1
|
Tang Y, Du E, Wang G, Qin F, Meng Z, Dai L, Wang Y, Ren S. A negative feedback loop centered on SMAD3 expression in transforming growth factor β1-induced corneal myofibroblast differentiation. Exp Eye Res 2023; 236:109654. [PMID: 37734427 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109654] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
SMAD3 downregulation is documented in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)-induced corneal fibroblasts differentiation to myofibroblasts ("fibroTOmyoDiff") or corneal wound healing. However, the exact regulatory mechanism of TGF-β1/SMAD3 pathway in this context remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role and related mechanism of SMAD3 down-regulation in TGF-β1-induced human corneal fibroTOmyoDiff. By detecting expression changes of SMAD family during this process, we demonstrated that SMAD3 protein expression was dramatically decreased in the process and the decrease occurred mainly in SMAD3 gene transcription. Furthermore, SMAD3 overexpression using lentivirus infection and knockdown using sgRNA lentivirus infection or siRNAs revealed that SMAD3 overexpression enhanced TGF-β1-induced corneal fibroTOmyoDiff and vice versa. In addition, specific siRNAs and inhibitors targeting particular signaling pathway were used to figure out the intracellular signaling pathway regulating SMAD3, and the result showed that the decease of SMAD3 induced by TGF-β1 stimulation in human corneal fibroblasts (HCFs) was strikingly prevented by SMAD4 knockdown or p38 signaling inhibitor SB203580 treatment. Collectively, these results demonstrate that, in TGF-β1 induced corneal fibroTOmyoDiff, down-regulation of SMAD3 expression regulated by SMAD4 and p38 signaling pathways forms a negative feedback loop of TGFβ signaling to avoid excessive activation of the signaling, which suggest that SMAD3 may be a key target for corneal fibrosis treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yunlan Tang
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Enming Du
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Fangyuan Qin
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Zhihong Meng
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Lijuan Dai
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Yiqiang Wang
- Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215123, China.
| | - Shengwei Ren
- Henan Eye Hospital, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450003, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jiang L, Dong X, Chen L, Han R, Hao P, Wang L, Gao J, Chen X, Li X. A composite hydrogel membrane with shape and water retention for corneal tissue engineering. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17950. [PMID: 37539164 PMCID: PMC10395283 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tissue engineering (TE) cornea is one of the most potential alternatives to the shortage of corneal donors in cornea transplantation. Sodium alginate (SA) hydrogel is commonly used as scaffold in TE. Herein, we present an approach to construct a composite hydrogel, which with SA fiber skeleton structure for shape retention and gelatin surface modification for water retention. The light transmittance, water retention rate, and swelling rate of hydrogels were characterized, and the tensile mechanical properties were also investigated. Keratinocytes were treated with material extract liquor and the results showed that the gelatin modified SA hydrogel has good cytocompatibility. Furthermore, human corneal stromal fibroblasts (HCSFs) from the lenticules were implanted on the surface of gels, and the SA-gelatin hydrogel significantly improved the adhesion and spreading of HCSFs. Finally, we discussed the improvement and application prospect of the composite hydrogel as cornea equivalents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoli Dong
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Luxia Chen
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ruifang Han
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Pen Hao
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Liming Wang
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Juan Gao
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Clinical Collage of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Nankai University Affiliated Eye Hospital, Tianjin, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Surovtseva MA, Kim II, Bondarenko NA, Lykov AP, Krasner KY, Chepeleva EV, Bgatova NP, Trunov AN, Chernykh VV, Poveshchenko OV. Derivation of Human Corneal Keratocytes from ReLEx SMILE Lenticules for Cell Therapy and Tissue Engineering. