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Li P, Liu L, Liu S, Lu Z, Halushka PV, Sidles SJ, LaRue AC, Wang Z, Fan H. FLI1 in PBMCs contributes to elevated inflammation in combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1436690. [PMID: 39140108 PMCID: PMC11320135 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1436690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychiatric condition with significant public health implications that arise following exposure to traumatic events. Recent studies highlight the involvement of immune dysregulation in PTSD, characterized by elevated inflammatory markers. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this immune imbalance remain unclear. Previous research has implicated friend leukemia virus integration 1 (FLI1), an erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor, in inflammatory responses in sepsis and Alzheimer's disease. Elevated FLI1 levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) have been linked to lupus severity. Yet, FLI1's role in PTSD-related inflammation remains unexplored. In our study, PBMCs were collected from Veterans with and without PTSD. We found significantly increased FLI1 expression in PBMCs from PTSD-afflicted Veterans, particularly in CD4+ T cells, with no notable changes in CD8+ T cells. Stimulation with LPS led to heightened FLI1 expression and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IFNγ in PTSD PBMCs compared to controls. Knockdown of FLI1 using Gapmers in PTSD PBMCs resulted in a marked reduction in inflammatory cytokine levels, restoring them to control group levels. Additionally, co-culturing PBMCs from both control and PTSD Veterans with the human brain microglia cell line HMC3 revealed increased inflammatory mediator levels in HMC3. Remarkably, HMC3 cells co-cultured with PTSD PBMCs treated with FLI1 Gapmers exhibited significantly lower inflammatory mediator levels compared to control Gapmer-treated PTSD PBMCs. These findings suggest that suppressing FLI1 may rebalance immune activity in PBMCs and mitigate microglial activation in the brain. Such insights could provide novel therapeutic strategies for PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Liu Liu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Shufeng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Zhongyang Lu
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Perry V. Halushka
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sara J. Sidles
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Amanda C. LaRue
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Zhewu Wang
- Research Service, Ralph H. Johnson Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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Fedorova OV, Shilova VY, Zernetkina V, Juhasz O, Wei W, Lakatta EG, Bagrov AY. Silencing of PKG1 Gene Mimics Effect of Aging and Sensitizes Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells to Cardiotonic Steroids: Impact on Fibrosis and Salt Sensitivity. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e028768. [PMID: 37301747 PMCID: PMC10356040 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.122.028768] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Background Marinobufagenin, NKA (Na/K-ATPase) inhibitor, causes vasoconstriction and induces fibrosis via inhibition of Fli1 (Friend leukemia integration-1), a negative regulator of collagen synthesis. In vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), via a cGMP/PKG1 (protein kinase G1)-dependent mechanism, reduces NKA sensitivity to marinobufagenin. We hypothesized that VSMC from old rats, due to downregulation of ANP/cGMP/PKG-dependent signaling, would exhibit heightened sensitivity to the profibrotic effect of marinobufagenin. Methods and Results Cultured VSMC from the young (3-month-old) and old (24-month-old) male Sprague-Dawley rats and young VSMC with silenced PKG1 gene were treated with 1 nmol/L ANP, or with 1 nmol/L marinobufagenin, or with a combination of ANP and marinobufagenin. Collagen-1, Fli1, and PKG1 levels were assessed by Western blotting analyses. Vascular PKG1 and Fli1 levels in the old rats were reduced compared with their young counterparts. ANP prevented inhibition of vascular NKA by marinobufagenin in young VSMC but not in old VSMC. In VSMC from the young rats, marinobufagenin induced downregulation of Fli1 and an increase in collagen-1 level, whereas ANP blocked this effect. Silencing of the PKG1 gene in young VSMC resulted in a reduction in levels of PKG1 and Fli1; marinobufagenin additionally reduced Fli1 and increased collagen-1 level, and ANP failed to oppose these marinobufagenin effects, similar to VSMC from the old rats with the age-associated reduction in PKG1. Conclusions Age-associated reduction in vascular PKG1 and the resultant decline in cGMP signaling lead to the loss of the ability of ANP to oppose marinobufagenin-induced inhibition of NKA and fibrosis development. Silencing of the PKG1 gene mimicked these effects of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga V. Fedorova
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Victoria Y. Shilova
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
- Present address:
Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of SciencesMoscowRussia
| | - Valentina Zernetkina
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Ondrej Juhasz
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Wen Wei
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Edward G. Lakatta
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
| | - Alexei Y. Bagrov
- Laboratory of Cardiovascular ScienceNational Institute on Aging, NIHBaltimoreMDUSA
- Padakonn PharmaNarvaEstonia
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Dolivo DM, Sun LS, Rodrigues AE, Galiano RD, Mustoe TA, Hong SJ. Epidermal Potentiation of Dermal Fibrosis: Lessons from Occlusion and Mucosal Healing. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:510-519. [PMID: 36740181 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fibrotic skin conditions, such as hypertrophic and keloid scars, frequently result from injury to the skin and as sequelae to surgical procedures. The development of skin fibrosis may lead to patient discomfort, limitation in range of motion, and cosmetic disfigurement. Despite the frequency of skin fibrosis, treatments that seek to address the root causes of fibrosis are lacking. Much research into fibrotic pathophysiology has focused on dermal pathology, but less research has been performed to understand aberrations in fibrotic epidermis, leading to an incomplete understanding of dermal fibrosis. The literature on occlusion, a treatment modality known to reduce dermal fibrosis, in part through accelerating wound healing and regulating aberrant epidermal inflammation that otherwise drives fibrosis in the dermis, is reviewed. There is a focus on epidermal-dermal crosstalk, which contributes to the development and maintenance of dermal fibrosis, an underemphasized interplay that may yield novel strategies for treatment if understood in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Dolivo
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Lauren S Sun
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Adrian E Rodrigues
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Robert D Galiano
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Thomas A Mustoe
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Seok Jong Hong
- Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois.
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Mikhailova EV, Romanova IV, Bagrov AY, Agalakova NI. Fli1 and Tissue Fibrosis in Various Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031881. [PMID: 36768203 PMCID: PMC9915382 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Being initially described as a factor of virally-induced leukemias, Fli1 (Friend leukemia integration 1) has attracted considerable interest lately due to its role in both healthy physiology and a variety of pathological conditions. Over the past few years, Fli1 has been found to be one of the crucial regulators of normal hematopoiesis, vasculogenesis, and immune response. However, abnormal expression of Fli1 due to genetic predisposition, epigenetic reprogramming (modifications), or environmental factors is associated with a few diseases of different etiology. Fli1 hyperexpression leads to malignant transformation of cells and progression of cancers such as Ewing's sarcoma. Deficiency in Fli1 is implicated in the development of systemic sclerosis and hypertensive disorders, which are often accompanied by pronounced fibrosis in different organs. This review summarizes the initial findings and the most recent advances in defining the role of Fli1 in diseases of different origin with emphasis on its pro-fibrotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Mikhailova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - Irina V. Romanova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | | | - Natalia I. Agalakova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 44 Thorez Avenue, 194223 Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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Hashimoto T, Shinada Y, Okuzawa M, Satoh T. Linear morphea following Blaschko's line with epidermal downmodulation of friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor. Int J Dermatol 2022; 61:e492-e493. [PMID: 35543915 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Hashimoto
- Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Yui Shinada
- Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Manami Okuzawa
- Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
| | - Takahiro Satoh
- Department of Dermatology, National Defense Medical College, Tokorozawa, Japan
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The cellular pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders including systemic sclerosis (SSc) remains largely speculative. Currently, the altered function of endothelial cells and fibroblasts under the influence of an inappropriate immune response are considered central pathogenic events in SSc. Adding to this complexity, novel evidence here reviewed suggests that keratinocytes may concur in the development of skin fibrosis. RECENT FINDINGS Epidermal equivalents (EE) generated from primary SSc keratinocytes display a distinct gene expression program when compared to healthy donor (HD) EE. SSc-EE, among others, exhibited enhanced oxidative and metabolic response pathways. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated similarities between SSc-EE and SSc epidermis including altered keratinocyte differentiation, enhanced expression of activation markers, and reduced rate of basal keratinocytes proliferation. SSc-EE supernatants more than HD-EE modified the inflammatory and extracellular matrix deposition/resorption program of dermal fibroblasts. Further evidence indicated that the relative lack rather than the excess of interleukin-25 in keratinocytes may contribute to enhanced dermal fibrotic changes. Overall, these data support keratinocyte-intrinsic SSc-related modifications. SUMMARY Improved methods for engineering epidermal and skin equivalents are helping to address the question whether keratinocyte alterations in SSc are primary and capable to dysregulate dermal homeostasis or secondary following dermal fibrotic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Russo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva University
- Dermatology Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolò C. Brembilla
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva University
- Dermatology Unit, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Chizzolini
