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Kuprytė M, Lesauskaitė V, Siratavičiūtė V, Utkienė L, Jusienė L, Pangonytė D. Expression of Osteopontin and Gremlin 1 Proteins in Cardiomyocytes in Ischemic Heart Failure. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8240. [PMID: 39125809 PMCID: PMC11311846 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158240] [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: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
A relevant role of osteopontin (OPN) and gremlin 1 (Grem1) in regulating cardiac tissue remodeling and formation of heart failure (HF) are documented, with the changes of OPN and Grem1 levels in blood plasma due to acute ischemia, ischemic heart disease-induced advanced HF or dilatative cardiomyopathy being the primary focus in most of these studies. However, knowledge on the early OPN and Grem1 proteins expression changes within cardiomyocytes during remodeling due to chronic ischemia remains insufficient. The aim of this study was to determine the OPN and Grem1 proteins expression changes in human cardiomyocytes at different stages of ischemic HF. A semi-quantitative immunohistochemical analysis was performed in 105 myocardial tissue samples obtained from the left cardiac ventricles. Increased OPN immunostaining intensity was already detected in the stage A HF group, compared to the control group (p < 0.001), and continued to increase in the stage B HF (p < 0.001), achieving the peak of immunostaining in the stages C/D HF group (p < 0.001). Similar data of Grem1 immunostaining intensity changes in cardiomyocytes were documented. Significantly positive correlations were detected between OPN, Grem1 expression in cardiomyocytes and their diameter as well as the length, in addition to positive correlation between OPN and Grem1 expression changes within cardiomyocytes. These novel findings suggest that OPN and Grem1 contribute significantly to reorganization of cellular geometry from the earliest stage of cardiomyocyte remodeling, providing new insights into the ischemic HF pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milda Kuprytė
- Laboratory of Cardiac Pathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.K.); (V.S.); (L.U.); (L.J.)
| | - Vaiva Lesauskaitė
- Laboratory of Molecular Cardiology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania;
| | - Vitalija Siratavičiūtė
- Laboratory of Cardiac Pathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.K.); (V.S.); (L.U.); (L.J.)
| | - Lina Utkienė
- Laboratory of Cardiac Pathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.K.); (V.S.); (L.U.); (L.J.)
| | - Lina Jusienė
- Laboratory of Cardiac Pathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.K.); (V.S.); (L.U.); (L.J.)
| | - Dalia Pangonytė
- Laboratory of Cardiac Pathology, Institute of Cardiology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, LT-50161 Kaunas, Lithuania; (M.K.); (V.S.); (L.U.); (L.J.)
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Zheng X, Chen X, Hu X, Chen L, Mi N, Zhong Q, Wang L, Lin C, Chen Y, Lai F, Hu X, Zhang Y. Downregulated BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling causes emphysema via dysfunction of alveolar type II epithelial cells. J Pathol 2024; 262:320-333. [PMID: 38108121 DOI: 10.1002/path.6234] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-Smad1/5/8 signaling plays a crucial regulatory role in lung development and adult lung homeostasis. However, it remains elusive whether BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of emphysema. In this study, we downregulated BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling by overexpressing its antagonist Noggin in adult mouse alveolar type II epithelial cells (AT2s), resulting in an emphysematous phenotype mimicking the typical pathological features of human emphysema, including distal airspace enlargement, pulmonary inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and impaired lung function. Dysregulation of BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling in AT2s leads to inflammatory destruction dominated by macrophage infiltration, associated with reduced secretion of surfactant proteins and inhibition of AT2 proliferation and differentiation. Reactivation of BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling by genetics or chemotherapy significantly attenuated the morphology and pathophysiology of emphysema and improved the lung function in Noggin-overexpressing lungs. We also found that BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling was downregulated in cigarette smoke-induced emphysema, and that enhancing its activity in AT2s prevented or even reversed emphysema in the mouse model. Our data suggest that BMP-Smad1/5/8 signaling, located at the top of the signaling cascade that regulates lung homeostasis, represents a key molecular regulator of alveolar stem cell secretory and regenerative function, and could serve as a potential target for future prevention and treatment of pulmonary emphysema. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
- Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Xiaoxiao Hu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Lidan Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Nana Mi
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Qianqian Zhong
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Linfang Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Chensheng Lin
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - YiPing Chen
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Fancai Lai
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Xuefeng Hu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
| | - Yanding Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Developmental and Neural Biology & Southern Center for Biomedical Research, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, PR China
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Kostyunina DS, Pakhomov NV, Jouida A, Dillon E, Baugh JA, McLoughlin P. Transcriptomics and proteomics revealed sex differences in human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:194-220. [PMID: 38047313 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00051.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Marked sexual dimorphism is displayed in the onset and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Females more commonly develop pulmonary arterial hypertension, yet females with pulmonary arterial hypertension and other types of PH have better survival than males. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells play a crucial role in pulmonary vascular remodeling and increased pulmonary vascular resistance in PH. Given this background, we hypothesized that there are sex differences in the pulmonary microvascular endothelium basally and in response to hypoxia that are independent of the sex hormone environment. Human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) from healthy male and female donors, cultured under physiological shear stress, were analyzed using RNA sequencing and label-free quantitative proteomics. Gene set enrichment analysis identified a number of sex-different pathways in both normoxia and hypoxia, including pathways that regulate cell proliferation. In vitro, the rate of proliferation in female HPMECs was lower than in male HPMECs, a finding that supports the omics results. Interestingly, thrombospondin-1, an inhibitor of proliferation, was more highly expressed in female cells than in male cells. These results demonstrate, for the first time, important differences between female and male HPMECs that persist in the absence of sex hormone differences and identify novel pathways for further investigation that may contribute to sexual dimorphism in pulmonary hypertensive diseases.NEW & NOTEWORTHY There is marked sexual dimorphism in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension. We show differences in RNA and protein expression between female and male human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells grown under conditions of physiological shear stress, which identify sex-different cellular pathways both in normoxia and hypoxia. Importantly, these differences were detected in the absence of sex hormone differences. The pathways identified may provide novel targets for the development of sex-specific therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria S Kostyunina
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Nikolai V Pakhomov
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Amina Jouida
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eugene Dillon
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John A Baugh
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Pakhomov NV, Kostyunina DS, Macori G, Dillon E, Brady T, Sundaramoorthy G, Connolly C, Blanco A, Fanning S, Brennan L, McLoughlin P, Baugh JA. High-Soluble-Fiber Diet Attenuates Hypoxia-Induced Vascular Remodeling and the Development of Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension. Hypertension 2023; 80:2372-2385. [PMID: 37851762 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.123.20914] [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: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is a difficult disease to manage that is characterized by sustained elevation of pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary artery pressure due to vasoconstriction, perivascular inflammation, and vascular remodeling. Consumption of soluble-fiber is associated with lower systemic blood pressure, but little is known about its ability to affect the pulmonary circulation. METHODS Mice were fed either a low- or high-soluble-fiber diet (0% or 16.9% inulin) and then exposed to hypoxia (FiO2, 0.10) for 21 days to induce pulmonary hypertension. The impact of diet on right ventricular systolic pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance was determined in vivo or in ex vivo isolated lungs, respectively, and correlated with alterations in the composition of the gut microbiome, plasma metabolome, pulmonary inflammatory cell phenotype, and lung proteome. RESULTS High-soluble-fiber diet increased the abundance of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, with parallel increases in plasma propionate levels, and reduced the abundance of disease-related bacterial genera such as Staphylococcus, Clostridioides, and Streptococcus in hypoxic mice with parallel decreases in plasma levels of p-cresol sulfate. High-soluble-fiber diet decreased hypoxia-induced elevations of right ventricular systolic pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance. These changes were associated with reduced proportions of interstitial macrophages, dendritic cells, and nonclassical monocytes. Whole-lung proteomics revealed proteins and molecular pathways that may explain the effect of soluble-fiber supplementation. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates for the first time that a high-soluble-fiber diet attenuates hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and the development of pulmonary hypertension in a mouse model of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and highlights diet-derived metabolites that may have an immuno-modulatory role in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai V Pakhomov
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (N.V.P., D.S.K., T.B., P.M., J.A.B.)
