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Lan YW, Chen CE, Huang TT, Huang TH, Chen CM, Chong KY. Antrodia cinnamomea extract alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the mTOR pathway. Biomed J 2024:100720. [PMID: 38679198 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2024.100720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive diffuse parenchymal lung disorder with a high mortality rate. Studies have indicated that injured lung tissues release various pro-inflammatory factors, and produce a large amount of nitric oxide. There is also accumulation of collagen and oxidative stress-induced injury, collectively leading to pulmonary fibrosis. Antrodia cinnamomea is an endemic fungal growth in Taiwan, and its fermented extracts exert anti-inflammatory effects to alleviate liver damages. Hence, we hypothesized and tested the feasibility of using A. cinnamomea extracts for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. METHODS The TGF-β1-induced human lung fibroblast cells (MRC-5) in vitro cell assay were used to evaluate the effects of A. cinnamomea extracts on the collagen production in MRC-5. Eight-week-old ICR mice were intratracheally administered bleomycin and then fed with an A. cinnamomea extract on day 3 post-administration of bleomycin. At day 21 post-bleomycin administration, the pulmonary functional test, the expression level of inflammation- and fibrosis-related genes in the lung tissue, and the histopathological change were examined. RESULTS The A. cinnamomea extract significantly attenuated the expression level of collagen in the TGF-β1-induced MRC-5 cells. In the A. cinnamome-treated bleomycin-induced lung fibrotic mice, the bodyweight increased, pulmonary functions improved, the lung tissues expression level of inflammatory factor and the fibrotic indicator were decreased, and the histopathological results showed the reduction of thickening of the inter-alveolar septa. CONCLUSIONS The Antrodia cinnamomea extract significant protects mice against bleomycin-induced lung injuries through improvement of body weight gain and lung functions, and attenuation of expression of inflammatory and fibrotic indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Wei Lan
- Phoenix Children's Health Research Institute, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Chia-En Chen
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tsung-Teng Huang
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tse-Hung Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan; The IEGG and Animal Biotechnology Center and the Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Kowit-Yu Chong
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences Division of Biotechnology, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Hyperbaric Oxygen Medical Research Lab, Bone and Joint Research Center, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Centre for Stem Cell Research, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Sadeghi Shaker M, Rokni M, Mahmoudi M, Farhadi E. Ras family signaling pathway in immunopathogenesis of inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1151246. [PMID: 37256120 PMCID: PMC10225558 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1151246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The Ras (rat sarcoma virus) is a GTP-binding protein that is considered one of the important members of the Ras-GTPase superfamily. The Ras involves several pathways in the cell that include proliferation, migration, survival, differentiation, and fibrosis. Abnormalities in the expression level and activation of the Ras family signaling pathway and its downstream kinases such as Raf/MEK/ERK1-2 contribute to the pathogenic mechanisms of rheumatic diseases including immune system dysregulation, inflammation, and fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc); destruction and inflammation of synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA); and autoantibody production and immune complexes formation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); and enhance osteoblast differentiation and ossification during skeletal formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In this review, the basic biology, signaling of Ras, and abnormalities in this pathway in rheumatic diseases including SSc, RA, AS, and SLE will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Sadeghi Shaker
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rokni
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Mahmoudi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elham Farhadi
- Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Inflammation Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Dissecting the Involvement of Ras GTPases in Kidney Fibrosis. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12060800. [PMID: 34073961 PMCID: PMC8225075 DOI: 10.3390/genes12060800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Many different regulatory mechanisms of renal fibrosis are known to date, and those related to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced signaling have been studied in greater depth. However, in recent years, other signaling pathways have been identified, which contribute to the regulation of these pathological processes. Several studies by our team and others have revealed the involvement of small Ras GTPases in the regulation of the cellular processes that occur in renal fibrosis, such as the activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts or the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Intracellular signaling mediated by TGF-β1 and Ras GTPases are closely related, and this interaction also occurs during the development of renal fibrosis. In this review, we update the available in vitro and in vivo knowledge on the role of Ras and its main effectors, such as Erk and Akt, in the cellular mechanisms that occur during the regulation of kidney fibrosis (ECM synthesis, accumulation and activation of myofibroblasts, apoptosis and survival of tubular epithelial cells), as well as the therapeutic strategies for targeting the Ras pathway to intervene on the development of renal fibrosis.