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Centre Médical Universitaire, Geneva University
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Zhu X, Jiang L, Zhong Q, Kong X, Zhang R, Zhu L, Liu Q, Wu W, Tan Y, Wang J, Xia J. Abnormal expression of interleukin-6 is associated with epidermal alternations in localized scleroderma. Clin Rheumatol 2022; 41:2179-2187. [DOI: 10.1007/s10067-022-06127-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Frantz C, Cauvet A, Durand A, Gonzalez V, Pierre R, Do Cruzeiro M, Bailly K, Andrieu M, Orvain C, Avouac J, Ottaviani M, Thuillet R, Tu L, Guignabert C, Lucas B, Auffray C, Allanore Y. Driving Role of Interleukin-2-Related Regulatory CD4+ T Cell Deficiency in the Development of Lung Fibrosis and Vascular Remodeling in a Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2022; 74:1387-1398. [PMID: 35255201 DOI: 10.1002/art.42111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a debilitating autoimmune disease characterized by severe lung outcomes resulting in reduced life expectancy. Fra-2-transgenic mice offer the opportunity to decipher the relationships between the immune system and lung fibrosis. This study was undertaken to investigate whether the Fra-2-transgenic mouse lung phenotype may result from an imbalance between the effector and regulatory arms in the CD4+ T cell compartment. METHODS We first used multicolor flow cytometry to extensively characterize homeostasis and the phenotype of peripheral CD4+ T cells from Fra-2-transgenic mice and control mice. We then tested different treatments for their effectiveness in restoring CD4+ Treg cell homeostasis, including adoptive transfer of Treg cells and treatment with low-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). RESULTS Fra-2-transgenic mice demonstrated a marked decrease in the proportion and absolute number of peripheral Treg cells that preceded accumulation of activated, T helper cell type 2-polarized, CD4+ T cells. This defect in Treg cell homeostasis was derived from a combination of mechanisms including impaired generation of these cells in both the thymus and the periphery. The impaired ability of peripheral conventional CD4+ T cells to produce IL-2 may greatly contribute to Treg cell deficiency in Fra-2-transgenic mice. Notably, adoptive transfer of Treg cells, low-dose IL-2 therapy, or combination therapy changed the phenotype of Fra-2-transgenic mice, resulting in a significant reduction in pulmonary parenchymal fibrosis and vascular remodeling in the lungs. CONCLUSION Immunotherapies for restoring Treg cell homeostasis could be relevant in SSc. An intervention based on low-dose IL-2 injections, as is already proposed in other autoimmune diseases, could be the most suitable treatment modality for restoring Treg cell homeostasis for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camelia Frantz
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, and Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Anne Cauvet
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Aurélie Durand
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | | | - Rémi Pierre
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | | | - Karine Bailly
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Muriel Andrieu
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Cindy Orvain
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Avouac
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, and Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Mina Ottaviani
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Raphaël Thuillet
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Ly Tu
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- INSERM UMR S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, and Université Paris-Saclay, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Lucas
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Cédric Auffray
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, Paris, France
| | - Yannick Allanore
- Université de Paris, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104, and Cochin Hospital, Paris, France
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9
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Li P, Wu Y, Hamlett ED, Goodwin AJ, Halushka PV, Carroll SL, Liu M, Fan H. Suppression of Fli-1 protects against pericyte loss and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Ther 2022; 30:1451-1464. [PMID: 35038582 PMCID: PMC9077320 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain pericytes regulate cerebral blood flow, maintain the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and facilitate the removal of amyloid β (Aβ) which is critical to healthy brain activity. Pericyte loss has been observed in brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and animal models. Our previous data demonstrated that friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1), an ETS transcription factor, governs pericyte viability in murine sepsis; however, the role of Fli-1 and its impact on pericyte loss in AD remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that Fli-1 expression was up-regulated in postmortem brains from a cohort of human AD donors and in 5xFAD mice, which corresponded with a decreased pericyte number, elevated inflammatory mediators, and increased Aβ accumulation as compared to cognitively normal individuals and WT mice. Antisense oligonucleotide Fli-1 Gapmer administrated via intrahippocampal injection decelerated pericyte loss, decreased inflammatory response, ameliorated cognitive deficits, improved BBB dysfunction, and reduced Aβ deposition in 5xFAD mice. Fli-1 Gapmer-mediated inhibition of Fli-1 protected against Aβ accumulation-induced human brain pericyte apoptosis in vitro. Overall, these studies indicate that Fli-1 contributes to pericyte loss, inflammatory response, Aβ deposition, vascular dysfunction and cognitive decline, and suggest that inhibition of Fli-1 may represent novel therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Eric D Hamlett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Andrew J Goodwin
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Perry V Halushka
- Department of Medicine and Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425; Department of Pharmacology and, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Steven L Carroll
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Meng Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425.
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Barriga M, Benitez R, Robledo G, Caro M, O'Valle F, Campos-Salinas J, Delgado M. Neuropeptide Cortistatin Regulates Dermal and Pulmonary Fibrosis in an Experimental Model of Systemic Sclerosis. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:784-795. [PMID: 34649259 DOI: 10.1159/000520194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a complex connective tissue disorder characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Because its aetiology is unknown, the identification of genes/factors involved in disease severity, differential clinical forms, and associated complications is critical for understanding its pathogenesis and designing novel treatments. Neuroendocrine mediators in the skin emerge as potential candidates. We investigated the role played by the neuropeptide cortistatin in a preclinical model of scleroderma. METHODS Dermal fibrosis was induced by repetitive intradermal injections of bleomycin in wild-type and cortistatin-deficient mice. The histopathological signs and expression of fibrotic markers were evaluated in the skin and lungs. RESULTS An inverse correlation between cortistatin levels and fibrogenic activation exists in the damaged skin and dermal fibroblasts. Bleomycin-challenged skin lesions of mice that are partially and totally deficient in cortistatin showed exacerbated histopathological signs of scleroderma, characterized by thicker and more fibrotic dermal layer, enlarged epidermis, and increased inflammatory infiltration in comparison to those of wild-type mice. Cortistatin deficiency enhanced dermal collagen deposits, connective tissue growth factor expression, loss of microvessels, and predisposition to suffer severe complications that co-occur with dermal exposition to bleomycin, including pulmonary fibrotic disease and increased mortality. Treatment with cortistatin mitigated these pathological processes. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION We identify cortistatin as an endogenous break of skin inflammation and fibrosis. Deficiency in cortistatin could be a marker of poor prognosis of scleroderma and associated complications. Cortistatin-based therapies emerge as attractive candidates to treat severe forms of systemic sclerosis and to manage fibrosis-related side effects of bleomycin chemotherapy in oncologic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Barriga
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Raquel Benitez
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Gema Robledo
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Marta Caro
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco O'Valle
- Pathology Department, School of Medicine, IBIMER, CIBM, University of Granada and Biosanitary Research Institute IBS-Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Jenny Campos-Salinas
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
| | - Mario Delgado
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine Lopez-Neyra IPBLN-CSIC, Granada, Spain
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Ikawa T, Ichimura Y, Miyagawa T, Fukui Y, Toyama S, Omatsu J, Awaji K, Norimatsu Y, Watanabe Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. The Contribution of LIGHT to the Development of Systemic Sclerosis by Modulating IL-6 and T Helper Type 1 Chemokine Expression in Dermal Fibroblasts. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1541-1551.e3. [PMID: 34838790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune and vascular disease resulting in multiple organ fibrosis, in which IL-6 and T helper (Th)2/Th17 cytokines serve as critical disease drivers. LIGHT is a proinflammatory cytokine promoting IL-6 production in lung fibroblasts and Th1 chemokine expression in dermal fibroblasts (DFs) stimulated with IFN-γ. In this study, we investigated the potential contribution of LIGHT to SSc development using clinical samples and animal models. In SSc-involved skin, LIGHT was upregulated in inflammatory cells, whereas herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), a receptor of LIGHT, was downregulated in DFs. Similar expression profiles of LIGHT and HVEM were reproduced in bleomycin-treated mice. Transcription factor FLI1 bound to the HVEM promoter, and FLI1 small interfering RNA suppressed HVEM expression in normal DFs. In SSc DFs, LIGHT significantly increased IL-6 production, whereas IFN-γ/LIGHT-dependent Th1 chemokine induction was decreased compared with that in normal DFs. Importantly, LIGHT small interfering RNA significantly attenuated bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis, and serum LIGHT levels were elevated in patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc and positively correlated with clinical parameters reflecting skin and pulmonary fibrosis. Taken together, these results suggest that altered response of DFs to LIGHT, namely increased IL-6 production and decreased Th1 chemokine expression, contributes to the development of skin fibrosis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Ikawa
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Fukui
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Omatsu
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Awaji
