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Zhao R, Han F, Yu Q, Zhu Z, Tu Z, Xia T, Li B. A multifunctional scaffold that promotes the scaffold-tissue interface integration and rescues the ROS microenvironment for repair of annulus fibrosus defects. Bioact Mater 2024; 41:257-270. [PMID: 39149595 PMCID: PMC11325007 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Due to the limited self-repair ability of the annulus fibrosus (AF), current tissue engineering strategies tend to use structurally biomimetic scaffolds for AF defect repair. However, the poor integration between implanted scaffolds and tissue severely affects their therapeutic effects. To solve this issue, we prepared a multifunctional scaffold containing loaded lysyl oxidase (LOX) plasmid DNA exosomes and manganese dioxide nanoparticles (MnO2 NPs). LOX facilitates extracellular matrix (ECM) cross-linking, while MnO2 NPs inhibit excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced ECM degradation at the injury site, enhancing the crosslinking effect of LOX. Our results revealed that this multifunctional scaffold significantly facilitated the integration between the scaffold and AF tissue. Cells were able to migrate into the scaffold, indicating that the scaffold was not encapsulated as a foreign body by fibrous tissue. The functional scaffold was closely integrated with the tissue, effectively enhancing the mechanical properties, and preventing vascular invasion, which emphasized the importance of scaffold-tissue integration in AF repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runze Zhao
- Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
- Center of Translational Medicine and Clinical Laboratory, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital to Soochow University, Suzhou, 215028, China
| | - Feng Han
- Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
- Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210000, China
| | - Qifan Yu
- Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
| | - Zhuang Zhu
- Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
| | - Zhengdong Tu
- Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
- Second Department of Orthopaedics, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University Medical School, Suzhou, 215127, China
| | - Tingting Xia
- Institute of Clinical Medicine Research, Suzhou Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Suzhou, 215153, China
| | - Bin Li
- Medical 3D Printing Center, Orthopedic Institute, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Suzhou Medical College, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Hematology, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215000, China
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Adewale AT, Sharma S, Mouawad JE, Nguyen XX, Bradshaw AD, Feghali-Bostwick C. IGF-II regulates lysyl oxidase propeptide and mediates its effects in part via basic helix-loop-helix E40. Matrix Biol 2024; 132:24-33. [PMID: 38852924 PMCID: PMC11329355 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.06.002] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a clinically severe and commonly fatal complication of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). Our group has previously reported profibrotic roles for Insulin-like Growth Factor II (IGF-II) and Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) in SSc-PF. We sought to identify downstream regulatory mediators of IGF-II. In the present work, we show that SSc lung tissues have higher baseline levels of the total (N-glycosylated/unglycosylated) LOX-Propeptide (LOX-PP) than control lung tissues. LOX-PP-mediated changes were consistent with the extracellular matrix (ECM) deregulation implicated in SSc-PF progression. Furthermore, Tolloid-like 1 (TLL1) and Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1 (BMP1), enzymes that can cleave ProLOX to release LOX-PP, were increased in SSc lung fibrosis and the bleomycin (BLM)-induced murine lung fibrosis model, respectively. In addition, IGF-II regulated the levels of ProLOX, active LOX, LOX-PP, BMP1, and isoforms of TLL1. The Class E Basic Helix-Loop-Helix protein 40 (BHLHE40) transcription factor localized to the nucleus in response to IGF-II. BHLHE40 silencing downregulated TLL1 isoforms and LOX-PP, and restored features of ECM deregulation triggered by IGF-II. Our findings indicate that IGF-II, BHLHE40, and LOX-PP may serve as targets of therapeutic intervention to halt SSc-PF progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adegboyega Timothy Adewale
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC637, SC, USA
| | - Shailza Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC637, SC, USA.
| | - Joe E Mouawad
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC637, SC, USA
| | - Xinh-Xinh Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC637, SC, USA
| | - Amy D Bradshaw
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC637, SC, USA
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, 96 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC637, SC, USA.
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Cetin M, Saatci O, Rezaeian AH, Rao CN, Beneker C, Sreenivas K, Taylor H, Pederson B, Chatzistamou I, Buckley B, Lessner S, Angel P, McInnes C, Sahin O. A highly potent bi-thiazole inhibitor of LOX rewires collagen architecture and enhances chemoresponse in triple-negative breast cancer. Cell Chem Biol 2024:S2451-9456(24)00273-3. [PMID: 39043186 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2024.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is upregulated in highly stiff aggressive tumors, correlating with metastasis, resistance, and worse survival; however, there are currently no potent, safe, and orally bioavailable small molecule LOX inhibitors to treat these aggressive desmoplastic solid tumors in clinics. Here we discovered bi-thiazole derivatives as potent LOX inhibitors by robust screening of drug-like molecules combined with cell/recombinant protein-based assays. Structure-activity relationship analysis identified a potent lead compound (LXG6403) with ∼3.5-fold specificity for LOX compared to LOXL2 while not inhibiting LOXL1 with a competitive, time- and concentration-dependent irreversible mode of inhibition. LXG6403 shows favorable pharmacokinetic properties, globally changes ECM/collagen architecture, and reduces tumor stiffness. This leads to better drug penetration, inhibits FAK signaling, and induces ROS/DNA damage, G1 arrest, and apoptosis in chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, PDX organoids, and in vivo. Overall, our potent and tolerable bi-thiazole LOX inhibitor enhances chemoresponse in TNBC, the deadliest breast cancer subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Cetin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Ozge Saatci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Abdol-Hossein Rezaeian
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Chintada Nageswara Rao
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Chad Beneker
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Kukkamudi Sreenivas
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Harrison Taylor
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Bruker-MUSC Center of Excellence, Clinical Glycomics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Breanna Pederson
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Ioulia Chatzistamou
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Brian Buckley
- Small Molecule Screening Shared Resource, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA
| | - Susan Lessner
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Peggi Angel
- Department of Cell and Molecular Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Bruker-MUSC Center of Excellence, Clinical Glycomics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Campbell McInnes
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Ozgur Sahin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA.
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Song W, Yue Y, Zhang Q, Wang X. Copper homeostasis dysregulation in respiratory diseases: a review of current knowledge. Front Physiol 2024; 15:1243629. [PMID: 38883186 PMCID: PMC11176810 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2024.1243629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Cu is an essential micronutrient for various physiological processes in almost all human cell types. Given the critical role of Cu in a wide range of cellular processes, the local concentrations of Cu and the cellular distribution of Cu transporter proteins in the lung are essential for maintaining a steady-state internal environment. Dysfunctional Cu metabolism or regulatory pathways can lead to an imbalance in Cu homeostasis in the lungs, affecting both acute and chronic pathological processes. Recent studies have identified a new form of Cu-dependent cell death called cuproptosis, which has generated renewed interest in the role of Cu homeostasis in diseases. Cuproptosis differs from other known cell death pathways. This occurs through the direct binding of Cu ions to lipoylated components of the tricarboxylic acid cycle during mitochondrial respiration, leading to the aggregation of lipoylated proteins and the subsequent downregulation of Fe-S cluster proteins, which causes toxic stress to the proteins and ultimately leads to cell death. Here, we discuss the impact of dysregulated Cu homeostasis on the pathogenesis of various respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, idiopathic interstitial fibrosis, and lung cancer. We also discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting Cu. This study highlights the intricate interplay between copper, cellular processes, and respiratory health. Copper, while essential, must be carefully regulated to maintain the delicate balance between necessity and toxicity in living organisms. This review highlights the need to further investigate the precise mechanisms of copper interactions with infections and immune inflammation in the context of respiratory diseases and explore the potential of therapeutic strategies for copper, cuproptosis, and other related effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Song
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuanyi Yue
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xueqing Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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5
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O'Reilly S. Emerging therapeutic targets in systemic sclerosis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:465-478. [PMID: 38386070 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02424-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which is characterised by vascular perturbations, inflammation, and fibrosis. Although huge progress recently into the underlying molecular pathways that are perturbed in the disease, currently no therapy exists that targets the fibrosis element of the disease and consequently there is a huge unmet medical need. Emerging studies reveal new dimensions of complexity, and multiple aberrant pathways have been uncovered that have shed light on disturbed signalling in the disease, primarily in inflammatory pathways that can be targeted with repurposed drugs. Pre-clinical animal models using these inhibitors have yielded proof of concept for targeting these signalling systems and progressing to clinical trials. This review will examine the recent evidence of new perturbed pathways in SSc and how these can be targeted with new or repurposed drugs to target a currently intractable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven O'Reilly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK.