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Fuentes-Calvo I, Martinez-Salgado C. Sos1 Modulates Extracellular Matrix Synthesis, Proliferation, and Migration in Fibroblasts. Front Physiol 2021; 12:645044. [PMID: 33889087 PMCID: PMC8055938 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.645044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-reversible fibrosis is common in various diseases such as chronic renal failure, liver cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis, pulmonary fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is involved in virtually all types of fibrosis. We previously described the involvement of Ras GTPase isoforms in the regulation of TGF-β1-induced fibrosis. The guanine nucleotide exchange factor Son of Sevenless (Sos) is the main Ras activator, but the role of the ubiquitously expressed Sos1 in the development of fibrosis has not been studied. For this purpose, we isolated and cultured Sos1 knock-out (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts, the main extracellular matrix proteins (ECM)-producing cells, and we analyzed ECM synthesis, cell proliferation and migration in the absence of Sos1, as well as the role of the main Sos1-Ras effectors, Erk1/2 and Akt, in these processes. The absence of Sos1 increases collagen I expression (through the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway), total collagen proteins, and slightly increases fibronectin expression; Sos1 regulates fibroblast proliferation through both PI3K-Akt and Raf-Erk pathways, and Sos1-PI3K-Akt signaling regulates fibroblast migration. These study shows that Sos1 regulates ECM synthesis and migration (through Ras-PI3K-Akt) and proliferation (through Ras-PI3K-Akt and Ras-Raf-Erk) in fibroblasts, and describe for the first time the role of the Sos1-Ras signaling axis in the regulation of cellular processes involved in the development of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fuentes-Calvo
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Translational Research on Renal and Cardiovascular Diseases (TRECARD)-REDINREN (ISCIII), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Martinez-Salgado
- Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
- Translational Research on Renal and Cardiovascular Diseases (TRECARD)-REDINREN (ISCIII), Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Acidic Phospholipase A2-Peptide Derivative Modulates Oxidative Status and Microstructural Reorganization of Scar Tissue after Cutaneous Injury. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:8273986. [PMID: 32733589 PMCID: PMC7369679 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8273986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
From in vitro and in vivo models, the proliferative and healing potential of an acidic phospholipase A2 (LAPLA2) from Lachesis muta venom was investigated. The LAPLA2 proliferative activity was evaluated on fibroblasts and keratinocytes cultured, and the antioxidant and regenerative potential of LAPLA2 was analyzed in a murine model. The animal study consisted of four groups: C (negative control): 0.9% NaCl; SS (positive control): 1% silver sulfadiazine; L1 group: 0.5% LAPLA2; and L2 group: 0.25% LAPLA2. Wounds were topically treated daily for 12 days, and scar tissue samples were collected every 4 days. In vitro, LAPLA2 stimulated marked time-dependent cell proliferation. In vivo, it increased the antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl protein (CP) levels in scar tissue treated with LAPLA2 at 0.5%. This peptide was effective in stimulating cellular proliferation, neoangiogenesis, type I and III collagen deposition, and maturation in a time-dependent-way, reducing the time required for wound closure. Our results indicated that LAPLA2 presented a remarkable potential in improving the oxidative status and microstructural reorganization of the scar tissue by stimulation of cellularity, angiogenesis, colagenogenesis, and wound contraction, suggesting that the peptide could be a potential candidate for a new healing drug.
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Kim MS, Baek AR, Lee JH, Jang AS, Kim DJ, Chin SS, Park SW. IL-37 Attenuates Lung Fibrosis by Inducing Autophagy and Regulating TGF-β1 Production in Mice. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2019; 203:2265-2275. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Shukla A, Dahiya S, Onteru SK, Singh D. Differentially expressed miRNA-210 during follicular-luteal transition regulates pre-ovulatory granulosa cell function targeting HRas and EFNA3. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:7934-7943. [PMID: 29131373 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian folliculogenesis, ovulation, and luteinization are an important prerequisite for fertility performance in mammals. Spatial and temporal key factors and proteins for their regulation are well known. Recent advancement in the field of molecular biology led to the discovery of another class of gene regulators, microRNA (miRNA). Previous studies on profiling of miRNA in buffalo ovaries revealed that miRNA-210 (miR-210) is differently expressed in follicular-luteal transition. Therefore, the present study was planned to ascertain the role of miR-210 in buffalo granulosa cells. Cultured granulosa cells were transfected with miR-210 mimic. Effect of overexpression of miR-210 was analyzed on granulosa cell marker genes (CYP19A1 and PCNA) which were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Further, target genes of miR-210 were screened using Target Scan software v7.1 and a list of 37 genes with cumulative weight context score (CWCS) > 0.5 was sorted followed by their functional annotation and network analyses using PANTHER and STRING software. Bioinformatics analyses identified HRas gene as a potential hub gene of miR-210 targeted genes. HRas has been shown to be involved in diverse biological pathways regulating ovarian functions. An expression analysis of HRas was further validated both in vitro and in vivo. EFNA3 (EFHRIN-A3), another identified target of miR-210 known to be involved in angiogenesis, was also downregulated in miR-210 transfected granulosa cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that miR-210 can regulate granulosa cell function at preovulatory stage through HRas and EFNA3. Further studies are needed to find the mechanism how miR-210 regulates the granulosa cells function through these targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astha Shukla
