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Shi L, Deng J, He J, Zhu F, Jin Y, Zhang X, Ren Y, Du X. Integrative transcriptomics and proteomics analysis reveal the protection of Astragaloside IV against myocardial fibrosis by regulating senescence. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 975:176632. [PMID: 38718959 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a pivotal pathological process implicated in various cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart failure. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV), a natural compound derived from Astragalus membranaceus, possesses potent cardioprotective properties. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-MF effects, particularly in relation to senescence, remain elusive. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential and underlying molecular mechanisms of AS-IV in treating ISO-induced MF in mice, employing transcriptomics, proteomics, in vitro, and in vivo experiments. We assessed the positive effects of AS-IV on ISO-induced MF using HE staining, Masson staining, ELISA, immunohistochemical staining, transthoracic echocardiography, transmission electron microscopy, and DHE fluorescence staining. Additionally, we elucidated the regulatory role of AS-IV in MF through comprehensive transcriptomics and proteomics analyses, complemented by Western blotting and RT-qPCR validation of pertinent molecular pathways. Our findings demonstrated that AS-IV treatment markedly attenuated ISO-induced myocardial injury and oxidative stress, concomitantly inhibiting the release of SASPs. Furthermore, integrated transcriptomics and proteomics analyses revealed that the anti-MF mechanism of AS-IV was associated with regulating cellular senescence and the p53 signaling pathway. These results highlight AS-IV exerts its anti-MF effects not only by inhibiting oxidative stress but also by modulating senescence through the p53 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lipeng Shi
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400020, China
| | - Jingwei Deng
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jun He
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Feng Zhu
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Yuxia Jin
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Xi Zhang
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China
| | - Yi Ren
- Chongqing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400020, China.
| | - Xuqin Du
- Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China.
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2
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Song B, Zhang G, Bao Y, Zhang M. Involvement of oxidative stress-AMPK-Cx43-NLRP3 pathway in extracellular matrix remodeling of gastric smooth muscle cells in rats with diabetic gastroparesis. Cell Stress Chaperones 2024; 29:440-455. [PMID: 38653383 PMCID: PMC11087914 DOI: 10.1016/j.cstres.2024.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the changes in oxidative stress, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), connexin43 (Cx43), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) expression, and extracellular matrix (ECM) in the gastric smooth muscle tissues of rats with diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) and high glucose-cultured gastric smooth muscle cells, determine the existence of oxidative stress-AMPK-Cx43-NLRP3 pathway under high glucose condition, and the involvement of this pathway in ECM remodeling in DGP rats. The results showed that with increasing duration of diabetes, oxidation stress levels gradually increased, the AMPK activity decreased first and then increased, NLRP3, CX43 expression, and membrane/cytoplasm ratio of Cx43 expression were increased in the gastric smooth muscle tissues of diabetic rats. Changes in ECM of gastric smooth muscle cells were observed in DGP rats. The DGP group showed higher collagen type I content, increased expression of Caspase-1, transforming growth factor-beta 3 (TGF-β3), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), decreased tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) expression, and higher interleukin-1 beta content when compared with the control group. For gastric smooth muscle cells cultured under higher glucose, the MMP-2 and TGF-β3 expression was decreased, TGF-β1 and TIMP-1 expression was increased, the interleukin-1 beta content was decreased in cells after inhibition of NLRP3 expression; the NLRP3 and Caspase-1 expression was decreased, and adenosine triphosphate content was lower after inhibition of Cx43; the expression of NLRP3, Caspase-1, P2X7, and the membrane/cytoplasm ratio of CX43 expression was decreased in cells after inhibition of AMPK and oxidative stress, the phospho-AMPK expression was also decreased after suppressing oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that high glucose induced the activation of the AMPK-Cx43-NLRP3 pathway through oxidative stress, and this pathway was involved in the ECM remodeling of gastric smooth muscles in DGP rats by regulating the biological functions of TGF-β3, TGF-β1, MMP-2, and TIMP-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihui Song
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changchun Medical College, Changchun, China
| | - Gaoyuan Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College of Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Yitegele Bao
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College of Yanbian University, Yanji, China
| | - Mohan Zhang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Medical College of Yanbian University, Yanji, China.
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Wang S, Tan W, Zhang L, Jiang H. Pachymic Acid Protects Against Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis by Suppressing Fibrotic, Inflammatory, and Oxidative Stress Pathways in Mice. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2024; 196:3344-3355. [PMID: 37650950 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04686-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Pachymic acid (PA), a natural extract from Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf, possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. However, it is still unknown whether PA can protect against bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). In this study, we investigated the effects of PA in mice administered BLM. Our results showed that PA significantly improved lung damage and pathological manifestations. Additionally, PA reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, while increasing the level of IL-10. PA also decreased the levels of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde, and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in lung tissue. Furthermore, PA inhibited the increases in pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), ASC, IL-1β, P20, and TXNIP induced by BLM. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the protective effects of PA against BLM-induced PF in mice by suppressing fibrotic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanmei Wang
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 507 Zhengmin Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 507 Zhengmin Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 507 Zhengmin Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Hongbin Jiang
- Department of Emergency, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, No. 507 Zhengmin Road, Yangpu District, Shanghai, 200433, China.
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Somanader DVN, Zhao P, Widdop RE, Samuel CS. The involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling cascade in fibrosis progression and its therapeutic targeting by relaxin. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 223:116130. [PMID: 38490518 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116130] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Organ scarring, referred to as fibrosis, results from a failed wound-healing response to chronic tissue injury and is characterised by the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Once established, fibrosis is recognised as a hallmark of stiffened and dysfunctional tissues, hence, various fibrosis-related diseases collectively contribute to high morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite this, these diseases are ineffectively treated by currently-available medications. The pro-fibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, has emerged as the master regulator of fibrosis progression, owing to its ability to promote various factors and processes that facilitate rapid ECM synthesis and deposition, whilst negating ECM degradation. TGF-β1 signal transduction is tightly controlled by canonical (Smad-dependent) and non-canonical (MAP kinase- and Rho-associated protein kinase-dependent) intracellular protein activity, whereas its pro-fibrotic actions can also be facilitated by the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This review outlines the pathological sequence of events and contributing roles of TGF-β1 in the progression of fibrosis, and how the Wnt/β-catenin pathway contributes to tissue repair in acute disease settings, but to fibrosis and related tissue dysfunction in synergy with TGF-β1 in chronic diseases. It also outlines the anti-fibrotic and related signal transduction mechanisms of the hormone, relaxin, that are mediated via its negative modulation of TGF-β1 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling, but through the promotion of Wnt/β-catenin activity in acute disease settings. Collectively, this highlights that the crosstalk between TGF-β1 signal transduction and the Wnt/β-catenin cascade may provide a therapeutic target that can be exploited to broadly treat and reverse established fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deidree V N Somanader
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Peishen Zhao
- Drug Discovery Biology Program, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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Li N, Wang L, Li L, Yang MZ, Wang QX, Bai XW, Gao F, Yuan YQ, Yu ZJ, Ren ZG. The correlation between gut microbiome and atrial fibrillation: pathophysiology and therapeutic perspectives. Mil Med Res 2023; 10:51. [PMID: 37936201 PMCID: PMC10629124 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-023-00489-1] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of gut microbiota and its impact on human health is the theme of intensive research. The incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) are continuously escalating as the global population ages and chronic disease survival rates increase; however, the mechanisms are not entirely clarified. It is gaining awareness that alterations in the assembly, structure, and dynamics of gut microbiota are intimately engaged in the AF progression. Owing to advancements in next-generation sequencing technologies and computational strategies, researchers can explore novel linkages with the genomes, transcriptomes, proteomes, and metabolomes through parallel meta-omics approaches, rendering a panoramic view of the culture-independent microbial investigation. In this review, we summarized the evidence for a bidirectional correlation between AF and the gut microbiome. Furthermore, we proposed the concept of "gut-immune-heart" axis and addressed the direct and indirect causal roots between the gut microbiome and AF. The intricate relationship was unveiled to generate innovative microbiota-based preventive and therapeutic interventions, which shed light on a definite direction for future experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Meng-Zhao Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Qing-Xiang Wang
- Department of Blood Collection, Xuchang Blood Center, Xuchang, 461000, Henan, China
| | - Xi-Wen Bai
- Nanchang University Queen Marry School, Nanchang, 330036, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China
| | - Yi-Qiang Yuan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Henan Provincial Chest Hospital, Zhengzhou, 450008, China.
| | - Zu-Jiang Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
| | - Zhi-Gang Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
- Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory, Jinan, 250000, China.
