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Reed EB, Sitikov A, Hamanaka RB, Cetin-Atalay R, Mutlu GM, Mongin AA, Dulin NO. Critical role of Gα12 and Gα13 proteins in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.29.596473. [PMID: 38854083 PMCID: PMC11160726 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.29.596473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Myofibroblast differentiation, characterized by accumulation of cytoskeletal and extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts, is a key process in wound healing and pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is the most powerful known driver of myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β signals through transmembrane receptor serine/threonine kinases that phosphorylate Smad transcription factors (Smad2/3) leading to activation of transcription of target genes. Heterotrimeric G proteins mediate a distinct signaling from seven-transmembrane G protein coupled receptors, not commonly linked to Smad activation. We asked if G protein signaling plays any role in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation, using primary cultured human lung fibroblasts. Activation of Gαs by cholera toxin blocked TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation without affecting Smad2/3 phosphorylation. Inhibition of Gαi by pertussis toxin, or siRNA-mediated combined knockdown of Gαq and Gα11 had no significant effect on TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. A combined knockdown of Gα12 and Gα13 resulted in a drastic inhibition of TGF-β-stimulated expression of myofibroblast marker proteins (collagen-1, fibronectin, smooth-muscle α-actin), with siGα12 being significantly more potent than siGα13. Mechanistically, a combined knockdown of Gα12 and Gα13 resulted in a substantially reduced phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3 in response to TGF-β, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in the expression of TGFβ receptors (TGFBR1, TGFBR2) and of Smad3 under siGα12/13 conditions. In conclusion, our study uncovers a novel role of Gα12/13 proteins in the control of TGF-β signaling and myofibroblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor B. Reed
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Albert Sitikov
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert B. Hamanaka
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rengül Cetin-Atalay
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gökhan M. Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander A. Mongin
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Visone R, Paoletti C, Cordiale A, Nicoletti L, Divieto C, Rasponi M, Chiono V, Occhetta P. In Vitro Mechanical Stimulation to Reproduce the Pathological Hallmarks of Human Cardiac Fibrosis on a Beating Chip and Predict The Efficacy of Drugs and Advanced Therapies. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2301481. [PMID: 37941521 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202301481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is one of the main causes of heart failure, significantly contributing to mortality. The discovery and development of effective therapies able to heal fibrotic pathological symptoms thus remain of paramount importance. Micro-physiological systems (MPS) are recently introduced as promising platforms able to accelerate this finding. Here a 3D in vitro model of human cardiac fibrosis, named uScar, is developed by imposing a cyclic mechanical stimulation to human atrial cardiac fibroblasts (AHCFs) cultured in a 3D beating heart-on-chip and exploited to screen drugs and advanced therapeutics. The sole provision of a cyclic 10% uniaxial strain at 1 Hz to the microtissues is sufficient to trigger fibrotic traits, inducing a consistent fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and an enhanced expression and production of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Standard of care anti-fibrotic drugs (i.e., Pirfenidone and Tranilast) are confirmed to be efficient in preventing the onset of fibrotic traits in uScar. Conversely, the mechanical stimulation applied to the microtissues limit the ability of a miRNA therapy to directly reprogram fibroblasts into cardiomyocytes (CMs), despite its proved efficacy in 2D models. Such results demonstrate the importance of incorporating in vivo-like stimulations to generate more representative 3D in vitro models able to predict the efficacy of therapies in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Visone
- BiomimX Srl, Milan, 20157, Italy
- Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Camilla Paoletti
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, 10129, Italy
- Centro 3R (Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research), Pisa, 56122, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cordiale
- Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - Letizia Nicoletti
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, 10129, Italy
- Centro 3R (Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research), Pisa, 56122, Italy
| | - Carla Divieto
- Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica, Division of Advanced Materials and Life Sciences, Turin, 10135, Italy
| | - Marco Rasponi
- Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
- Centro 3R (Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research), Pisa, 56122, Italy
| | - Valeria Chiono
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, 10129, Italy
- Centro 3R (Interuniversity Center for the Promotion of 3Rs Principles in Teaching and Research), Pisa, 56122, Italy
| | - Paola Occhetta
- BiomimX Srl, Milan, 20157, Italy
- Department of Electronics, Informatics and Bioengineering, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, 20133, Italy
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Nelson AR, Christiansen SL, Naegle KM, Saucerman JJ. Logic-based mechanistic machine learning on high-content images reveals how drugs differentially regulate cardiac fibroblasts. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2303513121. [PMID: 38266046 PMCID: PMC10835125 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303513121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are essential regulators of extracellular matrix deposition following cardiac injury. These cells exhibit highly plastic responses in phenotype during fibrosis in response to environmental stimuli. Here, we test whether and how candidate anti-fibrotic drugs differentially regulate measures of cardiac fibroblast phenotype, which may help identify treatments for cardiac fibrosis. We conducted a high-content microscopy screen of human cardiac fibroblasts treated with 13 clinically relevant drugs in the context of TGFβ and/or IL-1β, measuring phenotype across 137 single-cell features. We used the phenotypic data from our high-content imaging to train a logic-based mechanistic machine learning model (LogiMML) for fibroblast signaling. The model predicted how pirfenidone and Src inhibitor WH-4-023 reduce actin filament assembly and actin-myosin stress fiber formation, respectively. Validating the LogiMML model prediction that PI3K partially mediates the effects of Src inhibition, we found that PI3K inhibition reduces actin-myosin stress fiber formation and procollagen I production in human cardiac fibroblasts. In this study, we establish a modeling approach combining the strengths of logic-based network models and regularized regression models. We apply this approach to predict mechanisms that mediate the differential effects of drugs on fibroblasts, revealing Src inhibition acting via PI3K as a potential therapy for cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders R. Nelson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22903
| | - Steven L. Christiansen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22903
- Department of Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT84602
| | - Kristen M. Naegle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22903
| | - Jeffrey J. Saucerman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA22903
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4
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Reed EB, Orbeta S, Miao BA, Sitikov A, Chen B, Levitan I, Solway J, Mutlu GM, Fang Y, Mongin AA, Dulin NO. Anoctamin-1 is induced by TGF-β and contributes to lung myofibroblast differentiation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2024; 326:L111-L123. [PMID: 38084409 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00155.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs and resulting in deterioration in lung function. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is one of the most established drivers of fibrotic processes. TGF-β promotes the transformation of tissue fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, a key finding in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. We report here that TGF-β robustly upregulates the expression of the calcium-activated chloride channel anoctamin-1 (ANO1) in human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) at mRNA and protein levels. ANO1 is readily detected in fibrotic areas of IPF lungs in the same area with smooth muscle α-actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation (determined by the expression of SMA, collagen-1, and fibronectin) is significantly inhibited by a specific ANO1 inhibitor, T16Ainh-A01, or by siRNA-mediated ANO1 knockdown. T16Ainh-A01 and ANO1 siRNA attenuate profibrotic TGF-β signaling, including activation of RhoA pathway and AKT, without affecting initial Smad2 phosphorylation. Mechanistically, TGF-β treatment of HLFs results in a significant increase in intracellular chloride levels, which is prevented by T16Ainh-A01 or by ANO1 knockdown. The downstream mechanism involves the chloride-sensing "with-no-lysine (K)" kinase (WNK1). WNK1 siRNA significantly attenuates TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and signaling (RhoA pathway and AKT), whereas the WNK1 kinase inhibitor WNK463 is largely ineffective. Together, these data demonstrate that 1) ANO1 is a TGF-β-inducible chloride channel that contributes to increased intracellular chloride concentration in response to TGF-β; and 2) ANO1 mediates TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and fibrotic signaling in a manner dependent on WNK1 protein but independent of WNK1 kinase activity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes a novel mechanism of differentiation of human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) to myofibroblasts: the key process in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) drives the expression of calcium-activated chloride channel anoctmin-1 (ANO1) leading to an increase in intracellular levels of chloride. The latter recruits chloride-sensitive with-no-lysine (K) kinase (WNK1) to activate profibrotic RhoA and AKT signaling pathways, possibly through activation of mammalian target of rapamycin complex-2 (mTORC2), altogether promoting myofibroblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor B Reed
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Shaina Orbeta
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
| | - Bernadette A Miao
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Albert Sitikov
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Bohao Chen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Irena Levitan
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Julian Solway
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Gökhan M Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Yun Fang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Alexander A Mongin
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, New York, United States
| | - Nickolai O Dulin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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5
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Reed EB, Orbeta S, Miao BA, Sitikov A, Chen B, Levitan I, Solway J, Mutlu GM, Fang Y, Mongin AA, Dulin NO. Anoctamin-1 is induced by TGF-beta and contributes to lung myofibroblast differentiation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.07.544093. [PMID: 37333255 PMCID: PMC10274757 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.07.544093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by progressive scarring of the lungs and resulting in deterioration in lung function. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is one of the most established drivers of fibrotic processes. TGF-β promotes transformation of tissue fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, a key finding in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. We report here that TGF-β robustly upregulates the expression of the calcium-activated chloride channel Anoctamin-1 (ANO1) in human lung fibroblasts (HLF) at mRNA and protein levels. ANO1 is readily detected in fibrotic areas of IPF lungs in the same area with smooth muscle alpha-actin (SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation (determined by the expression of SMA, collagen-1 and fibronectin) is significantly inhibited by a specific ANO1 inhibitor, T16Ainh-A01, or by siRNA-mediated ANO1 knockdown. T16Ainh-A01 and ANO1 siRNA attenuate pro-fibrotic TGF-β signaling, including activation of RhoA pathway and AKT, without affecting initial Smad2 phosphorylation. Mechanistically, TGF-β treatment of HLF results in a significant increase in intracellular chloride levels, which is prevented by T16Ainh-A01 or by ANO1 knockdown. The downstream mechanism involves the chloride-sensing "with-no-lysine (K)" kinase (WNK1). WNK1 siRNA significantly attenuates TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and signaling (RhoA pathway and AKT), whereas the WNK1 kinase inhibitor WNK463 is largely ineffective. Together, these data demonstrate that (i) ANO1 is a TGF-β-inducible chloride channel that contributes to increased intracellular chloride concentration in response to TGF-β; and (ii) ANO1 mediates TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and fibrotic signaling in a manner dependent on WNK1 protein, but independent of WNK1 kinase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor B. Reed
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shaina Orbeta
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | - Bernadette A. Miao
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Albert Sitikov
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Bohao Chen
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Irena Levitan
- Departments of Medicine, Pharmacology and Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
| | - Julian Solway
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gökhan M. Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yun Fang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alexander A. Mongin
- Department of Neuroscience & Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY
| | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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6
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Nelson AR, Christiansen SL, Naegle KM, Saucerman JJ. Logic-based mechanistic machine learning on high-content images reveals how drugs differentially regulate cardiac fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.01.530599. [PMID: 36909540 PMCID: PMC10002757 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.01.530599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are essential regulators of extracellular matrix deposition following cardiac injury. These cells exhibit highly plastic responses in phenotype during fibrosis in response to environmental stimuli. Here, we test whether and how candidate anti-fibrotic drugs differentially regulate measures of cardiac fibroblast phenotype, which may help identify treatments for cardiac fibrosis. We conducted a high content microscopy screen of human cardiac fibroblasts treated with 13 clinically relevant drugs in the context of TGFβ and/or IL-1β, measuring phenotype across 137 single-cell features. We used the phenotypic data from our high content imaging to train a logic-based mechanistic machine learning model (LogiMML) for fibroblast signaling. The model predicted how pirfenidone and Src inhibitor WH-4-023 reduce actin filament assembly and actin-myosin stress fiber formation, respectively. Validating the LogiMML model prediction that PI3K partially mediates the effects of Src inhibition, we found that PI3K inhibition reduces actin-myosin stress fiber formation and procollagen I production in human cardiac fibroblasts. In this study, we establish a modeling approach combining the strengths of logic-based network models and regularized regression models, apply this approach to predict mechanisms that mediate the differential effects of drugs on fibroblasts, revealing Src inhibition acting via PI3K as a potential therapy for cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders R. Nelson
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903
| | - Steven L. Christiansen
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903
- Brigham Young University Department of Biochemistry, Provo, UT 84602
| | - Kristen M. Naegle
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22903
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7