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Hunter JD, Mesfin JM, Ahmed T, Chen A, Reimold K, Hancko A, Braden RL, Davis ME, Christman KL. Myocardial Matrix Hydrogels Mitigate Negative Remodeling and Improve Function in Right Heart Failure Model. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:322-338. [PMID: 38559631 PMCID: PMC10978413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluates the effectiveness of myocardial matrix (MM) hydrogels in mitigating negative right ventricular (RV) remodeling in a rat model of RV heart failure. The goal was to assess whether a hydrogel derived from either the right or left ventricle could promote cardiac repair. Injured rat right ventricles were injected with either RV-or left ventricular-derived MM hydrogels. Both hydrogels improved RV function and morphology and reduced negative remodeling. This study supports the potential of injectable biomaterial therapies for treating RV heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jervaughn D. Hunter
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Joshua M. Mesfin
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Tanzeel Ahmed
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Alexander Chen
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Kate Reimold
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Arielle Hancko
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Rebecca L. Braden
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Michael E. Davis
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Karen L. Christman
- Shu Chien-Gene Lay Department of Bioengineering and Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
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D’Agnano V, Mariniello DF, Ruotolo M, Quarcio G, Moriello A, Conte S, Sorrentino A, Sanduzzi Zamparelli S, Bianco A, Perrotta F. Targeting Progression in Pulmonary Fibrosis: An Overview of Underlying Mechanisms, Molecular Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Intervention. Life (Basel) 2024; 14:229. [PMID: 38398739 PMCID: PMC10890660 DOI: 10.3390/life14020229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases comprise a heterogenous range of diffuse lung disorders, potentially resulting in pulmonary fibrosis. While idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis has been recognized as the paradigm of a progressive fibrosing interstitial lung disease, other conditions with a progressive fibrosing phenotype characterized by a significant deterioration of the lung function may lead to a burden of significant symptoms, a reduced quality of life, and increased mortality, despite treatment. There is now evidence indicating that some common underlying biological mechanisms can be shared among different chronic fibrosing disorders; therefore, different biomarkers for disease-activity monitoring and prognostic assessment are under evaluation. Thus, understanding the common pathways that induce the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, comprehending the diversity of these diseases, and identifying new molecular markers and potential therapeutic targets remain highly crucial assignments. The purpose of this review is to examine the main pathological mechanisms regulating the progression of fibrosis in interstitial lung diseases and to provide an overview of potential biomarker and therapeutic options for patients with progressive pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito D’Agnano
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Domenica Francesca Mariniello
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Michela Ruotolo
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Gianluca Quarcio
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Alessandro Moriello
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Stefano Conte
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Antonio Sorrentino
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Andrea Bianco
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
| | - Fabio Perrotta
- Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Campania L. Vanvitelli, 80131 Naples, Italy; (V.D.); (D.F.M.); (M.R.); (G.Q.); (A.M.); (S.C.); (A.S.); (A.B.)
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Bernabei I, Faure E, Romani M, Wegrzyn J, Brinckmann J, Chobaz V, So A, Hugle T, Busso N, Nasi S. Inhibiting Lysyl Oxidases prevents pathologic cartilage calcification. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 171:116075. [PMID: 38183742 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Lysyl oxidases (LOX(L)) are enzymes that catalyze the formation of cross-links in collagen and elastin fibers during physiologic calcification of bone. However, it remains unknown whether they may promote pathologic calcification of articular cartilage, an important hallmark of debilitating arthropathies. Here, we have studied the possible roles of LOX(L) in cartilage calcification, related and not related to their cross-linking activity. We first demonstrated that inhibition of LOX(L) by β-aminoproprionitrile (BAPN) significantly reduced calcification in murine and human chondrocytes, and in joint of meniscectomized mice. These BAPN's effects on calcification were accounted for by different LOX(L) roles. Firstly, reduced LOX(L)-mediated extracellular matrix cross-links downregulated Anx5, Pit1 and Pit2 calcification genes. Secondly, BAPN reduced collagen fibrotic markers Col1 and Col3. Additionally, LOX(L) inhibition blocked chondrocytes hypertrophic differentiation (Runx2 and COL10), pro-inflammatory IL-6 release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, all triggers of chondrocyte calcification. Through unbiased transcriptomic analysis we confirmed a positive correlation between LOX(L) genes and genes for calcification, hypertrophy and extracellular matrix catabolism. This association was conserved throughout species (mouse, human) and tissues that can undergo pathologic calcification (kidney, arteries, skin). Overall, LOX(L) play a critical role in the process of chondrocyte calcification and may be therapeutic targets to treat cartilage calcification in arthropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bernabei
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elodie Faure
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Mario Romani
- Aging and Bone Metabolism Laboratory, Service of Geriatric Medicine & Geriatric Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Julien Wegrzyn
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Brinckmann
- Department of Dermatology and Institute of Virology and Cell Biology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Véronique Chobaz
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexander So
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Hugle
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie Busso
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Sonia Nasi
- Service of Rheumatology, Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Lausanne University Hospital and University of Lausanne; Lausanne, Switzerland.