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Liu Z, Zhang X, Wang Y, Tai Y, Yao X, Midgley AC. Emergent Peptides of the Antifibrotic Arsenal: Taking Aim at Myofibroblast Promoting Pathways. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1179. [PMID: 37627244 PMCID: PMC10452577 DOI: 10.3390/biom13081179] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are the principal effector cells driving fibrosis, and their accumulation in tissues is a fundamental feature of fibrosis. Essential pathways have been identified as being central to promoting myofibroblast differentiation, revealing multiple targets for intervention. Compared with large proteins and antibodies, peptide-based therapies have transpired to serve as biocompatible and cost-effective solutions to exert biomimicry, agonistic, and antagonistic activities with a high degree of targeting specificity and selectivity. In this review, we summarize emergent antifibrotic peptides and their utilization for the targeted prevention of myofibroblasts. We then highlight recent studies on peptide inhibitors of upstream pathogenic processes that drive the formation of profibrotic cell phenotypes. We also briefly discuss peptides from non-mammalian origins that show promise as antifibrotic therapeutics. Finally, we discuss the future perspectives of peptide design and development in targeting myofibroblasts to mitigate fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yanrong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yifan Tai
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Xiaolin Yao
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710021, China
| | - Adam C. Midgley
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials for the Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
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Yuan S, Guo D, Liang X, Zhang L, Zhang Q, Xie D. Relaxin in fibrotic ligament diseases: Its regulatory role and mechanism. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1131481. [PMID: 37123405 PMCID: PMC10134402 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1131481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrotic ligament diseases (FLDs) are diseases caused by the pathological accumulation of periarticular fibrotic tissue, leading to functional disability around joint and poor life quality. Relaxin (RLX) has been reported to be involved in the development of fibrotic lung and liver diseases. Previous studies have shown that RLX can block pro-fibrotic process by reducing the excess extracellular matrix (ECM) formation and accelerating collagen degradation in vitro and in vivo. Recent studies have shown that RLX can attenuate connective tissue fibrosis by suppressing TGF-β/Smads signaling pathways to inhibit the activation of myofibroblasts. However, the specific roles and mechanisms of RLX in FLDs remain unclear. Therefore, in this review, we confirmed the protective effect of RLX in FLDs and summarized its mechanism including cells, key cytokines and signaling pathways involved. In this article, we outline the potential therapeutic role of RLX and look forward to the application of RLX in the clinical translation of FLDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yuan
- Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong Guo
- Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xinzhi Liang
- Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Luhui Zhang
- Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- Good Clinical Practice Development, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Denghui Xie, ; Qun Zhang,
| | - Denghui Xie
- Department of Joint Surgery and Sports Medicine, Center for Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Hospital of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degeneration Diseases, Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- *Correspondence: Denghui Xie, ; Qun Zhang,
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Relaxin-2 plasma levels in atrial fibrillation are linked to inflammation and oxidative stress markers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:22287. [PMID: 36566255 PMCID: PMC9789945 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26836-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-2 exerts many favourable cardiovascular effects in pathological circumstances such as atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure, but the mechanisms underlying its actions are not completely understood. Since inflammation and fibrosis are pivotal processes in the pathogenesis of AF, our aim was to study the relationship between relaxin-2 plasma levels in left atrium (LA) and peripheral vein with molecules implicated in fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in AF patients, and to evaluate the anti-fibrotic ability of relaxin-2 in normal human atrial cardiac fibroblasts (NHCF-A). Peripheral vein relaxin-2 plasma levels were higher than LA relaxin-2 plasma levels in men while, in women, peripheral vein relaxin-2 levels were increased compared to men. AF patients with higher levels of relaxin-2 exhibited a reduction in H2O2 plasma levels and in mRNA levels of alpha-defensin 3 (DEFA3) and IL-6 in leucocytes from LA plasma. Relaxin-2-in-vitro treatment inhibited NHCF-A migration and decreased mRNA and protein levels of the pro-fibrotic molecule transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Our results support an association between relaxin-2 and molecules involved in fibrosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in AF patients, and reinforce an anti-fibrotic protective role of this hormone in NHCF-A; strengthening the relevance of relaxin-2 in AF physiopathology, diagnosis and treatment.
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The Role of NLRP3 Inflammasome in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy and Its Therapeutic Implications. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:3790721. [PMID: 36111168 PMCID: PMC9470324 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3790721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the precise molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear, and it is still a challenging disease to diagnose and treat. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain and leucine-rich repeat pyrin 3 domain (NLRP3) inflammasome is a critical part of the innate immune system in the host to defend against endogenous danger and pathogenic microbial infections. Dysregulated NLRP3 inflammasome activation results in the overproduction of cytokines, primarily IL-1β and IL-18, and eventually, inflammatory cell death-pyroptosis. A series of studies have indicated that NLRP3 inflammasome activation participates in the development of DCM, and that corresponding interventions could mitigate disease progression. Accordingly, this narrative review is aimed at briefly summarizing the cell-specific role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in DCM and provides novel insights into developing DCM therapeutic strategies targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Ma T, Cheng H, Li T, Chen Y, Cai T, Bai J, Wu Z, Xia X, Liang T, Du Y, Fu W. N-Acetyl-l-tryptophan inhibits CCl4-induced hepatic fibrogenesis via regulating TGF-β1/SMAD and Hippo/YAP1 signal. Bioorg Chem 2022; 126:105899. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2022.105899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Qige Huxin Formula Attenuates Isoprenaline-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice via Modulating Gut Microbiota and Protecting Intestinal Integrity. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2894659. [PMID: 35911163 PMCID: PMC9328975 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2894659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Background The composition and metabolic activities of gut microbiota are strongly interconnected with cardiac fibrosis (CF) and heart failure (HF). Qige Huxin formula (QHF), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation originating from a classical Fangji Huangqi decoction, has been widely used to clinically treat HF for decades. However, it is still unclear whether QHF alleviates CF by modulating gut microbiota and intestinal integrity. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of QHF in isoprenaline-induced CF through modulating gut microbiota and intestinal integrity. Methods Fifty mice were randomly divided into five groups after one week of acclimatization feeding: control group, model group, 2.56 g/kg/d group (low-dose QHF), 5.12 g/kg/d group (high-dose QHF), and meto group (15 mg/kg/d). The CF model was established by subcutaneously injecting the mice with isoprenaline (10 mg/kg/d for 14 days), followed by QHF treatment. The heart volume, cardiac weight index (CWI), serum myocardial enzymes, serum inflammatory cytokines, serum lipopolysaccharide, histopathology of the heart and colon tissues, ZO-1, and occludin of colon tissues were then measured. Fecal samples from mice were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing. Results QHF treatment significantly reduced heart volume, CWI, and serum CK and CK-MB levels, attenuated cardiac histopathological alterations, and alleviated CF. QHF treatment also downregulated TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in serum. Moreover, QHF treatment decreased the serum level of lipopolysaccharide and maintained intestinal integrity by upregulating ZO-1 and occludin. The 16S rRNA microbiota analysis revealed that QHF treatment increased the relative abundance of Marvinbryantia and Phascolarctobacterium. Conclusions QHF treatment exerts cardioprotective effects through modulating gut microbiota, protecting intestinal integrity, and alleviating inflammation. This study shows that gut microbiota may enhance heart-gut interaction.