- Molecular Endocrinology, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Sunita Dahiya
- Molecular Endocrinology, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Suneel K Onteru
- Molecular Endocrinology, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
| | - Dheer Singh
- Molecular Endocrinology, Functional Genomics and Systems Biology Laboratory, Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana, India
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Krygowska AA, Castellano E. PI3K: A Crucial Piece in the RAS Signaling Puzzle. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018; 8:cshperspect.a031450. [PMID: 28847905 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a031450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
RAS proteins are key signaling switches essential for control of proliferation, differentiation, and survival of eukaryotic cells. RAS proteins are mutated in 30% of human cancers. In addition, mutations in upstream or downstream signaling components also contribute to oncogenic activation of the pathway. RAS proteins exert their functions through activation of several signaling pathways and dissecting the contributions of these effectors in normal cells and in cancer is an ongoing challenge. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge about how RAS regulates type I phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), one of the main RAS effectors. RAS signaling through PI3K is necessary for normal lymphatic vasculature development and for RAS-induced transformation in vitro and in vivo, especially in lung cancer, where it is essential for tumor initiation and necessary for tumor maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Adelajda Krygowska
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
| | - Esther Castellano
- Centre for Cancer and Inflammation, Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, United Kingdom
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Long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A reduces glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 96:489-496. [PMID: 29032332 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.09.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of end-stage renal disease emphasizes the failure to provide therapies to effectively prevent and/or reverse renal fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment with chaethomellic acid A (CAA), which selectively blocks Ha-Ras farnesylation, on renal mass reduction-induced renal fibrosis. Male Wistar rats were sham-operated (SO) or subjected to 5/6 renal mass reduction (RMR). One week after surgery, rats were placed in four experimental groups: SO:SO rats without treatment (n=13); SO+CAA: SO rats treated with CAA (n=13); RMR:RMR rats without treatment (n=14); and RMR+CAA:RMR rats treated with CAA (n=13). CAA was intraperitoneally administered in a dose of 0.23μg/kg three times a week for six months. Renal fibrosis was evaluated by two-dimensional ultrasonography and histopathological analysis. The kidneys of the RMR animals treated with CAA showed a significantly decrease in the medullary echogenicity (p<0.05) compared with the RMR rats that received no treatment. Glomerulosclerosis and arteriolosclerosis scores were significantly lower (p<0.001) in the RMR+CAA group when compared with the RMR group. There were no significant differences in interstitial fibrosis, interstitial inflammation and tubular dilatation scores between the RMR+CAA and RMR groups. These data suggest that CAA can be a potential future drug to attenuate the progression of chronic kidney disease.
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Yu J, Choi S, Um J, Park KS. Reduced Expression of YAP in Dermal Fibroblasts is Associated with Impaired Wound Healing in Type 2 Diabetic Mice. Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017; 14:49-55. [PMID: 30603461 DOI: 10.1007/s13770-016-0019-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 11/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Dermal fibroblasts play essential roles in wound healing and their dysfunction has been shown to be associated with impaired wound healing in diabetes. In the present study, we aimed at investigating whether Yes-associated protein (YAP), a mediator of mechanotransduction in dermal fibroblasts, is associated with impaired wound healing in diabetic mice. Compared with that in the control, the rate of wound contraction was decreased twofold in db/db type 2 diabetic mice (db/db mice). To mimic diabetic pathological condition, dermal fibroblasts were cultured under high glucose conditions (25.5 mM glucose). Further, dermal fibroblast-mediated contraction of wound was evaluated by in vitro collagen gel contraction assay. Dermal fibroblasts cultured under hyperglycemic condition showed impaired gel contraction and mitochondrial dysfunction, compared to the cells cultured under normoglycemic conditions (5.5 mM glucose). Importantly, compared with the normal dermal fibroblasts, diabetic db/db dermal fibroblasts expressed lower levels of growth factors and cytokines that enhance wound healing, such as insulin-like growth factor-1, stromal cell-derived factor-1, connective tissue growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). The quantity of YAP mRNA was also lower in diabetic db/db dermal fibroblasts, compared with that in the control fibroblasts. These results indicate that impaired wound healing in diabetics is associated with the dysfunction of dermal fibroblasts, including downregulation of YAP, which plays essential roles in extracellular matrix remodeling and TGF-β-mediated wound healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyeong Yu
- 1Department of Genetic Engineering, Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yong-In, 17104 Korea
| | - Sanghyuk Choi
- 1Department of Genetic Engineering, Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yong-In, 17104 Korea
| | - Jihyun Um
- 1Department of Genetic Engineering, Graduate School of Biotechnology, Kyung Hee University, Yong-In, 17104 Korea
| | - Ki-Sook Park
- 2East-West Medical Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, 02447 Korea
