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Lu Y, Liu Z, Zhang Y, Wu X, Bian W, Shan S, Yang D, Ren T. METTL3-mediated m6A RNA methylation induces the differentiation of lung resident mesenchymal stem cells into myofibroblasts via the miR-21/PTEN pathway. Respir Res 2023; 24:300. [PMID: 38017523 PMCID: PMC10683095 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02606-z] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The accumulation of myofibroblasts is the key pathological feature of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Aberrant differentiation of lung-resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs) has been identified as a critical source of myofibroblasts, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain largely unknown. In recent years, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA modification has been implicated in fibrosis development across diverse organs; however, its specific role in promoting the differentiation of LR-MSCs into myofibroblasts in PF is not well defined. METHODS In this study, we examined the levels of m6A RNA methylation and the expression of its regulatory enzymes in both TGF-β1-treated LR-MSCs and fibrotic mouse lung tissues. The downstream target genes of m6A and their related pathways were identified according to a literature review, bioinformatic analysis and experimental verification. We also assessed the expression levels of myofibroblast markers in treated LR-MSCs and confirmed the involvement of the above-described pathway in the aberrant differentiation direction of LR-MSCs under TGF-β1 stimulation by overexpressing or knocking down key genes within the pathway. RESULTS Our results revealed that METTL3-mediated m6A RNA methylation was significantly upregulated in both TGF-β1-treated LR-MSCs and fibrotic mouse lung tissues. This process directly led to the aberrant differentiation of LR-MSCs into myofibroblasts by targeting the miR-21/PTEN pathway. Moreover, inhibition of METTL3 or miR-21 and overexpression of PTEN could rescue this abnormal differentiation. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated that m6A RNA methylation induced aberrant LR-MSC differentiation into myofibroblasts via the METTL3/miR-21/PTEN signaling pathway. We indicated a novel mechanism to promote PF progression. Targeting METTL3-mediated m6A RNA methylation and its downstream targets may present innovative therapeutic approaches for the prevention and treatment of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Zeyu Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Yunjiao Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Xiuhua Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Wei Bian
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Shan Shan
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Danrong Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
| | - Tao Ren
- Department of Respiratory and Clinical Care Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200233, China.
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Sun C, Bai S, Liang Y, Liu D, Liao J, Chen Y, Zhao X, Wu B, Huang D, Chen M, Wu D. The role of Sirtuin 1 and its activators in age-related lung disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114573. [PMID: 37018986 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a major driving factor in lung diseases. Age-related lung disease is associated with downregulated expression of SIRT1, an NAD+-dependent deacetylase that regulates inflammation and stress resistance. SIRT1 acts by inducing the deacetylation of various substrates and regulates several mechanisms that relate to lung aging, such as genomic instability, lung stem cell exhaustion, mitochondrial dysfunction, telomere shortening, and immune senescence. Chinese herbal medicines have many biological activities, exerting anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor, and immune regulatory effects. Recent studies have confirmed that many Chinese herbs have the effect of activating SIRT1. Therefore, we reviewed the mechanism of SIRT1 in age-related lung disease and explored the potential roles of Chinese herbs as SIRT1 activators in the treatment of age-related lung disease.