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Spector C, De Sanctis CM, Panettieri RA, Koziol-White CJ. Rhinovirus induces airway remodeling: what are the physiological consequences? Respir Res 2023; 24:238. [PMID: 37773065 PMCID: PMC10540383 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02529-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rhinovirus infections commonly evoke asthma exacerbations in children and adults. Recurrent asthma exacerbations are associated with injury-repair responses in the airways that collectively contribute to airway remodeling. The physiological consequences of airway remodeling can manifest as irreversible airway obstruction and diminished responsiveness to bronchodilators. Structural cells of the airway, including epithelial cells, smooth muscle, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and adjacent lung vascular endothelial cells represent an understudied and emerging source of cellular and extracellular soluble mediators and matrix components that contribute to airway remodeling in a rhinovirus-evoked inflammatory environment. MAIN BODY While mechanistic pathways associated with rhinovirus-induced airway remodeling are still not fully characterized, infected airway epithelial cells robustly produce type 2 cytokines and chemokines, as well as pro-angiogenic and fibroblast activating factors that act in a paracrine manner on neighboring airway cells to stimulate remodeling responses. Morphological transformation of structural cells in response to rhinovirus promotes remodeling phenotypes including induction of mucus hypersecretion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Rhinovirus exposure elicits airway hyperresponsiveness contributing to irreversible airway obstruction. This obstruction can occur as a consequence of sub-epithelial thickening mediated by smooth muscle migration and myofibroblast activity, or through independent mechanisms mediated by modulation of the β2 agonist receptor activation and its responsiveness to bronchodilators. Differential cellular responses emerge in response to rhinovirus infection that predispose asthmatic individuals to persistent signatures of airway remodeling, including exaggerated type 2 inflammation, enhanced extracellular matrix deposition, and robust production of pro-angiogenic mediators. CONCLUSIONS Few therapies address symptoms of rhinovirus-induced airway remodeling, though understanding the contribution of structural cells to these processes may elucidate future translational targets to alleviate symptoms of rhinovirus-induced exacerbations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra Spector
- Rutgers Institute for Translation Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Camden M De Sanctis
- Rutgers Institute for Translation Medicine and Science, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Daido W, Nakashima T, Masuda T, Sakamoto S, Yamaguchi K, Horimasu Y, Miyamoto S, Iwamoto H, Fujitaka K, Hamada H, Hattori N. Nestin and Notch3 collaboratively regulate angiogenesis, collagen production, and endothelial-mesenchymal transition in lung endothelial cells. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:247. [PMID: 37735673 PMCID: PMC10512559 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01099-z] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nestin, an intermediate filament protein, participates in various pathophysiological processes, including wound healing, angiogenesis, endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and fibrosis. However, the pathophysiological roles of lung nestin-expressing cells remain unclear due to conflicting reports. The objective of this study is to elucidate the characteristics and functions of lung nestin-expressing cells. METHODS We conducted a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments using endothelial cell line MS1 and nestin-GFP mice. This animal model allows for nestin-expressing cell detection without the use of anti-nestin antibodies. RESULTS Lung nestin-expressing cells occurred in approximately 0.2% of CD45- cells and was co-expressed with epithelial, endothelial, and mesenchymal cell-surface markers. Importantly, virtually all nestin-expressing cells co-expressed CD31. When compared to lung nestin-nonexpressing endothelial cells, nestin-expressing endothelial cells showed robust angiogenesis with frequent co-expression of PDGFRβ and VEGFR2. During TGFβ-mediated EndoMT, the elevation of Nes mRNA expression preceded that of Col1a1 mRNA, and nestin gene silencing using nestin siRNA resulted in further upregulation of Col1a1 mRNA expression. Furthermore, Notch3 expression was regulated by nestin in vitro and in vivo; nestin siRNA resulted in reduced Notch3 expression accompanied with enhanced EndoMT. Contrary to previous reports, neither Nes mRNA expression nor nestin-expressing cells were increased during pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our study showed that (1) lung nestin-expressing cells are an endothelial lineage but are distinct from nestin-nonexpressing endothelial cells; (2) nestin regulates Notch3 and they act collaboratively to regulate angiogenesis, collagen production, and EndoMT; and (3) nestin plays novel roles in lung angiogenesis and fibrosis. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wakako Daido
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Taku Nakashima
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Masuda
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Shinjiro Sakamoto
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Kakuhiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Yasushi Horimasu
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Shintaro Miyamoto
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Iwamoto
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Kazunori Fujitaka
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
| | - Hironobu Hamada
- Department of Physical Analysis and Therapeutic Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Noboru Hattori
- Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-Ku, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan
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9
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Xie Y, Yue L, Shi Y, Su X, Gan C, Liu H, Xue T, Ye T. Application and Study of ROCK Inhibitors in Pulmonary Fibrosis: Recent Developments and Future Perspectives. J Med Chem 2023; 66:4342-4360. [PMID: 36940432 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing kinases (ROCKs), serine/threonine protein kinases, were initially identified as downstream targets of the small GTP-binding protein Rho. Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a lethal disease with limited therapeutic options and a particularly poor prognosis. Interestingly, ROCK activation has been demonstrated in PF patients and in animal PF models, making it a promising target for PF treatment. Many ROCK inhibitors have been discovered, and four of these have been approved for clinical use; however, no ROCK inhibitors are approved for the treatment of PF patients. In this article, we describe ROCK signaling pathways and the structure-activity relationship, potency, selectivity, binding modes, pharmacokinetics (PKs), biological functions, and recently reported inhibitors of ROCKs in the context of PF. We will also focus our attention on the challenges to be addressed when targeting ROCKs and discuss the strategy of ROCK inhibitor use in the treatment of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuting Xie
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Lin Yue
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yaojie Shi
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xingping Su
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Cailing Gan
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hongyao Liu
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Taixiong Xue
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Tinghong Ye
- Sichuan University-Oxford University Huaxi Gastrointestinal Cancer Centre, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
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10
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Li LX, Agborbesong E, Zhang L, Zhang X, Zhou JX, Li X. Crosstalk between lysine methyltransferase Smyd2 and TGF-β-Smad3 signaling promotes renal fibrosis in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 323:F227-F242. [PMID: 35759739 PMCID: PMC9359663 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00452.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is an inherited genetic disorder, which is caused by mutations of PKD1 or PKD2 gene and is characterized by renal fluid-filled cyst formation and interstitial fibrosis. PKD1 gene mutation results in the upregulation of SET and MYND domain-containing lysine methyltransferase 2 (SMYD2) in Pkd1 mutant mouse and ADPKD patient kidneys. However, the role and mechanism of Smyd2 in the regulation of renal fibrosis in ADPKD remains elusive. In this study, we show that: 1) the expression of Smyd2 can be regulated by TGF-β-Smad3 in normal rat kidney 49F (NRK-49F) cells and mouse fibroblast NIH3T3 cells; 2) knockdown of Smyd2 and inhibition of Smyd2 with its specific inhibitor, AZ505, decreases TGF-β-induced expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, collagens 1 and 3 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1( PAI1) in NRK-49F cells; 3) Smyd2 regulates the transcription of fibrotic marker genes through binding on the promoters of those genes or through methylating histone H3 to indirectly regulate the expression of those genes; and 4) knockout and inhibition of Smyd2 significantly decreases renal fibrosis in Pkd1 knockout mice, supporting that targeting Smyd2 can not only delay cyst growth but also attenuate renal fibrosis in ADPKD. This study identifies a crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and Smyd2 in the regulation of fibrotic gene transcription and the activation of fibroblasts in cystic kidneys, suggesting that targeting Smyd2 with AZ505 is a potential therapeutic strategy for ADPKD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Xiaoyan Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Ewud Agborbesong
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Xiaoqin Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Julie Xia Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Xiaogang Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
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11
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Hu M, Ling Z, Ren X. Extracellular matrix dynamics: tracking in biological systems and their implications. J Biol Eng 2022; 16:13. [PMID: 35637526 PMCID: PMC9153193 DOI: 10.1186/s13036-022-00292-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes the main acellular microenvironment of cells in almost all tissues and organs. The ECM not only provides mechanical support, but also mediates numerous biochemical interactions to guide cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Thus, better understanding the everchanging temporal and spatial shifts in ECM composition and structure – the ECM dynamics – will provide fundamental insight regarding extracellular regulation of tissue homeostasis and how tissue states transition from one to another during diverse pathophysiological processes. This review outlines the mechanisms mediating ECM-cell interactions and highlights how changes in the ECM modulate tissue development and disease progression, using the lung as the primary model organ. We then discuss existing methodologies for revealing ECM compositional dynamics, with a particular focus on tracking newly synthesized ECM proteins. Finally, we discuss the ramifications ECM dynamics have on tissue engineering and how to implement spatial and temporal specific extracellular microenvironments into bioengineered tissues. Overall, this review communicates the current capabilities for studying native ECM dynamics and delineates new research directions in discovering and implementing ECM dynamics to push the frontier forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Zihan Ling
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA
| | - Xi Ren
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
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12
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Yang W, He H, Wang T, Su N, Zhang F, Jiang K, Zhu J, Zhang C, Niu K, Wang L, Yuan X, Liu N, Li L, Wei W, Hu J. Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals a Hepatic Stellate Cell-Activation Roadmap and Myofibroblast Origin During Liver Fibrosis in Mice. Hepatology 2021; 74:2774-2790. [PMID: 34089528 PMCID: PMC8597108 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS HSCs and portal fibroblasts (PFs) are the major sources of collagen-producing myofibroblasts during liver fibrosis, depending on different etiologies. However, the mechanisms by which their dynamic gene expression directs the transition from the quiescent to the activated state-as well as their contributions to fibrotic myofibroblasts-remain unclear. Here, we analyze the activation of HSCs and PFs in CCL4 -induced and bile duct ligation-induced fibrosis mouse models, using single-cell RNA sequencing and lineage tracing. APPROACH AND RESULTS We demonstrate that HSCs, rather than PFs, undergo dramatic transcriptomic changes, with the sequential activation of inflammatory, migrative, and extracellular matrix-producing programs. The data also reveal that HSCs are the exclusive source of myofibroblasts in CCL4 -treated liver, while PFs are the major source of myofibroblasts in early cholestatic liver fibrosis. Single-cell and lineage-tracing analysis also uncovers differential gene-expression features between HSCs and PFs; for example, nitric oxide receptor soluble guanylate cyclase is exclusively expressed in HSCs, but not in PFs. The soluble guanylate cyclase stimulator Riociguat potently reduced liver fibrosis in CCL4 -treated livers but showed no therapeutic efficacy in bile duct ligation livers. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a transcriptional roadmap for the activation of HSCs during liver fibrosis and yields comprehensive evidence that the differential transcriptomic features of HSCs and PFs, along with their relative contributions to liver fibrosis of different etiologies, should be considered in developing effective antifibrotic therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wu Yang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Hao He
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Tongtong Wang
- Laboratory of Translational Nutritional BiologyDepartment Health Sciences and TechnologySwiss Federal Institute of Technology ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Nan Su
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental BiologyShanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineShanghai JiaoTong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Kai Jiang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Jing Zhu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Chonghe Zhang
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Kongyan Niu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Luyue Wang
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Xiaodong Yuan
- Division of Life Sciences and MedicineDepartment of Organ Transplantation CenterTransplant & Immunology Laboratorythe First Affiliated Hospital of USTCUniversity of Science and Technology of ChinaHefeiChina
| | - Nan Liu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Lingjie Li
- Department of Histoembryology, Genetics and Developmental BiologyShanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive MedicineShanghai JiaoTong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Wu Wei
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina,CAS Key Laboratory of Computational BiologyShanghai Institute of Nutrition and HealthChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina
| | - Junhao Hu
- Interdisciplinary Research Center on Biology and ChemistryShanghai Institute of Organic ChemistryChinese Academy of SciencesShanghaiChina,University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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13
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Bernau K, Leet JP, Bruhn EM, Tubbs AJ, Zhu T, Sandbo N. Expression of serum response factor in the lung mesenchyme is essential for development of pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L174-L188. [PMID: 33978489 PMCID: PMC8321854 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00323.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix deposition characterizes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and is orchestrated by myofibroblasts. The lung mesenchyme is an essential source of myofibroblasts in pulmonary fibrosis. Although the transcription factor serum response factor (SRF) has shown to be critical in the process of myofibroblast differentiation, its role in development of pulmonary fibrosis has not been determined in vivo. In this study, we observed that SRF expression localized to mesenchymal compartments, areas of dense fibrosis, and fibroblastic foci in human (IPF and normal) and bleomycin-treated mouse lungs. To determine the role of mesenchymal SRF in pulmonary fibrosis, we utilized a doxycycline-inducible, Tbx4 lung enhancer (Tbx4LE)-driven Cre-recombinase to disrupt SRF expression in the lung mesenchyme in vivo. Doxycycline-treated Tbx4LE-rtTA/TetO-Cre/tdTom/SRFf,f (and controls) were treated with a single intratracheal dose of bleomycin to induce pulmonary fibrosis and examined for lung mesenchymal expansion, pulmonary fibrosis, and inflammatory response. Bleomycin-treated Tbx4LE-rtTA/TetO-Cre/tdTom/SRFf,f mice showed decreased numbers of Tbx4LE-positive lung mesenchymal cells (LMCs) and collagen accumulation (via hydroxyproline assay) compared with controls. This effect was associated with SRF-null LMCs losing their proliferative and myofibroblast differentiation potential compared with SRF-positive controls. Together, these data demonstrate that SRF plays a critical role in LMC myofibroblast expansion during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. This sets the stage for pharmacological strategies that specifically target SRF in the lung mesenchyme as a potential means of treating pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenija Bernau
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Jonathan Paul Leet
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Ellen Marie Bruhn
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Austin James Tubbs
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Terry Zhu
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Nathan Sandbo
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin
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14