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Fan J, Ren M, Adhikari BK, Wang H, He Y. The NLRP3 Inflammasome as a Novel Therapeutic Target for Cardiac Fibrosis. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:3847-3858. [PMID: 35836721 PMCID: PMC9273832 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s370483] [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: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis often has adverse cardiovascular effects, including heart failure, sudden death, and malignant arrhythmias. However, there is no targeted therapy for cardiac fibrosis. Inflammation is known to play a crucial role in the disorder, and the NLR pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is closely associated with innate immunity. Therefore, further understanding the pathophysiological role of the inflammasome in cardiac fibrosis may provide novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of the disorder. The aim of this review was to summarize the present knowledge of NLRP3 inflammasome-related mechanisms underlying cardiac fibrosis and to suggest potential targeted therapy that could be used to treat the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwen Fan
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Ren
- Department of Medical Oncology, Jilin Provincial Cancer Hospital, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Binay Kumar Adhikari
- Department of Cardiology, Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Haodong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuquan He
- Department of Cardiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
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Tapia Cáceres F, Gaspari TA, Hossain MA, Samuel CS. Relaxin Inhibits the Cardiac Myofibroblast NLRP3 Inflammasome as Part of Its Anti-Fibrotic Actions via the Angiotensin Type 2 and ATP (P2X7) Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137074. [PMID: 35806076 PMCID: PMC9266307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic NLRP3 inflammasome activation can promote fibrosis through its production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Conversely, recombinant human relaxin (RLX) can inhibit the pro-fibrotic interactions between IL-1β, IL-18 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Here, the broader extent by which RLX targeted the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome to mediate its anti-fibrotic effects was elucidated. Primary human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs), stimulated with TGF-β1 (to promote myofibroblast (HCMF) differentiation), LPS (to prime the NLRP3 inflammasome) and ATP (to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome) (T+L+A) or benzoylbenzoyl-ATP (to activate the ATP receptor; P2X7R) (T+L+Bz), co-expressed relaxin family peptide receptor-1 (RXFP1), the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) and P2X7R, and underwent increased protein expression of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Whilst RLX co-administration to HCMFs significantly prevented the T+L+A- or T+L+Bz-stimulated increase in these end points, the inhibitory effects of RLX were annulled by the pharmacological antagonism of either RXFP1, AT2R, P2X7R, TLR-4, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or caspase-1. The RLX-induced amelioration of left ventricular inflammation, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in isoproterenol (ISO)-injured mice, was also attenuated by P2X7R antagonism. Thus, the ability of RLX to ameliorate the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome as part of its anti-fibrotic effects, appeared to involve RXFP1, AT2R, P2X7R and the inhibition of TLR-4, ROS and caspase-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Tapia Cáceres
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (F.T.C.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Tracey A. Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (F.T.C.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (F.T.C.); (T.A.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Role of Inflammasomes in Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars-Lessons Learned from Chronic Diabetic Wounds and Skin Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126820. [PMID: 35743263 PMCID: PMC9223684 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Keloids and hypertrophic scars are pathological cutaneous scars. They arise from excessive wound healing, which induces chronic dermal inflammation and results in overwhelming fibroblast production of extracellular matrix. Their etiology is unclear. Inflammasomes are multiprotein complexes that are important in proinflammatory innate-immune system responses. We asked whether inflammasomes participate in pathological scarring by examining the literature on scarring, diabetic wounds (also characterized by chronic inflammation), and systemic sclerosis (also marked by fibrosis). Pathological scars are predominantly populated by anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages and recent literature hints that this could be driven by non-canonical inflammasome signaling. Diabetic-wound healing associates with inflammasome activation in immune (macrophages) and non-immune (keratinocytes) cells. Fibrotic conditions associate with inflammasome activation and inflammasome-induced transition of epithelial cells/endothelial cells/macrophages into myofibroblasts that deposit excessive extracellular matrix. Studies suggest that mechanical stimuli activate inflammasomes via the cytoskeleton and that mechanotransduction-inflammasome crosstalk is involved in fibrosis. Further research should examine (i) the roles that various inflammasome types in macrophages, (myo)fibroblasts, and other cell types play in keloid development and (ii) how mechanical stimuli interact with inflammasomes and thereby drive scar growth. Such research is likely to significantly advance our understanding of pathological scarring and aid the development of new therapeutic strategies.
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Du XQ, Shi LP, Chen ZW, Hu JY, Zuo B, Xiong Y, Cao WF. Astragaloside IV Ameliorates Isoprenaline-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis in Mice via Modulating Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolites. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:836150. [PMID: 35656031 PMCID: PMC9152365 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.836150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Gut microbiota is of crucial importance to cardiac health. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a main active ingredient of Huangqi, a traditional edible and medicinal herb that has been shown to have beneficial effects on cardiac fibrosis (CF). However, it is still uncertain whether the consumption of AS-IV alleviates cardiac fibrosis through the gut microbiota and its metabolites. Therefore, we assessed whether the anti-fibrosis effect of AS-IV is associated with changes in intestinal microbiota and fecal metabolites and if so, whether some specific gut microbes are conducive to the benefits of AS-IV. Methods Male C57BL-6J mice were subcutaneously injected with isoprenaline (ISO) to induce cardiac fibrosis. AS-IV was administered to mice by gavage for 14 days. The effects of AS-IV on cardiac function, myocardial enzyme, cardiac weight index (CWI), and histopathology of ISO-induced CF mice were investigated. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to establish gut-microbiota profiles. Fecal-metabolites profiles were established using the liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results AS-IV treatment prevented cardiac dysfunction, ameliorated myocardial damage, histopathological changes, and cardiac fibrosis induced by ISO. AS-IV consumption increased the richness of Akkermansia, Defluviitaleaceae_UCG-011, and Rikenella. AS-IV also modulated gut metabolites in their feces. Among 141 altered gut metabolites, amino acid production was sharply changed. Furthermore, noticeable correlations were found between several specific gut microbes and altered fecal metabolites. Conclusions An increase of Akkermansia, Defluviitaleaceae_UCG-011, and Rikenella abundance, and modulation of amino acid metabolism, may contribute to the anti-fibrosis and cardiac protective effects of Astragaloside IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu-Qin Du
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li-Peng Shi
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhi-Wei Chen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Yuan Hu
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Biao Zuo
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu Xiong
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wen-Fu Cao
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Wen-Fu Cao,
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Gan F, Hou L, Xu H, Liu Y, Chen X, Huang K. PCV2 infection aggravates OTA-induced immunotoxicity in vivo and in vitro. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 235:113447. [PMID: 35358920 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA), frequently existing in the food and feeds, could induce immunotoxicity. Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), as a primary causative agent of porcine circovirus-associated disease, also could induce immunosuppression. However, it is still unknown whether PCV2 infection impacts OTA-induced immunotoxicity. The pigs and porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) were used as the model in the present experiment. The results in vivo indicated that PCV2 infection exacerbated OTA-induced immunotoxicity, NF-κB p65 phosphorylation, and TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expression in spleen. The results in vitro showed that OTA at 7.0 and 9.0 μM decreased cell viability and increased LDH release of PAMs without PCV2 infection. However, with PCV2 infection, OTA at 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 μM significantly decreased cell viability and increased LDH release compared with absence of PCV2 infection. In addition, OTA at 5.0 and 7.0 μM significantly increased Annexin V/PI-positive rate, apoptosis of nuclear, γ-H2AX foci, IL-1α and TNF-α expression in PAMs with PCV2 infection compared with absence of PCV2 infection. In addition, PCV2 infection enhanced OTA-induced TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein expression and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation. Knockdown of TLR4 alleviated the exacerbating effects of PCV2 infection on OTA-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis and DNA damage in PAMs. These results indicated that PCV2 infection aggravated OTA-induced immunotoxicity and reduced the dose of OTA-induced immunotoxicity via TLR4/NF-κB p65 signaling pathway, which could provide basis for establishing limits for OTA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Gan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Animal Nutritional Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Lili Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Animal Nutritional Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Haibin Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Animal Nutritional Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yunhuan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Animal Nutritional Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xingxiang Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Animal Nutritional Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Kehe Huang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; Institute of Animal Nutritional Health, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China; MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine,Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China.