| | - Daria S Kostyunina
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (N.V.P., D.S.K., T.B., P.M., J.A.B.)
| | - Guerrino Macori
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland (G.M., S.F.)
| | - Eugene Dillon
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (E.D., A.B.)
| | - Tara Brady
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (N.V.P., D.S.K., T.B., P.M., J.A.B.)
| | - Geetha Sundaramoorthy
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (G.S., C.C., L.B.)
| | - Claire Connolly
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (G.S., C.C., L.B.)
| | - Alfonso Blanco
- Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (E.D., A.B.)
| | - Séamus Fanning
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy & Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland (G.M., S.F.)
| | - Lorraine Brennan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (G.S., C.C., L.B.)
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (N.V.P., D.S.K., T.B., P.M., J.A.B.)
| | - John A Baugh
- School of Medicine, Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Ireland (N.V.P., D.S.K., T.B., P.M., J.A.B.)
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Mthunzi L, Rowan SC, Kostyunina DS, Baugh JA, Knaus UG, McLoughlin P. Gremlin 1 is required for macrophage M2 polarization. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2023; 325:L270-L276. [PMID: 37401390 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00163.2023] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pro-proliferative, M2-like polarization of macrophages is a critical step in the development of fibrosis and remodeling in chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Macrophages in healthy and diseased lungs express gremlin 1 (Grem1), a secreted glycoprotein that acts in both paracrine and autocrine manners to modulate cellular function. Increased Grem1 expression plays a central role in pulmonary fibrosis and remodeling, however, the role of Grem1 in M2-like polarization of macrophages has not previously been explored. The results reported here show that recombinant Grem1 potentiated M2-like polarization of mouse macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in response to the Th2 cytokines IL4 and IL13. Genetic depletion of Grem1 in BMDMs inhibited M2 polarization while exogenous gremlin 1 could partially rescue this effect. Taken together, these findings reveal that gremlin 1 is required for M2-like polarization of macrophages.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show here that gremlin 1 potentiated M2 polarization of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in response to the Th2 cytokines IL4 and IL13. Genetic depletion of Grem1 in BMDMs inhibited M2 polarization while exogenous gremlin 1 partially rescued this effect. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unknown requirement for gremlin 1 in M2 polarization of macrophages and suggest a novel cellular mechanism promoting fibrosis and remodeling in lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liberty Mthunzi
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon C Rowan
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Daria S Kostyunina
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John A Baugh
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ulla G Knaus
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Yanagihara T, Zhou Q, Tsubouchi K, Revill S, Ayoub A, Gholiof M, Chong SG, Dvorkin-Gheva A, Ask K, Shi W, Kolb MR. Intrinsic BMP inhibitor Gremlin regulates alveolar epithelial type II cell proliferation and differentiation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 656:53-62. [PMID: 36958255 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.03.020] [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: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 alveolar epithelial cells (AT1s) and type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AT2s) regulate the structural integrity and function of alveoli. AT1s mediate gas exchange, whereas AT2s serve multiple functions, including surfactant secretion and alveolar repair through proliferation and differentiation into AT1s as progenitors. However, mechanisms regulating AT2 proliferation and differentiation remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that Gremlin, an intrinsic inhibitor of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), induces AT2 proliferation and differentiation. Transient overexpression of Gremlin in rat lungs by adenovirus vector delivery suppressed BMP signaling, induced proliferation of AT2s and the production of Bmp2, which in turn led to the recovery of BMP signaling and induced AT2 differentiation into AT1s. Bleomycin-induced lung injury upregulated Gremlin and showed a similar time course of biomarker expression comparable to the adenovirus model. TGF-β and IL-1β induced Gremlin expression in fibroblasts. Taken together, our findings implicate that Gremlin expression during lung injury leads to precisely timed inhibition of BMP signaling and activates AT2s, leading to alveolar repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toyoshi Yanagihara
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Quan Zhou
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kazuya Tsubouchi
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Spencer Revill
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anmar Ayoub
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Mahsa Gholiof
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sy Giin Chong
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Dvorkin-Gheva
- McMaster Immunology Research Centre, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kjetil Ask
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Wei Shi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Martin Rj Kolb
- Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, Research Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
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Identifying General Tumor and Specific Lung Cancer Biomarkers by Transcriptomic Analysis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11071082. [PMID: 36101460 PMCID: PMC9313083 DOI: 10.3390/biology11071082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The bioinformatic pipeline previously developed in our research laboratory is used to identify potential general and specific deregulated tumor genes and transcription factors related to the establishment and progression of tumoral diseases, now comparing lung cancer with other two types of cancer. Twenty microarray datasets were selected and analyzed separately to identify hub differentiated expressed genes and compared to identify all the deregulated genes and transcription factors in common between the three types of cancer and those unique to lung cancer. The winning DEGs analysis allowed to identify an important number of TFs deregulated in the majority of microarray datasets, which can become key biomarkers of general tumors and specific to lung cancer. A coexpression network was constructed for every dataset with all deregulated genes associated with lung cancer, according to DAVID’s tool enrichment analysis, and transcription factors capable of regulating them, according to oPOSSUM´s tool. Several genes and transcription factors are coexpressed in the networks, suggesting that they could be related to the establishment or progression of the tumoral pathology in any tissue and specifically in the lung. The comparison of the coexpression networks of lung cancer and other types of cancer allowed the identification of common connectivity patterns with deregulated genes and transcription factors correlated to important tumoral processes and signaling pathways that have not been studied yet to experimentally validate their role in lung cancer. The Kaplan–Meier estimator determined the association of thirteen deregulated top winning transcription factors with the survival of lung cancer patients. The coregulatory analysis identified two top winning transcription factors networks related to the regulatory control of gene expression in lung and breast cancer. Our transcriptomic analysis suggests that cancer has an important coregulatory network of transcription factors related to the acquisition of the hallmarks of cancer. Moreover, lung cancer has a group of genes and transcription factors unique to pulmonary tissue that are coexpressed during tumorigenesis and must be studied experimentally to fully understand their role in the pathogenesis within its very complex transcriptomic scenario. Therefore, the downstream bioinformatic analysis developed was able to identify a coregulatory metafirm of cancer in general and specific to lung cancer taking into account the great heterogeneity of the tumoral process at cellular and population levels.
