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Yuan X, Ruan W, Bobrow B, Carmeliet P, Eltzschig HK. Targeting hypoxia-inducible factors: therapeutic opportunities and challenges. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:175-200. [PMID: 38123660 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00848-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are highly conserved transcription factors that are crucial for adaptation of metazoans to limited oxygen availability. Recently, HIF activation and inhibition have emerged as therapeutic targets in various human diseases. Pharmacologically desirable effects of HIF activation include erythropoiesis stimulation, cellular metabolism optimization during hypoxia and adaptive responses during ischaemia and inflammation. By contrast, HIF inhibition has been explored as a therapy for various cancers, retinal neovascularization and pulmonary hypertension. This Review discusses the biochemical mechanisms that control HIF stabilization and the molecular strategies that can be exploited pharmacologically to activate or inhibit HIFs. In addition, we examine medical conditions that benefit from targeting HIFs, the potential side effects of HIF activation or inhibition and future challenges in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyi Yuan
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Wei Ruan
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Anaesthesiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bentley Bobrow
- Department of Emergency Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Vascular Heterogeneity, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Holger K Eltzschig
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
- Outcomes Research Consortium, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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2
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Wang L, Fan J, Yang T, Shen J, Wang L, Ge W. Investigating the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Roxadustat on peritoneal fibrosis Based on the TGF-β/Smad pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 693:149387. [PMID: 38145606 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.149387] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is particularly common in individuals undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Fibrosis of the parenchymal tissue typically progresses slowly. Therefore, preventing and reducing the advancement of fibrosis is crucial for effective patient treatment. Roxadustat is a hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase inhibitor (HIF-PHI), primarily used to treat and improve renal anemia. Recent studies have found that HIF-1α possesses antioxidant activity and exerts a certain protective effect in ischemic heart disease and spinal cord injury, while it can also delay the progression of pulmonary and renal fibrosis. This study establishes the mice model through intraperitoneal injection of 4.25 % peritoneal dialysate fluid (PDF) and explores the therapeutic effects of Roxadustat by inducing TGF-β1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in Met-5A cells. The aim is to investigate the protective role and mechanisms of Roxadustat against PD-related PF. We observed thicker peritoneal tissue and reduced permeability in animals with PD-related PF samples. This was accompanied by heightened inflammation, which Roxadustat alleviated by lowering the levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α). Furthermore, Roxadustat inhibited EMT in PF mice and TGF-β1-induced Met-5A cells, as evidenced by decreased expression of fibrotic markers, such as fibronectin, collagen I, and α-SMA, alongside an elevation in the expression of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin. Roxadustat also significantly decreased the expression of TGF-β1 and the phosphorylation of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3. In conclusion, Roxadustat ameliorates peritoneal fibrosis through the TGF-β/Smad pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyun Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China
| | - Jiangqing Fan
- Department of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, China
| | - Ting Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, China
| | - Jizhong Shen
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, China.
| | - Lulu Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, China; Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Research and Development of Novel Pharmaceutical Preparations, The "Double-First Class" Application Characteristic Discipline of Hunan Province (Pharmaceutical Science), Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219, China.
| | - Weihong Ge
- Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China.
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3
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Qazi A, Comiskey S, Calzadilla N, Amin F, Sharma A, Khin E, Holton N, Weber CR, Saksena S, Kumar A, Alrefai WA, Gill RK. Potential Dietary and Therapeutic Strategies Involving Indole-3-Carbinole in Preclinical Models of Intestinal Inflammation. Nutrients 2023; 15:4980. [PMID: 38068838 PMCID: PMC10708520 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Diet-microbiota interactions are emerging as important contributors in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), characterized by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) transcription factor regulates xenobiotic metabolism and is activated by exogenous ligands, including indole-3-carbinole (I3C), which is found in cruciferous vegetables. However, studies investigating the impact of dietary I3C and AhR in preclinical models resembling human IBD are lacking. Mice (WT or AhR KO in IECs, 6-8 weeks) or SAMP/YitFC and AKR/J control (4 weeks, m/f) were fed an AhR ligand-depleted or I3C (200 ppm)-supplemented diet. There were increased levels of LPS and exacerbated inflammation, resulting in increased mortality in AhRΔIEC mice fed the AhR ligand-depleted diet in response to chronic DSS. The mechanisms underlying the protective effects of I3C supplementation during colonic colitis involved amelioration of intestinal inflammation and restoration of the altered gut microbiota, particularly the families of clostridicae and lachnospriaceae. Furthermore, the AhR-depleted diet led to the emergence of pathobiont Parvibacter caecicola in WT mice. SAMP/YitFc mice with spontaneous ileitis showed significant recovery in epithelial abnormalities when fed dietary I3C. These data demonstrate the critical role of AhR and the mechanisms of dietary I3C in maintaining epithelial homeostasis and ameliorating inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aisha Qazi
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
| | - Shane Comiskey
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
| | - Nathan Calzadilla
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA;
| | - Fatimah Amin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
| | - Anchal Sharma
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
| | - Ei Khin
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
| | - Nathaniel Holton
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
| | | | - Seema Saksena
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Anoop Kumar
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Waddah A. Alrefai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Ravinder K. Gill
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA; (A.Q.); (S.C.); (F.A.); (A.S.); (E.K.); (N.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (W.A.A.)
