miR-146a inhibiting fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS MiR-146a effectively reduced TGF-β1-induced fibrosis in rat Tenon's capsule fibroblasts in vitro and in vivo, potentially through the NF-KB-SMAD4 signaling pathway. MiR-146a shows promise as a novel therapeutic target for preventing fibrosis and improving the success rate of GFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqi Han
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huimin Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai First People's Hospital), Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yumeng Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Shouyue Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zijian Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Yisheng Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wuxi Branch of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 197 Zhixian Road, Wuxi, China.
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15
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Simpson A, Krissanaprasit A, Chester D, Koehler C, LaBean TH, Brown AC. Utilizing multiscale engineered biomaterials to examine TGF-β-mediated myofibroblastic differentiation. Wound Repair Regen 2024; 32:234-245. [PMID: 38459905 PMCID: PMC11111354 DOI: 10.1111/wrr.13168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Cells integrate many mechanical and chemical cues to drive cell signalling responses. Because of the complex nature and interdependency of alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, ligand density, mechanics, and cellular responses it is difficult to tease out individual and combinatorial contributions of these various factors in driving cell behavior in homeostasis and disease. Tuning of material viscous and elastic properties, and ligand densities, in combinatorial fashions would enhance our understanding of how cells process complex signals. For example, it is known that increased ECM mechanics and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) receptor (TGF-β-R) spacing/clustering independently drive TGF-β signalling and associated myofibroblastic differentiation. However, it remains unknown how these inputs orthogonally contribute to cellular outcomes. Here, we describe the development of a novel material platform that combines microgel thin films with controllable viscoelastic properties and DNA origami to probe how viscoelastic properties and nanoscale spacing of TGF-β-Rs contribute to TGF-β signalling and myofibroblastic differentiation. We found that highly viscous materials with non-fixed TGF-β-R spacing promoted increased TGF-β signalling and myofibroblastic differentiation. This is likely due to the ability of cells to better cluster receptors on these surfaces. These results provide insight into the contribution of substrate properties and receptor localisation on downstream signalling. Future studies allow for exploration into other receptor-mediated processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aryssa Simpson
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Abhichart Krissanaprasit
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Daniel Chester
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Cynthia Koehler
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Thomas H LaBean
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
| | - Ashley C Brown
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering of University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
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16
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Gumede DB, Abrahamse H, Houreld NN. Targeting Wnt/β-catenin signaling and its interplay with TGF-β and Notch signaling pathways for the treatment of chronic wounds. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:244. [PMID: 38671406 PMCID: PMC11046856 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01623-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Wound healing is a tightly regulated process that ensures tissue repair and normal function following injury. It is modulated by activation of pathways such as the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), Notch, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Dysregulation of this process causes poor wound healing, which leads to tissue fibrosis and ulcerative wounds. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in all phases of wound healing, primarily in the proliferative phase for formation of granulation tissue. This review focuses on the role of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in wound healing, and its transcriptional regulation of target genes. The crosstalk between Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and the TGF-β signaling pathways, as well as the deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in chronic wounds are also considered, with a special focus on diabetic ulcers. Lastly, we discuss current and prospective therapies for chronic wounds, with a primary focus on strategies that target the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway such as photobiomodulation for healing diabetic ulcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimakatso B Gumede
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Heidi Abrahamse
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa
| | - Nicolette N Houreld
- Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa.
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17
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Oishi M, Shinjo K, Takanari K, Muraoka A, Suzuki MM, Kanbe M, Higuchi S, Ebisawa K, Hashikawa K, Kamei Y, Kondo Y. Exclusive expression of KANK4 promotes myofibroblast mobility in keloid tissues. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8725. [PMID: 38622256 PMCID: PMC11018845 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59293-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Keloids are characterized by abnormal wound healing with excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Myofibroblasts are the primary contributor to extracellular matrix secretion, playing an essential role in the wound healing process. However, the differences between myofibroblasts involved in keloid formation and normal wound healing remain unclear. To identify the specific characteristics of keloid myofibroblasts, we initially assessed the expression levels of well-established myofibroblast markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and transgelin (TAGLN), in scar and keloid tissues (n = 63 and 51, respectively). Although myofibroblasts were present in significant quantities in keloids and immature scars, they were absent in mature scars. Next, we conducted RNA sequencing using myofibroblast-rich areas from keloids and immature scars to investigate the difference in RNA expression profiles among myofibroblasts. Among significantly upregulated 112 genes, KN motif and ankyrin repeat domains 4 (KANK4) was identified as a specifically upregulated gene in keloids. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that KANK4 protein was expressed in myofibroblasts in keloid tissues; however, it was not expressed in any myofibroblasts in immature scar tissues. Overexpression of KANK4 enhanced cell mobility in keloid myofibroblasts. Our results suggest that the KANK4-mediated increase in myofibroblast mobility contributes to keloid pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Oishi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Aichi Children's Health and Medical Center, Obu, Japan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8560, Japan
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Keiko Shinjo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
| | - Keisuke Takanari
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Aichi Cancer Center Research Institute, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ayako Muraoka
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Miho M Suzuki
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
| | - Miki Kanbe
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8560, Japan
| | - Shinichi Higuchi
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8560, Japan
| | - Katsumi Ebisawa
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8560, Japan
| | - Kazunobu Hashikawa
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8560, Japan
| | - Yuzuru Kamei
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8560, Japan.
| | - Yutaka Kondo
- Division of Cancer Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-Core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Japan
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18
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Ozelin SD, Esperandim TR, Dias FGG, Pereira LDF, Garcia CB, de Souza TO, Magalhães LF, Barud HDS, Sábio RM, Tavares DC. Nanocomposite Based on Bacterial Cellulose and Silver Nanoparticles Improve Wound Healing Without Exhibiting Toxic Effect. J Pharm Sci 2024:S0022-3549(24)00139-4. [PMID: 38615814 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2024.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Wound healing is an important and complex process, containing a multifaceted process governed by sequential yet overlapping phases. Certain treatments can optimize local physiological conditions and improve wound healing. Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are widely known for their antimicrobial activity. On the other hand, bacterial cellulose (BC) films have been used as a dressing that temporarily substitutes the skin, offering many advantages in optimizing wound healing, in addition to being highly biocompatible. Considering the promising activities of AgNP and BC films, the present study aimed to evaluate the wound healing activity in Wistar Hannover rats using a nanocomposite based on bacterial cellulose containing AgNP (AgBC). In a period of 21 days, its influence on the wound area, microbial growth, histopathological parameters, and collagen content were analyzed. In addition, toxicity indicators were assessed, such as weight gain, water consumption, and creatinine and alanine transaminase levels. After 14 days of injury, the animals treated with AgBC showed a significant increase in wound contraction. The treatment with AgBC significantly reduced the number of microbial colonies compared to other treatments in the first 48 h after the injury. At the end of the 21 experimental days, an average wound contraction rate greater than 97 % in relation to the initial area was observed, in addition to a significant increase in the amount of collagen fibers at the edge of the wounds, lower scores of necrosis, angiogenesis and inflammation, associated with no systemic toxicity. Therefore, it is concluded that the combination of preexisting products to form a new nanocomposite based on BC and AgNP amplified the biological activity of these products, increasing the effectiveness of wound healing and minimizing possible toxic effects of silver.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saulo Duarte Ozelin
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira, 201, 14404-600, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lucas de Freitas Pereira
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira, 201, 14404-600, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Buzatto Garcia
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira, 201, 14404-600, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Olímpio de Souza
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira, 201, 14404-600, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Hernane da Silva Barud
- University of Araraquara, Biopolymers and Biomaterials Laboratory, Rua Carlos Gomes, 1338, 14801-320, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil; BioSmart Nano, Av. Jorge Fernandes de Mattos, 311, 14808-162 Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafael Miguel Sábio
- São Paulo State University, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rodovia Araraquara Jaú, Km 01, 14800-903, Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Denise Crispim Tavares
- University of Franca, Avenida Dr. Armando Salles de Oliveira, 201, 14404-600, Franca, São Paulo, Brazil.