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Sotatercept analog suppresses inflammation to reverse experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7803. [PMID: 35551212 PMCID: PMC9098455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11435-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sotatercept is an activin receptor type IIA-Fc (ActRIIA-Fc) fusion protein that improves cardiopulmonary function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by selectively trapping activins and growth differentiation factors. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ActRIIA-Fc action are incompletely understood. Here, we determined through genome-wide expression profiling that inflammatory and immune responses are prominently upregulated in the lungs of a Sugen-hypoxia rat model of severe angio-obliterative PAH, concordant with profiles observed in PAH patients. Therapeutic treatment with ActRIIA-Fc—but not with a vasodilator—strikingly reversed proinflammatory and proliferative gene expression profiles and normalized macrophage infiltration in diseased rodent lungs. Furthermore, ActRIIA-Fc normalized pulmonary macrophage infiltration and corrected cardiopulmonary structure and function in Bmpr2 haploinsufficient mice subjected to hypoxia, a model of heritable PAH. Three high-affinity ligands of ActRIIA-Fc each induced macrophage activation in vitro, and their combined immunoneutralization in PAH rats produced cardiopulmonary benefits comparable to those elicited by ActRIIA-Fc. Our results in complementary experimental and genetic models of PAH reveal therapeutic anti-inflammatory activities of ActRIIA-Fc that, together with its known anti-proliferative effects on vascular cell types, could underlie clinical activity of sotatercept as either monotherapy or add-on to current PAH therapies.
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Andre P, Joshi SR, Briscoe SD, Alexander MJ, Li G, Kumar R. Therapeutic Approaches for Treating Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension by Correcting Imbalanced TGF-β Superfamily Signaling. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 8:814222. [PMID: 35141256 PMCID: PMC8818880 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.814222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare disease characterized by high blood pressure in the pulmonary circulation driven by pathological remodeling of distal pulmonary arteries, leading typically to death by right ventricular failure. Available treatments improve physical activity and slow disease progression, but they act primarily as vasodilators and have limited effects on the biological cause of the disease—the uncontrolled proliferation of vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Imbalanced signaling by the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily contributes extensively to dysregulated vascular cell proliferation in PAH, with overactive pro-proliferative SMAD2/3 signaling occurring alongside deficient anti-proliferative SMAD1/5/8 signaling. We review the TGF-β superfamily mechanisms underlying PAH pathogenesis, superfamily interactions with inflammation and mechanobiological forces, and therapeutic strategies under development that aim to restore SMAD signaling balance in the diseased pulmonary arterial vessels. These strategies could potentially reverse pulmonary arterial remodeling in PAH by targeting causative mechanisms and therefore hold significant promise for the PAH patient population.
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10
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Liu B, Yi D, Pan J, Dai J, Zhu MM, Zhao Y, Oh SP, Fallon MB, Dai Z. Suppression of BMP signaling by PHD2 deficiency in Pulmonary Arterial hypertension. Pulm Circ 2022; 12:e12056. [PMID: 35506101 PMCID: PMC9052986 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12056] [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: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BMP signaling deficiency is evident in the lungs of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. We demonstrated that PHD2 deficiency suppresses BMP signaling in the lung endothelial cells, suggesting the novel mechanisms of dysregulated BMP signaling in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Liu
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Translational Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Dan Yi
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Translational Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Jiakai Pan
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Jingbo Dai
- Program for Lung and Vascular Biology and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research InstituteAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Section for Injury Repair and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research InstituteAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical CareNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Maggie M. Zhu
- Program for Lung and Vascular Biology and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research InstituteAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Section for Injury Repair and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research InstituteAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical CareNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - You‐Yang Zhao
- Program for Lung and Vascular Biology and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research InstituteAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Section for Injury Repair and Regeneration Research, Stanley Manne Children's Research InstituteAnn & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Critical CareNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of PharmacologyNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Department of MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
- Feinberg Cardiovascular and Renal Research InstituteNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - S. Paul Oh
- Department of Neurobiology, Barrow Aneurysm and AVM Research CenterBarrow Neurological InstitutePhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Michael B. Fallon
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Zhiyu Dai
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
- Translational Cardiovascular Research Center, College of Medicine‐PhoenixUniversity of ArizonaPhoenixArizonaUSA
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11
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O’Reilly S. Circulating Gremlin-1 is elevated in systemic sclerosis patients. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2021; 6:286-289. [PMID: 35382498 PMCID: PMC8922663 DOI: 10.1177/23971983211036571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease in which there
is activation of the immune system, vascular disease and fibrosis.
Activation of quiescent fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is key to disease
pathogenesis. Gremlin-1 is a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist which is
important in development and we recently reported in skin fibrosis. The aim
of this study was to determine the serum circulating levels of Gremlin-1 in
early diffuse systemic sclerosis. Methods: Twenty-one early diffuse systemic sclerosis patients (less than 2 years from
first non-Raynaud’s symptom) were included and age and sex-matched healthy
controls. Serum was isolated from blood and measured with a specific
enzyme-linked immunoassay for Gremlin-1. Clinical variables were also
measured. Results: Significantly elevated Gremlin-1 was found in sera of early diffuse systemic
sclerosis patients (p < 0.001). In patients with
interstitial lung disease, this compared to systemic sclerosis without
evidence of interstitial lung disease, Gremlin-1 was significantly elevated
(p < 0.0007). A correlation was found between
circulating Gremlin-1 and modified Rodnan Skin Score, albeit weak. Discussion: In early diffuse systemic sclerosis patients, elevated Gremlin-1 is found in
serum. This is particularly prominent in systemic sclerosis–associated
interstitial lung disease. This suggests that Gremlin-1 may be a biomarker
for systemic sclerosis interstitial lung disease.
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12
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The BMP Pathway in Blood Vessel and Lymphatic Vessel Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126364. [PMID: 34198654 PMCID: PMC8232321 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were originally identified as the active components in bone extracts that can induce ectopic bone formation. In recent decades, their key role has broadly expanded beyond bone physiology and pathology. Nowadays, the BMP pathway is considered an important player in vascular signaling. Indeed, mutations in genes encoding different components of the BMP pathway cause various severe vascular diseases. Their signaling contributes to the morphological, functional and molecular heterogeneity among endothelial cells in different vessel types such as arteries, veins, lymphatic vessels and capillaries within different organs. The BMP pathway is a remarkably fine-tuned pathway. As a result, its signaling output in the vessel wall critically depends on the cellular context, which includes flow hemodynamics, interplay with other vascular signaling cascades and the interaction of endothelial cells with peri-endothelial cells and the surrounding matrix. In this review, the emerging role of BMP signaling in lymphatic vessel biology will be highlighted within the framework of BMP signaling in the circulatory vasculature.