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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4
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Lun J, Zhang H, Guo J, Yu M, Fang J. Hypoxia inducible factor prolyl hydroxylases in inflammatory bowel disease. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1045997. [PMID: 37201028 PMCID: PMC10187758 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1045997] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease that is characterized by intestinal inflammation. Epithelial damage and loss of intestinal barrier function are believed to be the hallmark pathologies of the disease. In IBD, the resident and infiltrating immune cells consume much oxygen, rendering the inflamed intestinal mucosa hypoxic. In hypoxia, the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) is induced to cope with the lack of oxygen and protect intestinal barrier. Protein stability of HIF is tightly controlled by prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs). Stabilization of HIF through inhibition of PHDs is appearing as a new strategy of IBD treatment. Studies have shown that PHD-targeting is beneficial to the treatment of IBD. In this Review, we summarize the current understanding of the role of HIF and PHDs in IBD and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting PHD-HIF pathway for IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lun
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongwei Zhang
- Shandong Provincial Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Jinan, China
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mengchao Yu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Fang
- Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Fang,
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Steiner CA, Cartwright IM, Taylor CT, Colgan SP. Hypoxia-inducible factor as a bridge between healthy barrier function, wound healing, and fibrosis. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2022; 323:C866-C878. [PMID: 35912990 PMCID: PMC9467472 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00227.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The healthy mammalian intestine is lined by a single layer of epithelial cells. These cells provide a selectively permeable barrier to luminal contents and normally do so in an efficient and effective manner. Barrier function in the healthy mucosa is provided via several mechanisms including epithelial junctional complexes, mucus production, as well as mucosal-derived antimicrobial proteins. As tissue metabolism is central to the maintenance of homeostasis in the mucosa, intestinal [Formula: see text] levels are uniquely low due to counter-current blood flow and the presence of the microbiota, resulting in the stabilization of the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). Ongoing studies have revealed that HIF molds normal intestinal metabolism and is central to the coordination of barrier regulation during both homeostasis and active disease. During acute inflammation, HIF is central to controlling the rapid restitution of the epithelium consistent with normal wound healing responses. In contrast, HIF may also contribute to the fibrostenotic response associated with chronic, nonresolving inflammation. As such, HIF may function as a double-edged sword in the overall course of the inflammatory response. Here, we review recent literature on the contribution of HIF to mucosal barrier function, wound healing, and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calen A Steiner
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Ian M Cartwright
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Cormac T Taylor
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute and Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sean P Colgan
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado
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6
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Lin SN, Mao R, Qian C, Bettenworth D, Wang J, Li J, Bruining D, Jairath V, Feagan B, Chen M, Rieder F. Development of Anti-fibrotic Therapy in Stricturing Crohn's Disease: Lessons from Randomized Trials in Other Fibrotic Diseases. Physiol Rev 2021; 102:605-652. [PMID: 34569264 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00005.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is considered an inevitable complication of Crohn's disease (CD) that results in symptoms of obstruction and stricture formation. Endoscopic or surgical treatment is required to treat the majority of patients. Progress in the management of stricturing CD is hampered by the lack of effective anti-fibrotic therapy; however, this situation is likely to change because of recent advances in other fibrotic diseases of the lung, liver and skin. In this review, we summarized data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) of anti-fibrotic therapies in these conditions. Multiple compounds have been tested for the anti-fibrotic effects in other organs. According to their mechanisms, they were categorized into growth factor modulators, inflammation modulators, 5-hydroxy-3-methylgultaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, intracellular enzymes and kinases, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulators and others. From our review of the results from the clinical trials and discussion of their implications in the gastrointestinal tract, we have identified several molecular candidates that could serve as potential therapies for intestinal fibrosis in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Nan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Ren Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Chenchen Qian
- Department of Internal Medicine, UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Dominik Bettenworth
- Department of Medicine B, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drug, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, China
| | - Jiannan Li
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - David Bruining
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Vipul Jairath
- Alimentiv Inc., London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Feagan