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9
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Di Mauro P, Croset M, Bouazza L, Clézardin P, Reynaud C. LOX, but not LOXL2, promotes bone metastasis formation and bone destruction in triple-negative breast cancer. J Bone Oncol 2024; 44:100522. [PMID: 38283827 PMCID: PMC10820283 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2024.100522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary function of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family, including LOX and its paralogue LOX-like (LOXL)-2, is to catalyze the covalent crosslinking of collagen and elastin in the extracellular matrix. LOX and LOXL2 are also facilitating breast cancer invasion and metastatic spread to visceral organs (lungs, liver) in vivo. Conversely, the contribution of LOX and LOXL2 to breast cancer bone metastasis remains scant. Here, using gene overexpression or silencing strategies, we investigated the role of LOX and LOXL2 on the formation of metastatic osteolytic lesions in animal models of triple negative breast cancer. In vivo, the extent of radiographic metastatic osteolytic lesions in animals injected with LOX-overexpressing [LOX(+)] tumor cells was 3-fold higher than that observed in animals bearing tumors silenced for LOX [LOX(-)]. By contrast, the extent of osteolytic lesions between LOXL2(+) and LOXL2(-) tumor-bearing animals did not differ, and was comparable to that observed with LOX(-) tumor-bearing animals. In situ, TRAP staining of bone tissue sections from the hind limbs of LOX(+) tumor-bearing animals was substantially increased compared to LOX(-), LOXL2(+) and LOXL2(-)-tumor-bearing animals, which was indicative of enhanced active-osteoclast resorption. In vitro, tumor-secreted LOX increased osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL, whereas LOXL2 seemed to counteract LOX's pro-osteoclastic activity. Furthermore, LOX (but not LOXL2) overexpression in tumor cells induced a robust production of IL-6, the latter being a pro-osteoclastic cytokine. Based on these findings, we propose a model in which LOX and IL-6 secreted from tumor cells act in concert to enhance osteoclast-mediated bone resorption that, in turn, promotes metastatic bone destruction in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Di Mauro
- INSERM, UMR1033, F-69372 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Martine Croset
- INSERM, UMR1033, F-69372 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Lamia Bouazza
- INSERM, UMR1033, F-69372 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Philippe Clézardin
- INSERM, UMR1033, F-69372 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
- Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Caroline Reynaud
- INSERM, UMR1033, F-69372 Lyon, France
- University of Lyon, F-69622 Villeurbanne, France
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10
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Li H, Zhu X, Cao X, Lu Y, Zhou J, Zhang X. Single-cell analysis reveals lysyl oxidase (Lox) + fibroblast subset involved in cardiac fibrosis of diabetic mice. J Adv Res 2023; 54:223-237. [PMID: 36706988 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2023.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction are the main characteristics of diabetic heart disease. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetic myocardial fibrosis remain unclear. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the heterogeneity of cardiac fibroblasts in diabetic mice and its possible mechanism in the development of diabetic myocardial fibrosis. METHODS We established a diabetic mouse model by injecting mice with streptozotocin. The overall cell profiles in diabetic hearts were analyzed using single-cell RNA transcriptomic techniques. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Cardiac fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome and Sirius red staining. Protein expression was analyzed using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS A total of 11,585 cells were captured in control (Ctrl) and diabetic (DM) hearts. Twelve cell types were identified in this study. The number of fibroblasts was significantly higher in the DM hearts than in the Ctrl group. The fibroblasts were further re-clustered into nine subsets. Interestingly, cluster 4 fibroblasts were significantly increased in diabetic hearts compared with other fibroblast clusters. Lysyl oxidase (Lox) was highly expressed in DM fibroblasts (especially in cluster 4). Beta-aminopropionitrile, a Lox inhibitor, inhibited collagen expression and alleviated cardiac dysfunction in the diabetic group. Lysyl oxidase inhibition also reduced high glucose-induced collagen protein upregulation in primary fibroblasts. Moreover, a TGF-β receptor inhibitor not only prevented an increase in Lox and Col I but also inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 in fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the heterogeneity of cardiac fibroblasts in diabetic mice for the first time. Fibroblasts with high expression of Lox (cluster 4 fibroblasts) were identified to play a crucial role in fibrosis in diabetic heart disease. The findings of this study may provide a possible therapeutic target for interstitial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heyangzi Li
- Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xi Cao
- Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yicheng Lu
- Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| | - Xiaoming Zhang
- Department of Basic Medicine Sciences, and Department of Gynecology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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11
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Leask A, Naik A, Stratton RJ. Back to the future: targeting the extracellular matrix to treat systemic sclerosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:713-723. [PMID: 37789119 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-01032-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis is the excessive deposition of a stable extracellular matrix (ECM); fibrotic tissue is composed principally of highly crosslinked type I collagen and highly contractile myofibroblasts. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by skin and organ fibrosis. The fibrotic process has been recognized in SSc for >40 years, but drugs with demonstrable efficacy against SSc fibrosis in ameliorating the lung involvement have only recently been identified. Unfortunately, these treatments are ineffective at improving the skin score in patients with SSc. Previous clinical trials in SSc have largely focused on the cross-purposing of anti-inflammatory drugs and the use of immunosuppressive drugs from the transplantation field, which address inflammatory and/or autoimmune processes. Limited examination has taken place of specific anti-fibrotic agents developed through their ability to directly target the ECM in SSc by, for example, alleviating the persistent matrix stiffness and mechanotransduction that might be required for both the initiation and maintenance of fibrosis, including in SSc. However, because of the importance of the ECM in the SSc phenotype, attempts have now been made to identify drugs that specifically target the ECM, including some drugs that are currently under consideration for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
| | - Angha Naik
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Richard J Stratton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, UCL Division of Medicine, London, UK
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Lin W, Song Y, Li T, Yan J, Zhang R, Han L, Ba X, Huang Y, Qin K, Chen Z, Wang Y, Tu S, Huang Y. Triptolide attenuates pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting fibrotic extracellular matrix remodeling mediated by MMPs/LOX/integrin. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 166:115394. [PMID: 37660647 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling characterized different types of pulmonary fibrosis, and its regulation could be a potential shared treatment strategy for pulmonary fibrosis. PURPOSE We aimed to investigate the effect of triptolide on pulmonary fibrosis through the inhibition of several important aspects of fibrotic ECM remodeling. METHODS Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice and TGF-β1-induced primary lung fibroblasts were used. The effect of triptolide on pulmonary fibrosis was detected using histopathology, immunostaining, RT-qPCR, western blotting, ELISA, and protein activity assay. RESULTS Triptolide significantly alleviated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. It inhibited the expression of fibrotic genes α-SMA, collagen I, fibronectin, and vimentin and blocked the TGF-β-SMAD signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, triptolide regulated the expression and activity of MMPs during fibrosis. Interestingly, it suppressed the expression of lysyl oxidase, which was responsible for matrix cross-linking and elevated ECM stiffness. Furthermore, triptolide blocked the biomechanical stress transduction pathway integrin-β1-FAK-YAP signaling and attenuated the pro-fibrotic feedback of fibrotic ECM on fibroblasts via integrin inhibition. CONCLUSION These findings show that triptolide prevents the key linkages of fibrotic ECM remodeling, including deposition, degradation, cross-linking, and pro-fibrotic feedback and, therefore, has potential therapeutic value for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiji Lin
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaqin Song
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiahui Yan
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ruiyuan Zhang
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liang Han
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xin Ba
- Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Huang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kai Qin
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shenghao Tu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ying Huang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