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Jiang M, Qiu J, Zhang L, Lü D, Long M, Chen L, Luo X. Changes in tension regulates proliferation and migration of fibroblasts by remodeling expression of ECM proteins. Exp Ther Med 2016; 12:1542-1550. [PMID: 27588075 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2016.3497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Wound healing is a complicated but highly organized process in which cell migration and proliferation are actively involved. However, the process by which mechanical stretch regulates the proliferation and migration of human skin fibroblasts (HFs) and keratinocytes is poorly understood. Using a house built mechanical stretch device, we examined the HFs extracellular matrix (ECM) components changes under non-stretch, static stretch or cyclic stretch conditions. We further investigated the changes in ECM component protein expression levels in keratinocytes and analyzed the effects of individual ECM component on keratinocyte proliferation and migration. Particularly, the roles of calcium/calmodulin-dependent serine protein kinase (CASK) in the HF proliferation under cyclic stretch were investigated. Cyclic stretch suppressed HF proliferation compared with HFs without stretch or with static stretch. Cyclic stretch also led to a significant reduction in the levels of collagen I and a marked increase of fibronectin in HFs ECM. By contrast, collagen I levels increased and fibronectin levels decreased in response to non-stretch and static stretch conditions. After cyclic stretch, the proliferation of keratinocytes was inhibited by the cyclic stretch-induced ECM in HFs. The inoculation of keratinocytes with single ECM component suggested that collagen I was more capable of inducing cell proliferation than fibronectin, while it had less impact on cell migration compared with fibronectin. Furthermore, cyclic stretch induced by proliferation inhibition was associated with altered integrin β1-CASK signal pathway. The present results demonstrated the existence of HF-ECM-keratinocyte 'cross-talk' in cutaneous tissues. Thus, the integrin β1-CASK signal pathway in HFs may be involved in the outside-in signal transduction of extracellular stretch and the altered ECM component expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Jiang
- Burn Research Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China; Central Laboratory, The People's Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, Guizhou 550002, P.R. China
| | - Juhui Qiu
- Burn Research Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China; National Key Laboratory of Trauma and Burns and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Burn Research Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China; National Key Laboratory of Trauma and Burns and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Dongyuan Lü
- Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory) and Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
| | - Mian Long
- Key Laboratory of Microgravity (National Microgravity Laboratory) and Center for Biomechanics and Bioengineering, Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, P.R. China
| | - Li Chen
- Burn Research Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China; National Key Laboratory of Trauma and Burns and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China; Breast Disease Center, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
| | - Xiangdong Luo
- Burn Research Institute, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China; National Key Laboratory of Trauma and Burns and Chongqing Key Laboratory of Disease Proteomics, Chongqing 400038, P.R. China
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Muñoz-Félix JM, Cuesta C, Perretta-Tejedor N, Subileau M, López-Hernández FJ, López-Novoa JM, Martínez-Salgado C. Identification of bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) as a novel profibrotic factor in vitro. Cell Signal 2016; 28:1252-1261. [PMID: 27208502 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/17/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Upregulated synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins by myofibroblasts is a common phenomenon in the development of fibrosis. Although the role of TGF-β in fibrosis development has been extensively studied, the involvement of other members of this superfamily of cytokines, the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in organ fibrosis has given contradictory results. BMP9 is the main ligand for activin receptor-like kinase-1 (ALK1) TGF-β1 type I receptor and its effect on fibrosis development is unknown. Our purpose was to study the effect of BMP9 in ECM protein synthesis in fibroblasts, as well as the involved receptors and signaling pathways. In cultured mice fibroblasts, BMP9 induces an increase in collagen, fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor expression, associated with Smad1/5/8, Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 activation. ALK5 inhibition with SB431542 or ALK1/2/3/6 with dorsomorphin-1, inhibition of Smad3 activation with SIS3, and inhibition of the MAPK/Erk1/2 with U0126, demonstrates the involvement of these pathways in BMP9-induced ECM synthesis in MEFs. Whereas BMP9 induced Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation through ALK1, it also induces Smad2/3 phosphorylation through ALK5 but only in the presence of ALK1. Summarizing, this is the first study that accurately identifies BMP9 as a profibrotic factor in fibroblasts that promotes ECM protein expression through ALK1 and ALK5 receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Muñoz-Félix
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Cristina Cuesta
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nuria Perretta-Tejedor
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Mariela Subileau
- Inserm, U1036, CEA, DSV, Irtsv, Laboratoire Biologie du Cancer et de l'Infection, Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, F-38054, France
| | - Francisco J López-Hernández
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José M López-Novoa
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Salgado
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain; Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain; Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.