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Ghilardi SJ, Aronson MS, Sgro AE. Ventral stress fibers induce plasma membrane deformation in human fibroblasts. Mol Biol Cell 2021; 32:1707-1723. [PMID: 34191528 PMCID: PMC8684729 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e21-03-0096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and the plasma membrane are important in many eukaryotic cellular processes. During these processes, actin structures deform the cell membrane outward by applying forces parallel to the fiber’s major axis (as in migration) or they deform the membrane inward by applying forces perpendicular to the fiber’s major axis (as in the contractile ring during cytokinesis). Here we describe a novel actin–membrane interaction in human dermal myofibroblasts. When labeled with a cytosolic fluorophore, the myofibroblasts displayed prominent fluorescent structures on the ventral side of the cell. These structures are present in the cell membrane and colocalize with ventral actin stress fibers, suggesting that the stress fibers bend the membrane to form a “cytosolic pocket” that the fluorophores diffuse into, creating the observed structures. The existence of this pocket was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. While dissolving the stress fibers, inhibiting fiber protein binding, or inhibiting myosin II binding of actin removed the observed pockets, modulating cellular contractility did not remove them. Taken together, our results illustrate a novel actin–membrane bending topology where the membrane is deformed outward rather than being pinched inward, resembling the topological inverse of the contractile ring found in cytokinesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel J Ghilardi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Mark S Aronson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
| | - Allyson E Sgro
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Biological Design Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215
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15
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Wilson SE. Corneal myofibroblasts and fibrosis. Exp Eye Res 2020; 201:108272. [PMID: 33010289 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2020.108272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA)+ cells that have a critical role in the corneal stromal response to infections, injuries, and surgeries, and which produce corneal scarring fibrosis when they develop in excess. These contractile and opaque cells-produce large amounts of disordered extracellular matrix (ECM)-and develop from keratocyte-derived corneal fibroblasts or bone marrow-derived fibrocytes, and possibly other cell types, in response to TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and PDGF from the epithelium, tears, endothelium, and other stromal cells. Recent proteomic analyses have revealed that the myofibroblasts that develop from different progenitors aren't interchangeable, but have major differences in protein expression and functions. Absence or defective regeneration of the epithelial basement membrane (EBM) and/or Descemet's basement membrane (DBM) results in development and persistence of myofibroblasts in the corneal stroma. The functions of myofibroblasts in the cornea include production of volume-additive ECM, tissue contraction, production of various growth factors, cytokines and chemokines that regulate stromal cells, including other myofibroblasts, production of collagenases and metalloproteinases involved in tissue remodeling, and the expression of toll-like receptors that likely have critical roles in the clearance of bacteria and viruses causing corneal infections.
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16
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Liu D, Fu X, Wang Y, Wang X, Wang H, Wen J, Kang N. Protein diaphanous homolog 1 (Diaph1) promotes myofibroblastic activation of hepatic stellate cells by regulating Rab5a activity and TGFβ receptor endocytosis. FASEB J 2020; 34:7345-7359. [PMID: 32304339 PMCID: PMC7686927 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903033r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
TGFβ induces the differentiation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into tumor-promoting myofibroblasts but underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Because endocytosis of TGFβ receptor II (TβRII), in response to TGFβ stimulation, is a prerequisite for TGF signaling, we investigated the role of protein diaphanous homolog 1 (known as Diaph1 or mDia1) for the myofibroblastic activation of HSCs. Using shRNA to knockdown Diaph1 or SMIFH2 to target Diaph1 activity of HSCs, we found that the inactivation of Diaph1 blocked internalization and intracellular trafficking of TβRII and reduced SMAD3 phosphorylation induced by TGFβ1. Mechanistic studies revealed that the N-terminal portion of Diaph1 interacted with both TβRII and Rab5a directly and that Rab5a activity of HSCs was increased by Diaph1 overexpression and decreased by Diaph1 knockdown. Additionally, expression of Rab5aQ79L (active Rab5a mutant) increased whereas the expression of Rab5aS34N (inactive mutant) reduced the endosomal localization of TβRII in HSCs compared to the expression of wild-type Rab5a. Functionally, TGFβ stimulation promoted HSCs to express tumor-promoting factors, and α-smooth muscle actin, fibronection, and CTGF, markers of myofibroblastic activation of HSCs. Targeting Diaph1 or Rab5a suppressed HSC activation and limited tumor growth in a tumor implantation mouse model. Thus, Dipah1 and Rab5a represent targets for inhibiting HSC activation and the hepatic tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglian Liu
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Xinhui Fu
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Yuanguo Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Xianghu Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Hua Wang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Jialing Wen
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
| | - Ningling Kang
- Tumor Microenvironment and Metastasis Section, The Hormel Institute, University of Minnesota, Austin, MN, USA
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17
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Johnson AC, Wu W, Attipoe EM, Sasser JM, Taylor EB, Showmaker KC, Kyle PB, Lindsey ML, Garrett MR. Loss of Arhgef11 in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rat Protects Against Hypertension-Induced Renal Injury. Hypertension 2020; 75:1012-1024. [PMID: 32148127 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.119.14338] [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] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Arhgef11 is a Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor that was previously implicated in kidney injury in the Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) rat, a model of hypertension-related chronic kidney disease. Reduced Arhgef11 expression in an SS-Arhgef11SHR-minimal congenic strain (spontaneously hypertensive rat allele substituted for S allele) significantly decreased proteinuria, fibrosis, and improved renal hemodynamics, without impacting blood pressure compared with the control SS (SS-wild type). Here, SS-Arhgef11-/- and SS-wild type rats were placed on either low or elevated salt (0.3% or 2% NaCl) from 4 to 12 weeks of age. On low salt, starting at week 6 and through week 12, SS-Arhgef11-/- animals demonstrated a 3-fold decrease in proteinuria compared with SS-wild type. On high salt, beginning at week 6, SS-Arhgef11-/- animals demonstrated >2-fold lower proteinuria from weeks 8 to 12 and 30 mm Hg lower BP compared with SS-wild type. To better understand the molecular mechanisms of the renal protection from loss of Arhgef11, both RNA sequencing and discovery proteomics were performed on kidneys from week 4 (before onset of renal injury/proteinuria between groups) and at week 12 (low salt). The omics data sets revealed loss of Arhgef11 (SS-Arhgef11-/-) initiates early transcriptome/protein changes in the cytoskeleton starting as early as week 4 that impact a number of cellular functions, including actin cytoskeletal regulation, mitochondrial metabolism, and solute carrier transporters. In summary, in vivo phenotyping coupled with a multi-omics approach provides strong evidence that increased Arhgef11 expression in the Dahl SS rat leads to actin cytoskeleton-mediated changes in cell morphology and cell function that promote kidney injury, hypertension, and decline in kidney function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley C Johnson
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.J., W.W., E.M.A., J.M.S., M.R.G., K.C.S.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Wenjie Wu
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.J., W.W., E.M.A., J.M.S., M.R.G., K.C.S.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Esinam M Attipoe
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.J., W.W., E.M.A., J.M.S., M.R.G., K.C.S.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Jennifer M Sasser
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.J., W.W., E.M.A., J.M.S., M.R.G., K.C.S.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Erin B Taylor
- Department of Physiology (E.B.T., M.L.L.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Kurt C Showmaker
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.J., W.W., E.M.A., J.M.S., M.R.G., K.C.S.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Patrick B Kyle
- Department of Pathology (P.B.K.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Merry L Lindsey
- Department of Physiology (E.B.T., M.L.L.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
| | - Michael R Garrett
- From the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology (A.C.J., W.W., E.M.A., J.M.S., M.R.G., K.C.S.), University of Mississippi Medical Center.,Department of Medicine (Nephrology) (M.R.G.), University of Mississippi Medical Center
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18
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Yu B, Sladojevic N, Blair JE, Liao JK. Targeting Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK) in cardiovascular fibrosis and stiffening. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:47-62. [PMID: 31906742 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1712593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Pathological cardiac fibrosis, through excessive extracellular matrix protein deposition from fibroblasts and pro-fibrotic immune responses and vascular stiffening is associated with most forms of cardiovascular disease. Pathological cardiac fibrosis and stiffening can lead to heart failure and arrythmias and vascular stiffening may lead to hypertension. ROCK, a serine/threonine kinase downstream of the Rho-family of GTPases, may regulate many pro-fibrotic and pro-stiffening signaling pathways in numerous cell types.Areas covered: This article outlines the molecular mechanisms by which ROCK in fibroblasts, T helper cells, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and macrophages mediate fibrosis and stiffening. We speculate on how ROCK could be targeted to inhibit cardiovascular fibrosis and stiffening.Expert opinion: Critical gaps in knowledge must be addressed if ROCK inhibitors are to be used in the clinic. Numerous studies indicate that each ROCK isoform may play differential roles in regulating fibrosis and may have opposing roles in specific tissues. Future work needs to highlight the isoform- and tissue-specific contributions of ROCK in fibrosis, and how isoform-specific ROCK inhibitors in murine models and in clinical trials affect the pathophysiology of cardiac fibrosis and stiffening. This could progress knowledge regarding new treatments for heart failure, arrythmias and hypertension and the repair processes after myocardial infarction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Yu
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nikola Sladojevic
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John E Blair
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - James K Liao
- Section of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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19
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Jendzjowsky NG, Kelly MM. The Role of Airway Myofibroblasts in Asthma. Chest 2019; 156:1254-1267. [PMID: 31472157 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2019.08.1917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodeling is a characteristic feature of asthma and is thought to play an important role in the pathogenesis of airway hyperresponsiveness. Myofibroblasts are key structural cells involved in injury and repair, and there is evidence that dysregulation of their normal function contributes to airway remodeling. Despite the importance of myofibroblasts, a lack of specific cellular markers and inconsistent nomenclature have limited recognition of their key role in airway remodeling. Myofibroblasts are increased several-fold in the airways in asthma, in proportion to the severity of the disease. Myofibroblasts are postulated to be derived from both tissue-resident and bone marrow-derived cells, depending on the stage of injury and the tissue. A small number of studies have demonstrated attenuation of myofibroblast numbers and also reversal of established myofibroblast populations in asthma and other inflammatory processes. In this article, we review what is currently known about the biology of myofibroblasts in the airways in asthma and identify potential targets to reduce or reverse the remodeling process. However, further translational research is required to better understand the mechanistic role of the myofibroblast in asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas G Jendzjowsky
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Margaret M Kelly
- Airway Inflammation Research Group, Snyder Institute for Chronic Disease, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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20
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Knipe RS, Probst CK, Lagares D, Franklin A, Spinney JJ, Brazee PL, Grasberger P, Zhang L, Black KE, Sakai N, Shea BS, Liao JK, Medoff BD, Tager AM. The Rho Kinase Isoforms ROCK1 and ROCK2 Each Contribute to the Development of Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2019; 58:471-481. [PMID: 29211497 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2017-0075oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is thought to result from dysregulated wound repair after repetitive lung injury. Many cellular responses to injury involve rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton mediated by the two isoforms of the Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming protein kinase (ROCK), ROCK1 and ROCK2. In addition, profibrotic mediators such as transforming growth factor-β, thrombin, and lysophosphatidic acid act through receptors that activate ROCK. Inhibition of ROCK activation may be a potent therapeutic strategy for human pulmonary fibrosis. Pharmacological inhibition of ROCK using nonselective ROCK inhibitors has been shown to prevent fibrosis in animal models; however, the specific roles of each ROCK isoform are poorly understood. Furthermore, the pleiotropic effects of this kinase have raised concerns about on-target adverse effects of ROCK inhibition such as hypotension. Selective inhibition of one isoform might be a better-tolerated strategy. In the present study, we used a genetic approach to determine the roles of ROCK1 and ROCK2 in a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Using ROCK1- or ROCK2-haploinsufficient mice, we found that reduced expression of either ROCK1 or ROCK2 was sufficient to protect them from bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, we found that both isoforms contribute to the profibrotic responses of epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Interestingly, ROCK1- and ROCK2-haploinsufficient mice exhibited similar protection from bleomycin-induced vascular leak, myofibroblast differentiation, and fibrosis; however, ROCK1-haploinsufficient mice demonstrated greater attenuation of epithelial cell apoptosis. These findings suggest that selective inhibition of either ROCK isoform has the potential to be an effective therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel S Knipe
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Clemens K Probst
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - David Lagares
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alicia Franklin
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jillian J Spinney
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Patricia L Brazee
- 4 Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Paula Grasberger
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Linlin Zhang
- 5 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Katharine E Black
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Norihiko Sakai
- 6 Division of Nephrology and.,7 Division of Blood Purification, Kanazawa University Hospital, Kanazawa, Japan; and
| | - Barry S Shea
- 8 Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Alpert Medical School, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - James K Liao
- 5 Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Benjamin D Medoff
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew M Tager
- 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.,2 The Andrew M. Tager Fibrosis Research Center, and.,3 Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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21
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Kahl DJ, Hutchings KM, Lisabeth EM, Haak AJ, Leipprandt JR, Dexheimer T, Khanna D, Tsou PS, Campbell PL, Fox DA, Wen B, Sun D, Bailie M, Neubig RR, Larsen SD. 5-Aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthioalkanoic Acids: A Highly Potent New Class of Inhibitors of Rho/Myocardin-Related Transcription Factor (MRTF)/Serum Response Factor (SRF)-Mediated Gene Transcription as Potential Antifibrotic Agents for Scleroderma. J Med Chem 2019; 62:4350-4369. [PMID: 30951312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Through a phenotypic high-throughput screen using a serum response element luciferase promoter, we identified a novel 5-aryl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-ylthiopropionic acid lead inhibitor of Rho/myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF)/serum response factor (SRF)-mediated gene transcription with good potency (IC50 = 180 nM). We were able to rapidly improve the cellular potency by 5 orders of magnitude guided by sharply defined and synergistic SAR. The remarkable potency and depth of the SAR, as well as the relatively low molecular weight of the series, suggests, but does not prove, that binding to the unknown molecular target may be occurring through a covalent mechanism. The series nevertheless has no observable cytotoxicity up to 100 μM. Ensuing pharmacokinetic optimization resulted in the development of two potent and orally bioavailable anti-fibrotic agents that were capable of dose-dependently reducing connective tissue growth factor gene expression in vitro as well as significantly reducing the development of bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis in mice in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Erika Mathes Lisabeth