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19
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Younesi FS, Miller AE, Barker TH, Rossi FMV, Hinz B. Fibroblast and myofibroblast activation in normal tissue repair and fibrosis. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2024:10.1038/s41580-024-00716-0. [PMID: 38589640 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-024-00716-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
The term 'fibroblast' often serves as a catch-all for a diverse array of mesenchymal cells, including perivascular cells, stromal progenitor cells and bona fide fibroblasts. Although phenotypically similar, these subpopulations are functionally distinct, maintaining tissue integrity and serving as local progenitor reservoirs. In response to tissue injury, these cells undergo a dynamic fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, marked by extracellular matrix secretion and contraction of actomyosin-based stress fibres. Importantly, whereas transient activation into myofibroblasts aids in tissue repair, persistent activation triggers pathological fibrosis. In this Review, we discuss the roles of mechanical cues, such as tissue stiffness and strain, alongside cell signalling pathways and extracellular matrix ligands in modulating myofibroblast activation and survival. We also highlight the role of epigenetic modifications and myofibroblast memory in physiological and pathological processes. Finally, we discuss potential strategies for therapeutically interfering with these factors and the associated signal transduction pathways to improve the outcome of dysregulated healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Sadat Younesi
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew E Miller
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Fabio M V Rossi
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Boris Hinz
- Keenan Research Institute for Biomedical Science of the St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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20
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Li X, Zhao X, Yin R, Yuan M, Zhang Y, Li X. TGF-β2-induced alterations of m6A methylation in hTERT RPE-1 cells. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109839. [PMID: 38395214 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a major type of RNA modification implicated in various pathophysiological processes. Transforming growth factor β2 (TGF-β2) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigmental epithelial (RPE) cells and promotes the progression of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). However, the role of m6A methylation in the EMT of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) retinal pigmental epithelium (RPE)-1 cells has not been clarified. Here, we extracted RNA from RPE cells subjected to 0 or 20 ng/mL TGF-β2 for 72 h and identified differentially methylated genes (DMGs) by m6A-Seq and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RNA-Seq. We selected the genes related to EMT by conjoint m6A-Seq/RNA-Seq analysis and verified them by qRT-PCR. We then confirmed the function of m6A methylation in the EMT of RPE cells by knocking down the methyltransferase METTL3 and the m6A reading protein YTHDF1. Sequencing yielded 5814 DMGs and 1607 DEGs. Conjoint analysis selected 467 genes altered at the m6A and RNA levels that are closely associated with the EMT-related TGF-β, AGE-RAGE, PI3K-Akt, P53, and Wnt signaling pathways. We also identified ten core EMT genes ACTG2, BMP6, CDH2, LOXL2, SNAIL1, SPARC, BMP4, EMP3, FOXM1, and MYC. Their RNA levels were evaluated by qRT-PCR and were consistent with the sequencing results. We observed that METTL3 knockdown enhanced RPE cell migration and significantly upregulated the EMT markers N-cadherin (encoded by CDH2), fibronectin (FN), Snail family transcription repressor (SLUG), and vimentin. However, YTHDF1 knockdown had the opposite effects and decreased both cell migration and the N-cadherin, FN, and SLUG expression levels. The present study clarified TGF-β2-induced m6A- and RNA-level differences in RPE cells, indicated that m6A methylation might regulate EMT marker expression, and showed that m6A could regulate TGF-β2-induced EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xueru Zhao
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ruijie Yin
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Min Yuan
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yongya Zhang
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaohua Li
- Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, China; Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, Eye Institute, Zhengzhou, China.
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21
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Deng Z, Fan T, Xiao C, Tian H, Zheng Y, Li C, He J. TGF-β signaling in health, disease, and therapeutics. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:61. [PMID: 38514615 PMCID: PMC10958066 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01764-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is a multifunctional cytokine expressed by almost every tissue and cell type. The signal transduction of TGF-β can stimulate diverse cellular responses and is particularly critical to embryonic development, wound healing, tissue homeostasis, and immune homeostasis in health. The dysfunction of TGF-β can play key roles in many diseases, and numerous targeted therapies have been developed to rectify its pathogenic activity. In the past decades, a large number of studies on TGF-β signaling have been carried out, covering a broad spectrum of topics in health, disease, and therapeutics. Thus, a comprehensive overview of TGF-β signaling is required for a general picture of the studies in this field. In this review, we retrace the research history of TGF-β and introduce the molecular mechanisms regarding its biosynthesis, activation, and signal transduction. We also provide deep insights into the functions of TGF-β signaling in physiological conditions as well as in pathological processes. TGF-β-targeting therapies which have brought fresh hope to the treatment of relevant diseases are highlighted. Through the summary of previous knowledge and recent updates, this review aims to provide a systematic understanding of TGF-β signaling and to attract more attention and interest to this research area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqin Deng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Tao Fan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chu Xiao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - He Tian
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Yujia Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China
| | - Chunxiang Li
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
| | - Jie He
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, China.
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22
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Vijayakumar A, Wang M, Kailasam S. The Senescent Heart-"Age Doth Wither Its Infinite Variety". Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3581. [PMID: 38612393 PMCID: PMC11011282 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality world-wide. While many factors like smoking, hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, a sedentary lifestyle, and genetic factors can predispose to cardiovascular diseases, the natural process of aging is by itself a major determinant of the risk. Cardiac aging is marked by a conglomerate of cellular and molecular changes, exacerbated by age-driven decline in cardiac regeneration capacity. Although the phenotypes of cardiac aging are well characterised, the underlying molecular mechanisms are far less explored. Recent advances unequivocally link cardiovascular aging to the dysregulation of critical signalling pathways in cardiac fibroblasts, which compromises the critical role of these cells in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the myocardium. Clearly, the identification of cardiac fibroblast-specific factors and mechanisms that regulate cardiac fibroblast function in the senescent myocardium is of immense importance. In this regard, recent studies show that Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a collagen-activated receptor tyrosine kinase predominantly located in cardiac fibroblasts, has an obligate role in cardiac fibroblast function and cardiovascular fibrosis. Incisive studies on the molecular basis of cardiovascular aging and dysregulated fibroblast function in the senescent heart would pave the way for effective strategies to mitigate cardiovascular diseases in a rapidly growing elderly population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anupama Vijayakumar
- Cardiovascular Genetics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bhupat and Jyothi Mehta School of Biosciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India;
| | - Mingyi Wang
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science, National Institute on Aging/National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA;
| | - Shivakumar Kailasam
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695581, India
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23
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Lee DY, Kwon YN, Lee K, Kim SJ, Sung JJ. Dual effects of TGF-β inhibitor in ALS - inhibit contracture and neurodegeneration. J Neurochem 2024. [PMID: 38515326 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
As persistent elevation of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) promotes fibrosis of muscles and joints and accelerates disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated whether inhibition of TGF-β would be effective against both exacerbations. The effects of TGF-β and its inhibitor on myoblasts and fibroblasts were tested in vitro and confirmed in vivo, and the dual action of a TGF-β inhibitor in ameliorating the pathogenic role of TGF-β in ALS mice was identified. In the peripheral neuromuscular system, fibrosis in the muscles and joint cavities induced by excessive TGF-β causes joint contracture and muscular degeneration, which leads to motor dysfunction. In an ALS mouse model, an increase in TGF-β in the central nervous system (CNS), consistent with astrocyte activity, was associated with M1 microglial activity and pro-inflammatory conditions, as well as with neuronal cell death. Treatment with the TGF-β inhibitor halofuginone could prevent musculoskeletal fibrosis, resulting in the alleviation of joint contracture and delay of motor deterioration in ALS mice. Halofuginone could also reduce glial cell-induced neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis. These dual therapeutic effects on both the neuromuscular system and the CNS were observed from the beginning to the end stages of ALS; as a result, treatment with a TGF-β inhibitor from the early stage of disease delayed the time of symptom exacerbation in ALS mice, which led to prolonged survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Do-Yeon Lee