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Muñoz-Félix JM, Fuentes-Calvo I, Cuesta C, Eleno N, Crespo P, López-Novoa JM, Martínez-Salgado C. Absence of K-Ras Reduces Proliferation and Migration But Increases Extracellular Matrix Synthesis in Fibroblasts. J Cell Physiol 2016; 231:2224-35. [PMID: 26873620 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2015] [Accepted: 02/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The involvement of Ras-GTPases in the development of renal fibrosis has been addressed in the last decade. We have previously shown that H- and N-Ras isoforms participate in the regulation of fibrosis. Herein, we assessed the role of K-Ras in cellular processes involved in the development of fibrosis: proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins synthesis. K-Ras knockout (KO) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (K-ras(-/-) ) stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) exhibited reduced proliferation and impaired mobility than wild-type fibroblasts. Moreover, an increase on ECM production was observed in K-Ras KO fibroblasts in basal conditions. The absence of K-Ras was accompanied by reduced Ras activation and ERK phosphorylation, and increased AKT phosphorylation, but no differences were observed in TGF-β1-induced Smad signaling. The MEK inhibitor U0126 decreased cell proliferation independently of the presence of K-ras but reduced migration and ECM proteins expression only in wild-type fibroblasts, while the PI3K-AKT inhibitor LY294002 decreased cell proliferation, migration, and ECM synthesis in both types of fibroblasts. Thus, our data unveil that K-Ras and its downstream effector pathways distinctively regulate key biological processes in the development of fibrosis. Moreover, we show that K-Ras may be a crucial mediator in TGF-β1-mediated effects in this cell type. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2224-2235, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Muñoz-Félix
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Isabel Fuentes-Calvo
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Cristina Cuesta
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Nélida Eleno
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Piero Crespo
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Biología Molecular, Instituto de Biomedicina y Biotecnología de Cantabria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-IDICAN-Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - José M López-Novoa
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carlos Martínez-Salgado
- Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Instituto "Reina Sofía" de Investigación Nefrológica, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain.,Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Blázquez-Medela AM, García-Sánchez O, Quirós Y, Blanco-Gozalo V, Prieto-García L, Sancho-Martínez SM, Romero M, Duarte JM, López-Hernández FJ, López-Novoa JM, Martínez-Salgado C. Increased Klk9 Urinary Excretion Is Associated to Hypertension-Induced Cardiovascular Damage and Renal Alterations. Medicine (Baltimore) 2015; 94:e1617. [PMID: 26469898 PMCID: PMC4616806 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000001617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Early detection of hypertensive end-organ damage and secondary diseases are key determinants of cardiovascular prognosis in patients suffering from arterial hypertension. Presently, there are no biomarkers for the detection of hypertensive target organ damage, most outstandingly including blood vessels, the heart, and the kidneys.We aimed to validate the usefulness of the urinary excretion of the serine protease kallikrein-related peptidase 9 (KLK9) as a biomarker of hypertension-induced target organ damage.Urinary, plasma, and renal tissue levels of KLK9 were measured by the Western blot in different rat models of hypertension, including angiotensin-II infusion, DOCA-salt, L-NAME administration, and spontaneous hypertension. Urinary levels were associated to cardiovascular and renal injury, assessed by histopathology. The origin of urinary KLK9 was investigated through in situ renal perfusion experiments.The urinary excretion of KLK9 is increased in different experimental models of hypertension in rats. The ACE inhibitor trandolapril significantly reduced arterial pressure and the urinary level of KLK9. Hypertension did not increase kidney, heart, liver, lung, or plasma KLK9 levels. Hypertension-induced increased urinary excretion of KLK9 results from specific alterations in its tubular reabsorption, even in the absence of overt nephropathy. KLK9 urinary excretion strongly correlates with cardiac hypertrophy and aortic wall thickening.KLK9 appears in the urine in the presence of hypertension as a result of subtle renal handling alterations. Urinary KLK9 might be potentially used as an indicator of hypertensive cardiac and vascular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Blázquez-Medela