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LuQi Formula Ameliorates Myocardial Fibrosis by Suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF- κB Pathway and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Mice with Myocardial Infarction. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2022; 2022:5867987. [PMID: 35310035 PMCID: PMC8933100 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5867987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background Myocardial fibrosis caused by myocardial infarction (MI) is the key factor leading to cardiac remodeling; nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) plays an important role in regulation of myocardial injury; however, its relationship with TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway is largely unreported. In recent years, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases has shown its unique advantages and broad application prospects. LuQi Formula (LQF) has been used for more than 20 years in Shuguang Hospital (Shanghai, China), and it was confirmed that it can improve the clinical symptoms of patients after MI. Here, we investigated the mechanism of LQF by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in mice with MI. Purpose The purpose of this study was to verify the positive effects of the LQF in ameliorating myocardial fibrosis and inflammasome infiltration in the MI mice in vivo. Methods Forty mice were randomized into four groups: the sham group, the MI group, the LQF group, and the perindopril group (n = 10 per group). Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation was performed in all groups except the sham group. The mice were treated with LQF after MI. After 4 weeks, LDH, cTnI, IL-1β, and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, and cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson staining were used to evaluate the myocardial injury and fibrosis. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression of collagen I, α-SMA, NLRP3 inflammasome, and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Immunohistochemical analysis was used to further detect the expression of Fibronectin, α-SMA, collagen I, collagen III, NLRP3, and NF-κB in myocardial tissue. Results Compared with the MI group, the ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) in the LQF group were significantly improved, while the left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVEDd) and left ventricular internal dimension systole (LVIDs) were significantly decreased. The representative staining of H&E and Masson showed that treatment with LQF could effectively reduce myocardial injury and fibrosis. ELISA results showed that serum LDH, cTnI, TNF-α, IL-18, and IL-1β in LQF group were significantly lower than those in MI group. The western blot results showed that the expressions of collagen I and α-SMA were decreased significantly in the LQF group. Moreover, the expressions of NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway were downregulated in the LQF treatment group. Conclusion Our results suggested that LQF could significantly improve cardiac function and ameliorate myocardial fibrosis. In addition, we found that LQF could downregulate the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and then inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome, suggesting that LQF alleviated cardiac fibrosis by decreasing the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway and then inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation in MI mice, which indicates potential therapeutic effect of LQF on patients with MI.
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18
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Pinar AA, S Samuel CS. Immune Mechanisms and Related Targets for the Treatment of Fibrosis in Various Organs. Curr Mol Med 2022; 22:240-249. [PMID: 35034593 DOI: 10.2174/1566524022666220114122839] [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: 07/25/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Inflammation and fibrosis are two inter-related disease pathologies with several overlapping components. Three specific cell types, macrophages, T helper cells and myofibroblasts, each play important roles in regulating both processes. Following tissue injury, an inflammatory stimulus is often necessary to initiate tissue repair, where cytokines released from infiltrating and resident immune and inflammatory cells stimulate the proliferation and activation of extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts. However, persistent tissue injury drives an inappropriate pro-fibrotic response. Additionally, activated myofibroblasts can take on the role of traditional antigen-presenting cells, secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines, and recruit inflammatory cells to fibrotic foci, amplifying the fibrotic response in a vicious cycle. Moreover, inflammatory cells have been shown to play contradictory roles in the initiation, amplification and resolution of fibrotic disease processes. The central role of the inflammasome molecular platform in contributing to fibrosis is only beginning to be fully appreciated. In this review, we discuss the immune mechanisms that can lead to fibrosis, the inflammasomes that have been implicated in the fibrotic process in the context of the immune response to injury, and also discuss current and emerging therapies that target inflammasome-induced collagen deposition to treat organ fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita A Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Chrishan S S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
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19
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Samuel CS, Bennett RG. Relaxin as an anti-fibrotic treatment: Perspectives, challenges and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114884. [PMID: 34968489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis refers to the scarring and hardening of tissues, which results from a failed immune system-coordinated wound healing response to chronic organ injury and which manifests from the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix components (ECM), primarily collagen. Despite being a hallmark of prolonged tissue damage and related dysfunction, and commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, there are currently no effective cures for its regression. An emerging therapy that meets several criteria of an effective anti-fibrotic treatment, is the recombinant drug-based form of the human hormone, relaxin (also referred to as serelaxin, which is bioactive in several other species). This review outlines the broad anti-fibrotic and related organ-protective roles of relaxin, mainly from studies conducted in preclinical models of ageing and fibrotic disease, including its ability to ameliorate several aspects of fibrosis progression and maturation, from immune cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokine secretion, oxidative stress, organ hypertrophy, cell apoptosis, myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production, to its ability to facilitate established ECM degradation. Studies that have compared and/or combined these therapeutic effects of relaxin with current standard of care medication have also been discussed, along with the main challenges that have hindered the translation of the anti-fibrotic efficacy of relaxin to the clinic. The review then outlines the future directions as to where scientists and several pharmaceutical companies that have recognized the therapeutic potential of relaxin are working towards, to progress its development as a treatment for human patients suffering from various fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4130, USA.
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20
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Effects of cytokine signaling inhibition on inflammation-driven tissue remodeling. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2021; 2:100023. [PMID: 34909658 PMCID: PMC8663982 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2021.100023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common condition that can affect all body tissues, driven by unresolved tissue inflammation and resulting in tissue dysfunction and organ failure that could ultimately lead to death. A myriad of factors are thought to contribute to fibrosis and, although it is relatively common, treatments focusing on reversing fibrosis are few and far between. The process of fibrosis involves a variety of cell types, including epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal cells, as well as immune cells, which have been shown to produce pro-fibrotic cytokines. Advances in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of inflammation-driven tissue fibrosis and scar formation have led to the development of targeted therapeutics aiming to prevent, delay, or even reverse tissue fibrosis. In this review, we describe promising targets and agents in development, with a specific focus on cytokines that have been well-described to play a role in fibrosis: IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. An array of small molecule inhibitors, natural compounds, and biologics have been assessed in vivo, in vivo, and in the clinic, demonstrating the capacity to either directly interfere with pro-fibrotic pathways or to block intracellular enzymes that control fibrosis-related signaling pathways. Targeting pro-fibrotic cytokines, potentially via a multi-pronged approach, holds promise for the treatment of inflammation-driven fibrotic diseases in numerous organs. Despite the complexity of the interplay of cytokines in fibrotic tissues, the breadth of the currently ongoing research targeting cytokines suggests that these may hold the key to mitigating tissue fibrosis and reducing organ damage in the future.