- Alimentiv Inc., London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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7
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Prados ME, García-Martín A, Unciti-Broceta JD, Palomares B, Collado JA, Minassi A, Calzado MA, Appendino G, Muñoz E. Betulinic acid hydroxamate prevents colonic inflammation and fibrosis in murine models of inflammatory bowel disease. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2021; 42:1124-1138. [PMID: 32811965 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0497-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is defined as an excessive accumulation of scar tissue in the intestinal wall. Intestinal fibrosis occurs in both forms of IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting hypoxia-inducing factor (HIF) prolyl-hydroxylases are promising for the development of novel antifibrotic therapies in IBD. Herein, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of hydroxamate of betulinic acid (BHA), a hypoxia mimetic derivative of betulinic acid, against IBD in vitro and in vivo. We showed that BAH (5-20 μM) dose-dependently enhanced collagen gel contraction and activated the HIF pathway in NIH-3T3 fibroblasts; BAH treatment also prevented the loss of trans-epithelial electrical resistance induced by proinflammatory cytokines in Caco-2 cells. In two different murine models (TNBS- and DSS-induced IBD) that cause colon fibrosis, oral administration of BAH (20, 50 mg/kg·d, for 17 days) prevented colon inflammation and fibrosis, as detected using immunohistochemistry and qPCR assays. BAH-treated animals showed a significant reduction of fibrotic markers (Tnc, Col1a2, Col3a1, Timp-1, α-SMA) and inflammatory markers (F4/80+, CD3+, Il-1β, Ccl3) in colon tissue, as well as an improvement in epithelial barrier integrity and wound healing. BHA displayed promising oral bioavailability, no significant activity against a panel of 68 potential pharmacological targets and was devoid of genotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. Taken together, our results provide evidence that oral administration of BAH can alleviate colon inflammation and colitis-associated fibrosis, identifying the enhancement of colon barrier integrity as a possible mechanism of action, and providing a solid rationale for additional clinical studies.
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Smith-Cortinez N, Fagundes RR, Gomez V, Kong D, de Waart DR, Heegsma J, Sydor S, Olinga P, de Meijer VE, Taylor CT, Bank R, Paulusma CC, Faber KN. Collagen release by human hepatic stellate cells requires vitamin C and is efficiently blocked by hydroxylase inhibition. FASEB J 2020; 35:e21219. [PMID: 33236467 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001564rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins, mainly composed of collagen. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) mediate liver fibrosis by secreting collagen. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a cofactor of prolyl-hydroxylases that modify newly synthesized collagen on the route for secretion. Unlike most animals, humans cannot synthesize ascorbic acid and its role in liver fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we determined the effect of ascorbic acid and prolyl-hydroxylase inhibition on collagen production and secretion by human HSCs. Primary human HSCs (p-hHSCs) and the human HSCscell line LX-2 were treated with ascorbic acid, transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) and/or the pan-hydroxylase inhibitor dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG). Expression of collagen-I was analyzed by RT-qPCR (COL1A1), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence microscopy. Collagen secretion was determined in the medium by Western blotting for collagen-I and by HPLC for hydroxyproline concentrations. Expression of solute carrier family 23 members 1 and 2 (SLC23A1/SLC23A2), encoding sodium-dependent vitamin C transporters 1 and 2 (SVCT1/SVCT2) was quantified in healthy and cirrhotic human tissue. In the absence of ascorbic acid, collagen-I accumulated intracellularly in p-hHSCs and LX-2 cells, which was potentiated by TGFβ. Ascorbic acid co-treatment strongly promoted collagen-I excretion and enhanced extracellular hydroxyproline concentrations, without affecting collagen-I (COL1A1) mRNA levels. DMOG inhibited collagen-I release even in the presence of ascorbic acid and suppressed COL1A1 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA/ACTA2) mRNA levels, also under hypoxic conditions. Hepatocytes express both ascorbic acid transporters, while p-hHSCs and LX-2 express the only SVCT2, which is selectively enhanced in cirrhotic livers. Human HSCs rely on ascorbic acid for the efficient secretion of collagen-I, which can be effectively blocked by hydroxylase antagonists, revealing new therapeutic targets to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Smith-Cortinez
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Raphael R Fagundes
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Valentina Gomez
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Defu Kong
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dirk R de Waart
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Janette Heegsma
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Svenja Sydor
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Peter Olinga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmacy, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Vincent E de Meijer
- Department of Surgery, Division of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Cormac T Taylor
- School of Medicine and Medical Science and the Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ruud Bank
- Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Coen C Paulusma
- Tytgat Institute for Liver and Intestinal Research, Amsterdam Gastroenterology and Metabolism, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Klaas Nico Faber
- Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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9