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
| | - Andrew J Haak
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
| | - Jeffrey R Leipprandt
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
| | - Thomas Dexheimer
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence , University of Michigan Medical Center , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Pei-Suen Tsou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence , University of Michigan Medical Center , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - Phillip L Campbell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence , University of Michigan Medical Center , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | - David A Fox
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence , University of Michigan Medical Center , Ann Arbor , Michigan 48109 , United States
| | | | | | - Marc Bailie
- Michigan State University in Vivo Facility , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
| | - Richard R Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology , Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan 48824 , United States
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22
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Abstract
Myofibroblast activation is a critical process in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis accounting for 45% of all deaths. No effective therapies are available for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. We focus our mini-review on recent data showing that cardiotonic steroids (CTS) that are known as potent inhibitors of Na+,K+-ATPase affect myofibroblast differentiation in a cell type-specific manner. In cultured human lung fibroblasts (HLF), epithelial cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, CTS blocked myofibroblast differentiation triggered by profibrotic cytokine TGF-β. In contrast, in the absence of TGF-β, CTS augmented myofibroblast differentiation of cultured cardiac fibroblasts. The cell type-specific action of CTS in myofibroblast differentiation is consistent with data obtained in in vivo studies. Thus, infusion of ouabain via osmotic mini-pumps attenuated the development of lung fibrosis in bleomycintreated mice, whereas marinobufagenin stimulated renal and cardiac fibrosis in rats with experimental renal injury. In TGF-β-treated HLF, suppression of myofibroblast differentiation by ouabain is mediated by elevation of the [Na+]i/[K+]i ratio and is accompanied by upregulation of cyclooxygenase COX-2 and downregulation of TGF-β receptor TGFBR2. Augmented expression of COX-2 is abolished by inhibition of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, suggesting a key role of [Ca2+]i-mediated signaling. What is the relative impact in tissue fibrosis of [Na+]i,[K+]iindependent signaling documented in several types of CTS-treated cells? Do the different conformational transitions of Na+,K+-ATPase α1 subunit in the presence of ouabain and marinobufagenin contribute to their distinct involvement in myofibroblast differentiation? Additional experiments should be done to answer these questions and to develop novel pharmacological approaches for the treatment of fibrosis-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei N. Orlov
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russian Federation
| | - Jennifer La
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, IL, United States
| | | | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- Department of Medicine, The University of Chicago, IL, United States
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23
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Profibrotic epithelial phenotype: a central role for MRTF and TAZ. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4323. [PMID: 30867502 PMCID: PMC6416270 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40764-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial injury is a key initiator of fibrosis but - in contrast to the previous paradigm - the epithelium in situ does not undergo wide-spread epithelial-mesenchymal/myofibroblast transition (EMT/EMyT). Instead, it assumes a Profibrotic Epithelial Phenotype (PEP) characterized by fibrogenic cytokine production. The transcriptional mechanisms underlying PEP are undefined. As we have shown that two RhoA/cytoskeleton-regulated transcriptional coactivators, Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) and TAZ, are indispensable for EMyT, we asked if they might mediate PEP as well. Here we show that mechanical stress (cyclic stretch) increased the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), platelet-derived growth factor and Indian Hedgehog mRNA in LLC-PK1 tubular cells. These responses were mitigated by siRNA-mediated silencing or pharmacological inhibition of MRTF (CCG-1423) or TAZ (verteporfin). RhoA inhibition exerted similar effects. Unilateral ureteral obstruction, a murine model of mechanically-triggered kidney fibrosis, induced tubular RhoA activation along with overexpression/nuclear accumulation of MRTF and TAZ, and increased transcription of the above-mentioned cytokines. Laser capture microdissection revealed TAZ, TGFβ1 and CTGF induction specifically in the tubular epithelium. CCG-1423 suppressed total renal and tubular expression of these proteins. Thus, MRTF regulates epithelial TAZ expression, and both MRTF and TAZ are critical mediators of PEP-related epithelial cytokine production.
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24
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Maeshige N, Torii K, Tabuchi H, Imai M, Koga Y, Uemura M, Aoyama-Ishikawa M, Miyoshi M, Fujino H, Terashi H, Usami M. Inhibitory Effects of Short-Chain Fatty Acids and ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Profibrotic Factors in Dermal Fibroblasts. EPLASTY 2019; 19:e4. [PMID: 30858902 PMCID: PMC6404726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective: Dermal fibroproliferative disorders impair patients' quality of life. Although several therapeutic approaches exist for treatment of dermal scars, the development of effective ointments with few adverse effects could improve these therapeutic methods. Short-chain and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are reported to be immunomodulators with anti-inflammatory properties. Our aim was to evaluate anti-inflammatory and antifibrogenic effects of these fatty acids in human dermal fibroblasts. Methods: Cells were incubated with short-chain fatty acids (butyrate or propionate; 0-16 mM) and/or ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (docosahexaenoic acid or eicosapentaenoic acid; 0-100 μM) for 24 hours to evaluate antifibrogenic effects and for 3 or 48 hours to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide or without stimulation. Expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I, collagen III, and IL-6 were evaluated, as were cell proliferation, stress fiber formation, and histone acetylation. Results: In the lipopolysaccharide-unstimulated group, butyrate inhibited mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen III more effectively than propionate and increased histone acetylation. Docosahexaenoic acid inhibited mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen III, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid did not. Combining butyrate with docosahexaenoic acid had stronger effects, downregulating α-smooth muscle actin, collagen I, and collagen III mRNA. As for cell proliferation and stress fiber formation, butyrate acted as a stronger inhibitor than docosahexaenoic acid and the combined administration had stronger effects. In the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated group, butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid attenuated IL-6 mRNA upregulation by lipopolysaccharide. Conclusion: Butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid may be a novel therapeutic approach to treatment of dermal fibroproliferative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noriaki Maeshige
- aDepartment of Rehabilitation Science,bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan,Correspondence:
| | - Kazuhiro Torii
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroto Tabuchi
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Midori Imai
- cDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yuka Koga
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Mikiko Uemura
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Michiko Aoyama-Ishikawa
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyoshi
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan
| | | | - Hiroto Terashi
- cDepartment of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
| | - Makoto Usami
- bDivision of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Kobe University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe, Japan,dFaculty of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Konan Women’s University, Kobe, Japan
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25
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Sandbo N. Mechanisms of Fibrosis in IPF. Respir Med 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-99975-3_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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26
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Koo HY, El-Baz LM, House SL, Cilvik SN, Dorry SJ, Shoukry NM, Salem ML, Hafez HS, Dulin NO, Ornitz DM, Guzy RD. Fibroblast growth factor 2 decreases bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and inhibits fibroblast collagen production and myofibroblast differentiation. J Pathol 2018; 246:54-66. [PMID: 29873400 PMCID: PMC6175645 DOI: 10.1002/path.5106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Mice lacking FGF2 have increased mortality and impaired epithelial recovery after bleomycin exposure, supporting a protective or reparative function following lung injury. To determine whether FGF2 overexpression reduces bleomycin-induced injury, we developed an inducible genetic system to express FGF2 in type II pneumocytes. Double-transgenic (DTG) mice with doxycycline-inducible overexpression of human FGF2 (SPC-rtTA;TRE-hFGF2) or single-transgenic controls were administered intratracheal bleomycin and fed doxycycline chow, starting at either day 0 or day 7. In addition, wild-type mice received intratracheal or intravenous recombinant FGF2, starting at the time of bleomycin treatment. Compared to controls, doxycycline-induced DTG mice had decreased pulmonary fibrosis 21 days after bleomycin, as assessed by gene expression and histology. This beneficial effect was seen when FGF2 overexpression was induced at day 0 or day 7 after bleomycin. FGF2 overexpression did not alter epithelial gene expression, bronchoalveolar lavage cellularity or total protein. In vitro studies using primary mouse and human lung fibroblasts showed that FGF2 strongly inhibited baseline and TGFβ1-induced expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), collagen, and connective tissue growth factor. While FGF2 did not suppress phosphorylation of Smad2 or Smad-dependent gene expression, FGF2 inhibited TGFβ1-induced stress fiber formation and serum response factor-dependent gene expression. FGF2 inhibition of stress fiber formation and αSMA requires FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and downstream MEK/ERK, but not AKT signaling. In summary, overexpression of FGF2 protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and reverses TGFβ1-induced collagen and αSMA expression and stress fiber formation in lung fibroblasts in vitro, without affecting either inflammation or epithelial gene expression. Our results suggest that in the lung, FGF2 is antifibrotic in part through decreased collagen expression and fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Young Koo
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lamis M.F. El-Baz
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
- Suez University, Faculty of Science, Zoology Department, Suez, Egypt
| | - Stacey L. House
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah N. Cilvik
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samuel J. Dorry
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nahla M. Shoukry
- Suez University, Faculty of Science, Zoology Department, Suez, Egypt
| | - Mohamed L. Salem
- Tanta University, Center of Excellence in Cancer Research, Faculty of Science, Immunology & Biotechnology Department, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Hani S. Hafez
- Suez University, Faculty of Science, Zoology Department, Suez, Egypt
| | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David M. Ornitz
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Developmental Biology, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert D. Guzy
- University of Chicago, Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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27
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Eberhardt W, Nasrullah U, Pfeilschifter J. Activation of renal profibrotic TGFβ controlled signaling cascades by calcineurin and mTOR inhibitors. Cell Signal 2018; 52:1-11. [PMID: 30145216 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2018.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus represent potent immunosuppressive agents frequently used for solid organ transplantation and treatment of autoimmune disorders. Despite of their immense therapeutic benefits, residual fibrosis mainly in the kidney represents a common side effect of long-term therapy with CNI. Regardless of the immunosuppressive action, an increasing body of evidence implicates that a drug-induced increase in TGFβ and subsequent activation of TGFβ-initiated signaling pathways is closely associated with the development and progression of CNI-induced nephropathy. Mechanistically, an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation due to drug-induced changes in the intracellular redox homeostasis functions as an important trigger of the profibrotic signaling cascades activated under therapy with CNI. Although, inhibitors of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase have firmly been established as alternative compounds with a lower nephrotoxic potential, an activation of fibrogenic signaling cascades has been reported for these drugs as well. This review will comprehensively summarize recent advances in the understanding of profibrotic signaling events modulated by these widely used compounds with a specific focus put on mechanisms occurring independent of their respective immunosuppressive action. Herein, the impact of redox modulation, the activation of canonical TGFβ and non-Smad pathways and modulation of autophagy by both classes of immunosuppressive drugs will be highlighted and discussed in a broader perspective. The comprehensive knowledge of profibrotic signaling events specifically accompanying the immunomodulatory activity of these widely used drugs is needed for a reliable benefit-risk assessment under therapeutic regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Eberhardt
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Universitätsklinikum und Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Usman Nasrullah
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Universitätsklinikum und Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Josef Pfeilschifter
- Pharmazentrum frankfurt/ZAFES, Universitätsklinikum und Goethe-Universität, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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28
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Impaired healing of cornea incision injury in a TRPV1-deficient mouse. Cell Tissue Res 2018; 374:329-338. [PMID: 29971480 PMCID: PMC6209059 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-018-2878-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The present study attempts to elucidate the role of TRPV1 cation channel receptor on primary repair in an incision-wounded mouse cornea in vivo. Previous study revealed that blocking TRPV1 suppressed myofibroblast formation and expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in cultured keratocytes or ocular fibroblasts. Male C57BL/6 (wild-type; WT) mice and male C57BL/6 Trpv1-null (KO) mice incurred a full-thickness incision injury (1.8 mm in length, limbus to limbus) in the central cornea of one eye with a surgical blade under general and topical anesthesia. The injury was not sutured. On days 0, 5, and 10, the eyes were enucleated, processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, and real-time RT-PCR gene expression analysis to evaluate the effects of the loss of TRPV1 on primary healing. Electron microscopy observation was also performed to know the effect of the loss of TRPV1 on ultrastructure of keratocytes. The results showed that the loss of Trpv1 gene delayed closure of corneal stromal incision with hindered myofibroblast transdifferentiation along with declines in the expression of collagen Ia1 and TGFβ1. Inflammatory cell infiltration was not affected by the loss of TRPV1. Ultrastructurally endoplasmic reticulum of TRPV1-null keratocytes was more extensively dilated as compared with WT keratocytes, suggesting an impairment of protein secretion by TRPV1-gene knockout. These results indicate that injury-related TRPV1 signal is involved in healing of stromal incision injury in a mouse cornea by selectively stimulating TGFβ-induced granulation tissue formation.