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21
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Li Y, Chakraborty A, Broughton BRS, Ferens D, Widdop RE, Ricardo SD, Samuel CS. Comparing the renoprotective effects of BM-MSCs versus BM-MSC-exosomes, when combined with an anti-fibrotic drug, in hypertensive mice. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 144:112256. [PMID: 34607108 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis, a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD), impairs the viability of human bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) post-transplantation. To address this, we demonstrated that combining BM-MSCs with the anti-fibrotic drug, serelaxin (RLX), enhanced BM-MSC-induced renoprotection in preclinical CKD models. Given the increased interest and manufacturing advantages to using stem cell-derived exosomes (EXO) as therapeutics, this study determined whether RLX could enhance the therapeutic efficacy of BM-MSC-EXO, and compared the renoprotective effects of RLX and BM-MSC-EXO versus RLX and BM-MSCs in mice with hypertensive CKD. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were uninephrectomised, received deoxycorticosterone acetate and given saline to drink (1K/DOCA/salt) for 21 days. Control mice were uninephrectomised and given normal drinking water for the same time-period. Subgroups of 1K/DOCA/salt-hypertensive mice were then treated with either RLX (0.5 mg/kg/day) or BM-MSC-EXO (25 μg/mouse; equivalent to 1-2 × 106 BM-MSCs/mouse) alone; combinations of RLX and BM-MSC-EXO or BM-MSCs (1 × 106/mouse); or the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, spironolactone (20 mg/kg/day), from days 14-21. 1K/DOCA/salt-hypertensive mice developed kidney tubular damage, inflammation and fibrosis, and impaired kidney function 21 days post-injury. Whilst RLX alone attenuated the 1K/DOCA/salt-induced fibrosis, BM-MSC-EXO alone only diminished measures of tissue inflammation post-treatment. Comparatively, the combined effects of RLX and BM-MSC-EXO or BM-MSCs demonstrated similar anti-fibrotic efficacy, but RLX and BM-MSCs offered broader renoprotection over RLX and/or BM-MSC-EXO, and comparable effects to spironolactone. Only RLX and BM-MSCs, but not RLX and/or BM-MSC-EXO, also attenuated the 1K/DOCA/salt-induced hypertension. Hence, although RLX improved the renoprotective effects of BM-MSC-EXO, combining RLX with BM-MSCs provided a better therapeutic option for hypertensive CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifang Li
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Amlan Chakraborty
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Brad R S Broughton
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Dorota Ferens
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Sharon D Ricardo
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Stem Cells and Development Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Stem Cells and Development Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
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22
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Qin T, Wang M, Zhang T, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Hasnat M, Zhuang Z, Ding Y, Peng Y. Total C-21 Steroidal Glycosides From Baishouwu Ameliorate Hepatic and Renal Fibrosis by Regulating IL-1β/MyD88 Inflammation Signaling. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:775730. [PMID: 34764877 PMCID: PMC8576092 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.775730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is a worldwide public health problem, which typically results from chronic diseases and often leads to organ malfunction. Chronic inflammation has been suggested to be the major trigger for fibrogenesis, yet mechanisms by which inflammatory signals drive fibrogenesis have not been fully elucidated. Total C-21 steroidal glycosides (TCSG) from Baishouwu are the main active components of the root of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight, which exert hepatoprotective and anti-inflammation properties. In this study, we established a mouse model with the coexistence of hepatic and renal fibrosis and aimed to investigate the effects of TCSG from Baishouwu on fibrosis and explored the potential mechanisms. The results of biochemical and pathological examinations showed that TCSG from Baishouwu improved liver and kidney function and alleviated hepatic and renal fibrosis by reducing collagen and extracellular matrix deposition in bile duct ligation and unilateral ureteral occlusion (BDL&UUO) mice. According to network pharmacology analysis, the mechanisms underlying the effects of TCSG from Baishouwu on hepatic and renal fibrosis were associated with inflammatory response pathways, including “Signaling by interleukins”, “MAP kinase activation”, “MyD88 cascade initiated on plasma membrane”, and “Interleukin-1 family signaling”. Regression analysis and western blot results revealed that IL-1β/MyD88 inflammation signaling played an essential role in the anti-fibrotic effects of TCSG from Baishouwu. Further data displayed that TCSG from Baishouwu affected inflammatory response and extracellular matrix deposition via suppressing the activation of p38 MAPK/JNK and NF-κB p65 signaling cascades both in the liver and kidney of BDL&UUO mice. Thus, our findings suggest TCSG from Baishouwu as a natural regimen against hepatic and renal fibrosis and provide direct evidence that IL-1β/MyD88 signaling crucially contributes to hepatic and renal fibrosis and modulates liver-kidney crosstalk by maintaining tight control over inflammatory responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Qin
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingliang Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingyu Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunyun Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Muhammad Hasnat
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Zirui Zhuang
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yongfang Ding
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunru Peng
- Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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23
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Scott TE, Qin CX, Drummond GR, Hobbs AJ, Kemp-Harper BK. Innovative Anti-Inflammatory and Pro-resolving Strategies for Pulmonary Hypertension: High Blood Pressure Research Council of Australia Award 2019. Hypertension 2021; 78:1168-1184. [PMID: 34565184 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.14525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension is a rare, ostensibly incurable, and etiologically diverse disease with an unacceptably high 5-year mortality rate (≈50%), worse than many cancers. Irrespective of pathogenic origin, dysregulated immune processes underlie pulmonary hypertension pathobiology, particularly pertaining to pulmonary vascular remodeling. As such, a variety of proinflammatory pathways have been mooted as novel therapeutic targets. One such pathway involves the family of innate immune regulators known as inflammasomes. In addition, a new and emerging concept is differentiating between anti-inflammatory approaches versus those that promote pro-resolving pathways. This review will briefly introduce inflammasomes and examine recent literature concerning their role in pulmonary hypertension. Moreover, it will explore the difference between inflammation-suppressing and pro-resolution approaches and how this links to inflammasomes. Finally, we will investigate new avenues for targeting inflammation in pulmonary hypertension via more targeted anti-inflammatory or inflammation resolving strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara E Scott
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute (T.E.S., B.K.K.-H.), Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia and Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (T.E.S., C.X.Q.), Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Cheng Xue Qin
- Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia and Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (T.E.S., C.X.Q.), Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia (C.X.Q.)
| | - Grant R Drummond
- Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Disease Research, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia (G.R.D.)
| | - Adrian J Hobbs
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom (A.J.H.)