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Nguyen PK, Hall K, Holt I, Kuo CK. Recombinant lysyl oxidase effects on embryonic tendon cell phenotype and behavior. J Orthop Res 2023; 41:2175-2185. [PMID: 37365857 DOI: 10.1002/jor.25655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase (LOX) plays an important role in the elaboration of tendon mechanical properties during embryonic development by mediating enzymatic collagen crosslinking. We previously showed recombinant LOX (rLOX) treatment of developing tendon significantly increased LOX-mediated collagen crosslink density to enhance tendon mechanical properties at different stages of tissue formation. Working toward the future development of rLOX-based therapeutic strategies to enhance mechanical properties of tendons that are compromised, such as after injury or due to abnormal development, this study characterized the direct effects of rLOX treatment on embryonic tendon cells from different stages of tissue formation. Tendon cell morphology, proliferation rate, proliferative capacity, and metabolic activity were not affected by rLOX treatment. Tenogenic phenotype was stable with rLOX treatment, reflected by no change in cell morphology or tendon marker messenger RNA (mRNA) levels assessed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Collagen mRNA levels also remained constant. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression levels were downregulated in later stage tendon cells, but not in earlier stage cells, whereas enzyme activity levels were undetected. Bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1) expression was upregulated in earlier stage tendon cells, but not in later stage cells. Furthermore, BMP-1 activity was unchanged when intracellular LOX enzyme activity levels were upregulated in both stage cells, suggesting exogenous rLOX may have entered the cells. Based on our data, rLOX treatment had minimal effects on tendon cell phenotype and behaviors. These findings will inform future development of LOX-focused treatments to enhance tendon mechanical properties without adverse effects on tendon cell phenotype and behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phong K Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Hall
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Iverson Holt
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Catherine K Kuo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, USA
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Waldrep KM, Rodgers JI, Garrett SM, Wolf BJ, Feghali-Bostwick CA. The Role of SOX9 in IGF-II-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11234. [PMID: 37510994 PMCID: PMC10378869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411234] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in significant morbidity and mortality. We previously reported that insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is overexpressed in lung tissues and fibroblasts from SSc patients, and IGF-II fosters fibrosis by upregulating collagen type I, fibronectin, and TGFβ. We now show that IGF-II augments mRNA levels of profibrotic signaling molecules TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01) and TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), collagen type III (p ≤ 0.01), and the collagen posttranslational modification enzymes P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.05), P3H2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOX (p = 0.065), LOXL2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05) in primary human lung fibroblasts. IGF-II increases protein levels of TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01), as well as COL3A1, P4HA2, P4Hβ, and LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, IGF-II decreases mRNA levels of the collagen degradation enzymes cathepsin (CTS) K, CTSB, and CTSL and protein levels of CTSK (p ≤ 0.05). The SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is overexpressed in SSc lung tissues at the mRNA (p ≤ 0.05) and protein (p ≤ 0.01) levels compared to healthy controls. IGF-II induces SOX9 in lung fibroblasts (p ≤ 0.05) via the IGF1R/IR hybrid receptor, and SOX9 regulates TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.05), TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), COL3A1 (p ≤ 0.01), and P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.001) downstream of IGF-II. Our results identify a novel IGF-II signaling axis and downstream targets that are regulated in a SOX9-dependent and -independent manner. Our findings provide novel insights on the role of IGF-II in promoting pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy M. Waldrep
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Jessalyn I. Rodgers
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Sara M. Garrett
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Bethany J. Wolf
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
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15
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Mouawad JE, Sharma S, Renaud L, Pilewski JM, Nadig SN, Feghali-Bostwick C. Reduced Cathepsin L expression and secretion into the extracellular milieu contribute to lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:1306-1316. [PMID: 35900152 PMCID: PMC10167927 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lung fibrosis is the leading cause of death in SSc, with no cure currently available. Antifibrotic Endostatin (ES) production does not reach therapeutic levels in SSc patients, suggesting a deficit in its release from Collagen XVIII by the main cleavage enzyme, Cathepsin L (CTSL). Thus, elucidating a potential deficit in CTSL expression and activity unravels an underlying molecular cause for SSc-driven lung fibrosis. METHODS Fibrosis was induced experimentally using TGF-β in vitro, in primary human lung fibroblasts (pLFs), and ex vivo, in human lung tissues. ES and CTSL expression was quantified using ELISA, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence. Recombinant NC1-FLAG peptide was used to assess CTSL cleavage activity. CTSL expression was also compared between SSc vs normal (NL)-derived pLFs and lung tissues. RESULTS ES levels were significantly reduced in media conditioned by TGF-β-induced pLFs. TGF-β-stimulated pLFs significantly reduced expression and secretion of CTSL into the extracellular matrix (ECM). CTSL was also sequestered in its inactive form into extracellular vesicles, further reducing its availability in the ECM. Media conditioned by TGF-β-induced pLFs showed reduced cleavage of NC1-Flag and reduced release of the antifibrotic ES fragment. SSc-derived pLFs and lung tissues expressed significantly lower levels of CTSL compared with NL. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identify CTSL as a protein protective against lung fibrosis via its activation of antifibrotic ES, and whose expression in SSc pLFs and lung tissues is suppressed. Identifying strategies to boost CTSL endogenous levels in SSc patients could serve as a viable therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe E Mouawad
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Shailza Sharma
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine
| | - Ludivine Renaud
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine
| | - Joseph M Pilewski
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Satish N Nadig
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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16
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The Molecular Mechanisms of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Lung Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032963. [PMID: 36769282 PMCID: PMC9917655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder that affects the connective tissues and has the highest mortality rate among the rheumatic diseases. One of the hallmarks of SSc is fibrosis, which may develop systemically, affecting the skin and virtually any visceral organ in the body. Fibrosis of the lungs leads to interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is currently the leading cause of death in SSc. The identification of effective treatments to stop or reverse lung fibrosis has been the main challenge in reducing SSc mortality and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms, altered pathways, and their potential interactions in SSc lung fibrosis is key to developing potential therapies. In this review, we discuss the diverse molecular mechanisms involved in SSc-related lung fibrosis to provide insights into the altered homeostasis state inherent to this fatal disease complication.
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17
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Wang K, Wen D, Xu X, Zhao R, Jiang F, Yuan S, Zhang Y, Gao Y, Li Q. Extracellular matrix stiffness-The central cue for skin fibrosis. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1132353. [PMID: 36968277 PMCID: PMC10031116 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1132353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Skin fibrosis is a physiopathological process featuring the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), which is the main architecture that provides structural support and constitutes the microenvironment for various cellular behaviors. Recently, increasing interest has been drawn to the relationship between the mechanical properties of the ECM and the initiation and modulation of skin fibrosis, with the engagement of a complex network of signaling pathways, the activation of mechanosensitive proteins, and changes in immunoregulation and metabolism. Simultaneous with the progression of skin fibrosis, the stiffness of ECM increases, which in turn perturbs mechanical and humoral homeostasis to drive cell fate toward an outcome that maintains and enhances the fibrosis process, thus forming a pro-fibrotic "positive feedback loop". In this review, we highlighted the central role of the ECM and its dynamic changes at both the molecular and cellular levels in skin fibrosis. We paid special attention to signaling pathways regulated by mechanical cues in ECM remodeling. We also systematically summarized antifibrotic interventions targeting the ECM, hopefully enlightening new strategies for fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Dongsheng Wen
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuewen Xu
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rui Zhao
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Feipeng Jiang
- West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shengqin Yuan
- School of Public Administration, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yifan Zhang, ; Ya Gao, ; Qingfeng Li,