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29
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Oh RS, Haak AJ, Smith KMJ, Ligresti G, Choi KM, Xie T, Wang S, Walters PR, Thompson MA, Freeman MR, Manlove LJ, Chu VM, Feghali-Bostwick C, Roden AC, Schymeinsky J, Pabelick CM, Prakash YS, Vassallo R, Tschumperlin DJ. RNAi screening identifies a mechanosensitive ROCK-JAK2-STAT3 network central to myofibroblast activation. J Cell Sci 2018; 131:jcs.209932. [PMID: 29678906 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.209932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2017] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts play key roles in wound healing and pathological fibrosis. Here, we used an RNAi screen to characterize myofibroblast regulatory genes, using a high-content imaging approach to quantify α-smooth muscle actin stress fibers in cultured human fibroblasts. Screen hits were validated on physiological compliance hydrogels, and selected hits tested in primary fibroblasts from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Our RNAi screen led to the identification of STAT3 as an essential mediator of myofibroblast activation and function. Strikingly, we found that STAT3 phosphorylation, while responsive to exogenous ligands on both soft and stiff matrices, is innately active on a stiff matrix in a ligand/receptor-independent, but ROCK- and JAK2-dependent fashion. These results demonstrate how a cytokine-inducible signal can become persistently activated by pathological matrix stiffening. Consistent with a pivotal role for this pathway in driving persistent fibrosis, a STAT3 inhibitor attenuated murine pulmonary fibrosis when administered in a therapeutic fashion after bleomycin injury. Our results identify novel genes essential for the myofibroblast phenotype, and point to STAT3 as an important target in pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond S Oh
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrew J Haak
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Karry M J Smith
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Giovanni Ligresti
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Kyoung Moo Choi
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Tiao Xie
- Image and Data Analysis Core, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shaohua Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Paula R Walters
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michael A Thompson
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Michelle R Freeman
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Logan J Manlove
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Vivian M Chu
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Anja C Roden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Jürgen Schymeinsky
- Department of Respiratory Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach, Germany
| | - Christina M Pabelick
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Y S Prakash
- Departments of Anesthesiology and Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Robert Vassallo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Daniel J Tschumperlin
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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30
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Hall CL, Wells AR, Leung KP. Pirfenidone reduces profibrotic responses in human dermal myofibroblasts, in vitro. J Transl Med 2018; 98:640-655. [PMID: 29497173 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-017-0014-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 11/15/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pirfenidone (PFD) is a synthetic small molecule inhibitor with demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties in vitro and in vivo. The exact mechanism(s) of PFD action remain unclear, due in part to the broad effects of this drug on the complex processes involved in inflammation and fibrosis. While PFD is FDA-approved for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the efficacy of this compound for the treatment of dermal fibrosis has not yet been fully characterized. Dermal fibrosis is the pathological formation of excess fibrous connective tissue of the skin, usually the result of traumatic cutaneous injury. Fibroproliferative scarring, caused by delayed wound healing and prolonged inflammation, remains a major clinical concern with considerable morbidity. Despite efforts to identify a therapeutic that targets the fibrotic pathways involved in wound healing to mitigate scar formation, no satisfactory dermal antifibrotic has yet been identified. We aim to better elucidate the antifibrotic mechanism(s) of PFD activity using an in vitro model of dermal fibrosis. Briefly, cultured human dermal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-β1 to induce differentiation into profibrotic myofibroblast cells. A dose-dependent reduction in cellular proliferation and migration was observed in TGF-β1-stimulated cells when treated with PFD. We observed a clear inhibition in the development of essential myofibroblast mechanoregulatory machinery, including contractile F-actin stress fibers containing α-SMA and large super-mature focal adhesions. PFD treatment significantly reduced protein levels of major ECM components type I and type III collagen. PFD targeted the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and mitigated profibrotic gene expression profiles. This in vitro data promotes PFD as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of dermal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline L Hall
- Dental and Craniofacial Trauma and Tissue Regeneration Directorate, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, Building 3610, Joint Base San Antonio/Fort Sam Houston, TX, 78234, USA
| | - Adrienne R Wells
- Dental and Craniofacial Trauma and Tissue Regeneration Directorate, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, Building 3610, Joint Base San Antonio/Fort Sam Houston, TX, 78234, USA
| | - Kai P Leung
- Dental and Craniofacial Trauma and Tissue Regeneration Directorate, United States Army Institute of Surgical Research, 3698 Chambers Pass, Building 3610, Joint Base San Antonio/Fort Sam Houston, TX, 78234, USA.
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31
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Zhou Y, Horowitz JC, Naba A, Ambalavanan N, Atabai K, Balestrini J, Bitterman PB, Corley RA, Ding BS, Engler AJ, Hansen KC, Hagood JS, Kheradmand F, Lin QS, Neptune E, Niklason L, Ortiz LA, Parks WC, Tschumperlin DJ, White ES, Chapman HA, Thannickal VJ. Extracellular matrix in lung development, homeostasis and disease. Matrix Biol 2018. [PMID: 29524630 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2018.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The lung's unique extracellular matrix (ECM), while providing structural support for cells, is critical in the regulation of developmental organogenesis, homeostasis and injury-repair responses. The ECM, via biochemical or biomechanical cues, regulates diverse cell functions, fate and phenotype. The composition and function of lung ECM become markedly deranged in pathological tissue remodeling. ECM-based therapeutics and bioengineering approaches represent promising novel strategies for regeneration/repair of the lung and treatment of chronic lung diseases. In this review, we assess the current state of lung ECM biology, including fundamental advances in ECM composition, dynamics, topography, and biomechanics; the role of the ECM in normal and aberrant lung development, adult lung diseases and autoimmunity; and ECM in the regulation of the stem cell niche. We identify opportunities to advance the field of lung ECM biology and provide a set recommendations for research priorities to advance knowledge that would inform novel approaches to the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Zhou
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
| | - Jeffrey C Horowitz
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, United States.
| | - Alexandra Naba
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, United States.
| | | | - Kamran Atabai
- Lung Biology Center, University of California, San Francisco, United States.
| | | | | | - Richard A Corley
- Systems Toxicology & Exposure Science, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, United States.
| | - Bi-Sen Ding
- Weill Cornell Medical College, United States.
| | - Adam J Engler
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California, San Diego, United States.
| | - Kirk C Hansen
- Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Colorado Denver, United States.
| | - James S Hagood
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, University of California San Diego, United States.
| | - Farrah Kheradmand
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Baylor College of Medicine, United States.
| | - Qing S Lin
- Division of Lung Diseases, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, United States.
| | - Enid Neptune
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, United States.
| | - Laura Niklason
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University, United States.
| | - Luis A Ortiz
- Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, United States.
| | - William C Parks
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, United States.
| | - Daniel J Tschumperlin
- Department of Physiology & Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, United States.
| | - Eric S White
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan, United States.
| | - Harold A Chapman
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, United States.
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, United States.