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108828. [PMID: 37240176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts isolated and expanded from ReLEx SMILE lenticules can be a source of human keratocytes. Since corneal keratocytes are quiescent cells, it is difficult to expand them in vitro in suitable numbers for clinical and experimental use. In the present study, this problem was solved by isolating and growing corneal fibroblasts (CFs) with a high proliferative potential and their reversion to keratocytes in a selective serum-free medium. Fibroblasts reversed into keratocytes (rCFs) had a dendritic morphology and ultrastructural signs of activation of protein synthesis and metabolism. The cultivation of CFs in a medium with 10% FCS and their reversion into keratocytes was not accompanied by the induction of myofibroblasts. After reversion, the cells spontaneously formed spheroids and expressed keratocan and lumican markers, but not mesenchymal ones. The rCFs had low proliferative and migratory activity, and their conditioned medium contained a low level of VEGF. CF reversion was not accompanied by a change with the levels of IGF-1, TNF-alpha, SDF-1a, and sICAM-1. In the present study, it has been demonstrated that fibroblasts from ReLEx SMILE lenticules reverse into keratocytes in serum-free KGM, maintaining the morphology and functional properties of primary keratocytes. These keratocytes have a potential for tissue engineering and cell therapy of various corneal pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Surovtseva
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Irina I Kim
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Natalia A Bondarenko
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander P Lykov
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Kristina Yu Krasner
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Novosibirsk Branch of S. Fedorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, 10 Kalkhidskaya Str., 630096 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena V Chepeleva
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Nataliya P Bgatova
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexander N Trunov
- Novosibirsk Branch of S. Fedorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, 10 Kalkhidskaya Str., 630096 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Valery V Chernykh
- Novosibirsk Branch of S. Fedorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, 10 Kalkhidskaya Str., 630096 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Olga V Poveshchenko
- Research Institute of Clinical and Experimental Lymphology-Branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 2 Timakova Str., 630060 Novosibirsk, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Human corneal stromal cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion from a new source, lenticules obtained during laser vision correction by the ReLEx SMILe method. The resulting culture was mainly presented by fibroblast-like cells with a phenotype CD90-/CD73+/CD105+/keratocan-/lumican-/ALDH1A1+ that differentiate into keratocytes in a specialized medium. The concentration of fetal calf serum-derived growth factors affects the rate of proliferation, production of erythropoietin and brain neurotrophic factor by corneal fibroblasts, and to a lesser extent, their migration activity and production of extracellular matrix components. Thus, the high functional potential of fibroblast-like cells isolated from stromal lenticles can be used to develop cell technologies in ophthalmology.
Collapse
|
5
|
Li S, Ding C, Guo Y, Zhang Y, Wang H, Sun X, Zhang J, Cui Z, Chen J. Mechanotransduction Regulates Reprogramming Enhancement in Adherent 3D Keratocyte Cultures. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:709488. [PMID: 34568299 PMCID: PMC8460903 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.709488] [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: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Suspended spheroid culture using ultralow attachment plates (ULAPs) is reported to effect corneal fibroblast reprogramming. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with hydrophobic and soft substrate properties, facilitates adherent spheroid formation that promotes cellular physical reprogramming into stem-like cells without using transcription factors. However, it is still unknown whether the biophysical properties of PDMS have the same effect on adult human corneal keratocyte reprogramming. Here, PDMS and essential 8 (E8) medium were utilized to culture keratocyte spheroids and fibroblast spheroids, and the reprogramming results were compared. We provide insights into the probable mechanisms of the PDMS effect on spheroids. qPCR analysis showed that the expression of some stem cell marker genes (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLF4, CMYC, ABCG2 and PAX6) was significantly greater in keratocyte spheroids than in fibroblast spheroids. The endogenous level of stemness transcription factors (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLF4 and CMYC) was higher in keratocytes than in fibroblasts. Immunofluorescence staining revealed Klf4, Nanog, Sox2, ABCG2 and Pax6 were positively stained in adherent 3D spheroids but weakly or negatively stained in adherent 2D cells. Furthermore, OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLF4, HNK1, ABCG2 and PAX6 gene expression was significantly higher in adherent 3D spheroids than in adherent 2D cells. Meanwhile, SOX2, ABCG2 and PAX6 were more upregulated in adherent 3D spheroids