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Norimatsu
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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12
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Ikawa T, Miyagawa T, Fukui Y, Toyama S, Omatsu J, Awaji K, Norimatsu Y, Watanabe Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Endothelial CCR6 expression due to FLI1 deficiency contributes to vasculopathy associated with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:283. [PMID: 34774095 PMCID: PMC8590233 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02667-9] [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: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We have recently demonstrated that serum CCL20 levels positively correlate with mean pulmonary arterial pressure in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Considering a proangiogenic effect of CCL20 on endothelial cells via CCR6, the CCL20/CCR6 axis may contribute to the development of SSc vasculopathy. Therefore, we explored this hypothesis using clinical samples, cultured cells, and murine SSc models. Methods The expression levels of CCL20 and CCR6 in the skin, mRNA levels of target genes, and the binding of transcription factor FLI1 to the target gene promoter were evaluated by immunostaining, quantitative reverse transcription PCR, and chromatin immunoprecipitation, respectively. Vascular permeability was evaluated by Evans blue dye injection in bleomycin-treated mice. Angiogenic activity of endothelial cells was assessed by in vitro angiogenesis assay. Results CCL20 expression was significantly elevated in dermal fibroblasts of patients with early diffuse cutaneous SSc, while CCR6 was significantly up-regulated in dermal small vessels of SSc patients irrespective of disease subtypes and disease duration. In human dermal microvascular endothelial cells, FLI1 siRNA induced the expression of CCR6, but not CCL20, and FLI1 bound to the CCR6 promoter. Importantly, vascular permeability, a representative SSc-like vascular feature of bleomycin-treated mice, was attenuated by Ccr6 siRNA treatment, and CCR6 siRNA suppressed the angiogenic activity of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells assayed by in vitro tube formation. Conclusions The increased expression of endothelial CCR6 due to FLI1 deficiency may contribute to the development of SSc vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuya Ikawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Fukui
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jun Omatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Awaji
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Norimatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
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Asano Y. Insights Into the Preclinical Models of SSc. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN RHEUMATOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s40674-021-00187-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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14
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Thoreau B, Chaigne B, Renaud A, Mouthon L. Pathophysiology of systemic sclerosis. Presse Med 2021; 50:104087. [PMID: 34718115 DOI: 10.1016/j.lpm.2021.104087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease characterized by vascular remodeling, fibroblast activation and extra-cellular matrix production in excess and autoimmunity. Environmental factors including mainly silica and solvents have been assumed to contribute to the development of SSc, together with genetic factors including gene variants implicated in innate immunity such as IRF5 and STAT4, and epigenetic factors including histone post-translational modifications, DNA hypomethylation, and microRNAs or long- non coding RNAs system were reported to participate in immune activation and fibrosis processes in patients with SSc. A number of animal models of SSc have been set up over the years, including genetic and induced SSc models. These models, together with data obtained from human SSc patients, contributed to better understand the mechanisms contributing to vasculopathy and fibrosis. Alongside the pathophysiological process of SSc, several cellular and molecular actors are involved, such as dysregulations in the innate and adaptive immune cells, of the fibroblast, the implication of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrosing signaling pathways such as the Wnt, TGF-β pathways or other cytokines, with a strong imprint of oxidative stress. The whole lead to the overactivity of the fibroblast with genetic dysregulation, apoptosis defect, hyperproduction of elements of extracellular matrix, and finally the phenomena of vasculopathy and fibrosis. These advances contribute to open new therapeutic areas through the design of biologics and small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Thoreau
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104,Université de Paris, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares d'Ile de France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Benjamin Chaigne
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104,Université de Paris, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares d'Ile de France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France
| | - Arthur Renaud
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104,Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Luc Mouthon
- Institut Cochin, Inserm U1016, CNRS UMR 8104,Université de Paris, Paris, France; Service de Médecine Interne, Centre de Référence Maladies Systémiques Autoimmunes Rares d'Ile de France, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
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15
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Abstract
Centromeric proteins are the foundation for assembling the kinetochore, a macromolecular complex that is essential for accurate chromosome segregation during mitosis. Anti-centromere antibodies (ACAs) are polyclonal autoantibodies targeting centromeric proteins (CENP-A, CENP-B, CENP-C), predominantly CENP-B, and are highly associated with rheumatologic disease (lcSSc/CREST syndrome). CENP-B autoantibodies have also been reported in cancer patients without symptoms of rheumatologic disease. The rise of oncoimmunotherapy stimulates inquiry into how and why anti-CENP-B autoantibodies are formed. In this review, we describe the clinical correlations between anti-CENP-B autoantibodies, rheumatologic disease, and cancer; the molecular features of CENP-B; possible explanations for autoantigenicity; and, finally, a possible mechanism for induction of autoantibody formation.
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16
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Jiang Z, Chen C, Yang S, He H, Zhu X, Liang M. Contribution to the peripheral vasculopathy and endothelial cell dysfunction by CXCL4 in Systemic Sclerosis. J Dermatol Sci 2021; 104:63-73. [PMID: 34556381 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CXCL4, a chemokine with anti-angiogenic property, is involved in systemic sclerosis (SSc) related pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). OBJECTIVE To investigated the contribution of CXCL4 to SSc development by focusing on the correlation of circulatory CXCL4 levels with their peripheral vasculopathy, and the effect of CXCL4 on endothelial cell dysfunction and the potential signaling. METHODS We measured the plasma CXCL4 levels in 58 patients with SSc, 10 patients with the very early diagnosis of SSc (VEDOSS), and 80 healthy controls (HCs). Then, CXCL4 concentrations were correlated with clinical features, especially the peripheral vasculopathy. These observations were further validated in an additional cohort. Moreover, we studied the anti-angiogenic effects of CXCL4 and the underlying downstream signaling in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. RESULTS Circulating CXCL4 levels were 103.62 % higher in patients with SSc and 201.51 % higher in patients with VEDOSS than matched HCs, which were confirmed in two independent cohorts. CXCL4 levels were associated with digital ulcers (DU) and nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) abnormalities in SSc. The proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs were inhibited by CXCL4 or SSc derived plasma, which reversed by CXCL4 neutralizing antibody, but failed by CXCR3 inhibitor. CXCL4 downregulated the transcription factor Friend leukaemia integration factor-1 (Fli-1) via c-Abl signaling. Furthermore, CXCL4 blocked the transforming growth factor (TGF) -β or platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induced cell proliferation of HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS CXCL4 may contribute to peripheral vasculopathy in SSc by downregulating Fli-1 via c-Abl signaling in endothelial cells and interfering angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixing Jiang
- Division of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Division of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Sen Yang
- Division of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hang He
- Department of Pancreatic Surgery, Pancreatic Disease Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiaoxia Zhu
- Division of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Minrui Liang
- Division of Rheumatology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Institute of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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Abstract
From the clinical standpoint, systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by skin and internal organ fibrosis, diffuse fibroproliferative vascular modifications, and autoimmunity. Clinical presentation and course are highly heterogenous and life expectancy variably affected mostly dependent on lung and heart involvement. SSc touches more women than men with differences in disease severity and environmental exposure. Pathogenetic events originate from altered homeostasis favored by genetic predisposition, environmental cues and a variety of endogenous and exogenous triggers. Epigenetic modifications modulate SSc pathogenesis which strikingly associate profound immune-inflammatory dysregulation, abnormal endothelial cell behavior, and cell trans-differentiation into myofibroblasts. SSc myofibroblasts show enhanced survival and enhanced extracellular matrix deposition presenting altered structure and altered physicochemical properties. Additional cell types of likely pathogenic importance are pericytes, platelets, and keratinocytes in conjunction with their relationship with vessel wall cells and fibroblasts. In SSc, the profibrotic milieu is favored by cell signaling initiated in the one hand by transforming growth factor-beta and related cytokines and in the other hand by innate and adaptive type 2 immune responses. Radical oxygen species and invariant receptors sensing danger participate to altered cell behavior. Conventional and SSc-specific T cell subsets modulate both fibroblasts as well as endothelial cell dysfunction. Beside autoantibodies directed against ubiquitous antigens important for enhanced clinical classification, antigen-specific agonistic autoantibodies may have a pathogenic role. Recent studies based on single-cell RNAseq and multi-omics approaches are revealing unforeseen heterogeneity in SSc cell differentiation and functional states. Advances in system biology applied to the wealth of data generated by unbiased screening are allowing to subgroup patients based on distinct pathogenic mechanisms. Deciphering heterogeneity in pathogenic mechanisms will pave the way to highly needed personalized therapeutic approaches.