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Liu D, Xu C, Jiang L, Zhu X. Pulmonary endogenous progenitor stem cell subpopulation: Physiology, pathogenesis, and progress. JOURNAL OF INTENSIVE MEDICINE 2023; 3:38-51. [PMID: 36789358 PMCID: PMC9924023 DOI: 10.1016/j.jointm.2022.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Lungs are structurally and functionally complex organs consisting of diverse cell types from the proximal to distal axis. They have direct contact with the external environment and are constantly at risk of various injuries. Capable to proliferate and differentiate, pulmonary endogenous progenitor stem cells contribute to the maintenance of lung structure and function both under homeostasis and following injuries. Discovering candidate pulmonary endogenous progenitor stem cell types and underlying regenerative mechanisms provide insights into therapeutic strategy development for lung diseases. In this review, we reveal their compositions, roles in lung disease pathogenesis and injury repair, and the underlying mechanisms. We further underline the advanced progress in research approach and potential therapy for lung regeneration. We also demonstrate the feasibility and prospects of pulmonary endogenous stem cell transplantation for lung disease treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Chufan Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Lai Jiang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Navy Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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Faniyi AA, Hughes MJ, Scott A, Belchamber KBR, Sapey E. Inflammation, Ageing and Diseases of the Lung: Potential therapeutic strategies from shared biological pathways. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1790-1807. [PMID: 34826882 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung diseases disproportionately affect elderly individuals. The lungs form a unique environment: a highly elastic organ with gaseous exchange requiring the closest proximity of inhaled air containing harmful agents and the circulating blood volume. The lungs are highly susceptible to senescence, with age and "inflammageing" creating a pro-inflammatory environment with a reduced capacity to deal with challenges. Whilst lung diseases may have disparate causes, the burden of ageing and inflammation provides a common process which can exacerbate seemingly unrelated pathologies. However, these shared pathways may also provide a common route to treatment, with increased interest in drugs which target ageing processes across respiratory diseases. In this review, we will examine the evidence for the increased burden of lung disease in older adults, the structural and functional changes seen with advancing age and assess what our expanding knowledge of inflammation and ageing pathways could mean for the treatment of lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Faniyi
- Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - M J Hughes
- Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - A Scott
- Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - K B R Belchamber
- Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
| | - E Sapey
- Birmingham Acute Care Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, U.K
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5
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Stable Long-Term Culture of Human Distal Airway Stem Cells for Transplantation. Stem Cells Int 2021; 2021:9974635. [PMID: 34567131 PMCID: PMC8463241 DOI: 10.1155/2021/9974635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a population of p63+/Krt5+ distal airway stem cells (DASCs) quiescently located in the airway basal epithelium of mammals, responding to injury and airway epithelial regeneration. They hold the ability to differentiate into multiple pulmonary cell types and can repopulate the epithelium after damage. The current study aims at gaining further insights into the behavior and characteristics of the DASCs isolated from the patient lung and exploring their clinical translational potential. Human DASCs were brushed off through the bronchoscopic procedure and expanded under the pharmaceutical-grade condition. Their phenotype stability in long-term cell culture was analyzed, followed by safety evaluation and tumorigenic analysis using multiple animal models including rodents and nonhuman primate. The chimerism of the human-mouse lung model indicated that DASC pedigrees could give rise to multiple epithelial types, including type I alveolar cells as well as bronchiolar secretory cells, to regenerate the distal lung. Taken together, the results suggested that DASC transplantation could be a promising therapeutic approach for unmet needs in respiratory medicine including the COVID-19-related diseases.
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Wang X, Zhao Y, Li D, Feng Y, Xie Y, Zhou Y, Zhou M, Wang Y, Qu J, Zuo W. Intrapulmonary distal airway stem cell transplantation repairs lung injury in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e13046. [PMID: 33960563 PMCID: PMC8168420 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by irreversible lung tissue damage including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which could further develop into respiratory failure. Many studies have revealed a potential regenerative function of the distal airway stem/progenitor cells (DASCs) after lung injury. Materials and Methods Mouse and human DASCs were expanded, analysed, and engrafted into injured mouse lungs. Single‐cell analyses were performed to reveal the differentiation path of the engrafted cells. Finally, human DASCs were transplanted into COPD mice induced by porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Results We showed that isolated mouse and human DASCs could be indefinitely expanded and were able to further differentiate into mature alveolar structures in vitro. Single‐cell analysis indicated that the engrafted cells expressed typical cellular markers of type I alveolar cells as well as the specific secreted proteins. Interestingly, transplantation of human DASCs derived from COPD patients into the lungs of NOD‐SCID mice with COPD injury repaired the tissue damage and improved the pulmonary function. Conclusions The findings demonstrated that functional lung structure could be reconstituted by intrapulmonary transplantation of DASCs, suggesting a potential therapeutic role of DASCs transplantation in treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofan Wang