- From the Unidad de Fisiopatología Renal y Cardiovascular, Instituto Reina Sofía de Investigación Nefrológica, Departamento de Fisiología y Farmacología, Universidad de Salamanca, Spain (AMB-M, OG-S, LP-G, SMS-M, FJL-H, JML-N, CM-S); Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain (AMB-M, LP-G, SMS-M, FJL-H, JML-N, CM-S); Bio-inRen S.L., Salamanca, Spain (YQ, VB-G); Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Spain (MR, JMD); and Instituto de Estudios de Ciencias de la Salud de Castilla y León (IECSCYL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain (FJL-H, CM-S)
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Lan YW, Choo KB, Chen CM, Hung TH, Chen YB, Hsieh CH, Kuo HP, Chong KY. Hypoxia-preconditioned mesenchymal stem cells attenuate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2015; 6:97. [PMID: 25986930 PMCID: PMC4487587 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-015-0081-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Revised: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive diffuse parenchymal lung disorder of unknown etiology. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy is a novel approach with great therapeutic potential for the treatment of lung diseases. Despite demonstration of MSC grafting, the populations of engrafted MSCs have been shown to decrease dramatically 24 hours post-transplantation due to exposure to harsh microenvironments. Hypoxia is known to induce expression of cytoprotective genes and also secretion of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and anti-fibrotic factors. Hypoxic preconditioning is thought to enhance the therapeutic potency and duration of survival of engrafted MSCs. In this work, we aimed to prolong the duration of survival of engrafted MSCs and to enhance the effectiveness of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis transplantation therapy by the use of hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs. METHODS Hypoxic preconditioning was achieved in MSCs under an optimal hypoxic environment. The expression levels of cytoprotective factors and their biological effects on damaged alveolar epithelial cells or transforming growth factor-beta 1-treated fibroblast cells were studied in co-culture experiments in vitro. Furthermore, hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs (HP-MSCs) were intratracheally instilled into bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice at day 3, and lung functions, cellular, molecular and pathological changes were assessed at 7 and 21 days after bleomycin administration. RESULTS The expression of genes for pro-survival, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant and growth factors was upregulated in MSCs under hypoxic conditions. In transforming growth factor-beta 1-treated MRC-5 fibroblast cells, hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs attenuated extracellular matrix production through paracrine effects. The pulmonary respiratory functions significantly improved for up to 18 days of hypoxia-preconditioned MSC treatment. Expression of inflammatory factors and fibrotic factor were all downregulated in the lung tissues of the hypoxia-preconditioned MSC-treated mice. Histopathologic examination observed a significant amelioration of the lung fibrosis. Several LacZ-labeled MSCs were observed within the lungs in the hypoxia-preconditioned MSC treatment groups at day 21, but no signals were detected in the normoxic MSC group. Our data further demonstrated that upregulation of hepatocyte growth factor possibly played an important role in mediating the therapeutic effects of transplanted hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs. CONCLUSION Transplantation of hypoxia-preconditioned MSCs exerted better therapeutic effects in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrotic mice and enhanced the survival rate of engrafted MSCs, partially due to the upregulation of hepatocyte growth factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Wei Lan
- Division of Biotechnology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Kong-Bung Choo
- Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Chuan-Mu Chen
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Agricultural Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Rong-Hsing Translational Medicine Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Tsai-Hsien Hung
- Division of Biotechnology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Young-Bin Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Taiwan University, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Chung-Hsing Hsieh
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, St Paul's Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Ton-Yen General Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Han-Pin Kuo
- Department of Thoracic Medicine, Pulmonary Disease Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
| | - Kowit-Yu Chong
- Division of Biotechnology, Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
- Molecular Medicine Research Center, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan, Republic of China.