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13
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Kostyunina DS, McLoughlin P. Sex Dimorphism in Pulmonary Hypertension: The Role of the Sex Chromosomes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:779. [PMID: 34068984 PMCID: PMC8156365 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10050779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a condition characterised by an abnormal elevation of pulmonary artery pressure caused by an increased pulmonary vascular resistance, frequently leading to right ventricular failure and reduced survival. Marked sexual dimorphism is observed in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, a form of pulmonary hypertension with a particularly severe clinical course. The incidence in females is 2-4 times greater than in males, although the disease is less severe in females. We review the contribution of the sex chromosomes to this sex dimorphism highlighting the impact of proteins, microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs encoded on the X and Y chromosomes. These genes are centrally involved in the cellular pathways that cause increased pulmonary vascular resistance including the production of reactive oxygen species, altered metabolism, apoptosis, inflammation, vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. The interaction with genetic mutations on autosomal genes that cause heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension such as bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMPR2) are examined. The mechanisms that can lead to differences in the expression of genes located on the X chromosomes between females and males are also reviewed. A better understanding of the mechanisms of sex dimorphism in this disease will contribute to the development of more effective therapies for both women and men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- Conway Institute, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin D04 V1W8, Ireland;
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14
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Gorelova A, Berman M, Al Ghouleh I. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:891-914. [PMID: 32746619 PMCID: PMC8035923 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process that encompasses extensive transcriptional reprogramming of activated endothelial cells leading to a shift toward mesenchymal cellular phenotypes and functional responses. Initially observed in the context of embryonic development, in the last few decades EndMT is increasingly recognized as a process that contributes to a variety of pathologies in the adult organism. Within the settings of cardiovascular biology, EndMT plays a role in various diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart valvular disease, cardiac fibrosis, and myocardial infarction. EndMT is also being progressively implicated in development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This review covers the current knowledge about EndMT in PH and PAH, and provides comprehensive overview of seminal discoveries. Topics covered include evidence linking EndMT to factors associated with PAH development, including hypoxia responses, inflammation, dysregulation of bone-morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2), and redox signaling. This review amalgamates these discoveries into potential insights for the identification of underlying mechanisms driving EndMT in PH and PAH, and discusses future directions for EndMT-based therapeutic strategies in disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Gorelova
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mariah Berman
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Imad Al Ghouleh
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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15
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Guignabert C, Humbert M. Targeting transforming growth factor-β receptors in pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J 2021; 57:13993003.02341-2020. [PMID: 32817256 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02341-2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily includes several groups of multifunctional proteins that form two major branches, namely the TGF-β-activin-nodal branch and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-growth differentiation factor (GDF) branch. The response to the activation of these two branches, acting through canonical (small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) 2/3 and Smad 1/5/8, respectively) and noncanonical signalling pathways, are diverse and vary for different environmental conditions and cell types. An extensive body of data gathered in recent years has demonstrated a central role for the cross-talk between these two branches in a number of cellular processes, which include the regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as the transduction of signalling cascades for the development and maintenance of different tissues and organs. Importantly, alterations in these pathways, which include heterozygous germline mutations and/or alterations in the expression of several constitutive members, have been identified in patients with familial/heritable pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) or idiopathic PAH (IPAH). Consequently, loss or dysfunction in the delicate, finely-tuned balance between the TGF-β-activin-nodal branch and the BMP-GDF branch are currently viewed as the major molecular defect playing a critical role in PAH predisposition and disease progression. Here we review the role of the TGF-β-activin-nodal branch in PAH and illustrate how this knowledge has not only provided insight into understanding its pathogenesis, but has also paved the way for possible novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Guignabert
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,INSERM UMR_S 999 (Pulmonary Hypertension: Pathophysiology and Novel Therapies), Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
| | - Marc Humbert
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Paris-Saclay, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.,INSERM UMR_S 999 (Pulmonary Hypertension: Pathophysiology and Novel Therapies), Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.,Dept of Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine, French Pulmonary Hypertension Reference Center, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
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16
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Li L, Xu M, Rowan SC, Howell K, Russell-Hallinan A, Donnelly SC, McLoughlin P, Baugh JA. The effects of genetic deletion of Macrophage migration inhibitory factor on the chronically hypoxic pulmonary circulation. Pulm Circ 2021; 10:2045894020941352. [PMID: 33447370 PMCID: PMC7780187 DOI: 10.1177/2045894020941352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
While it is well established that the haemodynamic cause of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension is increased pulmonary vascular resistance, the molecular pathogenesis of the increased resistance remains incompletely understood. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is a pleiotropic cytokine with endogenous tautomerase enzymatic activity as well as both intracellular and extracellular signalling functions. In several diseases, macrophage migration inhibitory factor has pro-inflammatory roles that are dependent upon signalling through the cell surface receptors CD74, CXCR2 and CXCR4. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor expression is increased in animal models of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension and macrophage migration inhibitory factor tautomerase inhibitors, which block some of the functions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, and have been shown to attenuate hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in mice and monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in rats. However, because of the multiple pathways through which it acts, the integrated actions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor during the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension were unclear. We report here that isolated lungs from adult macrophage migration inhibitory factor knockout (MIF-/- ) mice maintained in normoxic conditions showed greater acute hypoxic vasoconstriction than the lungs of wild type mice (MIF+/+ ). Following exposure to hypoxia for three weeks, isolated lungs from MIF-/- mice had significantly higher pulmonary vascular resistance than those from MIF+/+ mice. The major mechanism underlying the greater increase in pulmonary vascular resistance in the hypoxic MIF-/- mice was reduction of the pulmonary vascular bed due to an impairment of the normal hypoxia-induced expansion of the alveolar capillary network. Taken together, these results demonstrate that macrophage migration inhibitory factor plays a central role in the development of the pulmonary vascular responses to chronic alveolar hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Li
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Maojia Xu
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Simon C Rowan
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Katherine Howell
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Adam Russell-Hallinan
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seamas C Donnelly
- Department of Medicine, Tallaght University Hospital & Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - John A Baugh
- UCD Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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17
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Meng L, Teng X, Liu Y, Yang C, Wang S, Yuan W, Meng J, Chi H, Duan L, Liu X. Vital Roles of Gremlin-1 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Induced by Systemic-to-Pulmonary Shunts. J Am Heart Assoc 2020; 9:e016586. [PMID: 32750294 PMCID: PMC7792280 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.120.016586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Background Heterozygous mutation in BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) receptor 2 is rare, but BMP cascade suppression is common in congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (CHD-PAH); however, the underling mechanism of BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation is unknown. Methods and Results Pulmonary hypertensive status observed in CHD-PAH was surgically reproduced in rats. Gremlin-1 expression was increased, but BMP cascade was suppressed, in lungs from CHD-PAH patients and shunted rats, whereas shunt correction retarded these trends in rats. Immunostaining demonstrated increased gremlin-1 was mainly in the endothelium and media of remodeled pulmonary arteries. However, mechanical stretch time- and amplitude-dependently stimulated gremlin-1 secretion and suppressed BMP cascade in distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats. Under static condition, gremlin-1 significantly promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of distal pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells from healthy rats via BMP cascade. Furthermore, plasma gremlin-1 closely correlated with hemodynamic parameters in CHD-PAH patients and shunted rats. Conclusions Serving as an endogenous antagonist of BMP cascade, the increase of gremlin-1 in CHD-PAH may present a reasonable mechanism explanation for BMP cascade suppression independent of BMP receptor 2 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liukun Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Xiao Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Yao Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Chao Yang