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18
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Zehender A, Li YN, Lin NY, Stefanica A, Nüchel J, Chen CW, Hsu HH, Zhu H, Ding X, Huang J, Shen L, Györfi AH, Soare A, Rauber S, Bergmann C, Ramming A, Plomann M, Eckes B, Schett G, Distler JHW. TGFβ promotes fibrosis by MYST1-dependent epigenetic regulation of autophagy. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4404. [PMID: 34285225 PMCID: PMC8292318 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24601-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of fibroblasts is essential for physiological tissue repair. Uncontrolled activation of fibroblasts, however, may lead to tissue fibrosis with organ dysfunction. Although several pathways capable of promoting fibroblast activation and tissue repair have been identified, their interplay in the context of chronic fibrotic diseases remains incompletely understood. Here, we provide evidence that transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) activates autophagy by an epigenetic mechanism to amplify its profibrotic effects. TGFβ induces autophagy in fibrotic diseases by SMAD3-dependent downregulation of the H4K16 histone acetyltransferase MYST1, which regulates the expression of core components of the autophagy machinery such as ATG7 and BECLIN1. Activation of autophagy in fibroblasts promotes collagen release and is both, sufficient and required, to induce tissue fibrosis. Forced expression of MYST1 abrogates the stimulatory effects of TGFβ on autophagy and re-establishes the epigenetic control of autophagy in fibrotic conditions. Interference with the aberrant activation of autophagy inhibits TGFβ-induced fibroblast activation and ameliorates experimental dermal and pulmonary fibrosis. These findings link uncontrolled TGFβ signaling to aberrant autophagy and deregulated epigenetics in fibrotic diseases and may contribute to the development of therapeutic interventions in fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariella Zehender
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Neng-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Adrian Stefanica
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julian Nüchel
- Center for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Chih-Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hsiao-Han Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Ding
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jingang Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lichong Shen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andrea-Hermina Györfi
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Alina Soare
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Simon Rauber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Andreas Ramming
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Plomann
- Center for Biochemistry, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, Cologne, Germany
| | - Beate Eckes
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine, Cologne, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg H W Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3-Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum für Immuntherapie, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitaetsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
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Castellucci LC, Almeida L, Cherlin S, Fakiola M, Francis RW, Carvalho EM, Santos da Hora A, do Lago TS, Figueiredo AB, Cavalcanti CM, Alves NS, Morais KLP, Teixeira-Carvalho A, Dutra WO, Gollob KJ, Cordell HJ, Blackwell JM. A Genome-wide Association Study Identifies SERPINB10, CRLF3, STX7, LAMP3, IFNG-AS1, and KRT80 As Risk Loci Contributing to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Brazil. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 72:e515-e525. [PMID: 32830257 PMCID: PMC8130031 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Our goal was to identify genetic risk factors for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania braziliensis. METHODS Genotyping 2066 CL cases and 2046 controls using Illumina HumanCoreExomeBeadChips provided data for 4 498 586 imputed single-nucleotide variants (SNVs). A genome-wide association study (GWAS) using linear mixed models took account of genetic diversity/ethnicity/admixture. Post-GWAS positional, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) and chromatin interaction mapping was performed in Functional Mapping and Annotation (FUMA). Transcriptional data were compared between lesions and normal skin, and cytokines measured using flow cytometry and Bioplex assay. RESULTS Positional mapping identified 32 genomic loci associated with CL, none achieving genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10-8). Lead SNVs at 23 loci occurred at protein coding or noncoding RNA genes, 15 with eQTLs for functionally relevant cells/tissues and/or showing differential expression in lesions. Of these, the 6 most plausible genetic risk loci were SERPINB10 (Pimputed_1000G = 2.67 × 10-6), CRLF3 (Pimputed_1000G = 5.12 × 10-6), STX7 (Pimputed_1000G = 6.06 × 10-6), KRT80 (Pimputed_1000G = 6.58 × 10-6), LAMP3 (Pimputed_1000G = 6.54 × 10-6), and IFNG-AS1 (Pimputed_1000G = 1.32 × 10-5). LAMP3 (Padjusted = 9.25 × 10-12; +6-fold), STX7 (Padjusted = 7.62 × 10-3; +1.3-fold), and CRLF3 (Padjusted = 9.19 × 10-9; +1.97-fold) were expressed more highly in CL biopsies compared to normal skin; KRT80 (Padjusted = 3.07 × 10-8; -3-fold) was lower. Multiple cis-eQTLs across SERPINB10 mapped to chromatin interaction regions of transcriptional/enhancer activity in neutrophils, monocytes, B cells, and hematopoietic stem cells. Those at IFNG-AS1 mapped to transcriptional/enhancer regions in T, natural killer, and B cells. The percentage of peripheral blood CD3+ T cells making antigen-specific interferon-γ differed significantly by IFNG-AS1 genotype. CONCLUSIONS This first GWAS for CL identified multiple genetic risk loci including a novel lead to understanding CL pathogenesis through regulation of interferon-γ by IFNG antisense RNA 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa C Castellucci
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases, Brazil
- Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Lucas Almeida
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases, Brazil
- Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Svetlana Cherlin
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Michaela Fakiola
- National Institute of Molecular Genetics “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi,” Milan, Italy
| | - Richard W Francis
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
| | - Edgar M Carvalho
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases, Brazil
| | | | | | - Amanda B Figueiredo
- International Center for Research, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Clara M Cavalcanti
- International Center for Research, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Natalia S Alves
- International Center for Research, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Katia L P Morais
- International Center for Research, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Walderez O Dutra
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases, Brazil
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Kenneth J Gollob
- National Institute of Science and Technology in Tropical Diseases, Brazil
- International Center for Research, AC Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil
- Núcleo de Ensino e Pesquisa, Instituto Mario Penna, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Heather J Cordell
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jenefer M Blackwell
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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20
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Wang L, He T, Liu J, Tai J, Wang B, Chen Z, Quan Z. Pan-cancer analysis reveals tumor-associated macrophage communication in the tumor microenvironment. Exp Hematol Oncol 2021; 10:31. [PMID: 33971970 PMCID: PMC8108336 DOI: 10.1186/s40164-021-00226-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in the tumor microenvironment (TME). However, their contribution to the immunosuppressive status of the TME remains unclear. METHODS We integrated single-cell sequencing and transcriptome data from different tumor types to uncover the molecular features of TAMs. In vitro experiments and prospective clinical tests confirmed the results of these analysis. RESULTS We first detected intra- and inter-tumoral heterogeneities between TAM subpopulations and their functions, with CD86+ TAMs playing a crucial role in tumor progression. Next, we focused on the ligand-receptor interactions between TAMs and tumor cells in different TME phenotypes and discovered that aberrant expressions of six hub genes, including FLI1, are involved in this process. A TAM-tumor cell co-culture experiment proved that FLI1 was involved in tumor cell invasion, and FLI1 also showed a unique pattern in patients. Finally, TAMs were discovered to communicate with immune and stromal cells. CONCLUSION We determined the role of TAMs in the TME by focusing on their communication pattern with other TME components. Additionally, the screening of hub genes revealed potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linbang Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Tao He
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jingkun Liu
- Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 555 Youyi Dong Road, Beilin, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiaojiao Tai
- Honghui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 555 Youyi Dong Road, Beilin, Xi'an, 710054, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring, Shaanxi Province Health Inspection Institution, Xi'an, 710077, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhiyu Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Zhengxue Quan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China.
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21
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Miura S, Watanabe Y, Saigusa R, Yamashita T, Nakamura K, Hirabayashi M, Miyagawa T, Yoshizaki A, Trojanowska M, Sato S, Asano Y. Fli1 deficiency suppresses RALDH1 activity of dermal dendritic cells and related induction of regulatory T cells: a possible role in scleroderma. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:137. [PMID: 33964960 PMCID: PMC8106158 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02520-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family member A1 (RALDH1)-producing dermal dendritic cells (DCs), a conventional DC subset regulating skin fibrosis, are decreased in the involved skin of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we investigated the contribution of Fli1 deficiency, a potential predisposing factor of SSc, to the phenotypical alteration of RALDH1-producing dermal DCs by using SSc model mice and SSc skin samples. METHODS Bleomycin (BLM)-induced skin fibrosis was generated with Fli1+/- and wild-type mice. The proportions of DC and CD4+ T cell subsets were determined by flow cytometry in the dermis of BLM-treated mice. Fli1 expression in dermal DCs was evaluated by immunofluorescence with skin samples of SSc and healthy control subjects. RESULTS RALDH activity of dermal DCs was significantly decreased in BLM-treated Fli1+/- mice compared with BLM-treated wild-type mice, whereas the proportion of CD103-CD11b- dermal DCs, a major DC subset producing RALDH1 in response to BLM injection, was comparable between groups. Relevant to this finding, the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the dermis was decreased in BLM-treated Fli1+/- mice relative to BLM-treated wild-type mice, while the proportions of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells were unaltered. In the involved skin of SSc patients, Fli1 was downregulated in CD11c+ cells, including dermal DCs. CONCLUSIONS Fli1 deficiency inhibits RALDH1 activity of CD103-CD11b- dermal DCs and related induction of Tregs in BLM-treated mice. Considering Fli1 reduction in SSc dermal DCs, Fli1deficiency may impair the dermal DC-Treg system, contributing to the development of skin fibrosis in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yusuke Watanabe
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8655, Japan.
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Yamamoto Y, Okano T, Yamada H, Akashi K, Sendo S, Ueda Y, Morinobu A, Saegusa J. Soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator reduced the gastrointestinal fibrosis in bleomycin-induced mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Res Ther 2021; 23:133. [PMID: 33941248 PMCID: PMC8091711 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-021-02513-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune-mediated connective tissue disorder. Although the etiology of the disease remains undetermined, SSc is characterized by fibrosis and proliferative vascular lesions of the skin and internal organs. SSc involves the gastrointestinal tract in more than 90 % of patients. Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator is used to treat pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) and has been shown to inhibit experimental skin fibrosis. METHODS Female C57BL/6J mice were treated with BLM or normal saline by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic minipump. These mice were sacrificed on day 28 or day 42. Gastrointestinal pathologies were examined by Masson Trichrome staining. The expression of fibrosis-related genes in gastrointestinal tract was analyzed by real-time PCR, and the levels of collagen in the tissue were measured by Sircol collagen assay. To evaluate peristaltic movement, the small intestinal transport (ITR%) was calculated as [dyeing distance × (duodenum - appendix)] - 1 × 100 (%). We treated BLM-treated mice with sGC stimulator or DMSO orally and analyzed them on day 42. RESULTS Histological examination revealed that fibrosis from lamina propria to muscularis mucosa in the esophagus was significantly increased in BLM-treated mice, suggesting that BLM induces esophageal hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response in C57BL/6J mice. In addition, the gene expression levels of Col3a1, CCN2, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in the esophagus were significantly increased in BLM-treated mice. More severe hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response was observed in the mice sacrificed on day 42 than the mice sacrificed on day 28. The ITR% was found to be significantly lower in BLM-treated mice, suggesting that gastrointestinal peristaltic movement was reduced in BLM-treated mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that sGC stimulator treatment significantly reduced hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response of esophagus and intestine in BLM-treated mice, by histological examination and Sircol collagen assay. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that BLM induces gastrointestinal hyperproliferative and prefibrotic response in C57BL/6J mice, and treatment with sGC stimulator improves the BLM-induced gastrointestinal lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuru Yamamoto
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Takaichi Okano
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Yamada
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Kengo Akashi
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Sho Sendo
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yo Ueda
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Akio Morinobu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Jun Saegusa
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan.