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Yang T, Liang Y, Lin Q, Liu J, Luo F, Li X, Zhou H, Zhuang S, Zhang H. miR-29 mediates TGFβ1-induced extracellular matrix synthesis through activation of PI3K-AKT pathway in human lung fibroblasts. J Cell Biochem 2014; 114:1336-42. [PMID: 23238947 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.24474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2012] [Accepted: 11/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
TGFβ1 is very important in the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix, and also in the mediation of human lung fibroblasts proliferation, and miR-29 plays an important role in this process. To explore the interactions of miR-29 family members and TGFβ1, the effects of transforming growth factor TGFβ1 on the expression of miR-29 and whether miR-29 is involved in pro-survival signaling pathways mediated by TGFβ1 were examined in human lung fibroblasts. Treatment of the human embryonic lung fibroblast cell line IMR90 with TGFβ1 caused a decrease in expression of miR-29a/b/c by real-time PCR analysis. TGFβ1 stimulation increased cell proliferation, colony formation and up-regulated expression of COL1A1; transfecting with miR-29a/b/c mimics reverse TGFβ1-induced phenotype changes in IMR90 cells. Western blot analyses showed that TGFβ1 treatment unchanged total protein expression levels of PI3K or AKT, but the expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, and COL1A1 were increased; and miR-19a/b/c mimics interfering blocked phosphorylation of PI3K or AKT and decreased expression of COL1A1 after TGFβ1 treatment. The results indicate that TGFβ1 beta uses the PI3k-Akt pathway in these embryonic fibroblasts and miR29 blocks this activation pathway. It indicates a novel biological function of the PI3K-Akt pathway in IMR90. Elevated expression of miR-29 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases related to fibrogenic reactions in human lung fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Rice and By-product Deep Processing, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
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Effect of angiotensin II and small GTPase Ras signaling pathway inhibition on early renal changes in a murine model of obstructive nephropathy. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:124902. [PMID: 25101263 PMCID: PMC4101960 DOI: 10.1155/2014/124902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2014] [Revised: 05/12/2014] [Accepted: 06/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tubulointerstitial fibrosis is a major feature of chronic kidney disease. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rodents leads to the development of renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis consistent with histopathological changes observed in advanced chronic kidney disease in humans. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of inhibiting angiotensin II receptors or Ras activation on early renal fibrotic changes induced by UUO. Animals either received angiotensin II or underwent UUO. UUO animals received either losartan, atorvastatin, and farnesyl transferase inhibitor (FTI) L-744,832, or chaetomellic acid A (ChA). Levels of activated Ras, phospho-ERK1/2, phospho-Akt, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin were subsequently quantified in renal tissue by ELISA, Western blot, and/or immunohistochemistry. Our results demonstrate that administration of angiotensin II induces activation of the small GTPase Ras/Erk/Akt signaling system, suggesting an involvement of angiotensin II in the early obstruction-induced activation of renal Ras. Furthermore, upstream inhibition of Ras signalling by blocking either angiotensin AT1 type receptor or by inhibiting Ras prenylation (atorvastatin, FTI o ChA) reduced the activation of the Ras/Erk/Akt signaling system and decreased the early fibrotic response in the obstructed kidney. This study points out that pharmacological inhibition of Ras activation may hold promise as a future strategy in the prevention of renal fibrosis.
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Lan A, Du J. Potential role of Akt signaling in chronic kidney disease. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2014; 30:385-94. [PMID: 24891436 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfu196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis, particularly tubulointerstitial fibrosis, is the common final outcome of almost all chronic kidney diseases. However, the mechanisms involved in the development of renal fibrosis are poorly understood. The Akt (also known as protein kinase B, PKB) family is serine/threonine protein kinases that play critical roles in regulating growth, proliferation, survival, metabolism and other cellular activities. Cytokines, high-glucose medium, transforming growth factor-β1 or advanced glycation end-products activate Akt in different renal cells. Increased Akt activation has been found in experimental tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In addition, Akt activation is also an important node in diverse signaling cascades involved in kidney damage. These data give evidence for a role for Akt in renal fibrosis, but no reviews are available on the role of Akt in the process. Thus, our aim is to review the role of Akt activation and signaling in renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aiping Lan
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing An Zhen Hospital, Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jie Du
- The Key Laboratory of Remodeling-related Cardiovascular Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing An Zhen Hospital, Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, China
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ALK1 heterozygosity increases extracellular matrix protein expression, proliferation and migration in fibroblasts. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2014; 1843:1111-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2014.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2013] [Revised: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 02/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Fuentes-Calvo I, Crespo P, Santos E, López-Novoa JM, Martínez-Salgado C. The small GTPase N-Ras regulates extracellular matrix synthesis, proliferation and migration in fibroblasts. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2013; 1833:2734-2744. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2013.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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21
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Moxibustion Inhibits the ERK Signaling Pathway and Intestinal Fibrosis in Rats with Crohn's Disease. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2013; 2013:198282. [PMID: 23970928 PMCID: PMC3736408 DOI: 10.1155/2013/198282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 07/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is the main pathological process in Crohn's disease (CD); acupuncture and moxibustion can inhibit the process of fibrosis in CD rats, but the regulatory mechanism remains unknown. The present study observed the effect of moxibustion on the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in the CD rat. The result shows that the phosphorylation of the Ras, Raf-1, MEK-1, and ERK-1/2 proteins and the expression of the corresponding mRNAs in the colon tissue of CD rat were significantly higher than the normal control group. Both treatments with mild moxibustion and with herb-separated moxibustion significantly reduced the expression of the Ras, Raf-1, MEK-1, and ERK-1/2 proteins and Ras and Raf-1 mRNA. MEK-1 and ERK-1/2 mRNA expression in each treatment group showed a downward trend, and the ERK-1/2 mRNA levels were significantly lower in the mild moxibustion group. It indicates that Ras, Raf-1, MEK-1, and ERK-1/2 are involved in the process of intestinal fibrosis in CD rats. Moxibustion can downregulate the abnormal expression of colonic Ras, Raf-1, MEK-1, and ERK-1/2 protein and mRNA levels in CD intestinal fibrosis in rats. Moxibustion may play a role in the treatment of CD intestinal fibrosis by regulating ERK signaling pathway.