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Kitasaka H, Kawai T, Hoque SAM, Umehara T, Fujita Y, Shimada M. Inductions of granulosa cell luteinization and cumulus expansion are dependent on the fibronectin-integrin pathway during ovulation process in mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192458. [PMID: 29420611 PMCID: PMC5805282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been known that EGF-like factor secreted from LH-stimulated granuloma cells acts on granulosa cells and cumulus cells to induce ovulation process. Granulosa cells are changed the morphology with differentiating cell functions to produce progesterone. Cumulus cells are detached to make a space between the cells to accumulate hyaluronan rich matrix. LH also changes extracellular matrix (ECM) components including fibronectin in the follicular walls and granulosa cell layers. EGF like factor and fibronectin synergistically play important roles in numerous cell functions, especially cancer cell migration, estimating that fibronectin would impact on granulosa cells and cumulus cells. To clear this hypothesis, the localizations of fibronectin and its receptor integrin were observed by immunofluorescence technique. The functions were monitored by the detection of downstream signaling pathway, focal adhesion kinase (FAK). The pharmacological approach in both in vivo and in vitro were used for analyzing the physiological roles of FAK during ovulation process. The immunofluorescence staining revealed that fibronectin and integrin were observed in granulosa cells, cumulus cells and the space between cumulus cells and oocyte at 4 and 8 h after hCG injection. Concomitantly with the changes of fibronectin-integrin localization, FAK was phosphorylated in periovulatory follicles. The injection of FAK inhibitor suppressed not only ovulation but also luteinization of granulosa cells and cumulus expansion. In cultured-granulosa cells, fibronectin-integrin synergistically activated FAK with amphiregulin (AREG). Such cooperative stimulations induced a morphological change in granulosa cells, which resulted in the maximum level of progesterone production via the induction of Hsd3b. When cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured with AREG in the presence of serum, the maximum level of cumulus expansion was observed. The AREG-induced cumulus expansion was also suppressed by FAK inhibitor. Thus, it is concluded that fibronectin and AREG synergistically activate FAK not only in granulosa cells and cumulus cells to induce successful ovulation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroya Kitasaka
- Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- Asada Ladies Clinic, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoko Kawai
- Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - S. A. Masudul Hoque
- Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur-1706, Bangladesh
| | - Takashi Umehara
- Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Youko Fujita
- Women’s Clinic Oizumi-Gakuenn, Higashi-Oizumi, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Shimada
- Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, Higashi-Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
- * E-mail:
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33
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Thomasy SM, Raghunathan VK, Miyagi H, Evashenk AT, Sermeno JC, Tripp GK, Morgan JT, Murphy CJ. Latrunculin B and substratum stiffness regulate corneal fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation. Exp Eye Res 2018; 170:101-107. [PMID: 29421383 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The transformation of keratocytes and fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is important to corneal wound healing as well as formation of stromal haze. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of latrunculin B, an actin cytoskeleton disruptor in conjunction with a fundamental biophysical cue, substrate stiffness, on myofibroblast transformation in vitro and in vivo. Rabbit corneal fibroblasts were cultured on substrates of differing compliance (1.5, 22, and 71 kPa) and tissue culture plastic (TCP; > 1 GPa) in media containing 0 or 10 ng/ml TGFβ1 for 72 h. Cells were treated with 0.4 μM Lat-B or DMSO for 30 min every 24 h for 72 h. RNA was collected from cells and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), keratocan, and ALDH1A1 determined using qPCR; immunocytochemistry was used to assess α-SMA protein expression. A rabbit phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) model was used to assess the impact of 0.1% Lat-B (n = 3) or 25% DMSO (vehicle control, n = 3) on corneal wound healing by assessment of epithelial wound size with fluorescein stain and semi-quantitative stromal haze scoring by an observer masked to treatment group as well as Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) at set time points. Statistical analysis was completed using one-way or two-way analysis of variance. Treatment with Lat-B versus DMSO resulted in significantly less αSMA mRNA (P ≤ 0.007) for RCF cells grown on 22 and 71 kPa substrates as well as TCP without or with TGFβ1, and significantly decreased α-SMA protein expression in RCFs cultured on the intermediate (22 kPa) stiffness in the absence (P = 0.028) or presence (P = 0.018) of TGFβ1. Treatment with Lat-B versus DMSO but did not significantly alter expression of keratocan or ALDH1A1 mRNA in RCFs (P > 0.05) in the absence or presence of TGFβ1, but RCFs grown on stiff hydrogels (71 kPa) had significantly more keratocan mRNA expression versus the 22 kPa hydrogel or TCP (P < 0.001) without TGFβ1. Administration of topical Lat-B BID was well tolerated by rabbits post-PTK but did not significantly alter epithelial wound closure, stromal haze score, stromal haze thickness as measured by FD-OCT in comparison to DMSO-treated rabbits. When corneal stromal cells are cultured on substrates possessing biologically relevant substratum stiffnesses, Lat-B modulates mRNA and protein expression of α-SMA and thus modulates myofibroblast transformation. At a dose and dose-frequency that reduced IOP in human glaucoma patients, Lat-B treatment did not substantially impact corneal epithelial or stromal wound healing in a rabbit PTK model. While a significant impact on wound healing was observed at the concentration and dose frequency reported here was not found, encouraging in vitro data support further investigations of topically applied Lat-B to determine if this compound can reduce stromal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M Thomasy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
| | - Vijay Krishna Raghunathan
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Basic Sciences, The Ocular Surface Institute, College of Optometry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Hidetaka Miyagi
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Minami-ku, Kasumi 1-2-3, Hiroshima, 7348551, Japan
| | - Alexander T Evashenk
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jasmyne C Sermeno
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Geneva K Tripp
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Joshua T Morgan
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Christopher J Murphy
- Department of Surgical and Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
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34
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Bernard K, Logsdon NJ, Benavides GA, Sanders Y, Zhang J, Darley-Usmar VM, Thannickal VJ. Glutaminolysis is required for transforming growth factor-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation and activation. J Biol Chem 2017; 293:1218-1228. [PMID: 29222329 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts participate in physiological wound healing and pathological fibrosis. Myofibroblast differentiation is characterized by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix proteins and is dependent on metabolic reprogramming. In this study, we explored the role of glutaminolysis and metabolites of TCA in supporting myofibroblast differentiation. Glutaminolysis converts Gln into α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), a critical intermediate in the TCA cycle. Increases in the steady-state concentrations of TCA cycle metabolites including α-KG, succinate, fumarate, malate, and citrate were observed in TGF-β1-differentiated myofibroblasts. The concentration of glutamate was also increased in TGF-β1-differentiated myofibroblasts compared with controls, whereas glutamine levels were decreased, suggesting enhanced glutaminolysis. This was associated with TGF-β1-induced expression of the glutaminase (GLS) isoform, GLS1, which converts Gln into glutamate, at both the mRNA and protein levels. The stimulation of GLS1 expression by TGF-β1 was dependent on both SMAD3 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Depletion of extracellular Gln prevented TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. The removal of extracellular Gln postmyofibroblast differentiation decreased the expression of the profibrotic markers fibronectin and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and reversed TGF-β1-induced metabolic reprogramming. Silencing of GLS1 expression, in the presence of Gln, abrogated TGF-β1-induced expression of profibrotic markers. Treatment of GLS1-deficient myofibroblasts with exogenous glutamate or α-KG restored TGF-β1-induced expression of profibrotic markers in GLS1-deficient myofibroblasts. Together, these data demonstrate that glutaminolysis is a critical component of myofibroblast metabolic reprogramming that regulates myofibroblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Bernard
- From the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine,
| | - Naomi J Logsdon
- From the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Gloria A Benavides
- Department of Pathology, and.,Center for Free Radical Biology and Medicine of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294 and
| | - Yan Sanders
- From the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine
| | - Jianhua Zhang
- Department of Pathology, and.,Center for Free Radical Biology and Medicine of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294 and
| | - Victor M Darley-Usmar
- Department of Pathology, and.,Center for Free Radical Biology and Medicine of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294 and
| | - Victor J Thannickal
- From the Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine.,the Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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Shaifta Y, MacKay CE, Irechukwu N, O'Brien KA, Wright DB, Ward JPT, Knock GA. Transforming growth factor-β enhances Rho-kinase activity and contraction in airway smooth muscle via the nucleotide exchange factor ARHGEF1. J Physiol 2017; 596:47-66. [PMID: 29071730 PMCID: PMC5746525 DOI: 10.1113/jp275033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Key points Transforming growth‐factor‐β (TGF‐β) and RhoA/Rho‐kinase are independently implicated in the airway hyper‐responsiveness associated with asthma, but how these proteins interact is not fully understood. We examined the effects of pre‐treatment with TGF‐β on expression and activity of RhoA, Rho‐kinase and ARHGEF1, an activator of RhoA, as well as on bradykinin‐induced contraction, in airway smooth muscle. TGF‐β enhanced bradykinin‐induced RhoA translocation, Rho‐kinase‐dependent phosphorylation and contraction, but partially suppressed bradykinin‐induced RhoA activity (RhoA‐GTP content). TGF‐β enhanced the expression of ARHGEF1, while a small interfering RNA against ARHGEF1 and a RhoGEF inhibitor prevented the effects of TGF‐β on RhoA and Rho‐kinase activity and contraction, respectively. ARHGEF1 expression was also enhanced in airway smooth muscle from asthmatic patients and ovalbumin‐sensitized mice. ARHGEF1 is a key TGF‐β target gene, an important regulator of Rho‐kinase activity and therefore a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthmatic airway hyper‐responsiveness.
Abstract Transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), RhoA/Rho‐kinase and Src‐family kinases (SrcFK) have independently been implicated in airway hyper‐responsiveness, but how they interact to regulate airway smooth muscle contractility is not fully understood. We found that TGF‐β pre‐treatment enhanced acute contractile responses to bradykinin (BK) in isolated rat bronchioles, and inhibitors of RhoGEFs (Y16) and Rho‐kinase (Y27632), but not the SrcFK inhibitor PP2, prevented this enhancement. In cultured human airway smooth muscle cells (hASMCs), TGF‐β pre‐treatment enhanced the protein expression of the Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor ARHGEF1, MLC20, MYPT‐1 and the actin‐severing protein cofilin, but not of RhoA, ROCK2 or c‐Src. In hASMCs, acute treatment with BK triggered subcellular translocation of ARHGEF1 and RhoA and enhanced auto‐phosphorylation of SrcFK and phosphorylation of MYPT1 and MLC20, but induced de‐phosphorylation of cofilin. TGF‐β pre‐treatment amplified the effects of BK on RhoA translocation and MYPT1/MLC20 phosphorylation, but suppressed the effects of BK on RhoA‐GTP content, SrcFK auto‐phosphorylation and cofilin de‐phosphorylation. In hASMCs, an ARHGEF1 small interfering RNA suppressed the effects of BK and TGF‐β on RhoA‐GTP content, RhoA translocation and MYPT1 and MLC20 phosphorylation, but minimally influenced the effects of TGF‐β on cofilin expression and phosphorylation. ARHGEF1 expression was also enhanced in ASMCs of asthmatic patients and in lungs of ovalbumin‐sensitized mice. Our data indicate that TGF‐β enhances BK‐induced contraction, RhoA translocation and Rho‐kinase activity in airway smooth muscle largely via ARHGEF1, but independently of SrcFK and total RhoA‐GTP content. A role for smooth muscle ARHGEF1 in asthmatic airway hyper‐responsiveness is worthy of further investigation. Transforming growth‐factor‐β (TGF‐β) and RhoA/Rho‐kinase are independently implicated in the airway hyper‐responsiveness associated with asthma, but how these proteins interact is not fully understood. We examined the effects of pre‐treatment with TGF‐β on expression and activity of RhoA, Rho‐kinase and ARHGEF1, an activator of RhoA, as well as on bradykinin‐induced contraction, in airway smooth muscle. TGF‐β enhanced bradykinin‐induced RhoA translocation, Rho‐kinase‐dependent phosphorylation and contraction, but partially suppressed bradykinin‐induced RhoA activity (RhoA‐GTP content). TGF‐β enhanced the expression of ARHGEF1, while a small interfering RNA against ARHGEF1 and a RhoGEF inhibitor prevented the effects of TGF‐β on RhoA and Rho‐kinase activity and contraction, respectively. ARHGEF1 expression was also enhanced in airway smooth muscle from asthmatic patients and ovalbumin‐sensitized mice. ARHGEF1 is a key TGF‐β target gene, an important regulator of Rho‐kinase activity and therefore a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthmatic airway hyper‐responsiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasin Shaifta
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Charles E MacKay
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Nneka Irechukwu
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Katie A O'Brien
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - David B Wright
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Jeremy P T Ward
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Greg A Knock
- Division of Asthma, Allergy and Lung Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, SE1 1UL, UK
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36
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Torii K, Maeshige N, Aoyama-Ishikawa M, Miyoshi M, Terashi H, Usami M. Combination therapy with butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid for keloid fibrogenesis: an in vitro study. An Bras Dermatol 2017; 92:184-190. [PMID: 28538876 PMCID: PMC5429102 DOI: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20176198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: A single, effective therapeutic regimen for keloids has not been established yet, and the development of novel therapeutic approaches is expected. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, play multiple anti-inflammatory and anticancer roles via their respective mechanisms of action. Objective: In this study, we evaluated the antifibrogenic effects of their single and combined use on keloid fibroblasts. Methods: Keloid fibroblasts were treated with butyrate (0-16 mM) and/or DHA (0-100 µM) for 48 or 96 h. Results: Butyrate inhibited cell proliferation, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type III collagen expressions, with inhibition of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β type I receptor expressions and increased prostaglandin E2 with upregulation of cyclooxygenase-1 expression with induction of histone acetylation. DHA inhibited α-SMA, type III collagen, and TGF-β type I receptor expressions. Then, the butyrate/DHA combination augmented the antifibrogenic effects, resulting in additional inhibition of α-SMA, type I and III collagen expressions, with strong disruption of stress fiber and apoptosis induction. Moreover, the butyrate/DHA combination inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 expression, suggesting stronger anti-inflammatory effect than each monotherapy. Study limitations: Activation in keloid tissue is affected not only by fibroblasts but also by epithelial cells and immune cells. Evaluation of the effects by butyrate and DHA in these cells or in an in vivo study is required. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that butyrate and docosahexaenoic acid have antifibrogenic effects on keloid fibroblasts and that these may exert therapeutic effects for keloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuhiro Torii
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan
| | - Noriaki Maeshige
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan.,Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan
| | - Michiko Aoyama-Ishikawa
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan
| | - Makoto Miyoshi
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan
| | - Hiroto Terashi
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan
| | - Makoto Usami
- Division of Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Biophysics, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University - Kobe, Japan.,Department of Nutrition, Kobe University Hospital - Kobe, Japan
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37
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Gasparics Á, Sebe A. MRTFs- master regulators of EMT. Dev Dyn 2017; 247:396-404. [PMID: 28681541 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.24544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Revised: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 06/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence implicates the myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) as key mediators of the phenotypic plasticity leading to the conversion of various cell types into myofibroblasts. This review highlights the function of MRTFs during development, fibrosis and cancer, and the role of MRTFs during epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) underlying these processes. EMT is a sequentially orchestrated process where cells undergo a rearrangement of their cell contacts and activate a fibrogenic and myogenic expression program. MRTFs interact with and regulate the major signaling pathways and the expression of key markers and transcription factors involved in EMT. These functions indicate a central role for MRTFs in controlling the process of EMT. Developmental Dynamics 247:396-404, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ákos Gasparics
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Semmelweis University, 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Attila Sebe
- Semmelweis University, Department of Pathophysiology, Budapest, Hungary.,Paul Ehrlich Institute, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Langen, Germany
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38
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Wettlaufer SH, Penke LR, Okunishi K, Peters-Golden M. Distinct PKA regulatory subunits mediate PGE 2 inhibition of TGFβ-1-stimulated collagen I translation and myofibroblast differentiation. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 313:L722-L731. [PMID: 28729346 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00131.2017] [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: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 06/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), via cAMP signaling, inhibits a variety of fibroblast functions relevant to fibrogenesis. Among these are their translation of collagen I protein and their differentiation to myofibroblasts. PKA is central to these actions, with cAMP binding to regulatory (R) subunits leading to the release of catalytic subunits. Here we examined the role of specific PKAR subunit isoforms in these inhibitory actions in transforming growth factor β-1 (TGFβ-1)-stimulated human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). HLFs expressed all four R subunit isoforms. siRNA-mediated knockdown of subunits PKARIα and PKARIIα had no effect on PGE2 inhibition of either process. However, knockdown of PKARIβ selectively attenuated PGE2 inhibition of collagen I protein expression, whereas knockdown of PKARIIβ selectively attenuated PGE2 inhibition of expression of the myofibroblast differentiation marker, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). cAMP analogs that selectively activate either PKARIβ or PKARIIβ exclusively inhibited collagen I synthesis or differentiation, respectively. In parallel, the PKARIβ agonist (but not a PKARIIβ agonist) reduced phosphorylation of two proteins involved in protein translation, protein kinase B (AKT) and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). By contrast, the PKARIIβ agonist (but not a PKARIβ agonist) reduced levels of the differentiation-associated phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (p-FAK) as well as the relative mRNA and protein expression of serum response factor (SRF), a transcription factor necessary for myofibroblast differentiation. Our results demonstrate that cAMP inhibition of collagen I translation and myofibroblast differentiation reflects the actions of distinct PKAR subunits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott H Wettlaufer
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - L Raghu Penke
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Katsuhide Okunishi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Marc Peters-Golden
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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Bernau K, Torr EE, Evans MD, Aoki JK, Ngam CR, Sandbo N. Tensin 1 Is Essential for Myofibroblast Differentiation and Extracellular Matrix Formation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 56:465-476. [PMID: 28005397 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0104oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts, the primary effector cells that mediate matrix remodeling during pulmonary fibrosis, rapidly assemble an extracellular fibronectin matrix. Tensin (TNS) 1 is a key component of specialized cellular adhesions (fibrillar adhesions) that bind to extracellular fibronectin fibrils. We hypothesized that TNS1 may play a role in modulating myofibroblast-mediated matrix formation. We found that TNS1 expression is increased in fibroblastic foci from lungs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β profoundly up-regulates TNS1 expression with kinetics that parallel the expression of the myofibroblast marker, smooth muscle α-actin. TGF-β-induced TNS1 expression is dependent on signaling through the TGF-β receptor 1 and is Rho coiled-coiled kinase/actin/megakaryoblastic leukemia-1/serum response factor dependent. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of TNS1 disrupted TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation, without affecting TGF-β/Smad signaling. In contrast, loss of TNS1 resulted in disruption of focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation, focal adhesion formation, and actin stress fiber development. Finally, TNS1 was essential for the formation of fibrillar adhesions and the assembly of nascent fibronectin and collagen matrix in myofibroblasts. In summary, our data show that TNS1 is a novel megakaryoblastic leukemia-1-dependent gene that is induced during pulmonary fibrosis. TNS1 plays an essential role in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation and myofibroblast-mediated formation of extracellular fibronectin and collagen matrix. Targeted disruption of TNS1 and associated signaling may provide an avenue to inhibit tissue fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael D Evans
- 2 Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
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40
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Tan J, Wu J. Current progress in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of burn scar contracture. BURNS & TRAUMA 2017; 5:14. [PMID: 28546987 PMCID: PMC5441009 DOI: 10.1186/s41038-017-0080-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal wound healing is likely to induce scar formation, leading to dysfunction, deformity, and psychological trauma in burn patients. Despite the advancement of medical care treatment, scar contracture in burn patients remains a challenge. Myofibroblasts play a key role in scar contracture. It has been demonstrated that myofibroblasts, as well as inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells, secrete transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and other cytokines, which can promote persistent myofibroblast activation via a positive regulation loop. In addition to the cellular contribution, the microenvironments, including the mechanical tension and integrin family, are also involved in scar contracture. Most recently, eukaryotic initiation factor 6 (eIF6), an upstream regulator of TGF-β1, has been demonstrated to be involved in myofibroblast differentiation and contraction in both in vitro fibroblast-populated collagen lattice (FPCL) and in vivo external mechanical stretch models. Moreover, the data showed that P311 could induce the transdifferentiation of epidermal stem cells to myofibroblasts by upregulating TGF-β1 expression, which mediated myofibroblast contraction. In this review, we briefly described the most current progress on the biological function of myofibroblasts in scar contracture and subsequently summarized the molecular events that initiated contracture. This would help us better understand the molecular basis of scar contracture as well as to find a comprehensive strategy for preventing/managing scar contracture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianglin Tan
- Institute of Burn Research, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injuries, Chongqing Key Laboratory for Disease Proteomics, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400038 China
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Burns, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China
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41
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Carthy JM. TGFβ signaling and the control of myofibroblast differentiation: Implications for chronic inflammatory disorders. J Cell Physiol 2017; 233:98-106. [PMID: 28247933 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The myofibroblast is a highly specialized cell type that plays a critical role during normal tissue wound healing, but also contributes pathologically to chronic inflammatory conditions such as fibrosis and cancer. As fibrotic conditions continue to be a major burden to the public health system, novel therapies that target the function of myofibroblasts may show promise in the clinic. The cytokine transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is the most potent known inducer of myofibroblast differentiation and thus represents a powerful target to modify myofibroblast function during disease. This review focuses on our current understanding of the key signaling pathways activated by TGFβ during myofibroblast differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon M Carthy
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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42
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Ferguson KT, Torr EE, Bernau K, Leet J, Sherris D, Sandbo N. The Novel mTOR Complex 1/2 Inhibitor P529 Inhibits Human Lung Myofibroblast Differentiation. J Cell Biochem 2017; 118:2241-2249. [PMID: 28078713 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.25878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive and deadly disorder with very few therapeutic options. Palomid 529 (8-(1-hydroxyethyl)-2-methoxy-3-(4-methoxybenzyloxy)-benzo[c]chromen-6-one; P529) is a novel dual inhibitor of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2). In these studies, we investigated the effect of P529 on TGF-β-dependent signaling and myofibroblast differentiation. TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of the mTORC1 targets, p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), were both dose dependently inhibited by P529 in human lung fibroblasts with maximal inhibition occurring between 10 and 20 μM. mTORC2-mediated phosphorylation of Akt at the S473 site was partially inhibited with a similar dose dependency, as was TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. Protein levels of TGF-β-induced fibronectin and collagen were similarly decreased by P529. At this dose, there was also inhibition of mRNA transcript levels for Col1 and α-SMA, suggesting inhibition of transcriptional activation. However, there was no effect of P529 on canonical TGF-β-induced Smad signaling, as assessed by receptor-associated Smad2/3 phosphorylation, Smad2/3/4 translocation, or Smad-driven gene expression, as assessed by Smad-binding element driven luciferase. Conversely, activation of mTORC1/2 signaling was dependent on TGF-β type I receptor (ALK5) signaling and on Smad2/3 expression. P529 treatment disrupted TGF-β-induced actin stress fiber formation during myofibroblast differentiation, the deposition of new extracellular fibronectin matrix, and linear wound closure by fibroblasts. Likewise, mTOR knockdown inhibited TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. In conclusion, P529 inhibits TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation, actin stress fiber formation, and matrix protein expression and deposition. Inhibition of mTORC1/2 by P529 may be a promising approach to inhibit in vivo fibrosis. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2241-2249, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith T Ferguson
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792
| | - Elizabeth E Torr
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792
| | - Ksenija Bernau
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792
| | - Jonathan Leet
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792
| | - David Sherris
- GenAdam Therapeutics, Inc, 37 Neillian Crescent, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts, 02130
| | - Nathan Sandbo
- Division of Allergy, Pulmonary, and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792
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43
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Kiya K, Kubo T, Kawai K, Matsuzaki S, Maeda D, Fujiwara T, Nishibayashi A, Kanazawa S, Yano K, Amano G, Katayama T, Hosokawa K. Endothelial cell-derived endothelin-1 is involved in abnormal scar formation by dermal fibroblasts through RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway. Exp Dermatol 2017; 26:705-712. [PMID: 27892645 DOI: 10.1111/exd.13264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are characterized by excessive dermal deposition of extracellular matrix due to fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is primarily produced by vascular endothelial cells and plays multiple roles in the wound-healing response and organ fibrogenesis. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiological significance of ET-1 and involvement of RhoA, a member of the Rho GTPases, in hypertrophic scar/keloid formation. We found that ET-1 expression on dermal microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) in hypertrophic scars and keloids was higher than that in normal skin and mature scars. We also confirmed that ET-1 induced myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis in cultured human dermal fibroblasts through the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway. Finally, since hypertrophic scar/keloid formation was most prominent in areas exposed to mechanical stretch, we examined how mechanical stretch affected ET-1 secretion in human dermal microvascular ECs, and found that mechanical stretch increased ET-1 gene expression and secretion from ECs. Taken together, these results suggest that dermal microvascular ECs release ET-1 in response to mechanical stretch, and thereby contribute to the formation of hypertrophic scars and keloids through the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichiro Kiya
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tateki Kubo
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenichiro Kawai
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Matsuzaki
- Department of Pharmacology, Wakayama Medical University, Kimiidera, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Daisuke Maeda
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Fujiwara
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Nishinomiya, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Akimitsu Nishibayashi
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shigeyuki Kanazawa
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kenji Yano
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Genki Amano
- Department of Child Development and Molecular Brain Science, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taiichi Katayama
- Department of Child Development and Molecular Brain Science, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ko Hosokawa
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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Hutchings KM, Lisabeth EM, Rajeswaran W, Wilson MW, Sorenson RJ, Campbell PL, Ruth JH, Amin A, Tsou PS, Leipprandt JR, Olson SR, Wen B, Zhao T, Sun D, Khanna D, Fox DA, Neubig RR, Larsen SD. Pharmacokinetic optimitzation of CCG-203971: Novel inhibitors of the Rho/MRTF/SRF transcriptional pathway as potential antifibrotic therapeutics for systemic scleroderma. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2017; 27:1744-1749. [PMID: 28285914 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2017.02.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We recently reported the development of a novel inhibitor of Rho-mediated gene transcription (1, CCG-203971) that is efficacious in multiple animal models of acute fibrosis, including scleroderma, when given intraperitoneally. The modest in vivo potency and poor pharmacokinetics (PK) of this lead, however, make it unsuitable for long term efficacy studies. We therefore undertook a systematic medicinal chemistry effort to improve both the metabolic stability and the solubility of 1, resulting in the identification of two analogs achieving over 10-fold increases in plasma exposures in mice. We subsequently showed that one of these analogs (8f, CCG-232601) could inhibit the development of bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis in mice when administered orally at 50mg/kg, an effect that was comparable to what we had observed earlier with 1 at a 4-fold higher IP dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim M Hutchings
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Erika M Lisabeth
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Walajapet Rajeswaran
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Michael W Wilson
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Roderick J Sorenson