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Strowitzki MJ, Ritter AS, Kimmer G, Schneider M. Hypoxia-adaptive pathways: A pharmacological target in fibrotic disease? Pharmacol Res 2019; 147:104364. [PMID: 31376431 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Wound healing responses are physiological reactions to injuries and share common characteristics and phases independently of the injured organ or tissue. A major hallmark of wound healing responses is the formation of extra-cellular matrix (ECM), mainly consisting of collagen fibers, to restore the initial organ architecture and function. Overshooting wound healing responses result in unphysiological accumulation of ECM and collagen deposition, a process called fibrosis. Importantly, hypoxia (oxygen demand exceeds supply) plays a significant role during wound healing responses and fibrotic diseases. Under hypoxic conditions, cells activate a gene program, including the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which induces the expression of HIF target genes counteracting hypoxia. In contrast, in normoxia, so-called HIF-prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) oxygen-dependently hydroxylate HIF-α, which marks it for proteasomal degradation. Importantly, PHDs can be pharmacologically inhibited (PHI) by so-called PHD inhibitors. There is mounting evidence that the HIF-pathway is continuously up-regulated during the development of tissue fibrosis, and that pharmacological (HIFI) or genetic inhibition of HIF can prevent organ fibrosis. By contrast, initial (short-term) activation of the HIF pathway via PHI during wound healing seems to be beneficial in several models of inflammation or acute organ injury. Thus, timing and duration of PHI and HIFI treatment seem to be crucial. In this review, we will highlight the role of hypoxia-adaptive pathways during wound healing responses and development of fibrotic disease. Moreover, we will discuss whether PHI and HIFI might be a promising treatment option in fibrotic disease, and consider putative pitfalls that might result from this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz J Strowitzki
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alina S Ritter
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gwendolyn Kimmer
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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10
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Strowitzki MJ, Cummins EP, Taylor CT. Protein Hydroxylation by Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) Hydroxylases: Unique or Ubiquitous? Cells 2019; 8:cells8050384. [PMID: 31035491 PMCID: PMC6562979 DOI: 10.3390/cells8050384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
All metazoans that utilize molecular oxygen (O2) for metabolic purposes have the capacity to adapt to hypoxia, the condition that arises when O2 demand exceeds supply. This is mediated through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway. At physiological oxygen levels (normoxia), HIF-prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) hydroxylate proline residues on HIF-α subunits leading to their destabilization by promoting ubiquitination by the von-Hippel Lindau (VHL) ubiquitin ligase and subsequent proteasomal degradation. HIF-α transactivation is also repressed in an O2-dependent way due to asparaginyl hydroxylation by the factor-inhibiting HIF (FIH). In hypoxia, the O2-dependent hydroxylation of HIF-α subunits by PHDs and FIH is reduced, resulting in HIF-α accumulation, dimerization with HIF-β and migration into the nucleus to induce an adaptive transcriptional response. Although HIFs are the canonical substrates for PHD- and FIH-mediated protein hydroxylation, increasing evidence indicates that these hydroxylases may also have alternative targets. In addition to PHD-conferred alterations in protein stability, there is now evidence that hydroxylation can affect protein activity and protein/protein interactions for alternative substrates. PHDs can be pharmacologically inhibited by a new class of drugs termed prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors which have recently been approved for the treatment of anemia associated with chronic kidney disease. The identification of alternative targets of HIF hydroxylases is important in order to fully elucidate the pharmacology of hydroxylase inhibitors (PHI). Despite significant technical advances, screening, detection and verification of alternative functional targets for PHDs and FIH remain challenging. In this review, we discuss recently proposed non-HIF targets for PHDs and FIH and provide an overview of the techniques used to identify these.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz J Strowitzki
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Eoin P Cummins
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Cormac T Taylor
- UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
- Systems Biology Ireland, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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11
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Manresa MC, Smith L, Casals‐Diaz L, Fagundes RR, Brown E, Radhakrishnan P, Murphy SJ, Crifo B, Strowitzki MJ, Halligan DN, van den Bogaard EH, Niehues H, Schneider M, Taylor CT, Steinhoff M. Pharmacologic inhibition of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-hydroxylases ameliorates allergic contact dermatitis. Allergy 2019; 74:753-766. [PMID: 30394557 DOI: 10.1111/all.13655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND When an immune cell migrates from the bloodstream to a site of chronic inflammation, it experiences a profound decrease in microenvironmental oxygen levels leading to a state of cellular hypoxia. The hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) promotes an adaptive transcriptional response to hypoxia and as such is a major regulator of immune cell survival and function. HIF hydroxylases are the family of oxygen-sensing enzymes primarily responsible for conferring oxygen dependence upon the HIF pathway. METHODS Using a mouse model of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), we tested the effects of treatment with the pharmacologic hydroxylase inhibitor DMOG, which mimics hypoxia, on disease development. RESULTS Re-exposure of sensitized mice to 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) elicited inflammation, edema, chemokine synthesis (including CXCL1 and CCL5) and the recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils. Intraperitoneal or topical application of the pharmacologic hydroxylase inhibitors dymethyloxalylglycine (DMOG) or JNJ1935 attenuated this inflammatory response. Reduced inflammation was associated with diminished recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils but not lymphocytes. Finally, hydroxylase inhibition reduced cytokine-induced chemokine production in cultured primary keratinocytes through attenuation of the JNK pathway. CONCLUSION These data demonstrate that hydroxylase inhibition attenuates the recruitment of neutrophils to inflamed skin through reduction of chemokine production and increased neutrophilic apoptosis. Thus, pharmacologic inhibition of HIF hydroxylases may be an effective new therapeutic approach in allergic skin inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario C. Manresa