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23
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Cerinic MM, Manetti M. The Role of Pro-fibrotic Myofibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis: from Origin to Therapeutic Targeting. Curr Mol Med 2021; 22:209-239. [PMID: 33823766 DOI: 10.2174/0929867328666210325102749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex connective tissue disorder characterized by multisystem clinical manifestations resulting from immune dysregulation/autoimmunity, vasculopathy and, most notably, progressive fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. In recent years, it has emerged that the main drivers of SSc-related tissue fibrosis are myofibroblasts, a type of mesenchymal cells with both the extracellular matrix-synthesizing features of fibroblasts and the cytoskeletal characteristics of contractile smooth muscle cells. The accumulation and persistent activation of pro-fibrotic myofibroblasts during SSc development and progression result into elevated mechanical stress and reduced matrix plasticity within the affected tissues and may be ascribed to a reduced susceptibility of these cells to pro-apoptotic stimuli, as well as their increased formation from tissue-resident fibroblasts or transition from different cell types. Given the crucial role of myofibroblasts in SSc pathogenesis, finding the way to inhibit myofibroblast differentiation and accumulation by targeting their formation, function and survival may represent an effective approach to hamper the fibrotic process or even halt or reverse established fibrosis. In this review, we discuss the role of myofibroblasts in SSc-related fibrosis, with a special focus on their cellular origin and the signaling pathways implicated in their formation and persistent activation. Furthermore, we provide an overview of potential therapeutic strategies targeting myofibroblasts that may be able to counteract fibrosis in this pathological condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Marco Matucci Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, Florence. Italy
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24
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Yamashita K, Kawasaki A, Matsushita T, Furukawa H, Kondo Y, Okiyama N, Nagaoka S, Shimada K, Sugii S, Katayama M, Hirohata S, Okamoto A, Chiba N, Suematsu E, Setoguchi K, Migita K, Sumida T, Tohma S, Hamaguchi Y, Hasegawa M, Sato S, Kawaguchi Y, Takehara K, Tsuchiya N. Association of functional (GA)n microsatellite polymorphism in the FLI1 gene with susceptibility to human systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 59:3553-3562. [PMID: 32696043 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keaa306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Susceptibility genes that can account for characteristic features of SSc such as fibrosis, vasculopathy and autoimmunity remain to be determined. In mice, deficiency of Friend leukaemia integration 1 transcription factor (Fli1) causes SSc-like disease with these features. The human FLI1 gene contains (GA)n microsatellite, which has been shown to be associated with expression level. Because microsatellite polymorphisms are difficult to capture by genome-wide association studies, we directly genotyped FLI1 (GA)n microsatellite and examined its association with SSc. METHODS Genomic DNA from 639 Japanese SSc patients and 851 healthy controls was genotyped for (GA)n microsatellite using the fragment assay. The cut-off repeat number for susceptibility to SSc was determined by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Association with susceptibility and clinical characteristics was examined using logistic regression analysis. FLI1 mRNA levels were determined using quantitative RT-PCR. RESULTS Based on the ROC analysis, (GA)n alleles with ≥22 repeats were collectively defined as L alleles and alleles with ≤21 repeats as S alleles. (GA)n L alleles were significantly associated with susceptibility to SSc (P = 5.0e-04, odds ratio 1.34, additive model). Significant association was observed both in diffuse cutaneous and limited cutaneous SSc. Among the SSc, (GA)n L alleles were significantly enriched in the patients with a modified Rodnan total skin thickness score ≥10 compared with those with a score <10. FLI1 mRNA levels were significantly decreased in healthy controls carrying (GA)n L alleles as compared with non-carriers. CONCLUSION Extended repeat alleles of FLI1 (GA)n microsatellite may be associated with lower FLI1 mRNA levels and susceptibility to human SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keita Yamashita
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Japan
| | - Aya Kawasaki
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Hiroshi Furukawa
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Kiyose, Japan
| | - Yuya Kondo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Naoko Okiyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shouhei Nagaoka
- Department of Rheumatology, Yokohama Minami Kyosai Hospital, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kota Shimada
- Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Shoji Sugii
- Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Medical Center, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Masao Katayama
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shunsei Hirohata
- Department of Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Japan
| | - Akira Okamoto
- Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Himeji Medical Center, Himeji, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Chiba
- Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Morioka Medical Center, Morioka, Japan
| | - Eiichi Suematsu
- Department of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology, Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Medical Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keigo Setoguchi
- Allergy and Immunological Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Migita
- Department of Rheumatology, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Takayuki Sumida
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shigeto Tohma
- Clinical Research Center for Allergy and Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Sagamihara Hospital, Sagamihara, Japan.,Department of Rheumatology, National Hospital Organization Tokyo National Hospital, Kiyose, Japan
| | | | - Minoru Hasegawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Kawaguchi
- Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Women's Medical University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Naoyuki Tsuchiya
- Molecular and Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.,Doctoral Program in Biomedical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
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25
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Miyagawa T, Taniguchi T, Saigusa R, Fukayama M, Takahashi T, Yamashita T, Hirabayashi M, Miura S, Nakamura K, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Fli1 deficiency induces endothelial adipsin expression, contributing to the onset of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2021; 59:2005-2015. [PMID: 31782787 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kez517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Adipsin, or complement factor D, is a serine proteinase catalysing complement factor C3 breakdown, leading to the production of opsonin (C3b), membrane attack complex (C5b-C9) and anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a). Since adipsin is potentially associated with pulmonary arterial hypertension in SSc, we investigated adipsin expression in dermal small vessels of SSc-involved skin, the mechanism regulating adipsin expression in endothelial cells, and the correlation of serum adipsin levels with SSc clinical symptoms. METHODS Adipsin expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry with skin sections of SSc and healthy subjects. mRNA levels of target genes and transcription factor binding to the ADIPSIN promoter were evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR and chromatin immunoprecipitation, respectively. Serum adipsin levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Adipsin expression was remarkably increased in dermal small vessels of SSc-involved skin as compared with those of healthy control skin. Consistent with the notion that Fli1 deficiency induces SSc-like phenotypes in various types of cells, FLI1 siRNA enhanced adipsin expression at protein and mRNA levels and Fli1 bound to the ADIPSIN promoter in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Serum adipsin levels were significantly lower in diffuse cutaneous SSc patients than in limited cutaneous SSc patients and healthy controls, and were associated positively with elevated right ventricular systolic pressure and inversely with interstitial lung disease by multivariate regression analysis. CONCLUSION Adipsin is up-regulated at least partially by Fli1 deficiency in endothelial cells, potentially contributing to the development of pulmonary vascular involvement in SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maiko Fukayama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Son JW, Shin JJ, Kim MG, Kim J, Son SW. Keratinocyte-specific knockout mice models via Cre–loxP recombination system. Mol Cell Toxicol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-020-00115-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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27
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He YS, Yang XK, Hu YQ, Xiang K, Pan HF. Emerging role of Fli1 in autoimmune diseases. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 90:107127. [PMID: 33234418 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.107127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Ets transcription factor family exerts crucial role in cell proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation and migration. Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli1), a member of the Ets family, is expressed in fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells. Fli1 gene is participated in the development, proliferation, activation, migration and other processes of immune cells. Fli1 can also affect the function of immune cells by regulating cytokines and chemokines. Emerging evidence has shown that Fli1 is implicated in the etiology of several autoimmune diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this review, we mainly discuss the current evidence for the role of Fli1 in these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Sheng He
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Xiao-Ke Yang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yu-Qian Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Kun Xiang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hai-Feng Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China; Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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28
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Omatsu J, Saigusa R, Miyagawa T, Fukui Y, Toyama S, Awaji K, Ikawa T, Norimatsu Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Serum S100A12 levels: Possible association with skin sclerosis and interstitial lung disease in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2020; 30:409-415. [PMID: 33068321 DOI: 10.1111/exd.14218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) have drawn much attention as a member of disease-associated molecules in systemic sclerosis (SSc). In this study, we investigated the potential contribution of S100A12, a member of DAMPs, to the development of SSc by evaluating S100A12 expression in the lesional skin and the clinical correlation of serum S100A12 levels. S100A12 expression was markedly elevated in the epidermis of SSc-involved skin at protein levels and in the bulk skin at mRNA levels. The deficiency of transcription factor Fli1, a predisposing factor of SSc, enhanced S100A12 expression and Fli1 occupied the S100A12 promoter in normal human keratinocytes. Serum S100A12 levels were higher in SSc patients, especially in those with diffuse cutaneous involvement, than in healthy controls and positively correlated with skin score. Furthermore, the presence of interstitial lung disease significantly augmented serum levels of S100A12. Importantly, serum S100A12 levels correlated inversely with both per cent forced vital capacity and per cent diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide and positively with serum levels of KL-6 and surfactant protein-D. Collectively, these results indicate a possible contribution of S100A12 to skin sclerosis and interstitial lung disease associated with SSc, further supporting the critical roles of DAMPs in the pathogenesis of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Omatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Fukui
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Awaji
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Ikawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuta Norimatsu
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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29