- Department of Organ Transplantation and Thoracic Surgery The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
| | - Shengwei Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery Center Beijing Anzhen HospitalCapital Medical UniversityBeijing Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Diseases Beijing China
| | - Wen Yuan
- Medical Research Center Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Jian Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Disease Fuwai Hospital National Center for Cardiovascular Disease Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Beijing China
| | - Hongjie Chi
- Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension Research Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China
| | - Lihua Duan
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanchang University Nanchang Jiangxi China
| | - Xiaoyan Liu
- Medical Research Center Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China.,Heart Center and Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension Research Beijing Chao-Yang HospitalCapital Medical University Beijing China
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18
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Gooding S, Leedham SJ. Gremlin 1 - small protein, big impact: the multiorgan consequences of disrupted BMP antagonism †. J Pathol 2020; 251:349-352. [PMID: 32472605 PMCID: PMC8576570 DOI: 10.1002/path.5479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Highly conserved, complex and interacting morphogen signalling pathways regulate adult stem cells and control cell fate determination across numerous different organs. In homeostasis, the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway predominantly promotes cell differentiation. Localised expression of ligand sequestering BMP antagonists, such as Gremlin 1 (Grem1), necessarily restricts BMP activity within the stem cell niche and facilitate stemness and self‐renewal. In a new paper, Rowan, Jahns et al show that acute deletion of Grem1 in adult mice, using a ubiquitous ROSA26‐Cre recombinase, induced not only severe intestinal enteropathy but also hypocellular bone marrow failure suggestive of stem cell niche collapse in both tissues. Grem1 has an increasingly recognised pleiotrophic role in a number of organ systems and is implicated across a wide range of disease states. Although the importance of Grem1 in intestinal stem cell regulation has been well described, a putative function in haematopoietic niche maintenance is novel and requires further exploration. Moreover, the complex and context‐specific regulation of Grem1, among a host of functionally convergent but structurally disparate BMP antagonists, warrants further research as we learn more about the pathogenic consequences of deranged expression of this small, but important, protein. © 2020 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Gooding
- MRC Molecular Haematology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Simon J Leedham
- Intestinal Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Oxford Centre for Cancer Gene Research, Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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19
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Zhang Y, Zhang M, Xie W, Wan J, Tao X, Liu M, Zhen Y, Lin F, Wu B, Zhai Z, Wang C. Gremlin-1 is a key regulator of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in human pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Exp Cell Res 2020; 390:111941. [PMID: 32145252 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2020.111941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been implicated in initiation and progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Gremlin-1 promotes vascular remodeling of PAH and mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition, which is similar to EndMT. In the present study we investigated the potential role of gremlin-1 plays in EndMT of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs). METHODS Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Migration and angiogenic responses of PAECs were determined by transwell assay and tube formation assay, respectively. Protein expression levels were determined by western blotting. RESULTS Gremlin-1 induced EndMT of PAECs in a phospho-smad2/3-dependent manner. This was characterized by the loss of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 and an increase in protein levels of a-SMA, nerve-cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2. It was also determined that gremlin-1 facilitated the migration and angiogenic responses of PAECs in a dose-dependent manner. Bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7) was found to attenuate gremlin-1-mediated EndMT, migration and angiogenesis of PAECs by inducing phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and suppressing phosphorylation of Smad2/3. CONCLUSION Gremlin-1 mediates EndMT in PAECs, and BMP-7 reverses gremlin-1-induced EndMT by an induction of p-Smad1/5/8 and suppression of p-Smad2/3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxia Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, NO 2, Anzhen Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Wanmu Xie
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Jun Wan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Xincao Tao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Min Liu
- Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yanan Zhen
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Fan Lin
- Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Department of Lung Transplantation, the People's Hospital of Wuxi, 299 Qingyang Rd, Wuxi, 214023, China
| | - Zhenguo Zhai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, NO 2, East Yinghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100029, China; Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, No.1 Shuaifuyuan, Wangfujing, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
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20
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Qin D, Jin X, Jiang Y. Gremlin mediates the TGF-β-induced induction of profibrogenic genes in human retinal pigment epithelial cells. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:2353-2359. [PMID: 32104303 PMCID: PMC7027231 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is characterised by the contraction and growth of fibrotic membranes on the retina and within the vitreous body. Retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, a major cellular component of the fibrotic membrane, is one of the cell types that have been previously reported to associate with PVR pathogenesis. During PVR, RPE cells undergo increased cell proliferation, migration and the secretion of extracellular matrix molecules, such as fibronectin and type I collagen. A variety of cytokines and growth factors are involved in the formation of the fibrotic membrane. Although gremlin has been reported to serve an important role in the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in PVR, the relationship between gremlin and the expression of profibrogenic factors in human RPE cells remains unclear. In the present study, gremlin promoted RPE cell proliferation and the expression of type I collagen and fibronectin. In addition, knocking down gremlin expression by siRNA significantly suppressed the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1- and TGF-β2-induced expression of type I collagen and fibronectin in RPE cells. These findings suggest that gremlin may serve an important role in the development of PVR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Qin
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Xuemin Jin
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450003, P.R. China
| | - Yanrong Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100044, P.R. China
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21
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Qin D, Jiang YR, Meng Z. Gremlin in the Vitreous of Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and the Downregulation of Gremlin in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells. J Diabetes Res 2020; 2020:9238742. [PMID: 32377526 PMCID: PMC7180400 DOI: 10.1155/2020/9238742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common causes of blindness globally. Proliferative DR (PDR), an advanced stage of DR, is characterized by the formation of fibrotic membranes at the vitreoretinal interface. The proliferation, migration, and secretion of extracellular matrix molecules in retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells contribute to the formation of fibrotic membranes in PDR. Gremlin has been reported to be upregulated in response to elevated glucose levels in the retina of diabetic rat and bovine pericytes. However, the role of gremlin in PDR remains unclear. In the present study, the vitreous concentrations of gremlin were significantly higher in the PDR (67.79 ± 33.96) group than in the control (45.31 ± 12.31) group, and high glucose levels induced the expression of gremlin in RPE cells. The elevated expression of extracellular matrix molecules, such as fibronectin and collagen IV, was significantly reduced by gremlin siRNA in human RPE cells under high-glucose conditions. Thus, gremlin may play a vital role in the development of PDR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Qin
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yan-rong Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, People's Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zijun Meng
- Henan Eye Institute, Henan Provincial Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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22
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Rafikova O, Al Ghouleh I, Rafikov R. Focus on Early Events: Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Development. Antioxid Redox Signal 2019; 31:933-953. [PMID: 31169021 PMCID: PMC6765063 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2018.7673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Revised: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease of the lung vasculature characterized by the proliferation of all vascular wall cell types, including endothelial, smooth muscle, and fibroblasts. The disease rapidly advances into a form with extensive pulmonary vascular remodeling, leading to a rapid increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, which results in right heart failure. Recent Advances: Most current research in the PAH field has been focused on the late stage of the disease, largely due to an urgent need for patient treatment options in clinics. Further, the pathobiology of PAH is multifaceted in the advanced disease, and there has been promising recent progress in identifying various pathological pathways related to the late clinical picture. Critical Issues: Early stage PAH still requires additional attention from the scientific community, and although the survival of patients with early diagnosis is comparatively higher, the disease develops in patients asymptomatically, making it difficult to identify and treat early. Future Directions: There are several reasons to focus on the early stage of PAH. First, the complexity of late stage disease, owing to multiple pathways being activated in a complex system with intra- and intercellular signaling, leads to an unclear picture of the key contributors to the pathobiology. Second, an understanding of early pathophysiological events can increase the ability to identify PAH patients earlier than what is currently possible. Third, the prompt diagnosis of PAH would allow for the therapy to start earlier, which has proved to be a more successful strategy, and it ensures better survival in PAH patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olga Rafikova