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Nam Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Neurology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kwangkook Lee
- Research Department, Curamys Co., Ltd., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Joon Sung
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
- Wide River Institute of Immunology, Seoul National University, Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
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24
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Chandran RR, Adams TS, Kabir I, Gallardo-Vara E, Kaminski N, Gomperts BN, Greif DM. Dedifferentiated early postnatal lung myofibroblasts redifferentiate in adult disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1335061. [PMID: 38572485 PMCID: PMC10987733 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1335061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alveolarization ensures sufficient lung surface area for gas exchange, and during bulk alveolarization in mice (postnatal day [P] 4.5-14.5), alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA)+ myofibroblasts accumulate, secrete elastin, and lay down alveolar septum. Herein, we delineate the dynamics of the lineage of early postnatal SMA+ myofibroblasts during and after bulk alveolarization and in response to lung injury. SMA+ lung myofibroblasts first appear at ∼ P2.5 and proliferate robustly. Lineage tracing shows that, at P14.5 and over the next few days, the vast majority of SMA+ myofibroblasts downregulate smooth muscle cell markers and undergo apoptosis. Of note, ∼8% of these dedifferentiated cells and another ∼1% of SMA+ myofibroblasts persist to adulthood. Single cell RNA sequencing analysis of the persistent SMA- cells and SMA+ myofibroblasts in the adult lung reveals distinct gene expression profiles. For instance, dedifferentiated SMA- cells exhibit higher levels of tissue remodeling genes. Most interestingly, these dedifferentiated early postnatal myofibroblasts re-express SMA upon exposure of the adult lung to hypoxia or the pro-fibrotic drug bleomycin. However, unlike during alveolarization, these cells that re-express SMA do not proliferate with hypoxia. In sum, dedifferentiated early postnatal myofibroblasts are a previously undescribed cell type in the adult lung and redifferentiate in response to injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachana R. Chandran
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Taylor S. Adams
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Inamul Kabir
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Eunate Gallardo-Vara
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Brigitte N. Gomperts
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute, Mattel Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Eli and Edythe Broad Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Daniel M. Greif
- Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
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25
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Ren F, Aliper A, Chen J, Zhao H, Rao S, Kuppe C, Ozerov IV, Zhang M, Witte K, Kruse C, Aladinskiy V, Ivanenkov Y, Polykovskiy D, Fu Y, Babin E, Qiao J, Liang X, Mou Z, Wang H, Pun FW, Ayuso PT, Veviorskiy A, Song D, Liu S, Zhang B, Naumov V, Ding X, Kukharenko A, Izumchenko E, Zhavoronkov A. A small-molecule TNIK inhibitor targets fibrosis in preclinical and clinical models. Nat Biotechnol 2024:10.1038/s41587-024-02143-0. [PMID: 38459338 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-024-02143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an aggressive interstitial lung disease with a high mortality rate. Putative drug targets in IPF have failed to translate into effective therapies at the clinical level. We identify TRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) as an anti-fibrotic target using a predictive artificial intelligence (AI) approach. Using AI-driven methodology, we generated INS018_055, a small-molecule TNIK inhibitor, which exhibits desirable drug-like properties and anti-fibrotic activity across different organs in vivo through oral, inhaled or topical administration. INS018_055 possesses anti-inflammatory effects in addition to its anti-fibrotic profile, validated in multiple in vivo studies. Its safety and tolerability as well as pharmacokinetics were validated in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase I clinical trial (NCT05154240) involving 78 healthy participants. A separate phase I trial in China, CTR20221542, also demonstrated comparable safety and pharmacokinetic profiles. This work was completed in roughly 18 months from target discovery to preclinical candidate nomination and demonstrates the capabilities of our generative AI-driven drug-discovery pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Ren
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
- Insilico Medicine AI Limited, Abu Dhabi, UAE
| | - Alex Aliper
- Insilico Medicine AI Limited, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Sujata Rao
- Insilico Medicine US Inc., New York, NY, USA
| | - Christoph Kuppe
- Institute of Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Nephrology, University Clinic RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
| | - Ivan V Ozerov
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Man Zhang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Klaus Witte
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chris Kruse
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Yan Ivanenkov
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | | | - Yanyun Fu
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | | | - Junwen Qiao
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Liang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Zhenzhen Mou
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Frank W Pun
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Pedro Torres Ayuso
- Department of Cancer and Cellular Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, PA, USA
| | | | - Dandan Song
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Affiliated Xiaoshan Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sang Liu
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Bei Zhang
- Insilico Medicine Shanghai Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Vladimir Naumov
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaoqiang Ding
- Division of Nephrology, Zhongshan Hospital Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Andrey Kukharenko
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Evgeny Izumchenko
- Section of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alex Zhavoronkov
- Insilico Medicine AI Limited, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
- Insilico Medicine Hong Kong Ltd., Hong Kong Science and Technology Park, Hong Kong SAR, China.
- Insilico Medicine US Inc., New York, NY, USA.
- Insilico Medicine Canada Inc, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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26
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Haase M, Comlekoglu T, Petrucciani A, Peirce SM, Blemker SS. Agent-based model demonstrates the impact of nonlinear, complex interactions between cytokines on muscle regeneration. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.08.14.553247. [PMID: 37645968 PMCID: PMC10462020 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.14.553247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Muscle regeneration is a complex process due to dynamic and multiscale biochemical and cellular interactions, making it difficult to identify microenvironmental conditions that are beneficial to muscle recovery from injury using experimental approaches alone. To understand the degree to which individual cellular behaviors impact endogenous mechanisms of muscle recovery, we developed an agent-based model (ABM) using the Cellular Potts framework to simulate the dynamic microenvironment of a cross-section of murine skeletal muscle tissue. We referenced more than 100 published studies to define over 100 parameters and rules that dictate the behavior of muscle fibers, satellite stem cells (SSC), fibroblasts, neutrophils, macrophages, microvessels, and lymphatic vessels, as well as their interactions with each other and the microenvironment. We utilized parameter density estimation to calibrate the model to temporal biological datasets describing cross-sectional area (CSA) recovery, SSC, and fibroblast cell counts at multiple time points following injury. The calibrated model was validated by comparison of other model outputs (macrophage, neutrophil, and capillaries counts) to experimental observations. Predictions for eight model perturbations that varied cell or cytokine input conditions were compared to published experimental studies to validate model predictive capabilities. We used Latin hypercube sampling and partial rank correlation coefficient to identify in silico perturbations of cytokine diffusion coefficients and decay rates to enhance CSA recovery. This analysis suggests that combined alterations of specific cytokine decay and diffusion parameters result in greater fibroblast and SSC proliferation compared to individual perturbations with a 13% increase in CSA recovery compared to unaltered regeneration at 28 days. These results enable guided development of therapeutic strategies that similarly alter muscle physiology (i.e. converting ECM-bound cytokines into freely diffusible forms as studied in cancer therapeutics or delivery of exogenous cytokines) during regeneration to enhance muscle recovery after injury.