| | - Barbara K Kemp-Harper
- Department of Pharmacology, Cardiovascular Disease Program, Biomedicine Discovery Institute (T.E.S., B.K.K.-H.), Monash University, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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24
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Zhang X, Qu H, Yang T, Kong X, Zhou H. Regulation and functions of NLRP3 inflammasome in cardiac fibrosis: Current knowledge and clinical significance. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 143:112219. [PMID: 34560540 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis can lead to heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death, representing one of the leading causes of death due to cardiovascular diseases. Cardiac fibrosis involves several multifactorial processes that cannot be effectively controlled by the available therapies. Therefore, current research has focused on the development of novel drugs that can be used to prevent cardiac fibrosis. Recent studies on the functions of inflammasome have provided an in-depth understanding of the regulatory functions of inflammasome in cardiac fibrosis. This review summarizes the latest research on the functions of the NLRP3 inflammasome in various cardiovascular diseases. The latest findings indicate that the NLRP3 inflammasome mediates several inflammatory responses and is associated with pyroptosis, mitochondrial regulation, and myofibroblast differentiation in cardiac fibrosis. These novel findings provide insight into the vital role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis, which can be used to identify new targets for its prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Zhang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huiyan Qu
- Department of Cardiovascular Disease, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Yang
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Cardiovascular Disease, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoni Kong
- Central Laboratory, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Zhou
- Institute of Cardiovascular Disease of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shuguang Hospital affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China; Department of Cardiovascular Disease, ShuGuang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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25
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Chen TT, Xiao F, Li N, Shan S, Qi M, Wang ZY, Zhang SN, Wei W, Sun WY. Inflammasome as an Effective Platform for Fibrosis Therapy. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:1575-1590. [PMID: 33907438 PMCID: PMC8069677 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s304180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is the final stage of the development of chronic inflammation. It is characterized by excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix, leading to tissue structure damage and organ dysfunction, which is a serious threat to human health and life. However, the molecular mechanism of fibrosis is still unclear. Inflammasome is a molecular complex of proteins that has been becoming a key innate sensor for host immunity and is involved in pyroptosis, pathogen infection, metabolic syndrome, cellular stress, and tumor metastasis. Inflammasome signaling and downstream cytokine responses mediated by the inflammasome have been found to play an important role in fibrosis. The inflammasome regulates the secretion of IL-1β and IL-18, which are both critical for the process of fibrosis. Recently, researches on the function of inflammasome have attracted extensive attention, and data derived from these researches have increased our understanding of the effects and regulation of inflammasome during fibrosis. In this review, we emphasize the growing evidence for both indirect and direct effects of inflammasomes in triggering fibrosis as well as potential novel targets for antifibrotic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Ting Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Xiao
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Li
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Shan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Qi
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Zi-Ying Wang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Sheng-Nan Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
| | - Wu-Yi Sun
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Ministry of Education, Anhui Collaborative Innovation Center of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Hefei, Anhui Province, 230032, People's Republic of China
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26
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Chakraborty A, Pinar AA, Lam M, Bourke JE, Royce SG, Selomulya C, Samuel CS. Pulmonary myeloid cell uptake of biodegradable nanoparticles conjugated with an anti-fibrotic agent provides a novel strategy for treating chronic allergic airways disease. Biomaterials 2021; 273:120796. [PMID: 33894403 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Asthma (chronic allergic airways disease, AAD) is characterized by airway inflammation (AI), airway remodeling (AWR) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR). Current treatments for AAD mainly focus on targeting AI and its contribution AHR, with the use of corticosteroids. However, there are no therapies for the direct treatment of AWR, which can contribute to airway obstruction, AHR and corticosteroid resistance independently of AI. The acute heart failure drug, serelaxin (recombinant human gene-2 relaxin, RLX), has potential anti-remodeling and anti-fibrotic effects but only when continuously infused or injected to overcome its short half-life. To alleviate this limitation, we conjugated serelaxin to biodegradable and noninflammatory nanoparticles (NP-RLX) and evaluated their therapeutic potential on measures of AI, AWR and AHR, when intranasally delivered to a preclinical rodent model of chronic AAD and TGF-β1-stimulated collagen gel contraction from asthma patient-derived myofibroblasts. NP-RLX was preferentially taken-up by CD206+-infiltrating and CD68+-tissue resident alveolar macrophages. Furthermore, NP-RLX ameliorated the chronic AAD-induced AI, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), chemokines (CCL2, CCL11) and the pro-fibrotic TGF-β1/IL-1β axis on AWR and resulting AHR, as well as human myofibroblast-induced collagen gel contraction, to a similar extent as unconjugated RLX. Hence, NP-RLX represents a novel strategy for treating the central features of asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amlan Chakraborty
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anita A Pinar
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maggie Lam
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jane E Bourke
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon G Royce
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Clinical Pathology and Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cordelia Selomulya
- School of Chemical Engineering, UNSW Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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27
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An update on the regulatory mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:1141-1160. [PMID: 33850310 PMCID: PMC8093260 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00670-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 303] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is a multiprotein complex involved in the release of mature interleukin-1β and triggering of pyroptosis, which is of paramount importance in a variety of physiological and pathological conditions. Over the past decade, considerable advances have been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the priming/licensing (Signal 1) and assembly (Signal 2) involved in NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Recently, a number of studies have indicated that the priming/licensing step is regulated by complicated mechanisms at both the transcriptional and posttranslational levels. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the mechanistic details of NLRP3 inflammasome activation with a particular emphasis on protein-protein interactions, posttranslational modifications, and spatiotemporal regulation of the NLRP3 inflammasome machinery. We also present a detailed summary of multiple positive and/or negative regulatory pathways providing upstream signals that culminate in NLRP3 inflammasome complex assembly. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NLRP3 inflammasome activation will provide opportunities for the development of methods for the prevention and treatment of NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases.
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28
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She Q, Shi P, Xu SS, Xuan HY, Tao H, Shi KH, Yang Y. DNMT1 Methylation of LncRNA GAS5 Leads to Cardiac Fibroblast Pyroptosis via Affecting NLRP3 Axis. Inflammation 2021; 43:1065-1076. [PMID: 32008164 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-020-01191-3] [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] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cell death and inflammation play critical roles in cardiac fibrosis. During the fibrosis process, inflammation and tissue injury were triggered; however, the mechanisms initiating cardiac fibrosis and driving fibroblast pyroptosis remained largely unknown. In this study, we identified long non-coding RNA (LncRNA)-GAS5 as the key onset of cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis and cardiac fibrosis. Here, we detected ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis models and cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis model by stimulating with LPS. We found that the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins such as caspase 1, NLRP3, and DNMT1 was increased in cardiac fibrosis tissue, while the expression of GAS5 was decreased. The overexpressing of LncRNA GAS5 was shown to increase and inhibit cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis, as well as attenuate caspase 1 and NLRP3 expression in cardiac fibroblast. However, the silencing of GAS5 was also observed; it shows the opposite situation. Furthermore, further studies revealed that treatment of DNMT inhibitor, 5-aza-2-deoxycytidine, or downregulation of DNMT1 led to increased GAS5 expression by reversion of promoter hypermethylation in cardiac fibroblast. Importantly, we have demonstrated that DNMT1 methylation of LncRNA GAS5 leads to cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis via affecting NLRP3 axis. Our findings indicate a new regulatory mechanism for cardiac fibroblast pyroptosis under LPS stress, providing a novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis. Graphical Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian She
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Peng Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Sheng-Song Xu
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Hai-Yang Xuan
- Department of Cardiology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Hui Tao
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| | - Kai-Hu Shi
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China. .,Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210028, China.
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China.