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
- Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School Boston Massachusetts USA
| | - Leila Smith
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Laura Casals‐Diaz
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Raphael R. Fagundes
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Eric Brown
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Praveen Radhakrishnan
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery University of Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| | - Stephen J. Murphy
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Bianca Crifo
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Moritz J. Strowitzki
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Doug N. Halligan
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Ellen H. van den Bogaard
- Department of Dermatology Radboud University Medical Center Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Hanna Niehues
- Department of Dermatology Radboud University Medical Center Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences Nijmegen The Netherlands
| | - Martin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery University of Heidelberg Heidelberg Germany
| | - Cormac T. Taylor
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
- Conway Institute of Biomedical and Biomolecular Research School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
- Systems Biology Ireland School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
| | - Martin Steinhoff
- UCD Charles Institute of Dermatology School of Medicine and Medical Science University College Dublin Belfield, Dublin Ireland
- Department of Dermatology & Venereology Translational Research Institute Hamad Medical Corporation Weill Cornell University‐Qatar and Qatar University Doha Qatar
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12
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Grenier L, Hu P. Computational drug repurposing for inflammatory bowel disease using genetic information. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:127-135. [PMID: 30728920 PMCID: PMC6352300 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
As knowledge of the genetics behind inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has continually improved, there has been a demand for methods that can use this data in a clinically significant way. Genome-wide association analyses for IBD have identified 232 risk genetic loci for the disorder. While identification of these risk loci enriches our understanding of the underlying biology of the disorder, their identification does not serve a clinical purpose. A potential use of this genetic information is to look for potential IBD drugs that target these loci in a procedure known as drug repurposing. The demand for new drug treatments for IBD is high due to the side effects and high costs of current treatments. We hypothesize that IBD genetic variants obtained from GWAS and the candidate genes prioritized from the variants have a causal relationship with IBD drug targets. A computational drug repositioning study was done due to its efficiency and inexpensiveness compared to traditional in vitro or biochemical approaches. Our approach for drug repurposing was multi-layered; it not only focused on the interactions between drugs and risk IBD genes, but also the interactions between drugs and all of the biological pathways the risk genes are involved in. We prioritized IBD candidate genes using identified genetic variants and identified potential drug targets and drugs that can be potentially repositioned or developed for IBD using the identified candidate genes. Our analysis strategy can be applied to repurpose drugs for other complex diseases using their risk genes identified from genetic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Grenier
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and The George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Pingzhao Hu
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Genetics and The George and Fay Yee Centre for Healthcare Innovation, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
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13
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Tambuwala MM, Kesharwani P, Shukla R, Thompson PD, McCarron PA. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) reverses fibrosis caused by chronic colon inflammation in murine model of colitis. Pathol Res Pract 2018; 214:1909-1911. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2018.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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14