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27
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Lei M, Salvage SC, Jackson AP, Huang CLH. Cardiac arrhythmogenesis: roles of ion channels and their functional modification. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1342761. [PMID: 38505707 PMCID: PMC10949183 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1342761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias cause significant morbidity and mortality and pose a major public health problem. They arise from disruptions in the normally orderly propagation of cardiac electrophysiological activation and recovery through successive cardiomyocytes in the heart. They reflect abnormalities in automaticity, initiation, conduction, or recovery in cardiomyocyte excitation. The latter properties are dependent on surface membrane electrophysiological mechanisms underlying the cardiac action potential. Their disruption results from spatial or temporal instabilities and heterogeneities in the generation and propagation of cellular excitation. These arise from abnormal function in their underlying surface membrane, ion channels, and transporters, as well as the interactions between them. The latter, in turn, form common regulatory targets for the hierarchical network of diverse signaling mechanisms reviewed here. In addition to direct molecular-level pharmacological or physiological actions on these surface membrane biomolecules, accessory, adhesion, signal transduction, and cytoskeletal anchoring proteins modify both their properties and localization. At the cellular level of excitation-contraction coupling processes, Ca2+ homeostatic and phosphorylation processes affect channel activity and membrane excitability directly or through intermediate signaling. Systems-level autonomic cellular signaling exerts both acute channel and longer-term actions on channel expression. Further upstream intermediaries from metabolic changes modulate the channels both themselves and through modifying Ca2+ homeostasis. Finally, longer-term organ-level inflammatory and structural changes, such as fibrotic and hypertrophic remodeling, similarly can influence all these physiological processes with potential pro-arrhythmic consequences. These normal physiological processes may target either individual or groups of ionic channel species and alter with particular pathological conditions. They are also potentially alterable by direct pharmacological action, or effects on longer-term targets modifying protein or cofactor structure, expression, or localization. Their participating specific biomolecules, often clarified in experimental genetically modified models, thus constitute potential therapeutic targets. The insights clarified by the physiological and pharmacological framework outlined here provide a basis for a recent modernized drug classification. Together, they offer a translational framework for current drug understanding. This would facilitate future mechanistically directed therapeutic advances, for which a number of examples are considered here. The latter are potentially useful for treating cardiac, in particular arrhythmic, disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Lei
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Samantha C. Salvage
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Antony P. Jackson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher L.-H. Huang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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28
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Xiao Y, Vazquez-Padron RI, Martinez L, Singer HA, Woltmann D, Salman LH. Role of platelet factor 4 in arteriovenous fistula maturation failure: What do we know so far? J Vasc Access 2024; 25:390-406. [PMID: 35751379 PMCID: PMC9974241 DOI: 10.1177/11297298221085458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The rate of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure remains unacceptably high despite continuous efforts on technique improvement and careful pre-surgery planning. In fact, half of all newly created AVFs are unable to be used for hemodialysis (HD) without a salvage procedure. While vascular stenosis in the venous limb of the access is the culprit, the underlying factors leading to vascular narrowing and AVF maturation failure are yet to be determined. We have recently demonstrated that AVF non-maturation is associated with post-operative medial fibrosis and fibrotic stenosis, and post-operative intimal hyperplasia (IH) exacerbates the situation. Multiple pathological processes and signaling pathways are underlying the stenotic remodeling of the AVF. Our group has recently indicated that a pro-inflammatory cytokine platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4) is upregulated in veins that fail to mature after AVF creation. Platelet factor 4 is a fibrosis marker and can be detected in vascular stenosis tissue, suggesting that it may contribute to AVF maturation failure through stimulation of fibrosis and development of fibrotic stenosis. Here, we present an overview of the how PF4-mediated fibrosis determines AVF maturation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Xiao
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Roberto I Vazquez-Padron
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Laisel Martinez
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Harold A Singer
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Woltmann
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
| | - Loay H Salman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY, USA
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29
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Voza FA, Huerta CT, Le N, Shao H, Ribieras A, Ortiz Y, Atkinson C, Machuca T, Liu ZJ, Velazquez OC. Fibroblasts in Diabetic Foot Ulcers. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2172. [PMID: 38396848 PMCID: PMC10889208 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25042172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are stromal cells ubiquitously distributed in the body of nearly every organ tissue. These cells were previously considered to be "passive cells", solely responsible for ensuring the turnover of the extracellular matrix (ECM). However, their versatility, including their ability to switch phenotypes in response to tissue injury and dynamic activity in the maintenance of tissue specific homeostasis and integrity have been recently revealed by the innovation of technological tools such as genetically modified mouse models and single cell analysis. These highly plastic and heterogeneous cells equipped with multifaceted functions including the regulation of angiogenesis, inflammation as well as their innate stemness characteristics, play a central role in the delicately regulated process of wound healing. Fibroblast dysregulation underlies many chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and diabetes mellitus (DM), which represent the current major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU), one of the most severe complications of DM affects 40 to 60 million people. Chronic non-healing DFU wounds expose patients to substantial sequelae including infections, gangrene, amputation, and death. A complete understanding of the pathophysiology of DFU and targeting pathways involved in the dysregulation of fibroblasts are required for the development of innovative new therapeutic treatments, critically needed for these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca A. Voza
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Carlos Theodore Huerta
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Nga Le
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Hongwei Shao
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Antoine Ribieras
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Yulexi Ortiz
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Carl Atkinson
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA;
| | - Tiago Machuca
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
| | - Zhao-Jun Liu
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
| | - Omaida C. Velazquez
- DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA; (F.A.V.); (C.T.H.); (H.S.); (A.R.); (Y.O.); (T.M.)
- Vascular Biology Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA
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Hilliard BA, Amin M, Popoff SN, Barbe MF. Potentiation of Collagen Deposition by the Combination of Substance P with Transforming Growth Factor Beta in Rat Skin Fibroblasts. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1862. [PMID: 38339140 PMCID: PMC10855312 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A role for substance P has been proposed in musculoskeletal fibrosis, with effects mediated through transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ). We examined the in vitro effects of substance P on proliferation, collagen secretion, and collagen deposition in rat primary dermal fibroblasts cultured in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, with or without TGFβ. In six-day cultures, substance P increased cell proliferation at concentrations from 0.0002 to 100 nM. TGFβ increased proliferation at concentrations from 0.0002 to 2 pg/mL, although higher concentrations inhibited proliferation. Substance P treatment alone at concentrations of 100, 0.2, and 0.00002 nM did not increase collagen deposition per cell, yet when combined with TGFβ (5 ng/mL), increased collagen deposition compared to TGFβ treatment alone. Substance P treatment (100 nM) also increased smooth muscle actin (SMA) expression at 72 h of culture at a level similar to 5 ng/mL of TGFβ; only TGFβ increased SMA at 48 h of culture. Thus, substance P may play a role in potentiating matrix deposition in vivo when combined with TGFβ, although this potentiation may be dependent on the concentration of each factor. Treatments targeting substance P may be a viable strategy for treating fibrosis where both substance P and TGFβ play roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan A. Hilliard
- Aging and Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (M.A.); (M.F.B.)
| | - Mamta Amin
- Aging and Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (M.A.); (M.F.B.)
| | - Steven N. Popoff
- Department of Biomedical Education, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA;
| | - Mary F. Barbe
- Aging and Cardiovascular Discovery Center, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA; (M.A.); (M.F.B.)
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31
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Mierke CT. Phenotypic Heterogeneity, Bidirectionality, Universal Cues, Plasticity, Mechanics, and the Tumor Microenvironment Drive Cancer Metastasis. Biomolecules 2024; 14:184. [PMID: 38397421 PMCID: PMC10887446 DOI: 10.3390/biom14020184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Tumor diseases become a huge problem when they embark on a path that advances to malignancy, such as the process of metastasis. Cancer metastasis has been thoroughly investigated from a biological perspective in the past, whereas it has still been less explored from a physical perspective. Until now, the intraluminal pathway of cancer metastasis has received the most attention, while the interaction of cancer cells with macrophages has received little attention. Apart from the biochemical characteristics, tumor treatments also rely on the tumor microenvironment, which is recognized to be immunosuppressive and, as has recently been found, mechanically stimulates cancer cells and thus alters their functions. The review article highlights the interaction of cancer cells with other cells in the vascular metastatic route and discusses the impact of this intercellular interplay on the mechanical characteristics and subsequently on the functionality of cancer cells. For instance, macrophages can guide cancer cells on their intravascular route of cancer metastasis, whereby they can help to circumvent the adverse conditions within blood or lymphatic vessels. Macrophages induce microchannel tunneling that can possibly avoid mechanical forces during extra- and intravasation and reduce the forces within the vascular lumen due to vascular flow. The review article highlights the vascular route of cancer metastasis and discusses the key players in this traditional route. Moreover, the effects of flows during the process of metastasis are presented, and the effects of the microenvironment, such as mechanical influences, are characterized. Finally, the increased knowledge of cancer metastasis opens up new perspectives for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Tanja Mierke
- Faculty of Physics and Earth System Science, Peter Debye Institute of Soft Matter Physics, Biological Physics Division, Leipzig University, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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32
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Kumar R, Rottner K, Rao GN. Requirement of Site-Specific Tyrosine Phosphorylation of Cortactin in Retinal Neovascularization and Vascular Leakage. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2024; 44:366-390. [PMID: 38126170 PMCID: PMC10872470 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.123.320279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinal neovascularization is a major cause of vision impairment. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanisms by which hypoxia triggers the development of abnormal and leaky blood vessels. METHODS A variety of cellular and molecular approaches as well as tissue-specific knockout mice were used to investigate the role of Cttn (cortactin) in retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage. RESULTS We found that VEGFA (vascular endothelial growth factor A) stimulates Cttn phosphorylation at Y421, Y453, and Y470 residues in human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. In addition, we observed that while blockade of Cttn phosphorylation at Y470 inhibited VEGFA-induced human retinal microvascular endothelial cell angiogenic events, suppression of Y421 phosphorylation protected endothelial barrier integrity from disruption by VEGFA. In line with these observations, while blockade of Cttn phosphorylation at Y470 negated oxygen-induced retinopathy-induced retinal neovascularization, interference with Y421 phosphorylation prevented VEGFA/oxygen-induced retinopathy-induced vascular leakage. Mechanistically, while phosphorylation at Y470 was required for its interaction with Arp2/3 and CDC6 facilitating actin polymerization and DNA synthesis, respectively, Cttn phosphorylation at Y421 leads to its dissociation from VE-cadherin, resulting in adherens junction disruption. Furthermore, whereas Cttn phosphorylation at Y470 residue was dependent on Lyn, its phosphorylation at Y421 residue required Syk activation. Accordingly, lentivirus-mediated expression of shRNA targeting Lyn or Syk levels inhibited oxygen-induced retinopathy-induced retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The above observations show for the first time that phosphorylation of Cttn is involved in a site-specific manner in the regulation of retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage. In view of these findings, Cttn could be a novel target for the development of therapeutics against vascular diseases such as retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Kumar