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29
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Wang C, Gaspari TA, Ferens D, Spizzo I, Kemp-Harper BK, Samuel CS. Simultaneous targeting of oxidative stress and fibrosis reverses cardiomyopathy-induced ventricular remodelling and dysfunction. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 178:2424-2442. [PMID: 33660265 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Oxidative stress and fibrosis are hallmarks of cardiomyopathy-induced heart failure yet are not effectively targeted by current frontline therapies. Here, the therapeutic effects of the anti-oxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), were compared and combined with an acute heart failure drug with established anti-fibrotic effects, serelaxin (RLX), in a murine model of cardiomyopathy. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Adult male 129sv mice were subjected to repeated isoprenaline (25 mg·kg-1 )-induced cardiac injury for five consecutive days and then left to undergo fibrotic healing until Day 14. Subgroups of isoprenaline-injured mice were treated with RLX (0.5 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 ), NAC (25 mg·kg-1 ·day-1 ) or both combined, given subcutaneously via osmotic minipumps from Day 7 to 14. Control mice received saline instead of isoprenaline. KEY RESULTS Isoprenaline-injured mice showed increased left ventricular (LV) inflammation (~5-fold), oxidative stress (~1-2.5-fold), cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (~25%), cardiac remodelling, fibrosis (~2-2.5-fold) and dysfunction by Day 14 after injury. NAC alone blocked the cardiomyopathy-induced increase in LV superoxide levels, to a greater extent than RLX. Additionally, either treatment alone only partly reduced several measures of LV inflammation, remodelling and fibrosis. In comparison, the combination of RLX and NAC prevented the cardiomyopathy-induced LV macrophage infiltration, remodelling, fibrosis and cardiomyocyte size, to a greater extent than either treatment alone after 7 days. The combination therapy also restored the isoprenaline-induced reduction in LV function, without affecting systolic BP. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS These findings demonstrated that the simultaneous targeting of oxidative stress and fibrosis is key to treating the pathophysiology and dysfunction induced by cardiomyopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Wang
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Dorota Ferens
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Iresha Spizzo
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Barbara K Kemp-Harper
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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30
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Zhang Y, Zhang S, Li B, Luo Y, Gong Y, Jin X, Zhang J, Zhou Y, Zhuo X, Wang Z, Zhao X, Han X, Gao Y, Yu H, Liang D, Zhao S, Sun D, Wang D, Xu W, Qu G, Bo W, Li D, Wu Y, Li Y. Gut microbiota dysbiosis promotes age-related atrial fibrillation by lipopolysaccharide and glucose-induced activation of NLRP3-inflammasome. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 118:785-797. [PMID: 33757127 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Aging is the most significant contributor to the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). The gut microbiota dysbiosis is involved in age-related diseases. However, whether the aged-associated dysbiosis contributes to age-related AF is still unknown. Direct demonstration that the aged gut microbiota is sufficient to transmit the enhanced AF susceptibility in a young host via microbiota-intestinal barrier-atria axis has not yet been reported. This study aimed to determine whether gut microbiota dysbiosis affects age-related AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Herein, by using a fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat model, we demonstrated that the high AF susceptibility of aged rats could be transmitted to a young host. Specially, we found the dramatically increased levels of circulating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and glucose led to the up-regulated expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3)-inflammasome, promoting the development of AF which depended on the enhanced atrial fibrosis in recipient host. Inhibition of inflammasome by a potent and selective inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, MCC950, resulted in a lower atrial fibrosis and AF susceptibility. Then we conducted cross-sectional clinical studies to explore the effect of aging on the altering trends with glucose levels and circulating LPS among clinical individuals in two China hospitals. We found that both of serum LPS and glucose levels were progressively increased in elderly patients as compared with those young. Furthermore, the aging phenotype of circulating LPS and glucose levels, intestinal structure and atrial NLRP3-inflammasome of rats were also confirmed in clinical AF patients. Finally, aged rats colonized with youthful microbiota restored intestinal structure and atrial NLRP3-inflammasome activity, which suppressed the development of aged-related AF. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these studies described a novel causal role of aberrant gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of age-related AF, which indicates that the microbiota-intestinal barrier-atrial NLRP3 inflammasome axis may be a rational molecular target for the treatment of aged-related arrhythmia disease. TRANSLATIONAL PERSPECTIVE The current study demonstrates that aged-associated microbiota dysbiosis promotes AF in part through a microbiota-gut-atria axis. Increased AF susceptibility due to enhanced atrial NLRP3-inflammasome activity by LPS and high glucose was found in an aged FMT rat model, and also confirmed within elderly clinical individuals. In a long-term FMT rat study, the AF susceptibility was ameliorated by treatment with youthful microbiota. The present findings can further increase our understanding of aged-related AF and address a promising therapeutic strategy that involves modulation of gut microbiota composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Song Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Bolin Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yingchun Luo
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yongtai Gong
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuexin Jin
- Department of Pharmacology (State-Province Key Laboratories of Biomedicine-Pharmaceutics of China, Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Medicine Research, Ministry of Education), College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jiawei Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xiaozhen Zhuo
- Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Cardiology, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Zixi Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xinbo Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Xuejie Han
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yunlong Gao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Yu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Desen Liang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, China
| | - Shiqi Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Danghui Sun
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Dingyu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Guangjin Qu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Wanlan Bo
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yue Wu
- Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,The Cell Transplantation Key Laboratory of National Health Commission, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Hepatosplenic Surgery, Harbin Medical University, Ministry of Education, Harbin, China.,Key Laboratory of Cardiac Diseases and Heart Failure, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.,Institute of Metabolic Disease, Heilongjiang Academy of Medical Science, Harbin, China
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31
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Zou H, Ming B, Li J, Xiao Y, Lai L, Gao M, Xu Y, Tan Z, Gong F, Zheng F. Extracellular HMGB1 Contributes to the Chronic Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy/Fibrosis by Modulating TGF-β1 Signaling. Front Immunol 2021; 12:641973. [PMID: 33777037 PMCID: PMC7988222 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.641973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) charactered with aberrant remodeling and fibrosis usually leads to the loss of graft after heart transplantation. Our previous work has reported that extracellular high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) participated in the CAV progression via promoting inflammatory cells infiltration and immune damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of CAV/fibrosis and potential mechanisms using a chronic cardiac rejection model in mice. We found high levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in cardiac allografts after transplantation. Treatment with HMGB1 neutralizing antibody markedly prolonged the allograft survival accompanied by attenuated fibrosis of cardiac allograft, decreased fibroblasts-to-myofibroblasts conversion, and reduced synthesis and release of TGF-β1. In addition, recombinant HMGB1 stimulation promoted release of active TGF-β1 from cardiac fibroblasts and macrophages in vitro, and subsequent phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 which were downstream of TGF-β1 signaling. These data indicate that HMGB1 contributes to the CAV/fibrosis via promoting the activation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling. Targeting HMGB1 might become a new therapeutic strategy for inhibiting cardiac allograft fibrosis and dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijuan Zou
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Bingxia Ming
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifan Xiao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lin Lai
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ming Gao
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yong Xu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Tan
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Feili Gong
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang Zheng
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Ministry of Education, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Wuhan, China
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Dexmedetomidine attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute liver injury in rats by inhibiting caveolin-1 downstream signaling pathway. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:227822. [PMID: 33558888 PMCID: PMC7938455 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20204279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the anti-injury and anti-inflammatory effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) in acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Sprague–Dawley rats and its possible mechanism. Methods: The acute liver injury model of male rats was established by injecting LPS into tail vein. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) of rats was recorded at 0–7 h, and lactic acid was detected at different time points. Wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) was calculated. Pathological changes of rat liver were observed by HE staining. ALT and AST levels in serum were detected. The activities of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver tissue homogenate and the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were detected by ELISA. Protein levels of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), TLR-4 and NLRP3 in liver tissue were tested by immunohistochemistry method. The expression of Cav-1, TLR-4 and NLRP3 mRNA in liver tissue was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to explore its related mechanism. Results: Compared with NS group, serum lactic acid, W/D of liver tissue, MPO, SOD, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly increased and MAP decreased significantly in LPS group and D+L group. However, compared with NS group, D group showed no significant difference in various indicators. Compared with LPS group, MPO, SOD, IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased and MAP was significantly increased in D+L group. D+L group could significantly increase the level of Cav-1 protein and decrease the level of TLR-4 and NLRP3 protein in liver tissue caused by sepsis. The expression of Cav-1 mRNA was significantly up-regulated and the expression of TLR-4 and NLRP3 mRNA was inhibited in D+L group. Conclusion: Dex pretreatment protects against LPS-induced actue liver injury via inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3 signaling pathway by up-regulating the expression of Cav-1 by sepsis.