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Hotta Y, Uchiyama K, Takagi T, Kashiwagi S, Nakano T, Mukai R, Toyokawa Y, Yasuda T, Ueda T, Suyama Y, Murakami T, Tanaka M, Majima A, Doi T, Hirai Y, Mizushima K, Morita M, Higashimura Y, Inoue K, Fukui A, Okayama T, Katada K, Kamada K, Handa O, Ishikawa T, Naito Y, Itoh Y. Transforming growth factor β1-induced collagen production in myofibroblasts is mediated by reactive oxygen species derived from NADPH oxidase 4. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2018; 506:557-562. [PMID: 30361098 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2018.10.116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis with stricture formation is a severe complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Though new therapeutic targets to enable the prevention or treatment of intestinal fibrosis are needed, markers of this condition and the basic mechanisms responsible have not been established. NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4 has already been reported to play a key role in models of fibrogenesis, including that of the lung. However, its importance in intestinal fibrogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we examined the role of NOX4 in collagen production by intestinal myofibroblasts stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Using LmcMF cells, an intestinal subepithelial myofibroblast (ISEMF) line, we first examined the induction of collagen production by TGF-β1. Subsequently, we investigated the role of NOX4 in TGF-β1-induced collagen I production in these cells using SB525334 (an SMAD2/3 inhibitor), diphenyleneiodonium (an NOX inhibitor), and Nox4 small interfering RNA (siRNA). Production of collagen was assessed with Sirius red staining, and Nox4 expression was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was determined using DCFDA and fluorescent microscopy. We observed that TGF-β1 induced collagen production via NOX4 activation and ROS generation in LmcMF cells. Nox4 siRNA and inhibitors of TGF-β1 receptor and NOX significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced ROS and collagen production. Thus, in the present study, we revealed that collagen production in ISEMFs is induced via an NOX4-dependent pathway. This work supports a function for NOX4 in intestinal fibrogenesis and identifies it as a potential therapeutic target in recalcitrant fibrotic disorders of CD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuma Hotta
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Uchiyama
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Tomohisa Takagi
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Saori Kashiwagi
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakano
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Rieko Mukai
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuki Toyokawa
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomoyo Yasuda
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ueda
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yosuke Suyama
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takaaki Murakami
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Tanaka
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Atsushi Majima
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshifumi Doi
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuko Hirai
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Katsura Mizushima
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mayuko Morita
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yasuki Higashimura
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Ken Inoue
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akifumi Fukui
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Okayama
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Katada
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kamada
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Osamu Handa
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Takeshi Ishikawa
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yuji Naito
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yoshito Itoh
- Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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15
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Strowitzki MJ, Kirchberg J, Tuffs C, Schiedeck M, Ritter AS, Biller M, Harnoss JM, Lasitschka F, Schmidt T, Radhakrishnan P, Ulrich A, Schneider M. Loss of Prolyl-Hydroxylase 1 Protects against Biliary Fibrosis via Attenuated Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 188:2826-2838. [PMID: 30248340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Revised: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Liver fibrosis, eventually progressing to cirrhosis necessitating liver transplantation, poses a significant clinical problem. Oxygen shortage (hypoxia) and hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs) have been acknowledged as important drivers of liver fibrosis. The significance of oxygen-sensing HIF prolyl-hydroxylase (PHD) enzymes in this context has, however, remained elusive. In this study, we demonstrate that loss of PHD1 (PHD1-/-) attenuates the development of liver fibrosis in mice subjected to chronic bile duct injury, induced by 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine. This effect was accompanied with reduced recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes and attenuated occurrence of profibrotic myofibroblasts in PHD1-/- livers. Further analyses focused on the significance of PHD1 in the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), which represent the driving force in liver fibrosis. Primary HSCs isolated from PHD1-/- mice displayed significantly attenuated myofibroblast differentiation and profibrogenic properties compared with HSCs isolated from wild-type mice. Consistently, the expression of various profibrogenic and promitogenic factors was reduced in PHD1-/- HSCs, without alterations in HIF-1α protein levels. Of importance, PHD1 protein was expressed in HSCs within human livers, and PHD1 transcript expression was significantly increased with disease severity in hepatic tissue from patients with liver fibrosis. Collectively, these findings indicate that PHD1 deficiency protects against liver fibrosis and that these effects are partly due to attenuated activation of HSCs. PHD1 may represent a therapeutic target to alleviate liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moritz J Strowitzki
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Johanna Kirchberg
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Christopher Tuffs
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schiedeck
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alina S Ritter
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marvin Biller
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Harnoss
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Felix Lasitschka