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Klemens Rottner
- Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Spielmannstrasse 7, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Cell Biology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gadiparthi N. Rao
- Department of Physiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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33
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Fung M, Armstrong JJ, Zhang R, Vinokurtseva A, Liu H, Hutnik C. Development and Verification of a Novel Three-Dimensional Aqueous Outflow Model for High-Throughput Drug Screening. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:142. [PMID: 38391628 PMCID: PMC10885921 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11020142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Distal outflow bleb-forming procedures in ophthalmic surgery expose subconjunctival tissue to inflammatory cytokines present in the aqueous humor, resulting in impaired outflow and, consequently, increased intraocular pressure. Clinically, this manifests as an increased risk of surgical failure often necessitating revision. This study (1) introduces a novel high-throughput screening platform for testing potential anti-fibrotic compounds and (2) assesses the clinical viability of modulating the transforming growth factor beta-SMAD2/3 pathway as a key contributor to post-operative outflow reduction, using the signal transduction inhibitor verteporfin. Human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTCFs) were cultured within a 3D collagen matrix in a microfluidic system modelling aqueous humor drainage. The perfusate was augmented with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), and afferent pressure to the tissue-mimetic was continuously monitored to detect treatment-related pressure elevations. Co-treatment with verteporfin was employed to evaluate its capacity to counteract TGFβ1 induced pressure changes. Immunofluorescent studies were conducted on the tissue-mimetic to corroborate the pressure data with cellular changes. Introduction of TGFβ1 induced treatment-related afferent pressure increase in the tissue-mimetic. HTCFs treated with TGFβ1 displayed visibly enlarged cytoskeletons and stress fiber formation, consistent with myofibroblast transformation. Importantly, verteporfin effectively mitigated these changes, reducing both afferent pressure increases and cytoskeletal alterations. In summary, this study models the pathological filtration bleb response to TGFβ1, while demonstrating verteporfin's effectiveness in ameliorating both functional and cellular changes caused by TGFβ1. These demonstrate modulation of the aforementioned pathway as a potential avenue for addressing post-operative changes and reductions in filtration bleb outflow capacity. Furthermore, the establishment of a high-throughput screening platform offers a valuable pre-animal testing tool for investigating potential compounds to facilitate surgical wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Fung
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - James J Armstrong
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Richard Zhang
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Anastasiya Vinokurtseva
- Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Cindy Hutnik
- Department of Ophthalmology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ivey Eye Institute, St. Joseph's Health Center, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
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34
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Zanini F, Che X, Suresh NE, Knutsen C, Klavina P, Xie Y, Domingo-Gonzalez R, Liu M, Kum A, Jones RC, Quake SR, Alvira CM, Cornfield DN. Hyperoxia prevents the dynamic neonatal increases in lung mesenchymal cell diversity. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2033. [PMID: 38263350 PMCID: PMC10805790 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50717-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Rapid expansion of the pulmonary microvasculature through angiogenesis drives alveolarization, the final stage of lung development that occurs postnatally and dramatically increases lung gas-exchange surface area. Disruption of pulmonary angiogenesis induces long-term structural and physiologic lung abnormalities, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, a disease characterized by compromised alveolarization. Although endothelial cells are primary determinants of pulmonary angiogenesis, mesenchymal cells (MC) play a critical and dual role in angiogenesis and alveolarization. Therefore, we performed single cell transcriptomics and in-situ imaging of the developing lung to profile mesenchymal cells during alveolarization and in the context of lung injury. Specific mesenchymal cell subtypes were present at birth with increasing diversity during alveolarization even while expressing a distinct transcriptomic profile from more mature correlates. Hyperoxia arrested the transcriptomic progression of the MC, revealed differential cell subtype vulnerability with pericytes and myofibroblasts most affected, altered cell to cell communication, and led to the emergence of Acta1 expressing cells. These insights hold the promise of targeted treatment for neonatal lung disease, which remains a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality across the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Zanini
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
- Cellular Genomics Futures Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Xibing Che
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Nina E Suresh
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Carsten Knutsen
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paula Klavina
- School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Yike Xie
- School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Racquel Domingo-Gonzalez
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Min Liu
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Kum
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Robert C Jones
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Stephen R Quake
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Cristina M Alvira
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - David N Cornfield
- Center for Excellence in Pulmonary Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Division of Pulmonary, Asthma and Sleep Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA.
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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35
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Zhang H, Dhalla NS. The Role of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1082. [PMID: 38256155 PMCID: PMC10817020 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25021082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
With cardiovascular disease (CVD) being a primary source of global morbidity and mortality, it is crucial that we understand the molecular pathophysiological mechanisms at play. Recently, numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines have been linked to several different CVDs, which are now often considered an adversely pro-inflammatory state. These cytokines most notably include interleukin-6 (IL-6),tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, and the interleukin-1 (IL-1) family, amongst others. Not only does inflammation have intricate and complex interactions with pathophysiological processes such as oxidative stress and calcium mishandling, but it also plays a role in the balance between tissue repair and destruction. In this regard, pre-clinical and clinical evidence has clearly demonstrated the involvement and dynamic nature of pro-inflammatory cytokines in many heart conditions; however, the clinical utility of the findings so far remains unclear. Whether these cytokines can serve as markers or risk predictors of disease states or act as potential therapeutic targets, further extensive research is needed to fully understand the complex network of interactions that these molecules encompass in the context of heart disease. This review will highlight the significant advances in our understanding of the contributions of pro-inflammatory cytokines in CVDs, including ischemic heart disease (atherosclerosis, thrombosis, acute myocardial infarction, and ischemia-reperfusion injury), cardiac remodeling (hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac fibrosis, cardiac apoptosis, and heart failure), different cardiomyopathies as well as ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. In addition, this article is focused on discussing the shortcomings in both pathological and therapeutic aspects of pro-inflammatory cytokines in CVD that still need to be addressed by future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Naranjan S. Dhalla
- Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
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Sanketi BD, Mantri M, Huang L, Tavallaei MA, Hu S, Wang MFZ, De Vlaminck I, Kurpios NA. Origin and adult renewal of the gut lacteal musculature from villus myofibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.01.19.523242. [PMID: 36712064 PMCID: PMC9882374 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.19.523242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Intestinal smooth muscles are the workhorse of the digestive system. Inside the millions of finger-like intestinal projections called villi, strands of smooth muscle cells contract to propel absorbed dietary fats through the adjacent lymphatic vessel, called the lacteal, sending fats into the blood circulation for energy production. Despite this vital function, how villus smooth muscles form, how they assemble alongside lacteals, and how they repair throughout life remain unknown. Here we combine single-cell RNA sequencing of the mouse intestine with quantitative lineage tracing to reveal the mechanisms of formation and differentiation of villus smooth muscle cells. Within the highly regenerative villus, we uncover a local hierarchy of subepithelial fibroblast progenitors that progress to become mature smooth muscle fibers, via an intermediate contractile myofibroblast-like phenotype. This continuum persists in the adult intestine as the major source of renewal of villus smooth muscle cells during adult life. We further found that the NOTCH3-DLL4 signaling axis governs the assembly of villus smooth muscles alongside their adjacent lacteal, and we show that this is necessary for gut absorptive function. Overall, our data shed light on the genesis of a poorly defined class of intestinal smooth muscle and pave the way for new opportunities to accelerate recovery of digestive function by stimulating muscle repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhargav D. Sanketi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Madhav Mantri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Liqing Huang
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Mohammad A. Tavallaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Shing Hu
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Michael F. Z. Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Iwijn De Vlaminck
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Natasza A. Kurpios
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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37
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Liu D, Che X, Wu G. Deciphering the role of neddylation in tumor microenvironment modulation: common outcome of multiple signaling pathways. Biomark Res 2024; 12:5. [PMID: 38191508 PMCID: PMC10773064 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-023-00545-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Neddylation is a post-translational modification process, similar to ubiquitination, that controls several biological processes. Notably, it is often aberrantly activated in neoplasms and plays a critical role in the intricate dynamics of the tumor microenvironment (TME). This regulatory influence of neddylation permeates extensively and profoundly within the TME, affecting the behavior of tumor cells, immune cells, angiogenesis, and the extracellular matrix. Usually, neddylation promotes tumor progression towards increased malignancy. In this review, we highlight the latest understanding of the intricate molecular mechanisms that target neddylation to modulate the TME by affecting various signaling pathways. There is emerging evidence that the targeted disruption of the neddylation modification process, specifically the inhibition of cullin-RING ligases (CRLs) functionality, presents a promising avenue for targeted therapy. MLN4924, a small-molecule inhibitor of the neddylation pathway, precisely targets the neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein 8 activating enzyme (NAE). In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of neddylation modification therapy, particularly the integration of MLN4924 with chemotherapy or targeted therapy. This combined approach has demonstrated notable success in the treatment of a variety of hematological and solid tumors. Here, we investigated the inhibitory effects of MLN4924 on neddylation and summarized the current therapeutic outcomes of MLN4924 against various tumors. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive, up-to-date, and thorough overview of neddylation modifications, and offers insight into the critical importance of this cellular process in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dequan Liu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China
| | - Xiangyu Che
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China.