- East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dandan Li
- East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yusang Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueqing Zhou
- East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujia Wang
- East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Kiangnan Stem Cell Institute, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jieming Qu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, School of Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Zuo
- East Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.,Kiangnan Stem Cell Institute, Zhejiang, China.,Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,The First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Parekh KR, Nawroth J, Pai A, Busch SM, Senger CN, Ryan AL. Stem cells and lung regeneration. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 319:C675-C693. [PMID: 32783658 PMCID: PMC7654650 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00036.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ability to replace defective cells in an airway with cells that can engraft, integrate, and restore a functional epithelium could potentially cure a number of lung diseases. Progress toward the development of strategies to regenerate the adult lung by either in vivo or ex vivo targeting of endogenous stem cells or pluripotent stem cell derivatives is limited by our fundamental lack of understanding of the mechanisms controlling human lung development, the precise identity and function of human lung stem and progenitor cell types, and the genetic and epigenetic control of human lung fate. In this review, we intend to discuss the known stem/progenitor cell populations, their relative differences between rodents and humans, their roles in chronic lung disease, and their therapeutic prospects. Additionally, we highlight the recent breakthroughs that have increased our understanding of these cell types. These advancements include novel lineage-traced animal models and single-cell RNA sequencing of human airway cells, which have provided critical information on the stem cell subtypes, transition states, identifying cell markers, and intricate pathways that commit a stem cell to differentiate or to maintain plasticity. As our capacity to model the human lung evolves, so will our understanding of lung regeneration and our ability to target endogenous stem cells as a therapeutic approach for lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalpaj R Parekh
- Department Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Janna Nawroth
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Albert Pai
- Department Surgery, Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
| | - Shana M Busch
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Christiana N Senger
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Amy L Ryan
- Hastings Center for Pulmonary Research, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
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Peng Y, Xu AR, Chen SY, Huang Y, Han XR, Guan WJ, Wang DY, Zhong NS. Aberrant Epithelial Cell Proliferation in Peripheral Airways in Bronchiectasis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:88. [PMID: 32154248 PMCID: PMC7044270 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dilation of bronchi and bronchioles caused by destruction and excessive epithelial remodeling is a characteristic feature of bronchiectasis. It is not known how epithelial progenitor cells contribute to these pathologic conditions in peripheral airways (bronchioles) in bronchiectasis. We aimed to explore the expression levels of signature airway progenitor cells in the dilated bronchioles in patients with bronchiectasis. We obtained the surgically resected peripheral lung tissues from 43 patients with bronchiectasis and 33 control subjects. Immunostaining was performed to determine the expression patterns of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1, for labeling progenitor cells in distal airways), P63 (basal cells), club cell 10 kDa protein (CC10, club cells), and surfactant protein C (SPC, alveolar type II epithelial cells) in epithelium or sub-epithelium. Here, we reported significantly lower percentage of TTF-1+ cells and CC10+ cells, and higher percentage of P63+ cells within the epithelium of dilated bronchioles compared with control bronchioles. In airway sub-epithelium of the dilated bronchioles, epithelial hyperplasia with disarrangement of TTF-1+ cells yielded cuboidal (100%) and columnar (93.0%) type among bronchiectasis patients. Most progenitor cell markers co-localized with TTF-1. The median (the 1st, 3rd quartile) percentage of P63+TTF-1+, CC10+TTF-1+, and SPC+TTF-1+ cells was 16.0% (8.9, 24.0%), 14.5% (7.1, 20.8%), and 52% (40.3, 64.4%), respectively. For cuboidal epithelial hyperplasia, 91.0% (86.5, 94.0%) of areas co-stained with SPC and TTF-1. Columnar epithelial hyperplasia was characterized by TTF-1 co-staining with P63+TTF-1+ and CC10+TTF-1+ cells. Taken together, aberrant proliferation of airway progenitor cells in both epithelium and sub-epithelium are implicated in bronchiectasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ai-Ru Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shi-Ying Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Rong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei-Jie Guan
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - De-Yun Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nan-Shan Zhong
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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