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Rosa I, Romano E, Fioretto BS, Manetti M. The contribution of mesenchymal transitions to the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis. Eur J Rheumatol 2020; 7:S157-S164. [PMID: 31922472 PMCID: PMC7647682 DOI: 10.5152/eurjrheum.2019.19081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multifaceted connective tissue disease characterized by widespread vasculopathy and autoimmune reactions that evolve into progressive interstitial, perivascular, and vessel wall fibrosis that affects the skin and multiple internal organs. Such an uncontrolled fibrotic process gradually disrupts the physiologic architecture of the affected tissues and frequently leads to significant organ dysfunction, thus representing a major cause of death in SSc patients. The main fibrosis orchestrators in SSc are represented by chronically activated myofibroblasts, a peculiar population of mesenchymal cells combining the extracellular matrix-synthesizing features of fibroblasts with cytoskeletal characteristics of contractile smooth muscle cells. Multiple lines of evidence support the notion that profibrotic myofibroblasts may derive not only from the activation of tissue resident fibroblasts but also from a variety of additional cell types, including pericytes, epithelial cells, vascular endothelial cells and preadipocytes/adipocytes. Here we overview an emerging picture that espouses that several cell transitional processes may be novel essential contributors to the pool of profibrotic myofibroblasts in SSc, potentially representing new suitable targets for therapeutic purposes. An in-depth dissection of the multiple origins of myofibroblasts and the underlying molecular mechanisms may be crucial in the process of deciphering the cellular bases of fibrosis persistence and refractoriness to the treatment and, therefore, may help in developing more effective and personalized therapeutic opportunities for SSc patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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30
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The Pathogenesis of Systemic Sclerosis: An Understanding Based on a Common Pathologic Cascade across Multiple Organs and Additional Organ-Specific Pathologies. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092687. [PMID: 32825112 PMCID: PMC7565034 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune and vascular disease resulting in fibrosis of various organs with unknown etiology. Accumulating evidence suggests that a common pathologic cascade across multiple organs and additional organ-specific pathologies underpin SSc development. The common pathologic cascade starts with vascular injury due to autoimmune attacks and unknown environmental factors. After that, dysregulated angiogenesis and defective vasculogenesis promote vascular structural abnormalities, such as capillary loss and arteriolar stenosis, while aberrantly activated endothelial cells facilitate the infiltration of circulating immune cells into perivascular areas of various organs. Arteriolar stenosis directly causes pulmonary arterial hypertension, scleroderma renal crisis and digital ulcers. Chronic inflammation persistently activates interstitial fibroblasts, leading to the irreversible fibrosis of multiple organs. The common pathologic cascade interacts with a variety of modifying factors in each organ, such as keratinocytes and adipocytes in the skin, esophageal stratified squamous epithelia and myenteric nerve system in gastrointestinal tract, vasospasm of arterioles in the heart and kidney, and microaspiration of gastric content in the lung. To better understand SSc pathogenesis and develop new disease-modifying therapies, it is quite important to understand the complex pathogenesis of SSc from the two distinct perspectives, namely the common pathologic cascade and additional organ-specific pathologies.
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Russo B, Brembilla NC, Chizzolini C. Interplay Between Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts: A Systematic Review Providing a New Angle for Understanding Skin Fibrotic Disorders. Front Immunol 2020; 11:648. [PMID: 32477322 PMCID: PMC7232541 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background/Objective: Skin fibrosis is the result of aberrant processes leading to abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the dermis. In healthy skin, keratinocytes participate to maintain skin homeostasis by actively crosstalking with fibroblasts. Within the wide spectrum of fibrotic skin disorders, relatively little attention has been devoted to the role of keratinocytes for their capacity to participate to skin fibrosis. This systematic review aims at summarizing the available knowledge on the reciprocal interplay of keratinocytes with fibroblasts and their soluble mediators in physiological states, mostly wound healing, and conditions associated with skin fibrosis. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed to identify in vitro and ex vivo human studies investigating the keratinocyte characteristics and their interplay with fibroblasts in physiological conditions and within fibrotic skin disorders including hypertrophic scars, keloids, and systemic sclerosis. Studies were selected according to pre-specified eligibility criteria. Data on study methods, models, stimuli and outcomes were retrieved and summarized according to pre-specified criteria. Results: Among the 6,271 abstracts retrieved, 73 articles were included, of which 14 were specifically dealing with fibrotic skin pathologies. Fifty-six studies investigated how keratinocyte may affect fibroblast responses in terms of ECM-related genes or protein production, phenotype modification, and cytokine production. Most studies in both physiological conditions and fibrosis demonstrated that keratinocytes stimulate fibroblasts through the production of interleukin 1, inducing keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and metalloproteinases in the fibroblasts. When the potential of keratinocytes to modulate collagen synthesis by healthy fibroblasts was explored, the results were controversial. Nevertheless, studies investigating keratinocytes from fibrotic skin, including keloids, hypertrophic scar, and scleroderma, suggested their potential involvement in enhancing ECM deposition. Twenty-three papers investigated keratinocyte proliferation differentiation and production of soluble mediators in response to interactions with fibroblasts. Most studies showed that fibroblasts modulate keratinocyte viability, proliferation, and differentiation. The production of KGF by fibroblast was identified as key for these functions. Conclusions: This review condenses evidence for the active interaction between keratinocytes and fibroblasts in maintaining skin homeostasis and the altered homeostatic interplay between keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts in scleroderma and scleroderma-like disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Russo
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolò C Brembilla
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Dermatology, School of Medicine, University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Carlo Chizzolini
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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Toyama S, Sato S, Asano Y. Localized scleroderma histologically characterized by liquefaction degeneration and upper dermis fibrosis: a possible association with chemotherapy. Clin Exp Dermatol 2020; 45:632-634. [PMID: 32170760 DOI: 10.1111/ced.14216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- S Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - S Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Y Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Miura S, Asano Y, Saigusa R, Yamashita T, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Ichimura Y, Toyama T, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Kadono T. Regulation of skin fibrosis by RALDH1-producing dermal dendritic cells via retinoic acid-mediated regulatory T cell induction: A role in scleroderma. J Dermatol Sci 2020; 97:125-134. [PMID: 31959382 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2020.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Skin fibrosis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is believed to be driven by complex processes including immune abnormalities, but the underlying immune response remains enigmatic. In particular, the role of dermal dendritic cells (DCs) is totally unknown. OBJECTIVE We investigated the impact of CD103 loss on bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis because CD103 is a critical molecule determining DC phenotypes. METHODS Bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis was generated with Cd103-/- mice. The alterations of tissue fibrosis and related inflammation were investigated by histologic examination, hydroxyproline assay, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and flow cytometry. SSc skin samples were evaluated by immunofluorescence. RESULTS CD103 loss decreased bleomycin-induced dermal thickness and collagen contents, along with TGF-β1 and CTGF suppression. Treg proportion was increased, while Th1/Th2/Th17 cell proportions were decreased in the skin of bleomycin-treated Cd103-/- mice. Bleomycin injection enhanced CD11b-CD103- DC proportion in wild-type mice, which was further augmented in Cd103-/- mice. Importantly, RALDH1/ALDH1A1 enzyme oxidizing retinaldehyde to retinoic acid, an inducer of Tregs, was preferentially expressed by CD11b-CD103- DCs and its expression levels were elevated in bleomycin-injected skin lesions, to a greater extent in Cd103-/- mice than in wild-type mice. Importantly, the number of RALDH1-positive DCs was decreased in the lesional skin of SSc patients and tended to inversely correlate with skin fibrosis severity. CONCLUSION This study identified a critical role of dermal DCs as a regulator of Treg development through RALDH1 in bleomycin-treated mice and possibly in human SSc. This finding sheds new light on dermal DCs as a new therapeutic target of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Kadono
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan; Department of Dermatology, St Marianna University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan.
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Dufour AM, Borowczyk-Michalowska J, Alvarez M, Truchetet ME, Modarressi A, Brembilla NC, Chizzolini C. IL-17A Dissociates Inflammation from Fibrogenesis in Systemic Sclerosis. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:103-112.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Zeng C, Kahlenberg JM, Gudjonsson JE. IL-17A Softens the Skin: Antifibrotic Properties of IL-17A in Systemic Sclerosis. J Invest Dermatol 2020; 140:13-14. [PMID: 31864428 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.07.678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2019] [Accepted: 07/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
IL-17A is abundant in scleroderma skin, but its pathologic role has remained unclear. In the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Dufour et al. (2020) demonstrate a new role for IL-17A as an antifibrotic agent in scleroderma through modulation of keratinocyte responses to transforming growth factor-β and shifting of fibroblast responses from profibrotic to antifibrotic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Zeng
- Department of Dermatology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - J Michelle Kahlenberg
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Irimada M, Ozawa M, Yamasaki K, Aiba S. Case of morphea with symmetrical distribution of sclerotic lesions on bilateral forearms accompanied by extensive nail fold capillary abnormalities in multiple fingers. J Dermatol 2019; 47:e61-e62. [PMID: 31762084 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.15172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Moyuka Irimada
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Maki Ozawa
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Kenshi Yamasaki
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Setsuya Aiba
- Department of Dermatology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Nauroy P, Nyström A. Kallikreins: Essential epidermal messengers for regulation of the skin microenvironment during homeostasis, repair and disease. Matrix Biol Plus 2019; 6-7:100019. [PMID: 33543017 PMCID: PMC7852331 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2019.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
As the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis is playing a major role in organism homeostasis providing the first barrier against external aggressions. Although considered as an extracellular matrix (ECM)-poor subtissue, the epidermal microenvironment is a key regulator of skin homeostasis and functionality. Among the proteins essential for upholding the epidermal microenvironment are the members of the kallikrein (KLK) family composed of 15 secreted serine proteases. Most of the members of these epithelial-specific proteins are present in skin and regulate skin desquamation and inflammation. However, although epidermal products, the consequences of KLK activities are not confined to the epidermis but widespread in the skin. In this review starting with the location and proteolytic activation cascade of KLKs, we present KLKs involvement in skin homeostasis, regeneration and pathology. KLKs have a large variety of substrates including ECM proteins, and evidence suggests that they are involved in the different steps of skin wound healing as discussed here. KLKs are also used as prognosis/diagnosis markers for many cancer types and we are focusing later on KLKs in cutaneous cancers, although their pathogenicity remains to be fully elucidated. Dysregulation of the KLK cascade is directly responsible for skin diseases with heavy inflammatory aspects, highlighting their involvement in skin immune homeostasis. Future studies will be needed to support the therapeutic potential of adjusting KLK activities for treatment of inflammatory skin diseases and wound healing pathologies. Regulation of the microenvironment even in an extracellular matrix-poor tissue can heavily impact organ function. Extracellular activities of kallikreins maintain skin homeostasis by regulating desquamation and inflammation. The activation of skin epidermal-specific kallikrein family of proteases is regulated by an intricate proteolytic cascade. Kallikreins are emerging as players during skin wound healing. Dysregulated kallikrein expression and activity occur in cancers and inflammatory skin diseases.