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Phillip L Campbell
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jeffrey H Ruth
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Asif Amin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Pei-Suen Tsou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jeffrey R Leipprandt
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Samuel R Olson
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Bo Wen
- UM Pharmacokinetics Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Ting Zhao
- UM Pharmacokinetics Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Duxin Sun
- UM Pharmacokinetics Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Dinesh Khanna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - David A Fox
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Clinical Autoimmunity Center of Excellence, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Richard R Neubig
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Scott D Larsen
- Vahlteich Medicinal Chemistry Core, College of Pharmacy, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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45
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Luo S, Hieu TB, Ma F, Yu Y, Cao Z, Wang M, Wu W, Mao Y, Rose P, Law BYK, Zhu YZ. ZYZ-168 alleviates cardiac fibrosis after myocardial infarction through inhibition of ERK1/2-dependent ROCK1 activation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43242. [PMID: 28266583 PMCID: PMC5339863 DOI: 10.1038/srep43242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Selective treatments for myocardial infarction (MI) induced cardiac fibrosis are lacking. In this study, we focus on the therapeutic potential of a synthetic cardio-protective agent named ZYZ-168 towards MI-induced cardiac fibrosis and try to reveal the underlying mechanism. ZYZ-168 was administered to rats with coronary artery ligation over a period of six weeks. Ecocardiography and Masson staining showed that ZYZ-168 substantially improved cardiac function and reduced interstitial fibrosis. The expression of α–smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and Collagen I were reduced as was the activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). These were related with decreased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and expression of Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1). In cardiac fibroblasts stimulated with TGF-β1, phenotypic switches of cardiac fibroblasts to myofibroblasts were observed. Inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation or knockdown of ROCK1 expectedly reduced TGF-β1 induced fibrotic responses. ZYZ-168 appeared to inhibit the fibrotic responses in a concentration dependent manner, in part via a decrease in ROCK 1 expression through inhibition of the phosphorylation status of ERK1/2. For inhibition of ERK1/2 phosphorylation with a specific inhibitor reduced the activation of ROCK1. Considering its anti-apoptosis activity in MI, ZYZ-168 may be a potential drug candidate for treatment of MI-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Luo
- Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tran Ba Hieu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenfen Ma
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Cardiology, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhonglian Cao
- Instrumental Analysis Center, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Minjun Wang
- Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijun Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yicheng Mao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peter Rose
- School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough, Leics LE12 5RD, UK
| | - Betty Yuen-Kwan Law
- Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Yi Zhun Zhu
- Pharmacy and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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46
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Esnault S, Torr EE, Bernau K, Johansson MW, Kelly EA, Sandbo N, Jarjour NN. Endogenous Semaphorin-7A Impedes Human Lung Fibroblast Differentiation. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170207. [PMID: 28095470 PMCID: PMC5240965 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 12/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Semaphorin-7A is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, initially characterized as an axon guidance protein. Semaphorin-7A also contributes to immune cell regulation and may be an essential pro-fibrotic factor when expressed by non-fibroblast cell types (exogenous). In mouse models, semaphorin-7A was shown to be important for TGF-ß1-induced pulmonary fibrosis characterized by myofibroblast accumulation and extracellular matrix deposition, but the cell-specific role of semaphorin-7A was not examined in fibroblasts. The purpose of this study is to determine semaphorin-7A expression by fibroblasts and to investigate the function of endogenously expressed semaphorin-7A in primary human lung fibroblasts (HLF). Herein, we show that non-fibrotic HLF expressed high levels of cell surface semaphorin-7A with little dependence on the percentage of serum or recombinant TGF-ß1. Semaphorin-7A siRNA strongly decreased semaphorin-7A mRNA expression and reduced cell surface semaphorin-7A. Reduction of semaphorin-7A induced increased proliferation and migration of non-fibrotic HLF. Also, independent of the presence of TGF-ß1, the decline of semaphorin-7A by siRNA was associated with increased α-smooth muscle actin production and gene expression of periostin, fibronectin, laminin, and serum response factor (SRF), indicating differentiation into a myofibroblast. Conversely, overexpression of semaphorin-7A in the NIH3T3 fibroblast cell line reduced the production of pro-fibrotic markers. The inverse association between semaphorin-7A and pro-fibrotic fibroblast markers was further analyzed using HLF from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (n = 6) and non-fibrotic (n = 7) lungs. Using these 13 fibroblast lines, we observed that semaphorin-7A and periostin expression were inversely correlated. In conclusion, our study indicates that endogenous semaphorin-7A in HLF plays a role in maintaining fibroblast homeostasis by preventing up-regulation of pro-fibrotic genes. Therefore, endogenous and exogenous semaphorin-7A may have opposite effects on the fibroblast phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephane Esnault
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Elizabeth E. Torr
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ksenija Bernau
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Mats W. Johansson
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Kelly
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nathan Sandbo
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Nizar N. Jarjour
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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47
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La J, Reed E, Chan L, Smolyaninova LV, Akomova OA, Mutlu GM, Orlov SN, Dulin NO. Downregulation of TGF-β Receptor-2 Expression and Signaling through Inhibition of Na/K-ATPase. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0168363. [PMID: 28006004 PMCID: PMC5179089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0168363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is a multi-functional cytokine implicated in the control of cell growth and differentiation. TGF-β signals through a complex of TGF-β receptors 1 and 2 (TGFβR1 and TGFβR2) that phosphorylate and activate Smad2/3 transcription factors driving transcription of the Smad-target genes. The Na+/K+-ATPase is an integral plasma membrane protein critical for maintaining the electro-chemical gradient of Na+ and K+ in the cell. We found that inhibition of the Na+/K+ ATPase by ouabain results in a dramatic decrease in the expression of TGFβR2 in human lung fibrobalsts (HLF) at the mRNA and protein levels. This was accompanied by inhibition of TGF-β-induced Smad phosphorylation and the expression of TGF-β target genes, such as fibronectin and smooth muscle alpha-actin. Inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase by an alternative approach (removal of extracellular potassium) had a similar effect in HLF. Finally, treatment of lung alveolar epithelial cells (A549) with ouabain also resulted in the downregulation of TGFβR2, the inhibition of TGF-β-induced Smad phosphorylation and of the expression of mesenchymal markers, vimentin and fibronectin. Together, these data demonstrate a critical role of Na+/K+-ATPase in the control of TGFβR2 expression, TGF-β signaling and cell responses to TGF-β.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer La
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Eleanor Reed
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Lan Chan
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Larisa V. Smolyaninova
- Laboratory of Biomembranes, Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga A. Akomova
- Laboratory of Biomembranes, Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Gökhan M. Mutlu
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Sergei N. Orlov
- Laboratory of Biomembranes, Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Siberian Medical State University, Tomsk, Russia
| | - Nickolai O. Dulin
- Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
- Siberian Medical State University, Tomsk, Russia
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48
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Su HH, Lin HT, Suen JL, Sheu CC, Yokoyama KK, Huang SK, Cheng CM. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-ligand axis mediates pulmonary fibroblast migration and differentiation through increased arachidonic acid metabolism. Toxicology 2016; 370:116-126. [PMID: 27697457 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2016.09.019] [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: 08/18/2016] [Revised: 09/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibroblast migration and differentiation are critical events in fibrogenesis; meanwhile, fibrosis characterizes the pathology of many respiratory diseases. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a unique cellular chemical sensor, has been suggested in tissue fibrosis, but the mechanisms through which the AhR-ligand axis influences the fibrotic process remain undefined. In this study, the potential impact of the AhR-ligand axis on pulmonary fibroblast migration and differentiation was analyzed using human primary lung fibroblasts HFL-1 and CCL-202 cells. Boyden chamber-based cell migration assay showed that activated AhR in HFL-1cells significantly enhanced cell migration in response to 2, 3, 7, 8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), and a known AhR antagonist, CH223191, inhibited its migratory activity. Furthermore, the calcium mobilization and subsequent upregulated expression of arachidonic acid metabolizing enzymes, including cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), were observed in TCDD-treated HFL-1 cells, concomitant with elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) secretion. Also, significantly increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin α-SMA), a fibroblast differentiation marker, was also noted in TCDD-treated HFL-1 cells (p<0.05), resulting in a dynamic change in cytoskeleton protein levels and an increase in the nuclear translocation of the myocardin-related transcription factor. Moreover, the enhanced levels of α-SMA expression and fibroblast migration induced by TCDD, PGE2 and LTB4 were abrogated by selective inhibitors for COX-2 and 5-LOX. Knockdown of AhR by siRNA completely diminished intracellular calcium uptake and reduced α-SMA protein verified by promoter-reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. Taken together, our results suggested the importance of the AhR-ligand axis in fibroblast migration and differentiation through its capacity in enhancing arachidonic acid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiang-Han Su
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Ting Lin
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Jau-Ling Suen
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Research Resources and Development, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan
| | - Chau Chyun Sheu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Kazunari K Yokoyama
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Stem Cell Research, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Center for Infectious Diseases and Cancer, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Department of Pharmacological Science, Tokushima Bunri University, Sanuki, Japan; Department of Molecular Prevention Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shau-Ku Huang
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan.
| | - Chih Mei Cheng
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan; Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
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49
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Darby IA, Zakuan N, Billet F, Desmoulière A. The myofibroblast, a key cell in normal and pathological tissue repair. Cell Mol Life Sci 2016; 73:1145-57. [PMID: 26681260 PMCID: PMC11108523 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-2110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 185] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2015] [Revised: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 12/01/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are characterized by their expression of α-smooth muscle actin, their enhanced contractility when compared to normal fibroblasts and their increased synthetic activity of extracellular matrix proteins. Myofibroblasts play an important role in normal tissue repair processes, particularly in the skin where they were first described. During normal tissue repair, they appear transiently and are then lost via apoptosis. However, the chronic presence and continued activity of myofibroblasts characterize many fibrotic pathologies, in the skin and internal organs including the liver, kidney and lung. More recently, it has become clear that myofibroblasts also play a role in many types of cancer as stromal or cancer-associated myofibroblast. The fact that myofibroblasts are now known to be key players in many pathologies makes understanding their functions, origin and the regulation of their differentiation important to enable them to be regulated in normal physiology and targeted in fibrosis, scarring and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian A Darby
- School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia.
| | - Noraina Zakuan
- School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Fabrice Billet
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, 2 rue du Dr. Marcland, 87025, Limoges Cedex, France
- EA 6309 Myelin Maintenance and Peripheral Neuropathies, University of Limoges, 87000, Limoges, France
| | - Alexis Desmoulière
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Limoges, 2 rue du Dr. Marcland, 87025, Limoges Cedex, France.
- EA 6309 Myelin Maintenance and Peripheral Neuropathies, University of Limoges, 87000, Limoges, France.
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Wallace MA, Della Gatta PA, Ahmad Mir B, Kowalski GM, Kloehn J, McConville MJ, Russell AP, Lamon S. Overexpression of Striated Muscle Activator of Rho Signaling (STARS) Increases C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cell Differentiation. Front Physiol 2016; 7:7. [PMID: 26903873 PMCID: PMC4745265 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Skeletal muscle growth and regeneration depend on the activation of satellite cells, which leads to myocyte proliferation, differentiation and fusion with existing muscle fibers. Skeletal muscle cell proliferation and differentiation are tightly coordinated by a continuum of molecular signaling pathways. The striated muscle activator of Rho signaling (STARS) is an actin binding protein that regulates the transcription of genes involved in muscle cell growth, structure and function via the stimulation of actin polymerization and activation of serum-response factor (SRF) signaling. STARS mediates cell proliferation in smooth and cardiac muscle models; however, whether STARS overexpression enhances cell proliferation and differentiation has not been investigated in skeletal muscle cells. Results: We demonstrate for the first time that STARS overexpression enhances differentiation but not proliferation in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle cells. Increased differentiation was associated with an increase in the gene levels of the myogenic differentiation markers Ckm, Ckmt2 and Myh4, the differentiation factor Igf2 and the myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) Myf5 and Myf6. Exposing C2C12 cells to CCG-1423, a pharmacological inhibitor of SRF preventing the nuclear translocation of its co-factor MRTF-A, had no effect on myotube differentiation rate, suggesting that STARS regulates differentiation via a MRTF-A independent mechanism. Conclusion: These findings position STARS as an important regulator of skeletal muscle growth and regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita A Wallace
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul A Della Gatta
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Bilal Ahmad Mir
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Greg M Kowalski
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Joachim Kloehn
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Malcom J McConville
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Institute of Molecular Science and Biotechnology, University of Melbourne Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Aaron P Russell
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia
| | - Séverine Lamon
- Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University Burwood, VIC, Australia
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