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Imad Al Ghouleh
- Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ruslan Rafikov
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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23
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Dutton LR, O'Neill CL, Medina RJ, Brazil DP. No evidence of Gremlin1-mediated activation of VEGFR2 signaling in endothelial cells. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18041-18045. [PMID: 31604823 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ac119.010148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Canonical Gremlin1 (GREM1) signaling involves binding to and sequestering bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the extracellular matrix, preventing the activation of cognate BMP receptor. Exquisite temporospatial control of the GREM1-BMP interaction is required during development, and perturbation of this balance leads to abnormal limb formation and defective kidney development. In addition to inhibition of BMP signaling, several other noncanonical signaling modalities of GREM1 have been postulated. Some literature reports have suggested that GREM1 can bind to and activate vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) in endothelial cells, human kidney epithelial cells, and others. These reports suggest that the GREM1 → VEGFR2 signaling can drive angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo We report here that, despite exhaustive attempts, we did not observe GREM1 activation of VEGFR2 in any of the cell lines reported by the above-mentioned studies. Incubation of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) or human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with recombinant VEGF triggered a robust increase in VEGFR2 tyrosine phosphorylation. In contrast, no VEGFR2 phosphorylation was detected when cells were incubated with recombinant GREM1 over a range of time points and concentrations. We also show that GREM1 does not interfere with VEGF-mediated VEGFR2 activation, suggesting that GREM1 does not bind with any great affinity to VEGFR2. Measurements of ECFC barrier integrity revealed that VEGF induces barrier function disruption, but recombinant human GREM1 had no effect in this assay. We believe that these results provide an important clarification of the potential interaction between GREM1 and VEGFR2 in mammalian cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louise R Dutton
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Christina L O'Neill
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Reinhold J Medina
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Derek P Brazil
- Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
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24
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Mezzano S, Droguett A, Lavoz C, Krall P, Egido J, Ruiz-Ortega M. Gremlin and renal diseases: ready to jump the fence to clinical utility? Nephrol Dial Transplant 2019; 33:735-741. [PMID: 28992340 DOI: 10.1093/ndt/gfx194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The current therapeutic strategy for the treatment of chronic kidney diseases only ameliorates disease progression. During renal injury, developmental genes are re-expressed and could be potential therapeutic targets. Among those genes reactivated in the adult damaged kidney, Gremlin is of particular relevance since recent data suggest that it could be a mediator of diabetic nephropathy and other progressive renal diseases. Earlier studies have shown that Gremlin is upregulated in trans-differentiated renal proximal tubular cells and in several chronic kidney diseases associated with fibrosis. However, not much was known about the mechanisms by which Gremlin acts in renal pathophysiology. The role of Gremlin as a bone morphogenetic protein antagonist has clearly been demonstrated in organogenesis and in fibrotic-related disorders. Gremlin binds to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) in endothelial and tubular epithelial cells. Activation of the Gremlin-VEGFR2 axis was found in several human nephropathies. We have recently described that Gremlin activates the VEGFR2 signaling pathway in the kidney, eliciting a downstream mechanism linked to renal inflammatory response. Gremlin deletion improves experimental renal damage, diminishing fibrosis. Overall, the available data identify the Gremlin-VEGFR2 axis as a novel therapeutic target for kidney inflammation and fibrosis and provide a rationale for unveiling new concepts to investigate in several clinical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Mezzano
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Alejandra Droguett
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carolina Lavoz
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Paola Krall
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Jesús Egido
- Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, University Hospital, Fundación Jiménez Díaz-Universidad Autónoma, CIBERDEM, Instituto Renal Reina Sofía, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Ruiz-Ortega
- Cellular Biology in Renal Diseases Laboratory, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, IIS-Fundación Jiménez Díaz, RedinRen, Madrid, Spain
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25
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Nox1/Ref-1-mediated activation of CREB promotes Gremlin1-driven endothelial cell proliferation and migration. Redox Biol 2019; 22:101138. [PMID: 30802716 PMCID: PMC6395885 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex degenerative disorder marked by aberrant vascular remodeling associated with hyperproliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs). Previous reports implicated bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Gremlin 1 in this process; however, little is known of the molecular mechanisms involved. The current study was designed to test whether redox signaling initiated by NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) could promote transcription factor CREB activation by redox factor 1 (Ref-1), transactivation of Gremlin1 transcription, EC migration, and proliferation. Human pulmonary arterial EC (HPAECs) exposed in vitro to hypoxia to recapitulate PAH signaling displayed induced Nox1 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, PKA activity, CREB phosphorylation, and CREB:CRE motif binding. These responses were abrogated by selective Nox1 inhibitor NoxA1ds and/or siRNA Nox1. Nox1-activated CREB migrated to the nucleus and bound to Ref-1 leading to CREB:CRE binding and Gremlin1 transcription. CHiP assay and CREB gene-silencing illustrated that CREB is pivotal for hypoxia-induced Gremlin1, which, in turn, stimulates EC proliferation and migration. In vivo, participation of Nox1, CREB, and Gremlin1, as well as CREB:CRE binding was corroborated in a rat PAH model. Activation of a previously unidentified Nox1-PKA-CREB/Ref-1 signaling pathway in pulmonary endothelial cells leads to Gremlin1 transactivation, proliferation and migration. These findings reveal a new signaling pathway by which Nox1 via induction of CREB and Gremlin1 signaling contributes to vascular remodeling and provide preclinical indication of its significance in PAH.
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26
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Fan F, Tian H, Geng J, Deng J, Liu Y, Chen C, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Li J, Tian H, Dart AM, Zou Y. Mechanism of Beraprost Effects on Pulmonary Hypertension: Contribution of Cross-Binding to PGE2 Receptor 4 and Modulation of O 2 Sensitive Voltage-Gated K + Channels. Front Pharmacol 2019; 9:1518. [PMID: 30713496 PMCID: PMC6346678 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.01518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The purpose of this study is to elucidate mechanism(s) by which the orally active PGI2 analog, Beraprost (BPS), ameliorates pulmonary hypertension (PH). Prostaglandins are an important treatment for PH. Mechanisms of their action are not fully elucidated in relation to receptor subtype and effects on O2 sensitive Kv channels. Methods: Distal (3rd order and beyond) pulmonary arteries from chronically hypoxic rats and from humans with established PH were studied. Measurements included pulmonary haemodynamics and histology, vascular reactivity, prostanoid receptor expression and activity of the O2 sensitive Kv channels. Results: Prostacyclin receptor (IP), prostaglandin receptor E3 (EP3) and prostaglandin receptor E4 (EP4) are the main pulmonary artery receptor subtypes in both rat and human pulmonary arteries. Circulating levels of PGI2 and PGE2 were reduced in PH. PH was also associated with reduced receptor expression of IP but not of EP4. The effects on IP expression were overcome with BPS. Dilatory responses in PH to BPS were reduced in the presence of EP4 blockade. Expression and activity of oxygen sensitive Kv channels were reduced in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell from rats with PH and humans with PAH and were also overcome by administration of BPS. Effects of BPS on oxygen sensitive Kv channels were reduced in the presence of EP4 blockade implicating the EP4 receptor, as well as the IP receptor, in mediating BPS effects. Conclusion: Reduced expression of pulmonary IP receptors and reduced activity of O2 sensitive Kv channels are found in PH in both humans and rats. The orally active prostacyclin analogue, BPS, is able to reverse these changes, partly through binding to the EP4 receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenling Fan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Hua Tian
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jie Geng
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jizhao Deng
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Department of Respiratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Chunyan Chen
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Songlin Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Yushun Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Hongyan Tian
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Anthony M. Dart
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Yuliang Zou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
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27