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Schmidt
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Praveen Radhakrishnan
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Alexis Ulrich
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Schneider
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
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16
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Lian L, Huang Q, Zhang L, Qin H, He X, He X, Ke J, Xie M, Lan P. Anti-fibrogenic Potential of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Treating Fibrosis in Crohn's Disease. Dig Dis Sci 2018; 63:1821-1834. [PMID: 29704139 DOI: 10.1007/s10620-018-5082-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intestinal fibrosis is a major complication of CD and may result in stricture formation leading to intestinal obstruction. MSCs play multiple roles in active CD and fibrosis-associated diseases. AIMS This study was designed to investigate the role of MSCs in CD-associated intestinal fibrosis. METHODS Intestinal fibrosis was induced over 7 weeks of enema with increasing doses of TNBS and assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. Transcriptome sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis were conducted to reveal the transcriptome changes among groups at the mRNA level. Immunofluorescence assays were used to validate the role of EMT in intestinal fibrosis. Quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses were performed to clarify the association between the anti-fibrogenic properties of MSCs and the immune microenvironment. Western blotting was used to verify the potential signaling pathways. RESULTS Fibrotic tissue accumulation and inflammatory cell infiltration were detected in the colon tissue after TNBS induction treatment. Prophylactic MSCs treatment inhibited colon shortening, while therapeutic treatment decreased colon weight. Prophylactic treatment with MSCs inhibited the accumulation of fibrotic tissue, the expression of fibrotic proteins and EMT. Therapeutic MSCs treatment reversed the established intestinal fibrosis and reduced EMT. The secretion of the fibrogenic factors IL-1beta, IL-6 and IL-13 was down-regulated after both MSCs treatment approaches, while IL-10, an anti-fibrogenic factor, was up-regulated. Both MSCs therapies inhibited the expression of TGF-beta and the phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 after TNBS induction. CONCLUSION MSCs exert anti-fibrogenic activity against CD-associated fibrosis by regulating the inflammatory environment, inhibiting the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway and ameliorating EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lian
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qunsheng Huang
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Longjuan Zhang
- Laboratory of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Huabo Qin
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.,Department of General and Pediatric Surgery, The People's Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaosheng He
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xin He
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.,Department of Laboratory Medicine, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong, China
| | - Jia Ke
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Minghao Xie
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China.,Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Ping Lan
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 26 Yuancun Er Heng Rd., Guangzhou, 510655, Guangdong, China. .,Guangdong Institute of Gastroenterology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Colorectal and Pelvic Floor Diseases, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
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17
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Taylor CT, Colgan SP. Regulation of immunity and inflammation by hypoxia in immunological niches. Nat Rev Immunol 2017; 17:774-785. [PMID: 28972206 PMCID: PMC5799081 DOI: 10.1038/nri.2017.103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 413] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Immunological niches are focal sites of immune activity that can have varying microenvironmental features. Hypoxia is a feature of physiological and pathological immunological niches. The impact of hypoxia on immunity and inflammation can vary depending on the microenvironment and immune processes occurring in a given niche. In physiological immunological niches, such as the bone marrow, lymphoid tissue, placenta and intestinal mucosa, physiological hypoxia controls innate and adaptive immunity by modulating immune cell proliferation, development and effector function, largely via transcriptional changes driven by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF). By contrast, in pathological immunological niches, such as tumours and chronically inflamed, infected or ischaemic tissues, pathological hypoxia can drive tissue dysfunction and disease development through immune cell dysregulation. Here, we differentiate between the effects of physiological and pathological hypoxia on immune cells and the consequences for immunity and inflammation in different immunological niches. Furthermore, we discuss the possibility of targeting hypoxia-sensitive pathways in immune cells for the treatment of inflammatory disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cormac T Taylor
- UCD Conway Institute, Systems Biology Ireland and the School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Sean P Colgan
- Department of Medicine and the Mucosal Inflammation Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, 80045 Colorado, USA
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18