| | - Guangzhen Wu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116011, China.
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38
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Guo C, Cui Y, Jiao M, Yao J, Zhao J, Tian Y, Dong J, Liao L. Crosstalk between proximal tubular epithelial cells and other interstitial cells in tubulointerstitial fibrosis after renal injury. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1256375. [PMID: 38260142 PMCID: PMC10801024 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1256375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The energy needs of tubular epithelial components, especially proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs), are high and they heavily depend on aerobic metabolism. As a result, they are particularly vulnerable to various injuries caused by factors such as ischemia, proteinuria, toxins, and elevated glucose levels. Initial metabolic and phenotypic changes in PTECs after injury are likely an attempt at survival and repair. Nevertheless, in cases of recurrent or prolonged injury, PTECs have the potential to undergo a transition to a secretory state, leading to the generation and discharge of diverse bioactive substances, including transforming growth factor-β, Wnt ligands, hepatocyte growth factor, interleukin (IL)-1β, lactic acid, exosomes, and extracellular vesicles. By promoting fibroblast activation, macrophage recruitment, and endothelial cell loss, these bioactive compounds stimulate communication between epithelial cells and other interstitial cells, ultimately worsening renal damage. This review provides a summary of the latest findings on bioactive compounds that facilitate the communication between these cellular categories, ultimately leading to the advancement of tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF).
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Affiliation(s)
- Congcong Guo
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuying Cui
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicin, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Mingwen Jiao
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinming Yao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Junyu Zhao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yutian Tian
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jianjun Dong
- Department of Endocrinology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Lin Liao
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Rheumatic Disease and Translational Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shandong Institute of Nephrology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicin, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Wiegand C, Dirksen A, Tittelbach J. Treatment with a red-laser-based wound therapy device exerts positive effects in models of delayed keratinocyte and fibroblast wound healing. PHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE 2024; 40:e12926. [PMID: 37957888 DOI: 10.1111/phpp.12926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Light therapy is widely used in medicine. Specifically, photobiomodulation has been shown to exert beneficial effects in wound healing disorders, which present a major challenge in health care. The study's aim was providing information on the effect of a novel, red-laser-based wound therapy device (WTD) on keratinocytes and fibroblasts during wound healing under optimal and non-optimal conditions. METHODS The scratch wound assay was employed as a wound healing model for mechanical damage with readjustment of specific cell milieus, explicitly chronic TH1 inflammation and TH2-dominant conditions. Furthermore, gene expression analysis of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1A, IL6, CXCL8), growth factors (TGFB1, PDGFC), transcription factors (NFKB1, TP53) and heat shock proteins (HSP90AA1, HSPA1A, HSPD1) as well as desmogleins (DSG1, DSG3) in keratinocytes and collagen (COL1A1, COL3A1) in fibroblasts was performed after WTD treatment. RESULTS It was shown that WTD treatment is biocompatible and supports scratch wound closure under non-optimal conditions. A distinct enhancement of desmoglein and collagen gene expression as well as induction of early growth factor gene expression was observed under chronic inflammatory conditions. Moreover, WTD increased HSPD1 transcript levels in keratinocytes and augmented collagen expression in fibroblasts during wound healing under TH2 conditions. WTD treatment also alleviated the inflammatory response in keratinocytes and induced early growth factor gene expression in fibroblasts under physiological conditions. CONCLUSION Positive effects described for wound treatment with WTD could be replicated in vitro and seem to be to be conferred by a direct influence on cellular processes taking place in keratinocytes and fibroblasts during wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Wiegand
- Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
| | | | - Jörg Tittelbach
- Department of Dermatology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University, Jena, Germany
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40
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Frangogiannis NG. TGF-β as a therapeutic target in the infarcted and failing heart: cellular mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2024; 28:45-56. [PMID: 38329809 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2316735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myocardial fibrosis accompanies most cardiac conditions and can be reparative or maladaptive. Transforming Growth Factor (TGF)-β is a potent fibrogenic mediator, involved in repair, remodeling, and fibrosis of the injured heart. AREAS COVERED This review manuscript discusses the role of TGF-β in heart failure focusing on cellular mechanisms and therapeutic implications. TGF-β is activated in infarcted, remodeling and failing hearts. In addition to its fibrogenic actions, TGF-β has a broad range of effects on cardiomyocytes, immune, and vascular cells that may have both protective and detrimental consequences. TGF-β-mediated effects on macrophages promote anti-inflammatory transition, whereas actions on fibroblasts mediate reparative scar formation and effects on pericytes are involved in maturation of infarct neovessels. On the other hand, TGF-β actions on cardiomyocytes promote adverse remodeling, and prolonged activation of TGF-β signaling in fibroblasts stimulates progression of fibrosis and heart failure. EXPERT OPINION Understanding of the cell-specific actions of TGF-β is necessary to design therapeutic strategies in patients with myocardial disease. Moreover, to implement therapeutic interventions in the heterogeneous population of heart failure patients, mechanism-driven classification of both HFrEF and HFpEF patients is needed. Heart failure patients with prolonged or overactive fibrogenic TGF-β responses may benefit from cautious TGF-β inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos G Frangogiannis
- The Wilf Family Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
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41
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Ramírez O, Pomareda F, Olivares B, Huang YL, Zavala G, Carrasco-Rojas J, Álvarez S, Leiva-Sabadini C, Hidalgo V, Romo P, Sánchez M, Vargas A, Martínez J, Aguayo S, Schuh CMAP. Aloe vera peel-derived nanovesicles display anti-inflammatory properties and prevent myofibroblast differentiation. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 122:155108. [PMID: 37844380 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2023.155108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aloe vera (AV) is a medicinal plant, most known for its beneficial effects on a variety of skin conditions. Its known active compounds include carbohydrates and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempferol, among others. In the past decade, plant nanovesicles (NVs) have gained considerable interest as interkingdom communicators, presenting an opportunity for clinical standardization of natural products. In this study, we aimed to assess the potential of AVpNVs for the treatment of burn wounds. METHODS AVpNVs were isolated and characterized regarding vesicle yield (nanoparticle tracking analysis) and structure (transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy), as well as their protein content with proteomics. We assessed key characteristics for treating burn wounds in vitro, such as the anti-inflammatory potential in LPS-stimulated macrophages and keratinocytes, and the effect of AVpNVs on myofibroblast differentiation and contraction. KEY FINDINGS AVpNVs presented a homogenous NV population, vesicular shape, and NV-associated protein markers. AVpNVs significantly decreased the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, and IL-6. Furthermore, AVpNVs inhibited myofibroblast differentiation and significantly decreased their contractile potential in collagen matrices. Observed effects were linked to proteins identified in the isolates through proteomics analysis. CONCLUSION AVpNVs displayed characteristics as an inflammatory modulator, while simultaneously diminishing myofibroblast differentiation and contraction. Novel strategies for burn wound treatment seek to decrease scarring on a cellular and molecular level in the early stages of wound healing, which makes AVpNVs a promising candidate for future plant-vesicle-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orlando Ramírez
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Florencia Pomareda
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Belén Olivares
- Centro de Química Medica, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ya-Lin Huang
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gabriela Zavala
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Javiera Carrasco-Rojas
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Simón Álvarez
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Leiva-Sabadini
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Valeria Hidalgo
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pablo Romo
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Matías Sánchez
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ayleen Vargas
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Jessica Martínez
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile
| | - Sebastian Aguayo
- Institute for Biological and Medical Engineering, Schools of Engineering, Medicine and Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Dentistry School, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christina M A P Schuh
- Centro de Medicina Regenerativa, Facultad de Medicina, Clínica Alemana- Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