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Rowan SC, Piouceau L, Cornwell J, Li L, McLoughlin P. EXPRESS: Gremlin1 blocks vascular endothelial growth factor signalling in the pulmonary microvascular endothelium. Pulm Circ 2018; 10:2045894018807205. [PMID: 30284507 PMCID: PMC7066471 DOI: 10.1177/2045894018807205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist gremlin 1 plays a central role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Recently, non-canonical functions of gremlin 1 have been identified, including specific binding to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2). We tested the hypothesis that gremlin 1 modulates VEGFR2 signaling in the pulmonary microvascular endothelium. We examined the effect of gremlin 1 haploinsufficiency on the expression of VEGF responsive genes and proteins in the hypoxic (10% O2) murine lung in vivo. Using human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro we examined the effect of gremlin 1 on VEGF signaling. Gremlin 1 haploinsufficiency (Grem1+/–) attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in gremlin 1 observed in the wild-type mouse lung. Reduced gremlin 1 expression in hypoxic Grem1+/– mice restored VEGFR2 expression and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and activity to normoxic values. Recombinant monomeric gremlin 1 inhibited VEGFA-induced VEGFR2 activation, downstream signaling, and VEGF-induced increases in Bcl-2, cell number, and the anti-apoptotic effect of VEGFA in vitro. These results show that the monomeric form of gremlin 1 acts as an antagonist of VEGFR2 activation in the pulmonary microvascular endothelium. Given the previous demonstration that inhibition of VEGFR2 causes marked worsening of HPH, our results suggest that increased gremlin 1 in the hypoxic lung, in addition to blocking BMP receptor type-2 (BMPR2) signaling, contributes importantly to the development of PH by a non-canonical VEGFR2 blocking activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C. Rowan
- UCD School of Medicine and Conway Institute,
University
College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lucie Piouceau
- UCD School of Medicine and Conway Institute,
University
College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Joanna Cornwell
- UCD School of Medicine and Conway Institute,
University
College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Lili Li
- UCD School of Medicine and Conway Institute,
University
College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul McLoughlin
- UCD School of Medicine and Conway Institute,
University
College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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28
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Kudryashova TV, Shen Y, Pena A, Cronin E, Okorie E, Goncharov DA, Goncharova EA. Inhibitory Antibodies against Activin A and TGF-β Reduce Self-Supported, but Not Soluble Factors-Induced Growth of Human Pulmonary Arterial Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19102957. [PMID: 30274147 PMCID: PMC6212879 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19102957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased growth and proliferation of distal pulmonary artery vascular smooth muscle cells (PAVSMC) is an important pathological component of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily plays a critical role in PAH, but relative impacts of self-secreted Activin A, Gremlin1, and TGF-β on PAH PAVSMC growth and proliferation are not studied. Here we report that hyper-proliferative human PAH PAVSMC have elevated secretion of TGF-β1 and, to a lesser extent, Activin A, but not Gremlin 1, and significantly reduced Ser465/467-Smad2 and Ser423/425-Smad3 phosphorylation compared to controls. Media, conditioned by PAH PAVSMC, markedly increased Ser465/467-Smad2, Ser423/425-Smad3, and Ser463/465-Smad1/5 phosphorylation, up-regulated Akt, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK, and induced significant proliferation of non-diseased PAVSMC. Inhibitory anti-Activin A antibody reduced PAH PAVSMC growth without affecting canonical (Smads) or non-canonical (Akt, ERK1/2, p38 MAPK) effectors. Inhibitory anti-TGF-β antibody significantly reduced P-Smad3, P-ERK1/2 and proliferation of PAH PAVSMC, while anti-Gremlin 1 had no anti-proliferative effect. PDGF-BB diminished inhibitory effects of anti-Activin A and anti-TGF-β antibodies. None of the antibodies affected growth and proliferation of non-diseased PAVSMC induced by PAH PAVSMC-secreted factors. Together, these data demonstrate that human PAH PAVSMC have secretory, proliferative phenotype that could be targeted by anti-Activin A and anti-TGF-β antibodies; potential cross-talk with PDGF-BB should be considered while developing therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana V Kudryashova
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Yuanjun Shen
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Andressa Pena
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Emily Cronin
- Division of Mathematics and Sciences, Walsh University, North Canton, OH 44720, USA.
| | - Evelyn Okorie
- Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Dmitry A Goncharov
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
| | - Elena A Goncharova
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
- University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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29
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Liu Y, Chen Z, Cheng H, Chen J, Qian J. Gremlin promotes retinal pigmentation epithelial (RPE) cell proliferation, migration and VEGF production via activating VEGFR2-Akt-mTORC2 signaling. Oncotarget 2018; 8:979-987. [PMID: 27894090 PMCID: PMC5352211 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.13518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is characterized by late-phase pathologic retinal vasoproliferation. Gremlin is a novel vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR2) agonist and promotes angiogenic response. We demonstrated that gremlin expression was significantly increased in retinas of ROP model mice, which was correlated with VEGF upregulation. In retinal pigmentation epithelial (RPE) cells, gremlin activated VEGFR2-Akt-mTORC2 (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2) signaling, and promoted cell proliferation, migration and VEGF production. VEGFR inhibition (by SU5416) or shRNA knockdown almost abolished gremlin-mediated pleiotropic functions in RPE cells. Further, pharmacological inhibition of Akt-mTOR, or shRNA knockdown of key mTORC2 component (Rictor or Sin1) also attenuated gremlin-exerted activities in RPE cells. We conclude that gremlin promotes RPE cell proliferation, migration and VEGF production possibly via activating VEGFR2-Akt-mTORC2 signaling. Gremlin could be a novel therapeutic target of ROP or other retinal vasoproliferation diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhijun Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixia Cheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Qian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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30
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Hensley MK, Levine A, Gladwin MT, Lai YC. Emerging therapeutics in pulmonary hypertension. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2018; 314:L769-L781. [PMID: 29388467 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00259.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive and often fatal illness presenting with nonspecific symptoms of dyspnea, lower extremity edema, and exercise intolerance. Pathologically, endothelial dysfunction leads to abnormal intimal and smooth muscle proliferation along with reduced apoptosis, resulting in increased pulmonary vascular resistance and elevated pulmonary pressures. PH is subdivided into five World Health Organization groups based on the disease pathology and specific cause. While there are Food and Drug Administration-approved medications for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH; Group 1 PH), as well as for chronic thromboembolic PH (Group 4 PH), the morbidity and mortality remain high. Moreover, there are no approved therapies for other forms of PH (Groups 2, 3, and 5) at present. New research has identified molecular targets that mediate vasodilation, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic changes within the pulmonary vasculature. Given that PAH is the most commonly studied form of PH worldwide and because recent studies have led to better mechanistic understanding of this devastating disease, in this review we attempt to provide an updated overview of new therapeutic approaches under investigation for the treatment of PH, with a particular focus on PAH, as well as to offer guidelines for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew K Hensley
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Andrea Levine
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark T Gladwin
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Yen-Chun Lai
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung, Blood and Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine , Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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31
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Nie X, Tan J, Dai Y, Liu Y, Zou J, Sun J, Ye S, Shen C, Fan L, Chen J, Bian JS. CCL5 deficiency rescues pulmonary vascular dysfunction, and reverses pulmonary hypertension via caveolin-1-dependent BMPR2 activation. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2018; 116:41-56. [PMID: 29374556 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2018.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating cardiopulmonary disorder characterized by pulmonary arterial remodeling mainly due to excess cellular proliferation and apoptosis resistance of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Reduced bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) expression in patients with PAH impairs pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs) function. This can adversely affect PAEC survival and promote PASMCs proliferation. We hypothesized that interventions to normalize the expression of genes that are targets of the BMPR2 signaling could restore PAECs function and prevent or reverse PAH. Here we characterized for the first time, in human PAECs, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5/RANTES) deficiency restore BMP-mediated PAECs function. In the cell culture experiments, we found that CCL5 deficiency increased apoptosis and tube formation of PAECs, but suppressed proliferation and migration of PASMCs. Silencing CCL5 expression in PAH PAECs restored bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling responses and promoted phosphorylation of SMADs and transcription of ID genes. Moreover, CCL5 deficiency inhibited angiogenesis by increasing pSMAD-dependent and-independent BMPR2 signaling. This was linked mechanistically to enhanced interaction of BMPR2 with caveolin-1 via CCL5 deficiency-mediated stabilization of endothelial surface caveolin-1. Consistent with these functions, deletion of CCL5 significantly attenuated development of Sugen5416/hypoxia-induced PAH by restoring BMPR2 signaling in mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that CCL5 deficiency could reverse obliterative changes in pulmonary arteries via caveolin-1-dependent amplification of BMPR2 signaling. Our results shed light on better understanding of the disease pathobiology and provide a possible novel target for the treatment of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Nie
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China; Lung Transplant Group, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China.