| | - Ya Gao
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yifan Zhang, ; Ya Gao, ; Qingfeng Li,
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Yifan Zhang, ; Ya Gao, ; Qingfeng Li,
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Bartlett NW, Feghali-Bostwick C, Gunst SJ. Call for Papers: "Targeting Airway Immunity in Lung Disease". Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2023; 324:L48-L52. [PMID: 36472349 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00375.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nathan W Bartlett
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
| | - Susan J Gunst
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
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Sabbagh MG, Aliakbarian M, Khodashahi R, Ferns GA, Rahimi H, Ashrafzadeh K, Tavakkoli M, Arjmand MH. Targeting Lysyl Oxidase as a Potential Therapeutic Approach to Reducing Fibrotic Scars Post-operatively: Its Biological Role in Post-Surgical Scar Development. Curr Drug Targets 2023; 24:1099-1105. [PMID: 37929723 DOI: 10.2174/0113894501249450231023112949] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal and pelvic surgery, or any surgical injury of the peritoneum, often leads to chronic abdominal adhesions that may lead to bowel obstruction, infertility, and pain. Current therapeutic strategies are usually ineffective, and the pathological mechanisms of the disease are unclear. Excess collagen cross-linking is a key mediator for extra-cellular matrix deposition and fibrogenesis. Lysyl oxidase is a key enzyme that catalyzes the formation of stabilizing cross-links in collagen. Dysregulation of Lysyl oxidase (Lox) expressing upregulates collagen cross-linking, leading ECM deposition. Tissue hypoxia during surgery induces molecular mechanisms and active transcription factors to promote the expression of several genes related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis, such as transforming growth factor beta, and Lox. Studies have shown that targeting Lox improves clinical outcomes and fibrotic parameters in liver, lung, and myocardial fibrosis, therefore, Lox may be a potential drug target in the prevention of postsurgical adhesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin Ghorban Sabbagh
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Aliakbarian
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Surgical Oncology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Rozita Khodashahi
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Gordon-A Ferns
- Division of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Brighton, UK
| | - Hoda Rahimi
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Kiarash Ashrafzadeh
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Tavakkoli
- Kidney Transplantation Complication Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Hassan Arjmand
- Transplant Research Center, Clinical Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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Mlakar L, Garrett SM, Watanabe T, Sanderson M, Nishimoto T, Heywood J, Helke KL, Pilewski JM, Herzog EL, Feghali-Bostwick C. Ameliorating Fibrosis in Murine and Human Tissues with END55, an Endostatin-Derived Fusion Protein Made in Plants. Biomedicines 2022; 10:2861. [PMID: 36359382 PMCID: PMC9687961 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Organ fibrosis, particularly of the lungs, causes significant morbidity and mortality. Effective treatments are needed to reduce the health burden. A fragment of the carboxyl-terminal end of collagen XVIII/endostatin reduces skin and lung fibrosis. This fragment was modified to facilitate its production in plants, which resulted in the recombinant fusion protein, END55. We found that expression of END55 had significant anti-fibrotic effects on the treatment and prevention of skin and lung fibrosis in a bleomycin mouse model. We validated these effects in a second mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis involving inducible, lung-targeted expression of transforming growth factor β1. END55 also exerted anti-fibrotic effects in human lung and skin tissues maintained in organ culture in which fibrosis was experimentally induced. The anti-fibrotic effect of END55 was mediated by a decrease in the expression of extracellular matrix genes and an increase in the levels of matrix-degrading enzymes. Finally, END55 reduced fibrosis in the lungs of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) who underwent lung transplantation due to the severity of their lung disease, displaying efficacy in human tissues directly relevant to human disease. These findings demonstrate that END55 is an effective anti-fibrotic therapy in different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan Mlakar
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Sara M. Garrett
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Tomoya Watanabe
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Matthew Sanderson
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Tetsuya Nishimoto
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jonathan Heywood
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kristi L. Helke
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Joseph M. Pilewski
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Erica L. Herzog
- Yale ILD Center of Excellence, Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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21
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Blokland KEC, Nizamoglu M, Habibie H, Borghuis T, Schuliga M, Melgert BN, Knight DA, Brandsma CA, Pouwels SD, Burgess JK. Substrate stiffness engineered to replicate disease conditions influence senescence and fibrotic responses in primary lung fibroblasts. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:989169. [PMID: 36408252 PMCID: PMC9673045 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.989169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In fibrosis remodelling of ECM leads to changes in composition and stiffness. Such changes can have a major impact on cell functions including proliferation, secretory profile and differentiation. Several studies have reported that fibrosis is characterised by increased senescence and accumulating evidence suggests that changes to the ECM including altered composition and increased stiffness may contribute to premature cellular senescence. This study investigated if increased stiffness could modulate markers of senescence and/or fibrosis in primary human lung fibroblasts. Using hydrogels representing stiffnesses that fall within healthy and fibrotic ranges, we cultured primary fibroblasts from non-diseased lung tissue on top of these hydrogels for up to 7 days before assessing senescence and fibrosis markers. Fibroblasts cultured on stiffer (±15 kPa) hydrogels showed higher Yes-associated protein-1 (YAP) nuclear translocation compared to soft hydrogels. When looking at senescence-associated proteins we also found higher secretion of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) but no change in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) or connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and higher decorin protein deposition on stiffer matrices. With respect to genes associated with fibrosis, fibroblasts on stiffer hydrogels compared to soft had higher expression of smooth muscle alpha (α)-2 actin (ACTA2), collagen (COL) 1A1 and fibulin-1 (Fbln1) and higher Fbln1 protein deposition after 7 days. Our results show that exposure of lung fibroblasts to fibrotic stiffness activates genes and secreted factors that are part of fibrotic responses and part of the Senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). This overlap may contribute to the creation of a feedback loop whereby fibroblasts create a perpetuating cycle reinforcing progression of a fibrotic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaj E. C. Blokland
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mehmet Nizamoglu
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Habibie Habibie
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Groningen, Netherlands
- Hasanuddin University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Theo Borghuis
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Michael Schuliga
- University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Barbro N. Melgert
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Darryl A. Knight
- University of Newcastle, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
- National Health and Medical Research Council Centre of Research Excellence in Pulmonary Fibrosis, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Providence Health Care Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Corry-Anke Brandsma
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Simon D. Pouwels
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pulmonology, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Janette K. Burgess
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, Groningen, Netherlands
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD, Groningen, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Janette K. Burgess,
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22
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Nakamura R, Bing R, Gartling GJ, Branski RC. Macrophages alter inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression in human vocal fold fibroblasts. Exp Cell Res 2022; 419:113301. [PMID: 35931141 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Macrophage phenotypes are simplistically classified as pro-inflammatory (M1) or anti-inflammatory/pro-fibrotic (M2). Phenotypically different macrophages are putatively involved in vocal fold (VF) fibrosis. The current study investigated interactions between macrophages and VF fibroblasts. THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages were treated with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/IFN-γ, interleukin-10 (IL10), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β), or interleukin-4 (IL4) for 24 h (M(IFN), M(IFN/LPS), M(IL10), M(TGF), and M(IL4), respectively; M(-) denotes untreated macrophages). Differentially activated macrophages and human VF fibroblasts were co-cultured ± direct contact. Expression of CXCL10, CCN2, ACTA2, FN1, TGM2, and LOX was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Type I collagen and smooth muscle actin (SMA) were observed by immunofluorescence. CXCL10 and PTGS2 were upregulated in fibroblasts indirectly co-cultured with M(IFN) and M(IFN/LPS). M(TGF) stimulated CCN2, ACTA2, and FN1 in fibroblasts. Enzymes involved in extracellular matrix crosslinking (TGM2, LOX) were increased in monocultured M(IL4) compared to M(-). Direct co-culture with all macrophages increased type I collagen and SMA in fibroblasts. Macrophage phenotypic shift was consistent with stimulation and had downstream differential effects on VF fibroblasts. Direct contact with macrophages, regardless of phenotype, stimulated a pro-fibrotic response in VF fibroblasts. Collectively, these data suggest meaningful interactions between macrophages and fibroblasts mediate fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Nakamura
- Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Renjie Bing
- Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gary J Gartling
- Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ryan C Branski
- Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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23
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Luo C, Li B, Liu C, Dong R, Hu C, Liu J, Hu L, Liao X, Zhou J, Xu L, Liu S, Yuan D, Jiang W, Yan J, Li Y. Lysyl oxidase family gene polymorphisms and risk of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a case-control study. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2022; 10:925. [PMID: 36172092 PMCID: PMC9511205 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-3484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating disease caused by intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) family genes (LOX-like [LOXL] 1-4) have roles in collagen cross-linking in the extracellular matrix (ECM) and may be associated with IA rupture. We aimed to explore the association between LOX polymorphisms and the risk of aSAH. Methods This case-control study included 2 cohorts: 133 single ruptured and 115 unruptured IA patients, and 65 multiple ruptured and 71 unruptured IA patients. Genotyping of 27 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in LOX was performed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the SNPs of LOX and the risk of aSAH. Results LOX rs1800449 and LOXL4 rs3793692 were positively associated with the risk of single IA rupture in the recessive model (OR =5.66, 2.06; 95% CI =1.22–26.24, 1.11–3.82, respectively) and LOX rs10519694 demonstrated a protective effect on single IA rupture (dominant model: OR =0.42, 95% CI =0.21–0.83; recessive model: OR =0.16, 95% CI =0.04–0.65; additive model: OR =0.46, 95% CI =0.28–0.78). LOXL1 rs2165241, LOXL2 rs1063582, and LOXL3 rs17010021 showed risk effects on multiple IAs rupture. LOXL3 rs17010022 showed a protective effect on multiple IAs ruptures (dominant model: OR =0.41, 95% CI =0.21–0.82; additive model: OR =0.51, 95% CI =0.30–0.85). Conclusions LOX and LOXL4 may be susceptibility genes for single IA rupture, whereas LOXL1-3 may have a role in susceptibility to multiple IAs ruptures in the Chinese population, suggesting that LOX family genes may be associated with aSAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Luo
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bingyang Li
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Department of Information Statistics, Changsha Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Changsha Eighth Hospital), Changsha, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Central Hospital of Zhuzhou, Zhuzhou, China
| | - Rui Dong
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Chongyu Hu
- Department of Neurology, Hunan People's Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Junyu Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Liming Hu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xin Liao
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macau, China
| | - Jilin Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Songlin Liu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Dun Yuan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Weixi Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Junxia Yan
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Epidemiology, Xiangya School of Public Health, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Yifeng Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
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24
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Human Cytomegalovirus and Human Herpesvirus 6 Coinfection of Dermal Fibroblasts Enhances the Pro-Inflammatory Pathway Predisposing to Fibrosis: The Possible Impact on Systemic Sclerosis. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081600. [PMID: 36014018 PMCID: PMC9415275 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune disease likely triggered by genetic and environmental factors, including viral infections. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and human herpesvirus 6A species (HHV-6A) have been associated with SSc, based on in vivo and in vitro evidence, but the data are still inconclusive. Furthermore, despite both viruses being highly prevalent in humans and able to exacerbate each other’s effects, no data are available on their joint effects. Hence, we aimed to study their simultaneous impact on the expression of cell factors correlated with fibrosis and apoptosis in in vitro coinfected fibroblasts, representing the main target cell type in SSc. The results, obtained by a microarray detecting 84 fibrosis/apoptosis-associated factors, indicated that coinfected cells underwent higher and more sustained expression of fibrosis-associated parameters compared with single-infected cells. Thus, the data, for the first time, suggest that HCMV and HHV-6A may cooperate in inducing alterations potentially leading to cell fibrosis, thus further supporting their joint role in SSc. However, further work is required to definitively answer whether β-herpesviruses are causally linked to the disease and to enable the possible use of targeted antiviral treatments to improve clinical outcomes.
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25
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Zhang X, Zhou W, Niu Y, Zhu S, Zhang Y, Li X, Yu C. Lysyl oxidase promotes renal fibrosis via accelerating collagen cross-link driving by β-arrestin/ERK/STAT3 pathway. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22427. [PMID: 35792886 PMCID: PMC9544652 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200573r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a copper‐dependent monoamine oxidase whose primary function is the covalent cross‐linking of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Evidence has shown that LOX is associated with cancer and some fibrotic conditions. We recently found that serum LOX is a potential diagnostic biomarker for renal fibrosis, but the mechanism by which LOX is regulated and contributes to renal fibrosis remains unknown. The current study demonstrates the following: (1) LOX expression was increased in fibrotic kidneys including ischemia‐reperfusion injury‐(IRI‐), unilateral ureteral obstruction‐(UUO‐), and folic acid‐ (FA‐) induced fibrotic kidneys as well as in the paraffin‐embedded sections of human kidneys from the patients with renal fibrosis. (2) The increasing deposition and cross‐linking of collagen induced by LOX was observed in IRI‐, UUO‐ and FA‐kidneys. (3) LOX was regulated by the β‐arrestin‐ERK‐STAT3 pathway in renal fibrosis. STAT3 was the downstream of AT1R‐β‐arrestin‐ERK, ERK entered the nucleus and activated STAT3‐pY705 but not STAT3‐pS727. (4) STAT3 nuclear subtranslocation and binding to the LOX promoter may be responsible for the upregulation of LOX expression. (5) Pharmacologic inhibition of LOX with BAPN in vivo inhibited the upregulation of LOX, decreased collagen over cross‐linking and ameliorated renal fibrosis after ischemic injury. Collectively, these observations suggest that LOX plays an essential role in the development of renal fibrosis by catalyzing collagen over cross‐linking. Thus, strategies targeting LOX could be a new avenue in developing therapeutics against renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqian Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangyang Niu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Saiya Zhu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaogang Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.,Dpartment of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Chen Yu
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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26
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Pan-Lysyl Oxidase Inhibitor PXS-5505 Ameliorates Multiple-Organ Fibrosis by Inhibiting Collagen Crosslinks in Rodent Models of Systemic Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105533. [PMID: 35628342 PMCID: PMC9146019 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by progressive multiple organ fibrosis leading to morbidity and mortality. Lysyl oxidases play a vital role in the cross-linking of collagens and subsequent build-up of fibrosis in the extracellular matrix. As such, their inhibition provides a novel treatment paradigm for SSc. A novel small molecule pan-lysyl oxidase inhibitor, PXS-5505, currently in clinical development for myelofibrosis treatment was evaluated using in vivo rodent models resembling the fibrotic conditions in SSc. Both lysyl oxidase and lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) expression were elevated in the skin and lung of SSc patients. The oral application of PXS-5505 inhibited lysyl oxidase activity in the skin and LOXL2 activity in the lung. PXS-5505 exhibited anti-fibrotic effects in the SSc skin mouse model, reducing dermal thickness and α-smooth muscle actin. Similarly, in the bleomycin-induced mouse lung model, PXS-5505 reduced pulmonary fibrosis toward normal levels, mediated by its ability to normalise collagen/elastin crosslink formation. PXS-5505 also reduced fibrotic extent in models of the ischaemia-reperfusion heart, the unilateral ureteral obstruction kidney, and the CCl4-induced fibrotic liver. PXS-5505 consistently demonstrates potent anti-fibrotic efficacy in multiple models of organ fibrosis relevant to the pathogenesis of SSc, suggesting that it may be efficacious as a novel approach for treating SSc.