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Caven L, Carabeo R. Chlamydial YAP activation in host endocervical epithelial cells mediates pro-fibrotic paracrine stimulation of fibroblasts. mSystems 2023; 8:e0090423. [PMID: 37874141 PMCID: PMC10734534 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00904-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Chronic or repeated infection of the female upper genital tract by C. trachomatis can lead to severe fibrotic sequelae, including tubal factor infertility and ectopic pregnancy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this effect are unclear. In this report, we define a transcriptional program specific to C. trachomatis infection of the upper genital tract, identifying tissue-specific induction of host YAP-a pro-fibrotic transcriptional cofactor-as a potential driver of infection-mediated fibrotic gene expression. Furthermore, we show that infected endocervical epithelial cells stimulate collagen production by fibroblasts and implicate chlamydial induction of YAP in this effect. Our results define a mechanism by which infection mediates tissue-level fibrotic pathology via paracrine signaling and identify YAP as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention of Chlamydia-associated scarring of the female genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Caven
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
- School of Molecular Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA
| | - Rey Carabeo
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
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Jung I, Cho YJ, Park M, Park K, Lee SH, Kim WH, Jeong H, Lee JE, Kim GY. Proteomic analysis reveals activation of platelet- and fibrosis-related pathways in hearts of ApoE -/- mice exposed to diesel exhaust particles. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22636. [PMID: 38114606 PMCID: PMC10730529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49790-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Air pollution is an environmental risk factor linked to multiple human diseases including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). While particulate matter (PM) emitted by diesel exhaust damages multiple organ systems, heart disease is one of the most severe pathologies affected by PM. However, the in vivo effects of diesel exhaust particles (DEP) on the heart and the molecular mechanisms of DEP-induced heart dysfunction have not been investigated. In the current study, we attempted to identify the proteomic signatures of heart fibrosis caused by diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in CVDs-prone apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE-/-) mice model using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomic analysis. DEP exposure induced mild heart fibrosis in ApoE-/- mice compared with severe heart fibrosis in ApoE-/- mice that were treated with CVDs-inducing peptide, angiotensin II. TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis of heart tissues between PBS- and DEP-treated ApoE-/- mice revealed significant upregulation of proteins associated with platelet activation and TGFβ-dependent pathways. Our data suggest that DEP exposure could induce heart fibrosis, potentially via platelet-related pathways and TGFβ induction, causing cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inkyo Jung
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, 187 Osongsaengmyeng2-ro, Osong-eub, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoon Jin Cho
- Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea
- Department of Chemistry, Sookmyung Women's University, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil 100, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Minhan Park
- School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Kihong Park
- School of Earth Science and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 123 Cheomdangwagi-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hee Lee
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, 187 Osongsaengmyeng2-ro, Osong-eub, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ho Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, 187 Osongsaengmyeng2-ro, Osong-eub, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyuk Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Sookmyung Women's University, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil 100, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Eun Lee
- Chemical and Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, 5, Hwarang-ro 14-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02792, Republic of Korea.
| | - Geun-Young Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Disease Research, Department of Chronic Disease Convergence Research, Korea National Institute of Health, 187 Osongsaengmyeng2-ro, Osong-eub, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, 28159, Republic of Korea.
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Taiyab A, Belahlou Y, Wong V, Pandi S, Shekhar M, Chidambaranathan GP, West-Mays J. Understanding the Role of Yes-Associated Protein (YAP) Signaling in the Transformation of Lens Epithelial Cells (EMT) and Fibrosis. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1767. [PMID: 38136638 PMCID: PMC10741558 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic cataracts, posterior capsular opacification (PCO), and anterior subcapsular cataracts (ASC) are mainly attributed to the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs). Previous investigations from our laboratory have shown the novel role of non-canonical TGFβ signaling in the progression of EMT in LECs. In this study, we have identified YAP as a critical signaling molecule involved in lens fibrosis. The observed increase in nuclear YAP in capsules of human ASC patients points toward the involvement of YAP in lens fibrosis. In addition, the immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses on ocular sections from mice that overexpress TGFβ in the lens (TGFβtg) showed a co-expression of YAP and α-SMA in the fibrotic plaques when compared to wild-type littermate lenses, which do not. The incubation of rat lens explants with verteporfin, a YAP inhibitor, prevented a TGFβ-induced fiber-like phenotype, α-SMA, and fibronectin expression, as well as delocalization of E-cadherin and β-catenin. Finally, LECs co-incubated with TGFβ and YAP inhibitor did not exhibit an induction in matrix metalloproteinase 2 compared to those LECs treated with TGFβ alone. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that YAP is required for TGFβ-mediated lens EMT and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aftab Taiyab
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Yasmine Belahlou
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Vanessa Wong
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
| | - Saranya Pandi
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai 625020, Tamil Nadu, India; (S.P.); (G.P.C.)
| | - Madhu Shekhar
- Cataract and IOL Services, Aravind Eye Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Ophthalmology, Madurai 625020, Tamil Nadu, India;
| | - Gowri Priya Chidambaranathan
- Department of Immunology and Stem Cell Biology, Aravind Medical Research Foundation, Madurai 625020, Tamil Nadu, India; (S.P.); (G.P.C.)
| | - Judith West-Mays
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8N 3Z5, Canada; (Y.B.); (V.W.)
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Feng A, Caro YM, Gardner C, Grischo G, Liang Y, Wickremasinghe PD, Polmann M, Kala M, Marlowe T, Black SM, Knox KS, Wang T. PTK2-associated gene signature could predict the prognosis of IPF. Respir Res 2023; 24:304. [PMID: 38053045 PMCID: PMC10699084 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02582-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease with a poor prognosis. Current/available clinical prediction tools have limited sensitivity and accuracy when evaluating clinical outcomes of IPF. Research has shown that focal adhesion kinase (FAK), produced by the protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2) gene, is crucial in IPF development. FAK activation is a characteristic of lesional fibroblasts; Thus, FAK may be a valuable therapeutic target or prognostic biomarker for IPF. This study aimed to create a gene signature based on PTK2-associated genes and microarray data from blood cells to predict disease prognosis in patients with IPF. PTK2 levels were found to be higher in lung tissues of IPF patients compared to healthy controls, and PTK2 inhibitor Defactinib was found to reduce TGFβ-induced FAK activation and increase α-smooth muscle actin. Although the blood PTK2 levels were higher in IPF patients, blood PTK level alone could not predict IPF prognosis. From 196 PTK2-associated genes, 11 genes were prioritized to create a gene signature (PTK2 molecular signature) and a risk score system using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Patients were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups using PTK2 molecular signature. Patients in the high-risk group experienced decreased survival rates compared to patients in the low-risk group across all discovery and validation cohorts. Further functional enrichment and immune cell proportion analyses revealed that the PTK2 molecular signature strongly reflected the activation levels of immune pathways and immune cells. These findings suggested that PTK2 is a molecular target of IPF and the PTK2 molecular signature is an effective IPF prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anlin Feng
- Center for Translational Science, and Department of Environmental Health, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 36987, USA
| | - Yesenia Moreno Caro
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Colin Gardner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Garrett Grischo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Ying Liang
- Center for Translational Science, and Department of Environmental Health, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 36987, USA
| | - Praveen D Wickremasinghe
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Michaela Polmann
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Mrinalini Kala
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Timothy Marlowe
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Stephen M Black
- Center for Translational Science, and Department of Environmental Health, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 36987, USA
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Kenneth S Knox
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Center for Translational Science, and Department of Environmental Health, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 36987, USA.
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA.
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Port St. Lucie, FL, 33199, USA.
- Center for Translational Science, Florida International University, 11350 SW Village Pkwy, Port St. Lucie, FL, 34987, USA.