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Key Words
- AD, atopic dermatitis
- CDSN, corneodesmosin
- DSC1, desmocollin 1
- DSG1, desmoglein 1
- Diseases
- ECM, extracellular matrix
- EMT, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition
- Epidermal microenvironment
- Epidermis
- Inflammation
- KLKs, kallikreins
- Kallikrein
- LEKTI, lympho-epithelial Kazal-type inhibitor
- NS, Netherton syndrome
- PAR1/2, protease activated-receptor 1/2
- SCC, squamous cell carcinoma
- Wound healing
- tPA, tissue plasminogen activator
- uPA, urokinase plasminogen activator
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Nauroy
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 7, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Alexander Nyström
- Department of Dermatology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Hauptstrasse 7, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in systemic sclerosis provides novel targets to understand disease pathogenesis. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:144. [PMID: 31651337 PMCID: PMC6813992 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-019-0602-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease whose pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that both genetic susceptibilities and changes in DNA methylation influence pivotal biological pathways and thereby contribute to the disease. The role of DNA methylation in SSc has not been fully elucidated, because existing investigations of DNA methylation predominantly focused on nucleotide CpGs within restricted genic regions, and were performed on samples containing mixed cell types. Methods We performed whole-genome bisulfite sequencing on purified CD4+ T lymphocytes from nine SSc patients and nine controls in a pilot study, and then profiled genome-wide cytosine methylation as well as genetic variations. We adopted robust statistical methods to identify differentially methylated genomic regions (DMRs). We then examined pathway enrichment associated with genes located in these DMRs. We also tested whether changes in CpG methylation were associated with adjacent genetic variation. Results We profiled DNA methylation at more than three million CpG dinucleotides genome-wide. We identified 599 DMRs associated with 340 genes, among which 54 genes exhibited further associations with adjacent genetic variation. We also found these genes were associated with pathways and functions that are known to be abnormal in SSc, including Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, skin lesion formation and progression, and angiogenesis. Conclusion The CD4+ T cell DNA cytosine methylation landscape in SSc involves crucial genes in disease pathogenesis. Some of the methylation patterns are also associated with genetic variation. These findings provide essential foundations for future studies of epigenetic regulation and genome-epigenome interaction in SSc.
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Insights into myofibroblasts and their activation in scleroderma: opportunities for therapy? Curr Opin Rheumatol 2019; 30:581-587. [PMID: 30074511 DOI: 10.1097/bor.0000000000000543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The persistence of myofibroblasts is a key feature of fibrosis and in fibrotic diseases including scleroderma. This review evaluates the emerging concepts of the origins and cell populations that contribute to myofibroblasts and the molecular mechanisms that govern phenotypic conversion and that highlight opportunities for new interventional treatments in scleroderma. RECENT FINDINGS Studies have defined heterogeneity in fibroblast-like cells that can develop into myofibroblast in normal wound healing, scarring and fibrosis. Characterizing these distinct cell populations and their behaviour has been a key focus. In addition, the overarching impact of epigenetic regulation of genes associated with inflammatory responses, cell signalling and cell communication and the extracellular matrix (ECM) has provided important insights into the formation of myofibroblast and their function. Important new studies include investigations into the relationship between inflammation and myofibroblast production and further evidence has been gathered that reveal the importance of ECM microenvironment, biomechanical sensing and mechanotransduction. SUMMARY This review highlights our current understanding and outlines the increasing complexity of the biological processes that leads to the appearance of the myofibroblast in normal functions and in diseased tissues. We also focus on areas of special interest in particular, studies that have therapeutic potential in fibrosis and scleroderma.
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40
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Tétreault MP, Kahrilas P. GI Manifestations With a Focus on the Esophagus: Recent Progress in Understanding Pathogenesis. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2019; 21:42. [PMID: 31270707 DOI: 10.1007/s11926-019-0841-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Esophageal dysfunction is common in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients. Limited treatment options are available for scleroderma esophageal disease. Here, we discuss recent updates on the diagnosis, treatment, and characterization that have been made in patients with scleroderma esophageal disease. RECENT FINDINGS In the past few years, novel diagnostic tools have provided insight into esophageal dysmotility in SSc patients. New drugs are being tested and might improve symptoms and quality of life in SSc patients with esophageal dysfunction. Molecular stratification methods have facilitated the identification of molecular signatures in the esophagus of SSc patients. The Friend leukemia integration 1 (Fli1) conditional knockout mouse is the first animal model to report an esophageal phenotype with SSc features. The clinical presentation in SSc patients with esophageal dysfunction is heterogeneous, complicating diagnosis and management. The improvement of diagnostic tools for esophageal symptoms and dysfunction and the use of molecular approaches in SSc mouse models and patient biopsies offer an opportunity to improve the characterization of SSc esophageal disease, which should help improve management and treatment decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pier Tétreault
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 15-753 Tarry Building, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611-3010, USA.
| | - Peter Kahrilas
- Department of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology Division, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 15-753 Tarry Building, 300 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL, 60611-3010, USA
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Korman B. Evolving insights into the cellular and molecular pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Transl Res 2019; 209:77-89. [PMID: 30876809 PMCID: PMC6545260 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2019.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc, scleroderma) is a complex multisystem disease characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and most notably, fibrosis. Multiple lines of evidence demonstrate a variety of emerging cellular and molecular pathways which are relevant to fibrosis in SSc. The myofibroblast remains the key effector cell in SSc. Understanding the development, differentiation, and function of the myofibroblast is therefore crucial to understanding the fibrotic phenotype of SSc. Studies now show that (1) multiple cell types give rise to myofibroblasts, (2) fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are heterogeneous, and (3) that a large number of (primarily immune) cells have important influences on the transition of fibroblasts to an activated myofibroblasts. In SSc, this differentiation process involves multiple pathways, including well known signaling cascades such as TGF-β and Wnt/β-Catenin signaling, as well as epigenetic reprogramming and a number of more recently defined cellular pathways. After reviewing the major and emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying SSc, this article looks to identify clinical applications where this new molecular knowledge may allow for targeted treatment and personalized medicine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Korman
- Division of Allergy/Immunology & Rheumatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York.