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27
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Trackman PC, Peymanfar Y, Roy S. Functions and Mechanisms of Pro-Lysyl Oxidase Processing in Cancers and Eye Pathologies with a Focus on Diabetic Retinopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:5088. [PMID: 35563478 PMCID: PMC9105217 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Lysyl oxidases are multifunctional proteins derived from five lysyl oxidase paralogues (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like 1 through lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL1-LOXL4). All participate in the biosynthesis of and maturation of connective tissues by catalyzing the oxidative deamination of lysine residues in collagens and elastin, which ultimately results in the development of cross-links required to function. In addition, the five LOX genes have been linked to fibrosis and cancer when overexpressed, while tumor suppression by the propeptide derived from pro-LOX has been documented. Similarly, in diabetic retinopathy, LOX overexpression, activity, and elevated LOX propeptide have been documented. The proteolytic processing of pro-forms of the respective proteins is beginning to draw attention as the resultant peptides appear to exhibit their own biological activities. In this review we focus on the LOX paralogue, and what is known regarding its extracellular biosynthetic processing and the still incomplete knowledge regarding the activities and mechanisms of the released lysyl oxidase propeptide (LOX-PP). In addition, a summary of the roles of both LOX and LOX-PP in diabetic retinopathy, and brief mentions of the roles for LOX and closely related LOXL1 in glaucoma, and keratoconus, respectively, are included.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip C. Trackman
- The Forsyth Institute, 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
- Department of Translational Dental Medicine, Boston University Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine, 700 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
| | - Yaser Peymanfar
- The Forsyth Institute, 245 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
| | - Sayon Roy
- Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, 650 Albany Street, Boston, MA 02118, USA
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28
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Liu CF, Ni Y, Thachil V, Morley M, Moravec CS, Tang WHW. Differential expression of members of SOX family of transcription factors in failing human hearts. Transl Res 2022; 242:66-78. [PMID: 34695607 PMCID: PMC8891044 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The Sry-related high-mobility-group box (SOX) gene family, with 20 known transcription factors in humans, plays an essential role during development and disease processes. Several SOX proteins (SOX4, 11, and 9) are required for normal heart morphogenesis. SOX9 was shown to contribute to cardiac fibrosis. However, differential expression of other SOXs and their roles in the failing human myocardium have not been explored. Here, we used the whole-transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), gene co-expression, and meta-analysis to examine whether any SOX factors might play a role in the failing human myocardium. RNA-seq analysis was performed for cardiac tissue samples from heart failure (HF) patients due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and healthy donors (NF). The RNA levels of 20 SOX genes from RNA-seq data were extracted and compared to the 3 groups. Four SOX genes whose RNA levels were significantly upregulated in DCM or HCM compared to NF. However, only SOX4 and SOX8 proteins were markedly increased in the HF groups. A moderate to strong correlation was observed between the RNA level of SOX4/8 and fibrotic genes among each individual. Gene co-expression network analysis identified genes associated and respond similarly to perturbations with SOX4 in cardiac tissues. Using a meta-analysis combining epigenetics and genome-wide association data, we reported several genomic variants associated with HF phenotype linked to SOX4 or SOX8. In summary, our results implicate that SOX4 and SOX8 have a role in cardiomyopathy, leading to HF in humans. The molecular mechanism associated with them in HF warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Feng Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Ying Ni
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Varun Thachil
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Michael Morley
- Penn Cardiovascular Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christine S Moravec
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Wai Hong Wilson Tang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio.
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29
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Cleavage of LOXL1 by BMP1 and ADAMTS14 Proteases Suggests a Role for Proteolytic Processing in the Regulation of LOXL1 Function. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23063285. [PMID: 35328709 PMCID: PMC8951505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23063285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the lysyl oxidase (LOX) family catalyze the oxidative deamination of lysine and hydroxylysine residues in collagen and elastin in the initiation step of the formation of covalent cross-links, an essential process for connective tissue maturation. Proteolysis has emerged as an important level of regulation of LOX enzymes with the cleavage of the LOX isoform by metalloproteinases of the BMP1 (bone morphogenetic protein 1) and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) families as a model example. Lysyl oxidase-like 1 (LOXL1), an isoform associated with pelvic organ prolapse and pseudoexfoliation (PEX) glaucoma, has also been reported to be proteolytically processed by these proteases. However, precise molecular information on these proteolytic events is not available. In this study, using genetic cellular models, along with proteomic analyses, we describe that LOXL1 is processed by BMP1 and ADAMTS14 and identify the processing sites in the LOXL1 protein sequence. Our data show that BMP1 cleaves LOXL1 in a unique location within the pro-peptide region, whereas ADAMTS14 processes LOXL1 in at least three different sites located within the pro-peptide and in the first residues of the catalytic domain. Taken together, these results suggest a complex regulation of LOXL1 function by BMP1- and ADAMTS14-mediated proteolysis where LOXL1 enzymes retaining variable fragments of N-terminal region may display different capabilities.
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30
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Perryman L, Gray SG. Fibrosis in Mesothelioma: Potential Role of Lysyl Oxidases. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:981. [PMID: 35205728 PMCID: PMC8870010 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14040981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies (such as checkpoint inhibitors) and standard chemotherapies (such as cisplatin) have limitations in the successful treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). Fibrosis is the accumulation of collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues, making them denser than that of healthy tissues and thereby affecting drug delivery and immune cell infiltration. Moreover, fibrosis severely affects the patient's breathing and quality of life. The production of collagen and its assembly is highly regulated by various enzymes such as lysyl oxidases. Many solid tumors aberrantly express the family of lysyl oxidases (LOX/LOXL). This review examines how LOX/LOXLs were found to be dysregulated in noncancerous and cancerous settings, discusses their roles in solid tumor fibrosis and pathogenesis and explores the role of fibrosis in the development and poor clinical outcomes of patients with MPM. We examine the current preclinical status of drugs targeting LOX/LOXLs and how the incorporation of such drugs may have therapeutic benefits in the treatment and management of patients with MPM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Perryman
- Drug Discovery Department, Pharmaxis Ltd., Sydney, NSW 2086, Australia;
| | - Steven G. Gray
- Thoracic Oncology, Labmed Directorate, St James’s Hospital, D08 RX0X Dublin, Ireland
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31
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Sharma S, Watanabe T, Nishimoto T, Takihara T, Mlakar L, Nguyen XX, Sanderson M, Su Y, Chambers RA, Feghali-Bostwick C. E4 engages uPAR and enolase-1 and activates urokinase to exert antifibrotic effects. JCI Insight 2021; 6:144935. [PMID: 34935642 PMCID: PMC8783693 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.144935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroproliferative disorders such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) have no effective therapies and result in significant morbidity and mortality. We recently demonstrated that the C-terminal domain of endostatin, known as E4, prevented and reversed both dermal and pulmonary fibrosis. Our goal was to identify the mechanism by which E4 abrogates fibrosis and its cell surface binding partner(s). Our findings show that E4 activated the urokinase pathway and increased the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) to type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) ratio. In addition, E4 substantially increased MMP-1 and MMP-3 expression and activity. In vivo, E4 reversed bleomycin induction of PAI-1 and increased uPA activity. In patients with SSc, the uPA/PAI-1 ratio was decreased in both lung tissues and pulmonary fibroblasts compared with normal donors. Proteins bound to biotinylated-E4 were identified as enolase-1 (ENO) and uPA receptor (uPAR). The antifibrotic effects of E4 required uPAR. Further, ENO mediated the fibrotic effects of TGF-β1 and exerted TGF-β1–independent fibrotic effects. Our findings suggest that the antifibrotic effect of E4 is mediated, in part, by regulation of the urokinase pathway and induction of MMP-1 and MMP-3 levels and activity in a uPAR-dependent manner, thus promoting extracellular matrix degradation. Further, our findings identify a moonlighting function for the glycolytic enzyme ENO in fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shailza Sharma
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Tomoya Watanabe
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Tetsuya Nishimoto
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Takahisa Takihara
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine, Tokai University School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Logan Mlakar
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Xinh-Xinh Nguyen
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Matthew Sanderson
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Yunyun Su
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Roger A Chambers
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA
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32
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Hinchcliff M, Garcia-Milian R, Di Donato S, Dill K, Bundschuh E, Galdo FD. Cellular and Molecular Diversity in Scleroderma. Semin Immunol 2021; 58:101648. [PMID: 35940960 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2022.101648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing armamentarium of high-throughput tools available at manageable cost, it is attractive and informative to determine the molecular underpinnings of patient heterogeneity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Given the highly variable clinical outcomes of patients labelled with the same diagnosis, unravelling the cellular and molecular basis of disease heterogeneity will be crucial to predicting disease risk, stratifying management and ultimately informing a patient-centered precision medicine approach. Herein, we summarise the findings of the past several years in the fields of genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics that contribute to unraveling the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of SSc. Expansion of these findings and their routine integration with quantitative analysis of histopathology and imaging studies into clinical care promise to inform a scientifically driven patient-centred personalized medicine approach to SSc in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monique Hinchcliff
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, USA.