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Ferreira L, Fuentes-Calvo I, Muñoz-Félix JM, Muñiz-Martín C, Sánchez-Juanes F, Raposo C, González-Buitrago JM, López-Novoa JM, Martínez-Salgado C. Functional specific roles of H-ras and N-ras. A proteomic approach using knockout cell lines. Electrophoresis 2012; 33:1385-96. [PMID: 22648805 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201100606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Ras small GTPases function as transducers of extracellular signals regulating cell survival, growth and differentiation. There are three major ras isoforms: H-, N- and K-Ras. To improve the understanding of H- and N-Ras protein signalling networks, we compared total proteome changes in mouse embryonic fibroblasts knock out for H-ras and/or N-ras, using proteomics tools combining 2DE, semi-quantitative image analysis, in-gel trypsin digestion and mass spectrometry. There are four up-regulated proteins due to the loss of expression of H-Ras (including cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) and eight down-regulated (including stress-70 protein, dihydropyrimidinase-related-protein 3, heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein, tropomyosin beta chain, Rho GDP-dissociation inhibitor 1) and six up-regulated proteins (e.g. leukocyte elastase inhibitor A, L-lactate dehydrogenase B chain, c-Myc-responsive protein Rcl, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein) due to the loss of expression of both N- and H-Ras. Most of these proteins are related to Ras signalling in one way or another. Changes in expression of some of these proteins were further confirmed by Western blot. This proteomic comparative analysis from loss of function of H- and N-Ras knockout fibroblasts yields interpretable data to elucidate the differential protein expression, and contributes to evaluate the possibilities for physiological and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Ferreira
- Unidad de Investigación, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Spain
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Lin S, Mequanint K. The role of Ras-ERK-IL-1β signaling pathway in upregulation of elastin expression by human coronary artery smooth muscle cells cultured in 3D scaffolds. Biomaterials 2012; 33:7047-56. [PMID: 22796164 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2012] [Accepted: 06/22/2012] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Incorporation of endogenous elastin, a key structural component of the vascular extracellular matrix (ECM), is an important requirement for engineered vascular tissues. In addition to providing elastic recoil of the tissue, elastin influences cell function and promotes cell signaling by interacting with specific cell surface receptors. Although progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of in vivo elastin expression and incorporation into fibers, it is notably absent from engineered vessels. Recently we showed that the three-dimensional (3D) scaffold topography was able to upregulate elastin synthesis by human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (HCASMC). The present study was undertaken to explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for 3D scaffold-induced elastin gene transcription. Here, we show several lines of evidence that signal transduction pathway leading to elastin gene expression by HCASMC cultured in synthetic 3D scaffolds to be strikingly different from two-dimensional (2D) surfaces. In 3D scaffolds, α5β1 integrin engagement by HCASMC was significantly reduced and the putative focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was poorly phosphorylated concomitant with FAK and protein tyrosine kinase Pyk2 downregulation. FAK-associated adhesion proteins vinculin and paxillin were also significantly downregulated by the 3D scaffold topography. Furthermore, contrary to 2D cultures, HCASMC cultured on 3D scaffolds had no Rho activation suggesting pliability of the elastomeric synthetic scaffold. Elastin expression in 3D cultures followed Ras-ERK1/2 signal transduction pathway and was further dependent on endogenously expressed interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Blocking of ERK1/2 activation using a pharmacologic inhibitor reduced both elastin and IL-1β gene expressions in 3D cultures. Transient transfection of IL-1β using siRNA, however, did not affect ERK1/2 activation but downregulated elastin gene expression suggesting that endogenous IL-1β acts downstream from ERK1/2. Taken together, results of the present study provide evidence that endogenous IL-1β play a role in elastin gene upregulation and, that this upregulation is mediated by the Ras-ERK1/2 pathway in 3D cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shigang Lin
- Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
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