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Huang T, Zhang C, Shang Z, Shuai Q, Nie L, Ren J, Hou S, Xie J. Bone mesenchymal stem cells improve cholestatic liver fibrosis by targeting ULK1 to regulate autophagy through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Stem Cells Transl Med 2024; 13:648-660. [PMID: 38736295 PMCID: PMC11227972 DOI: 10.1093/stcltm/szae028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is a severe disease, which can progress to liver cirrhosis, even liver cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation plays a crucial role in CLD development. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) treatment was demonstrated to be beneficial in liver diseases. However, the therapeutic effect and mechanism of BMSCs on CLD are poorly known. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of BMSCs transplantation in mouse models of bile duct ligation-induced cholestatic liver fibrosis (CLF). The results revealed that BMSCs significantly improved liver function and reduced the formation of fibrosis after portal vein transplantation. Mechanistically, after coculturing BMSCs and HSCs, we identified that BMSCs alleviated starvation-induced HSCs activation. Further, BMSCs inhibited HSCs activation by decreasing autophagy, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was involved in the regulation. More importantly, ULK1 is identified as the main autophagy-related gene regulated by BMSCs in HSCs autophagy. Overexpression of ULK1 reversed the suppression of HSCs autophagy by BMSCs. Collectively, our results provide a theoretical basis for BMSCs targeting ULK1 to attenuate HSCs autophagy and activation and suggest that BMSCs or ULK1 may be an alternative therapeutic approach/target for the treatment of CLF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingjuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Chunhong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Ziyi Shang
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Qizhi Shuai
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Lina Nie
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Junjie Ren
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Shulin Hou
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Coal Environmental Pathogenicity and Prevention, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, 030001 Shanxi, China
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Zhang S, Hu W, Lv C, Song X. Biogenesis and Function of circRNAs in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:395-409. [PMID: 39005062 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232284076240207073542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a class of fibrosing interstitial lung diseases caused by many pathogenic factors inside and outside the lung, with unknown mechanisms and without effective treatment. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanism implicated in pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis is urgently needed to develop new and effective measures. Although circRNAs have been widely acknowledged as new contributors to the occurrence and development of diseases, only a small number of circRNAs have been functionally characterized in pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we systematically review the biogenesis and functions of circRNAs and focus on how circRNAs participate in pulmonary fibrogenesis by influencing various cell fates. Meanwhile, we analyze the current exploration of circRNAs as a diagnostic biomarker, vaccine, and therapeutic target in pulmonary fibrosis and objectively discuss the challenges of circRNA- based therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. We hope that the review of the implication of circRNAs will provide new insights into the development circRNA-based approaches to treat pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songzi Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Wenjie Hu
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Changjun Lv
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Xiaodong Song
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
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Zhang T, Yuan X, Jiang M, Liu B, Zhai N, Zhang Q, Song X, Lv C, Zhang J, Li H. Proteomic analysis reveals the aging-related pathways contribute to pulmonary fibrogenesis. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:15382-15401. [PMID: 38147026 PMCID: PMC10781470 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Aging usually causes lung-function decline and susceptibility to chronic lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis. However, how aging affects the lung-fibrosis pathways and leads to the occurrence of pulmonary fibrosis is not completely understood. Here, mass spectrometry-based proteomics was used to chart the lung proteome of young and old mice. Micro computed tomography imaging, RNA immunoprecipitation, dual-fluorescence mRFP-GFP-LC3 adenovirus monitoring, transmission electron microscopy, and other experiments were performed to explore the screened differentially expressed proteins related to abnormal ferroptosis, autophagy, mitochondria, and mechanical force in vivo, in vitro, and in healthy people. Combined with our previous studies on pulmonary fibrosis, we further demonstrated that these biological processes and underlying molecular players were also involved in the aging process. Our work depicted a comprehensive cellular and molecular atlas of the aging lung and attempted to explain why aging is a risk factor for pulmonary fibrosis and the role that aging plays in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis. The abnormalities of aging triggered an increase in mechanical force and ferroptosis, autophagy blockade, and mitochondrial dysfunction, which often appear during pulmonary fibrogenesis. We hope that the elucidation of these anomalies will help to enhance our understanding of senescence-inducing pulmonary fibrosis, thereby guiding the use of anti-senescence as an entry point for early intervention in pulmonary fibrosis and age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingwei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Xinglong Yuan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Mengqi Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Nailiang Zhai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Xiaodong Song
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Changjun Lv
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Hongbo Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou 256603, China
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Zhang J, Bao Q, Song N, Li C, Ma J. The upregulation of circFoxp1 influences keloid by promoting cell proliferation. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:12998-13009. [PMID: 37993257 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
As a result of abnormal wound healing in susceptible individuals, keloids are characterized by hyperproliferation of fibroblasts and excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Current surgical and therapeutic modalities provide limited satisfactory results. Circular ribonucleic acids (circRNAs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various fibrotic diseases, but the potential biological function and expression profile of circRNAs in keloid formation remain unknown. In this study, we explored the function of circFoxp1 on keloid formation. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) results revealed that circFoxp1 expression was higher in the keloid tissues. Furthermore, RNA-fluorescence in situ hybridization (RNA-FISH) and RNAscope illustrated that circFoxp1 was present in the cytoplasm. Subsequent cellular experiments demonstrated that circFoxp1 overexpression enhanced proliferation, migration, and ECM deposition. In addition, apoptosis was inhibited. Cell proliferation, inflammatory response, and oxidative phosphorylation of fibroblasts were also observed by RNA sequencing and were closely related to scar formation. The therapeutic potential of circFoxp1 was investigated by establishing keloid implantation models. In vivo, circFoxp1 can promote fibroblast proliferation and ECM deposition. RNA pull-down and western blot assays verified the interaction of circFoxp1 with RACK1. The present study reveals that circFoxp1 contributes to the pathological hyperplasia of keloid, which may improve inflammation and cell proliferation. Our data indicate that circFoxp1 may serve as a novel, promising therapeutic target, presenting a new avenue for understanding the underlying pathogenesis of keloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhang
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qianyi Bao
- School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory for The Genetics of Developmental and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (Ministry of Education), Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Nan Song
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunming Li
- Weigao Fenwei Health Technology Development (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, ENT Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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