| | | | - Stefano Di Donato
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, UK
| | | | - Elizabeth Bundschuh
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology, USA
| | - Francesco Del Galdo
- Raynaud's and Scleroderma Programme, Leeds Institute of Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Medicine and NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University of Leeds, UK.
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Tong X, Zhang S, Wang D, Zhang L, Huang J, Zhang T, Fan H. Azithromycin Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Partly by Inhibiting the Expression of LOX and LOXL-2. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:709819. [PMID: 34803671 PMCID: PMC8602210 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.709819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and progressive process of tissue repair. Azithromycin (AZM) may be beneficial for the treatment of PF because AZM has anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory roles and inhibits remodeling, but the mechanism is not entirely clear. In this study, we established a mouse PF model induced by bleomycin (BLM) and primary mouse lung fibroblasts stimulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 to explore the possible mechanisms of AZM in PF. Results showed that AZM reduces mortality and lung inflammation and attenuates BLM-induced PF in mice. AZM effectively reduced the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and type I collagen. Meanwhile, expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like protein (LOXL)-2 in the lung tissue of mice after AZM treatment was significantly lower than in the BLM group. In addition, this study found that AZM significantly inhibits the TGF-β1/Smad and JNK/c-Jun signaling pathways in vivo, and expression of a-SMA, type I collagen, LOX and LOXL-2 in the lung tissue of mice treated with AZM was significantly lower than that in the BLM group. In vitro, AZM also effectively inhibited type I collagen, LOX, LOXL-2 and JNK-c-Jun signaling pathways in TGF-β1-stimulated primary mouse fibroblasts, and this effect was similar to that of a JNK-specific inhibitor (SP600125). In conclusion, AZM effectively attenuated BLM-induced PF in mice, which may play a role by partially inhibiting the JNK/c-Jun and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathways and reducing production of LOX and LOXL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Tong
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongguang Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jizheng Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianli Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Fan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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34
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Increased Collagen Crosslinking in Stiff Clubfoot Tissue: Implications for the Improvement of Therapeutic Strategies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111903. [PMID: 34769331 PMCID: PMC8584281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Congenital clubfoot is a complex musculoskeletal deformity, in which a stiff, contracted tissue forms in the medial part of the foot. Fibrotic changes are associated with increased collagen deposition and lysyl oxidase (LOX)-mediated crosslinking, which impair collagen degradation and increase the tissue stiffness. First, we studied collagen deposition, as well as the expression of collagen and the amount of pyridinoline and deoxypyridinoline crosslinks in the tissue of relapsed clubfoot by immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We then isolated fibroblast-like cells from the contracted tissue to study the potential inhibition of these processes in vitro. We assessed the effects of a LOX inhibitor, β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), on the cells by a hydroxyproline assay, ELISA, and Second Harmonic Generation imaging. We also evaluated the cell-mediated contraction of extracellular matrix in 3D cell-populated collagen gels. For the first time, we have confirmed significantly increased crosslinking and excessive collagen type I deposition in the clubfoot-contracted tissue. We successfully reduced these processes in vitro in a dose-dependent manner with 10–40 µg/mL of BAPN, and we observed an increasing trend in the inhibition of the cell-mediated contraction of collagen gels. The in vitro inhibitory effects indicate that BAPN has good potential for the treatment of relapsed and resistant clubfeet.
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Jokar MH, Jafaripour S, Abdollahi N, Nazemipour M, Moradzadeh M, Mansournia MA. Serum lysyl oxidase concentration increases in long-standing systemic sclerosis: Can lysyl oxidase change over time? Arch Rheumatol 2021; 37:261-270. [PMID: 36017203 PMCID: PMC9377183 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2022.8977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives
This study aims to investigate the association of serum lysyl oxidase (LOX) levels with systemic sclerosis (SSc), to examine the relationship between LOX and disease onset, and to evaluate the probable effects of hyperlipidemia on the circulating levels of LOX among patients with SSc. Patients and methods
Between May 2017 and November 2018, a total of 39 patients with SSc (2 males, 37 females; mean age: 46.6±12.3 years; range, 18 to 65 years) and 35 healthy controls (4 males, 31 females; mean age: 43.1±14.1 years; range, 18 to 65 years) were included. Serum LOX concentration was measured using the enzyme-linked immunoassay in triplicate. Results
We found higher levels of serum LOX in patients with SSc compared to healthy controls. There was a significant relationship between serum LOX levels and disease onset. Patients with long-standing disease demonstrated increased levels of LOX in the blood compared to the recent-onset group. Hyperlipidemia did not have a significant effect on circulating levels of LOX. There was a significant negative correlation between LOX levels and modified Rodnan Skin Score in the subgroup of patients with skin involvement only and in patients without gastrointestinal involvement. Conclusion
Our study findings show an increased level of LOX protein level in the blood of patients diagnosed with SSc. Hyperlipidemia seems not to affect the concentrations of LOX in the peripheral blood of patients with SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hassan Jokar
- Golestan Rheumatology Research Center, Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Simin Jafaripour
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nafiseh Abdollahi
- Golestan Rheumatology Research Center, Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Maryam Nazemipour
- Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maliheh Moradzadeh
- Golestan Rheumatology Research Center, Sayad Shirazi Hospital, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Mansournia
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Selman M, Pardo A. When things go wrong: exploring possible mechanisms driving the progressive fibrosis phenotype in interstitial lung diseases. Eur Respir J 2021; 58:13993003.04507-2020. [PMID: 33542060 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.04507-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) comprise a large and heterogeneous group of disorders of known and unknown aetiology characterised by diffuse damage of the lung parenchyma. In recent years it has become evident that patients with different types of ILD are at risk of developing progressive pulmonary fibrosis, known as progressive fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD). This is a phenotype that behaves similar to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the archetypical example of progressive fibrosis. PF-ILD is not a distinct clinical entity but describes a group of ILDs with similar clinical behaviour. This phenotype may occur in diseases displaying distinct aetiologies and different biopathology during their initiation and development. Importantly, these entities may have the potential for improvement or stabilisation prior to entering the progressive fibrosing phase. The crucial questions are: 1) why does a subset of patients develop a progressive and irreversible fibrotic phenotype even with appropriate treatment? and 2) what are the possible pathogenic mechanisms driving progression? Here, we provide a framework highlighting putative mechanisms underlying progression, including genetic susceptibility, ageing, epigenetics, structural fibrotic distortion, aberrant composition and stiffness of the extracellular matrix, and the emergence of distinct pro-fibrotic cell subsets. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms behind PF-ILD will provide the basis for identifying risk factors and appropriate therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Selman
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Annie Pardo
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico
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