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Liu C, Guo X, Zhou Y, Wang H. AMPK Signalling Pathway: A Potential Strategy for the Treatment of Heart Failure with Chinese Medicine. J Inflamm Res 2023; 16:5451-5464. [PMID: 38026240 PMCID: PMC10676094 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s441597] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is a complex clinical syndrome that represents the advanced stage of cardiovascular disease, characterized by systolic and diastolic dysfunction of the heart. Despite continuous updates in HF treatment drugs, the morbidity and mortality rates remain high, necessitating ongoing exploration for new therapeutic targets. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the serine/threonine protein kinase which responds to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels.Activation of AMPK shifts cellular metabolic patterns from synthesis to catabolism, enhancing energy metabolism in pathological conditions such as inflammation, ischemia, obesity, and aging. Numerous studies have identified AMPK as a vital target for HF treatment, with herbal monomers/extracts and compounds affecting key signaling factors including rapamycin targeting protein (mTOR), silencing regulator protein 1 (SIRT1), nuclear transcription factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) through regulation of the AMPK signaling pathway.This modulation can achieve the effects of improving metabolism, autophagy, reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory response in the treatment of heart failure, with the advantages of multi-targeting, comprehensive action and low toxicity.The modulation of the AMPK pathway by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has emerged as a crucial research direction for the prevention and treatment of HF, but a systematic summary and generalization in this field is lacking. This article provides an overview of the composition, regulation, and mechanism of the AMPK signaling pathway's influence on HF, as well as a summary of current research on the regulation of the AMPK pathway by TCM for HF prevention and treatment. The aim is to serve as a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of HF using TCM and the development of new drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxing Liu
- First Clinical Medical School, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xinyi Guo
- Clinical Medical School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yabin Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, People’s Republic of China
| | - He Wang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, 150040, People’s Republic of China
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Zhang W, Wang J, Liu C, Li Y, Sun C, Wu J, Wu Q. Crosstalk and plasticity driving between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment: significance of breast cancer metastasis. J Transl Med 2023; 21:827. [PMID: 37978384 PMCID: PMC10657029 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04714-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the most abundant stromal cell population in breast tumors. A functionally diverse population of CAFs increases the dynamic complexity of the tumor microenvironment (TME). The intertwined network of the TME facilitates the interaction between activated CAFs and breast cancer cells, which can lead to the proliferation and invasion of breast cells. Considering the special transmission function of CAFs, the aim of this review is to summarize and highlight the crosstalk between CAFs and breast cancer cells in the TME as well as the relationship between CAFs and extracellular matrix (ECM), soluble cytokines, and other stromal cells in the metastatic state. The crosstalk between cancer-associated fibroblasts and tumor microenvironment also provides a plastic therapeutic target for breast cancer metastasis. In the course of the study, the inhibitory effects of different natural compounds on targeting CAFs and the advantages of different drug combinations were summarized. CAFs are also widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The cumulative research on this phenomenon supports the establishment of a targeted immune microenvironment as a possible breakthrough in the prevention of invasive metastasis of breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Jia Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China
| | - Cun Liu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China
| | - Ye Li
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China
| | - Changgang Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, 261000, China.
- Department of Oncology, Weifang Traditional Chinese Hospital, Weifang, 261000, China.
| | - Jibiao Wu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, 250355, China.
| | - Qibiao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, 999078, Macau, China.
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48
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Bharadia SK, Burnett L, Gabriel V. Hypertrophic Scar. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 2023; 34:783-798. [PMID: 37806697 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmr.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars frequently develop post-burn, and are characterized by their pruritic, painful, raised, erythematous, dyschromic, and contractile qualities. This article aims to synthesize knowledge on the clinical and molecular development, evolution, management, and measurement of hypertrophic burn scar for both patient and clinician knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyla Kajal Bharadia
- Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada
| | - Lindsay Burnett
- Alberta Health Services, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada
| | - Vincent Gabriel
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada; Department of Surgery, University of Calgary, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada; Medical Director, Calgary Firefighters Burn Treatment Centre, Foothills Medical Centre, 1403-29 Street Northwest, Calgary, Alberta T2N 2T9, Canada.
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49
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Eftimie R, Rolin G, Adebayo OE, Urcun S, Chouly F, Bordas SPA. Modelling Keloids Dynamics: A Brief Review and New Mathematical Perspectives. Bull Math Biol 2023; 85:117. [PMID: 37855947 DOI: 10.1007/s11538-023-01222-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Keloids are fibroproliferative disorders described by excessive growth of fibrotic tissue, which also invades adjacent areas (beyond the original wound borders). Since these disorders are specific to humans (no other animal species naturally develop keloid-like tissue), experimental in vivo/in vitro research has not led to significant advances in this field. One possible approach could be to combine in vitro human models with calibrated in silico mathematical approaches (i.e., models and simulations) to generate new testable biological hypotheses related to biological mechanisms and improved treatments. Because these combined approaches do not really exist for keloid disorders, in this brief review we start by summarising the biology of these disorders, then present various types of mathematical and computational approaches used for related disorders (i.e., wound healing and solid tumours), followed by a discussion of the very few mathematical and computational models published so far to study various inflammatory and mechanical aspects of keloids. We conclude this review by discussing some open problems and mathematical opportunities offered in the context of keloid disorders by such combined in vitro/in silico approaches, and the need for multi-disciplinary research to enable clinical progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Eftimie
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques de Besançon, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France.
| | - G Rolin
- INSERM CIC-1431, CHU Besançon, F-25000, Besançon, France
- EFS, INSERM, UMR 1098 RIGHT, Université de Franche-Comté, F-25000, Besançon, France
| | - O E Adebayo
- Laboratoire de Mathématiques de Besançon, Université de Franche-Comté, 25000, Besançon, France
| | - S Urcun
- Institute for Computational Engineering, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - F Chouly
- Institut de Mathématiques de Bourgogne, Université de Franche-Comté, 21078, Dijon, France
- Center for Mathematical Modelling and Department of Mathematical Engineering, University of Chile and IRL 2807 - CNRS, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Ingeniería Matemática, CI2MA, Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile
| | - S P A Bordas
- Institute for Computational Engineering, Faculty of Science, Technology and Communication, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
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50
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Oezel L, Wohltmann M, Gondorf N, Wille J, Güven I, Windolf J, Thelen S, Jaekel C, Grotheer V. Dupuytren's Disease Is Mediated by Insufficient TGF-β1 Release and Degradation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15097. [PMID: 37894778 PMCID: PMC10606262 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242015097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative disorder affecting the palmar fascia, causing functional restrictions of the hand and thereby limiting patients' daily lives. The disturbed and excessive myofibroblastogenesis, causing DD, is mainly induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. But, the extent to which impaired TGF-β1 release or TGF-β signal degradation is involved in pathologically altered myofibroblastogenesis in DD has been barely examined. Therefore, the complex in which TGF-β1 is secreted in the extracellular matrix to elicit its biological activity, and proteins such as plasmin, integrins, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are involved in the TGF-β1 activation, were herein analyzed in DD-fibroblasts (DD-FBs). Additionally, TGF-β signal degradation via caveolin-1 was examined with 5-fluoruracil (5-FU) in detail. Gene expression analysis was performed via Western blot, PCR, and immunofluorescence analyses. As a surrogate parameter for disturbed myofibroblastogenesis, 𝛼-smooth-muscle-actin (𝛼-SMA) expression was evaluated. It was demonstrated that latency-associated peptide (LAP)-TGF-β and latent TGF-β-binding protein (LTBP)-1 involved in TGF-β-complex building were significantly upregulated in DD. Plasmin a serinprotease responsible for the TGF-β release was significantly downregulated. The application of exogenous plasmin was able to inhibit disturbed myofibroblastogenesis, as measured via 𝛼-SMA expression. Furthermore, a reduced TGF-β1 degradation was also involved in the pathological phenotype of DD, because caveolin-1 expression was significantly downregulated, and if rescued, myofibroblastogenesis was also inhibited. Therefore, our study demonstrates that a deficient release and degradation of TGF-β1 are important players in the pathological phenotype of DD and should be addressed in future research studies to improve DD therapy or other related fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Carina Jaekel
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (L.O.); (M.W.); (N.G.); (J.W.); (I.G.); (J.W.); (S.T.); (V.G.)
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