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Saigusa R, Yamashita T, Miura S, Hirabayashi M, Nakamura K, Miyagawa T, Fukui Y, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. A potential contribution of decreased galectin‐7 expression in stratified epithelia to the development of cutaneous and oesophageal manifestations in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2019; 28:536-542. [DOI: 10.1111/exd.13900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2018] [Revised: 01/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Yuki Fukui
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of DermatologyUniversity of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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Fukui Y, Miyagawa T, Hirabayashi M, Yamashita T, Saigusa R, Miura S, Nakamura K, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. Possible association of decreased serum CXCL14 levels with digital ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis. J Dermatol 2019; 46:584-589. [PMID: 31087594 DOI: 10.1111/1346-8138.14914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
CXCL14 serves as a chemoattractant for activated macrophages, immature dendritic cells and natural killer cells, as well as an antiangiogenic factor by preventing the migration of endothelial cells. CXCL14 also exerts an inhibitory effect on the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway, which is involved in the maintenance of T-helper (Th)2 bias, and promotes Th1 immune response under the physiological and pathological conditions. Because CXCL14-mediated biological processes seem to be involved in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), which is characterized by Th2/Th17-skewed immune polarization and impaired neovascularization, we investigated the clinical correlation of serum CXCL14 levels in patients with this disease. Serum CXCL14 levels were significantly decreased in SSc patients compared with healthy individuals and in diffuse cutaneous SSc patients relative to limited cutaneous SSc patients. SSc patients with digital ulcers had serum CXCL14 levels significantly lower than those without. Furthermore, i.v. cyclophosphamide pulse significantly increased serum CXCL14 levels as compared with the baseline in SSc patients with interstitial lung disease successfully treated with this therapy. These results indicate that decreased CXCL14 expression may contribute to the maintenance of Th2-skewed immune polarization and dysregulated neovascularization, both of which underlie the developmental process of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Fukui
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Asano Y, Takahashi T, Saigusa R. Systemic sclerosis: Is the epithelium a missing piece of the pathogenic puzzle? J Dermatol Sci 2019; 94:259-265. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Li P, Goodwin AJ, Cook JA, Halushka PV, Zhang XK, Fan H. Fli-1 transcription factor regulates the expression of caspase-1 in lung pericytes. Mol Immunol 2019; 108:1-7. [PMID: 30739075 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Our previous data demonstrated that Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1), an ETS transcription factor, governs pericyte loss and vascular dysfunction in cecal ligation and puncture-induced murine sepsis by regulating essential pyroptosis markers including caspase-1. However, whether Fli-1 regulates caspase-1 expression levels in vitro and how Fli-1 regulates caspase-1 remain unknown. Our present work further demonstrated that overexpressed Fli-1 significantly increased caspase-1 and IL-18 expression levels in cultured mouse lung pericytes. Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) have been found to induce cell pyroptosis through transferring LPS intracellularly. Using OMVs to induce an in vitro model of pyroptosis, we observed that OMVs significantly increased protein levels of Fli-1 in mouse lung pericytes. Furthermore, knockdown of Fli-1 by siRNA blocked OMVs-induced caspase-1, caspase-11 and IL-18 expression levels. As caspase-1 was predicted as a potential target of Fli-1, we cloned murine caspase-1 promoter into a luciferase construct. Our data demonstrate for the first time that Fli-1 regulates caspase-1 expression by directly binding to its promoter regions measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay and luciferase reporter system. In summary, our findings demonstrated a novel role and mechanism of Fli-1 in regulating caspase-1 expression in lung pericytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Andrew J Goodwin
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - James A Cook
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Perry V Halushka
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States; Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Xian K Zhang
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States; Department of Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, United States.
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Miyagawa T, Asano Y, Saigusa R, Hirabayashi M, Yamashita T, Taniguchi T, Takahashi T, Nakamura K, Miura S, Yoshizaki A, Miyagaki T, Sato S. A potential contribution of trappin‐2 to the development of vasculopathy in systemic sclerosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019; 33:753-760. [DOI: 10.1111/jdv.15387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - Y. Asano
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - R. Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - M. Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - K. Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - S. Miura
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - A. Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - T. Miyagaki
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
| | - S. Sato
- Department of Dermatology University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine Tokyo Japan
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47
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Yamashita T, Asano Y, Saigusa R, Taniguchi T, Hirabayashi M, Miyagawa T, Nakamura K, Miura S, Yoshizaki A, Trojanowska M, Sato S. Cyclophosphamide Pulse Therapy Normalizes Vascular Abnormalities in a Mouse Model of Systemic Sclerosis Vasculopathy. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 139:1150-1160. [PMID: 30508546 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse, a standard treatment for systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related interstitial lung disease, elicits a disease-modifying effect on SSc vasculopathy, such as fostering microvascular de-remodeling. To investigate the molecular mechanism by which cyclophosphamide mitigates SSc vasculopathy, we employed endothelial cell-specific Fli1 knockout mice that mimic the functional and structural vascular abnormalities characteristic of SSc. Biweekly cyclophosphamide injection improved vascular permeability and structural abnormalities of endothelial cell-specific Fli1 knockout mice in 2 weeks and in 3 months, respectively. In endothelial cell-specific Fli1 knockout mice, a single dose of cyclophosphamide was sufficient to normalize the decreased expression of α-smooth muscle actin in dermal blood vessels and improve the impaired neovascularization in skin-embedded Matrigel plug. Under the same condition, the decreased expression of vascular endothelial cadherin, platelet-derived growth factor B, S1P1, and CCN1 (molecules associated with angiogenesis and/or vasculogenesis) was reversed along with the reversal of endothelial Fli1 expression. In SSc patients, serum CCN1 levels were significantly increased after intravenous cyclophosphamide pulse. Taken together, these results indicate that cyclophosphamide improves Fli1 deficiency-dependent vascular changes by normalizing the expression of angiogenesis- and vasculogenesis-related molecules and endothelial Fli1, which may help to explain the beneficial effect of cyclophosphamide on SSc vasculopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Megumi Hirabayashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Miura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maria Trojanowska
- Arthritis Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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48
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Li P, Zhou Y, Goodwin AJ, Cook JA, Halushka PV, Zhang XK, Wilson CL, Schnapp LM, Zingarelli B, Fan H. Fli-1 Governs Pericyte Dysfunction in a Murine Model of Sepsis. J Infect Dis 2018; 218:1995-2005. [PMID: 30053030 PMCID: PMC6217724 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pericytes are vascular mural cells and are embedded in the basement membrane of the microvasculature. Recent studies suggest a role for pericytes in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microvascular dysfunction and mortality, but the mechanisms of pericyte loss in sepsis are largely unknown. Methods By using a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced murine model of sepsis, we observed that CLP led to lung and renal pericyte loss and reduced lung pericyte density and pericyte/endothelial cell (EC) coverage. Results Up-regulated Friend leukemia virus integration 1 (Fli-1) messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA) and protein levels were found in lung pericytes from CLP mice in vivo and in LPS-stimulated lung pericytes in vitro. Knockout of Fli-1 in Foxd1-derived pericytes prevented CLP-induced pericyte loss, vascular leak, and improved survival. Disrupted Fli-1 expression by small interfering RNA inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in cultured lung pericytes. Furthermore, CLP-induced pericyte pyroptosis was mitigated in pericyte Fli-1 knockout mice. Conclusions Our findings suggest that Fli-1 is a potential therapeutic target in sepsis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Li
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
- Department of Biopharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Andrew J Goodwin
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - James A Cook
- Department of Neurosciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Perry V Halushka
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
- Department of Pharmacology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Xian K Zhang
- Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Carole L Wilson
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Lynn M Schnapp
- Divisions of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
| | - Basilia Zingarelli
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Ohio
| | - Hongkuan Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
- Regenerative Medicine and Cell Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston
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49
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Yue X, Yu X, Petersen F, Riemekasten G. Recent advances in mouse models for systemic sclerosis. Autoimmun Rev 2018; 17:1225-1234. [PMID: 30316997 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2018.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
SSc is a complex rheumatoid disease characterized by autoimmunity, fibrosis and vasculopathy. Mouse models provide powerful research tools for exploring the pathogenesis of the human diseases. Each mouse model can represent a specific way leading to the development of disease. Moreover, mouse models can be used to investigate the role of candidate molecule in the pathogenesis of disease. So far, more than twenty mouse models for SSc have been established and provide new insights in the understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc. In this review, we provide an overview on recent advances in the field of experimental SSc. We introduce novel mouse models generated in the recent years and discuss their relevance to the SSc pathogenesis. Moreover, we summarize and discuss recent findings in the pathogenesis of classical SSc mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyang Yue
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, 23845 Borstel, Germany; Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany
| | - Xinhua Yu
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, 23845 Borstel, Germany; Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany
| | - Frank Petersen
- Priority Area Asthma & Allergy, Research Center Borstel, 23845 Borstel, Germany; Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany
| | - Gabriela Riemekasten
- Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Members of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Germany; Department of Rheumatology, University of Lübeck, 23538 Lübeck, Germany.
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50
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Taniguchi T, Miyagawa T, Toyama S, Yamashita T, Nakamura K, Saigusa R, Ichimura Y, Takahashi T, Toyama T, Yoshizaki A, Sato S, Asano Y. CXCL13 produced by macrophages due to Fli1 deficiency may contribute to the development of tissue fibrosis, vasculopathy and immune activation in systemic sclerosis. Exp Dermatol 2018; 27:1030-1037. [PMID: 29947047 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/22/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
CXCL13, a chemokine for B cells, follicular T cells, T helper 17 cells, and regulatory T cells, is reported to contribute to the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), reflecting aberrant activation of immune system. To better understand the role of CXCL13 in SSc, we investigated the influence of Fli1 deficiency, a potential predisposing factor of this disease, on CXCL13 expression and assessed the clinical correlation of serum CXCL13 levels by multivariate regression analysis. Haploinsufficient loss of Fli1 remarkably induced CXCL13 expression in murine peritoneal macrophages, while gene silencing of FLI1 did not affect the expression of CXCL13 in human dermal fibroblasts and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Serum CXCL13 levels were elevated in SSc patients compared with healthy controls and correlated positively with skin score and negatively with pulmonary function test results. SSc patients with elevated serum CXCL13 levels had longer disease duration, diffuse cutaneous involvement, interstitial lung disease (ILD), heart involvement, pulmonary arterial hypertension, Raynaud's phenomenon, pitting scars, digital ulcers, telangiectasia, and high serum IgG levels more frequently than the other patients. In particular, serum CXCL13 levels were associated with ILD and digital ulcers by multivariate regression analysis. Taken together, these results indicate that CXCL13 expression is upregulated by Fli1 deficiency in macrophages, potentially contributing to the development of tissue fibrosis, vasculopathy and immune activation in SSc, especially ILD and digital ulcers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Taniguchi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuya Miyagawa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoshi Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takashi Yamashita
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kouki Nakamura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Saigusa
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yohei Ichimura
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiro Takahashi
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tetsuo Toyama
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ayumi Yoshizaki
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinichi Sato
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshihide Asano
- Department of Dermatology, University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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