than in suspended 3D spheroids. The RNA-seq analysis suggested that regulation of the actin cytoskeleton, TGFβ/BMP and HIF-1 signaling pathways induced changes in mechanotransduction, the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition and hypoxia, which might be responsible for the effect of PDMS on facilitating reprogramming. In conclusion, compared to corneal fibroblasts, keratocytes were more susceptible to reprogramming due to higher levels of endogenous stemness transcription factors. Spheroid culture of keratocytes using PDMS had a positive impact on promoting the expression of some stem cell markers. PDMS, as a substrate to form spheroids, was better able to promote reprogramming than ULAPs. These results indicated that the physiological cells and culture conditions herein enhance reprogramming. Therefore, adherent spheroid culture of keratocytes using PDMS is a promising strategy to more safely promote reprogramming, suggesting its potential application for developing clinical implants in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shenyang Li
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | | | - Yonglong Guo
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Wang
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xihao Sun
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Information and Sensing Technologies of Guangdong Higher Educational Institutes, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zekai Cui
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, China
| | - Jiansu Chen
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Aier Eye Institute, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine of Ministry of Education, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang DD, Shi Y, Liu JB, Yang XL, Xin R, Wang HM, Wang PY, Jia CY, Zhang WJ, Ma YS, Fu D. Construction of a Myc-associated ceRNA network reveals a prognostic signature in hepatocellular carcinoma. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 24:1033-1050. [PMID: 34141458 PMCID: PMC8167205 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains an extremely lethal disease worldwide. High-throughput methods have revealed global transcriptome dysregulation; however, a comprehensive investigation of the complexity and behavioral characteristics of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in HCC is lacking. In this study, we extracted the transcriptome (RNA) sequencing data of 371 HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas platform. With the comparison of the high Myc expression (Mychigh) tumor and low Myc expression (Myclow) tumor groups in HCC, we identified 1,125 differentially expressed (DE) mRNAs, 589 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and 93 microRNAs (miRNAs). DE RNAs predicted the interactions necessary to construct an associated Myc ceRNA network, including 19 DE lncRNAs, 5 miRNAs, and 72 mRNAs. We identified a significant signature (long intergenic non-protein-coding [LINC] RNA 2691 [LINC02691] and LINC02499) that effectively predicted overall survival and had protective effects. The target genes of microRNA (miR)-212-3p predicted to intersect with DE mRNAs included SEC14-like protein 2 (SEC14L2) and solute carrier family 6 member 1 (SLC6A1), which were strongly correlated with survival and prognosis. With the use of the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA axis, we constructed a ceRNA network containing four lncRNAs (LINC02691, LINC02499, LINC01354, and NAV2 antisense RNA 4), one miRNA (miR-212-3p), and two mRNAs (SEC14L2 and SLC6A1). Overall, we successfully constructed a mutually regulated ceRNA network and identified potential precision-targeted therapies and prognostic biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan-Dan Zhang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,Cancer Institute, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Nantong 226631, China.,Department of Pathology, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Cancer Institute, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Nantong 226631, China
| | - Ji-Bin Liu
- Cancer Institute, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Nantong 226631, China
| | - Xiao-Li Yang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Rui Xin
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Hui-Min Wang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China.,Cancer Institute, Nantong Tumor Hospital, Nantong 226631, China
| | - Pei-Yao Wang
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Cheng-You Jia
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| | - Wen-Jie Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, China.,The Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi, Xinjiang 832002, China
| | - Yu-Shui Ma
- International Cooperation Laboratory on Signal Transduction, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital/Institute, National Center for Liver Cancer, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Da Fu
- Central Laboratory for Medical Research, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200072, China
| |
Collapse
|