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Saadat S, Noureddini M, Mahjoubin-Tehran M, Nazemi S, Shojaie L, Aschner M, Maleki B, Abbasi-Kolli M, Rajabi Moghadam H, Alani B, Mirzaei H. Pivotal Role of TGF-β/Smad Signaling in Cardiac Fibrosis: Non-coding RNAs as Effectual Players. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 7:588347. [PMID: 33569393 PMCID: PMC7868343 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.588347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Unintended cardiac fibroblast proliferation in many pathophysiological heart conditions, known as cardiac fibrosis, results in pooling of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the heart muscle. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) as a pivotal cytokine/growth factor stimulates fibroblasts and hastens ECM production in injured tissues. The TGF-β receptor is a heterodimeric receptor complex on the plasma membrane, made up from TGF-β type I, as well as type II receptors, giving rise to Smad2 and Smad3 transcription factors phosphorylation upon canonical signaling. Phosphorylated Smad2, Smad3, and cytoplasmic Smad4 intercommunicate to transfer the signal to the nucleus, culminating in provoked gene transcription. Additionally, TGF-β receptor complex activation starts up non-canonical signaling that lead to the mitogen-stimulated protein kinase cascade activation, inducing p38, JNK1/2 (c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2), and ERK1/2 (extracellular signal–regulated kinase 1/2) signaling. TGF-β not only activates fibroblasts and stimulates them to differentiate into myofibroblasts, which produce ECM proteins, but also promotes fibroblast proliferation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are important regulators of numerous pathways along with cellular procedures. MicroRNAs and circular long ncRNAs, combined with long ncRNAs, are capable of affecting TGF-β/Smad signaling, leading to cardiac fibrosis. More comprehensive knowledge based on these processes may bring about new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for different cardiac disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Somayeh Saadat
- Physiology Research Centre, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mahdi Noureddini
- Physiology Research Centre, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Maryam Mahjoubin-Tehran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Sina Nazemi
- Vascular and Thorax Surgery Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Layla Shojaie
- Department of Medicine, Research Center for Liver Diseases, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Michael Aschner
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Behnaz Maleki
- Physiology Research Centre, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abbasi-Kolli
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hasan Rajabi Moghadam
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Behrang Alani
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
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Bale S, Varga J, Bhattacharyya S. Role of RP105 and A20 in negative regulation of toll-like receptor activity in fibrosis: potential targets for therapeutic intervention. AIMS ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.3934/allergy.2021009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Pinar AA, Yuferov A, Gaspari TA, Samuel CS. Relaxin Can Mediate Its Anti-Fibrotic Effects by Targeting the Myofibroblast NLRP3 Inflammasome at the Level of Caspase-1. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:1201. [PMID: 32848798 PMCID: PMC7417934 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.01201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The NLRP3 inflammasome produces interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, which when chronically activated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, contribute to fibrosis. The recombinant form of the anti-fibrotic hormone, relaxin (RLX), suppresses the pro-fibrotic influence of TGF-β1 and toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 on NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activity in human cardiac myofibroblasts and mice with cardiomyopathy. However, whether RLX also modulates components of the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome remains unknown. Methods and Results Stimulation of a human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell line with TGF-β1 [5 ng/ml; to promote myofibroblast (HDMF) differentiation], LPS (100 ng/ml; to prime the NLRP3 inflammasome) and ATP (5 mM; to activate the NLPR3 inflammasome) (T+L+A) significantly increased NLRP3 inflammasome priming and activity after 8 and 72 h; and α-SMA expression (myofibroblast differentiation) and collagen-I deposition after 72 h. siRNA-induced knock-down of NLRP3 inflammasome priming components (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1) in T+L+A-stimulated HDMFs for 24 h, completely knocked-down each component after 72 h. RLX (100 ng/ml) administration to T+L+A-stimulated HDMFs after control, NLRP3 or ASC siRNA transfection, equivalently suppressed IL-1β, pro-IL-18, α-SMA, and collagen-I protein levels (by 40%–50%; all p<0.05 vs. T+L+A) after 72 h, as determined by Western blotting. These RLX-induced effects were abrogated by siRNA knock-down of caspase-1. Conclusion The anti-fibrotic actions of RLX appear to require modulation of caspase-1 within the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita A Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Alexander Yuferov
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Tracey A Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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Lambrecht J, van Grunsven LA, Tacke F. Current and emerging pharmacotherapeutic interventions for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 21:1637-1650. [PMID: 32543284 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1774553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic liver disease is due to various causes of persistent liver damage and will eventually lead to the development of liver fibrosis. If no treatment is initiated, this condition may progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatments comprise the elimination of the cause of injury, such as by lifestyle changes, alcohol abstinence, and antiviral agents. However, such etiology-driven therapy is often insufficient in patients with late-stage fibrosis/cirrhosis, therefore maintaining the need for efficient antifibrotic pharmacotherapeutic interventions. AREAS COVERED The authors discuss the recent advances in the development of antifibrotic drugs, which target various pathways of the fibrogenesis process, including cell death, inflammation, gut-liver axis, and myofibroblast activation. Due to the significant burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), various agents which specifically target metabolic pathways and their related receptors/ligands have been developed. For some of them, e.g., obeticholic acid, advanced stage clinical trials indicate antifibrotic efficacy in NAFLD and NASH. EXPERT OPINION Significant advances have been made in the development of novel antifibrotic pharmacotherapeutics. The authors expect that the development of combinatorial therapies, which combine compounds that target various pathways of fibrosis progression, will have a major impact as future etiology-independent therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joeri Lambrecht
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Leo A van Grunsven
- Liver Cell Biology Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel , Brussels, Belgium
| | - Frank Tacke
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, Charité University Medical Center , Berlin, Germany
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Murthi P, Pinar AA, Dimitriadis E, Samuel CS. Inflammasomes-A Molecular Link for Altered Immunoregulation and Inflammation Mediated Vascular Dysfunction in Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041406. [PMID: 32093005 PMCID: PMC7073120 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific multisystem disorder and is associated with maladaptation of the maternal cardiovascular system and abnormal placentation. One of the important characteristics in the pathophysiology of PE is a dysfunction of the placenta. Placental insufficiency is associated with poor trophoblast uterine invasion and impaired transformation of the uterine spiral arterioles to high capacity and low impedance vessels and/or abnormalities in the development of chorionic villi. Significant progress in identifying potential molecular targets in the pathophysiology of PE is underway. The human placenta is immunologically functional with the trophoblast able to generate specific and diverse innate immune-like responses through their expression of multimeric self-assembling protein complexes, termed inflammasomes. However, the type of response is highly dependent upon the stimuli, the receptor(s) expressed and activated, the downstream signaling pathways involved, and the timing of gestation. Recent findings highlight that inflammasomes can act as a molecular link for several components at the syncytiotrophoblast surface and also in maternal blood thereby directly influencing each other. Thus, the inflammasome molecular platform can promote adverse inflammatory effects when chronically activated. This review highlights current knowledge in placental inflammasome expression and activity in PE-affected pregnancies, and consequently, vascular dysfunction in PE that must be addressed as an interdependent interactive process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padma Murthi
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria 3168, Australia; (A.A.P.); (C.S.S.)
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3168, Australia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +61-03-99059917
| | - Anita A. Pinar
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria 3168, Australia; (A.A.P.); (C.S.S.)
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3168, Australia;
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria 3168, Australia; (A.A.P.); (C.S.S.)
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