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Van Welden S, Selfridge AC, Hindryckx P. Intestinal hypoxia and hypoxia-induced signalling as therapeutic targets for IBD. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 14:596-611. [PMID: 28853446 DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2017.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Tissue hypoxia occurs when local oxygen demand exceeds oxygen supply. In chronic inflammatory conditions such as IBD, the increased oxygen demand by resident and gut-infiltrating immune cells coupled with vascular dysfunction brings about a marked reduction in mucosal oxygen concentrations. To counter the hypoxic challenge and ensure their survival, mucosal cells induce adaptive responses, including the activation of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) and modulation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). Both pathways are tightly regulated by oxygen-sensitive prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs), which therefore represent promising therapeutic targets for IBD. In this Review, we discuss the involvement of mucosal hypoxia and hypoxia-induced signalling in the pathogenesis of IBD and elaborate in detail on the role of HIFs, NF-κB and PHDs in different cell types during intestinal inflammation. We also provide an update on the development of PHD inhibitors and discuss their therapeutic potential in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Van Welden
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 1K12-E, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andrew C Selfridge
- Robarts Clinical Trials West, 4350 Executive Drive 210, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Pieter Hindryckx
- Department of Gastroenterology, Ghent University, De Pintelaan 185, 1K12-E, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Manresa MC, Taylor CT. Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF) Hydroxylases as Regulators of Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Function. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2017; 3:303-315. [PMID: 28462372 PMCID: PMC5404106 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2017.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human health is dependent on the ability of the body to extract nutrients, fluids, and oxygen from the external environment while at the same time maintaining a state of internal sterility. Therefore, the cell layers that cover the surface areas of the body such as the lung, skin, and gastrointestinal mucosa provide vital semipermeable barriers that allow the transport of essential nutrients, fluid, and waste products, while at the same time keeping the internal compartments free of microbial organisms. These epithelial surfaces are highly specialized and differ in their anatomic structure depending on their location to provide appropriate and effective site-specific barrier function. Given this important role, it is not surprising that significant disease often is associated with alterations in epithelial barrier function. Examples of such diseases include inflammatory bowel disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and atopic dermatitis. These chronic inflammatory disorders often are characterized by diminished tissue oxygen levels (hypoxia). Hypoxia triggers an adaptive transcriptional response governed by hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which are repressed by a family of oxygen-sensing HIF hydroxylases. Here, we review recent evidence suggesting that pharmacologic hydroxylase inhibition may be of therapeutic benefit in inflammatory bowel disease through the promotion of intestinal epithelial barrier function through both HIF-dependent and HIF-independent mechanisms.
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Key Words
- CD, Crohn’s disease
- DMOG, dimethyloxalylglycine
- DSS, dextran sodium sulfate
- Epithelial Barrier
- FIH, factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor
- HIF, hypoxia-inducible factor
- Hypoxia
- Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) Hydroxylases
- IBD, inflammatory bowel disease
- IL, interleukin
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- NF-κB, nuclear factor-κB
- PHD, hypoxia-inducible factor–prolyl hydroxylases
- TFF, trefoil factor
- TJ, tight junction
- TLR, Toll-like receptor
- TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor α
- UC, ulcerative colitis
- ZO, zonula occludens
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario C. Manresa
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Cormac T. Taylor
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Charles Institute of Dermatology, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine and Medical Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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20
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Valatas V, Filidou E, Drygiannakis I, Kolios G. Stromal and immune cells in gut fibrosis: the myofibroblast and the scarface. Ann Gastroenterol 2017; 30:393-404. [PMID: 28655975 PMCID: PMC5479991 DOI: 10.20524/aog.2017.0146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 03/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-inflammatory scarring is the end-result of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation and tissue architectural destruction. It represents a failure to effectively remodel ECM and achieve proper reinstitution and healing during chronic relapsing inflammatory processes. Scarring may affect the functionality of any organ, and in the case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated fibrosis leads to stricture formation and often surgery to remove the affected bowel. The activated myofibroblast is the final effector cell that overproduces ECM under the influence of various mediators generated by an intense interplay of classic and non-classic immune cells. This review focuses on how proinflammatory mediators from various sources produced in different stages of intestinal inflammation can form profibrotic pathways that eventually lead to tissue scarring through sustained activation of myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassilis Valatas
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion (Vassilis Valatas, Ioannis Drygiannakis)
| | - Eirini Filidou
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis (Eirini Filidou, George Kolios), Greece
| | - Ioannis Drygiannakis
- Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion (Vassilis Valatas, Ioannis Drygiannakis)
| | - George Kolios
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Dragana, Alexandroupolis (Eirini Filidou, George Kolios), Greece
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