| | - Jianxin Tan
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Youai Dai
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Yun Liu
- Department of Pharmacy, The First People's Hospital of Lianyungang, Lianyungang, Jiangsu 222000, PR China
| | - Jian Zou
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Jie Sun
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Shugao Ye
- Lung Transplant Group, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Chenyou Shen
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Li Fan
- Lung Transplant Group, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- Center of Clincical Research, Wuxi People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China; Lung Transplant Group, Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214023, PR China
| | - Jin-Song Bian
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
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32
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Chatterjee M, Behrendt A, Schmid M, Beck S, Schneider M, Mack A, Müller I, Geisler T, Gawaz M. Platelets as a novel source of Gremlin-1: Implications for thromboinflammation. Thromb Haemost 2017; 117:311-324. [DOI: 10.1160/th16-08-0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
SummaryPlatelets mediating haemostasis-thrombosis are central players in coronary artery disease (CAD). We characterised platelets as a novel source of Gremlin-1. Platelets express Gremlin-1 like inflammatory and endothelial cells. Gremlin-1 co-localised with P-selectin containing randomly distributed α–granules under resting state, which were peripheralised following platelet activation or adhesion over fibrinogen-coated surface. Gremlin-1 release upon activation with ADP, CRP, and TRAP was detected as enhanced surface expression; also in activated platelet supernatant as detected by Western Blot following CRP activation and by ELISA upon activation with ADP, CRP, PAR-1, and PAR4 agonist. Recombinant (rh)Gremlin-1 synergistically enhanced CRP-triggered intracellular calcium mobilisation, ADP-TRAP induced platelet activation, aggregation, and thrombin-activation triggered apoptosis; also thrombus formation ex vivo. Intracellular localisation of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Gremlin-1 a high-affinity binding partner and functional antagonist of MIF were found in intracoronary thrombus sections from acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and showed moderate overlap in α-granules of platelets. Intra-platelet Gremlin-1 levels were significantly decreased in ACS patients as compared to stable CAD (n=235). rhGremlin-1 also counteracted the anti-apoptotic and anti-thrombotic effects of rhMIF on platelets. Platelet-derived-Gremlin-1 prompted monocyte migration, facilitated adhesion under static and dynamic arterial flow conditions to collagen-adherent activated platelets; supported monocyte survival against BH-3-mimetic–induced apoptosis and macrophage differentiation in monocyte-platelet co-culture system, which were counteracted upon Gremlin-1 neutralisation. Thus platelet derived Gremlin-1 might contribute to the elevated circulating levels of Gremlin-1 in ACS and serve as a thrombo-inflammatory mediator in cardiovascular pathophysiologies.
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Endothelial Nox1 oxidase assembly in human pulmonary arterial hypertension; driver of Gremlin1-mediated proliferation. Clin Sci (Lond) 2017; 131:2019-2035. [PMID: 28522681 DOI: 10.1042/cs20160812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Revised: 04/28/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rapidly degenerating and devastating disease of increased pulmonary vessel resistance leading to right heart failure. Palliative modalities remain limited despite recent endeavors to investigate the mechanisms underlying increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), i.e. aberrant vascular remodeling and occlusion. However, little is known of the molecular mechanisms responsible for endothelial proliferation, a root cause of PAH-associated vascular remodeling. Lung tissue specimens from PAH and non-PAH patients and hypoxia-exposed human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (ECs) (HPAEC) were assessed for mRNA and protein expression. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured using cytochrome c and Amplex Red assays. Findings demonstrate for the first time an up-regulation of NADPH oxidase 1 (Nox1) at the transcript and protein level in resistance vessels from PAH compared with non-PAH patients. This coincided with an increase in ROS production and expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist Gremlin1 (Grem1). In HPAEC, hypoxia induced Nox1 subunit expression, assembly, and oxidase activity leading to elevation in sonic hedgehog (SHH) and Grem1 expression. Nox1 gene silencing abrogated this cascade. Moreover, loss of either Nox1, SHH or Grem1 attenuated hypoxia-induced EC proliferation. Together, these data support a Nox1-SHH-Grem1 signaling axis in pulmonary vascular endothelium that is likely to contribute to pathophysiological endothelial proliferation and the progression of PAH. These findings also support targeting of Nox1 as a viable therapeutic option to combat PAH.
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Yang K, Wang J, Lu W. Bone morphogenetic protein signalling in pulmonary hypertension: advances and therapeutic implications. Exp Physiol 2017; 102:1083-1089. [PMID: 28449240 DOI: 10.1113/ep086041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
NEW FINDINGS What is the topic of this review? This review covers recent evidence highlighting the crucial pathophysiological roles and molecular mechanisms of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway during the progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and discusses targeting of BMP signalling as a new treatment option against PH. What advances does it highlight? A series of breakthrough findings have greatly enriched our understanding about the mechanism of action of BMP signalling in PH and proved the feasibility of BMP targeting strategies in experimental PH models. This review collects these ideas and discusses the frontiers of BMP signalling-targeted PH therapy at different steps of the signal transduction. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-mediated signalling pathway plays crucial roles in the development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH). Typical BMP signalling involves BMP ligands, specific transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors, cellular responsive kinases and secreted antagonists. As more and more studies have been conducted, the specific protective or pathogenic roles of these molecules within all these subgroups of BMP signalling have been continuously uncovered. Based on this evidence, specific strategies have been designed by targeting these factors as a new treatment approach to PH. In this review, we have collected recent advances in the exciting findings that link BMP signalling with the pathogenesis of PH and we discuss the potential future frontiers in therapeutic design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,State Key Laboratory of Protein and Plant Gene Research, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Medicine, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Wenju Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Frump AL, Albrecht ME, McClintick JN, Lahm T. Estrogen receptor-dependent attenuation of hypoxia-induced changes in the lung genome of pulmonary hypertension rats. Pulm Circ 2017; 7:232-243. [PMID: 28680582 PMCID: PMC5448529 DOI: 10.1177/2045893217702055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
17β-estradiol (E2) exerts complex and context-dependent effects in pulmonary hypertension. In hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH), E2 attenuates lung vascular remodeling through estrogen receptor (ER)-dependent effects; however, ER target genes in the hypoxic lung remain unknown. In order to identify the genome regulated by the E2-ER axis in the hypoxic lung, we performed a microarray analysis in lungs from HPH rats treated with E2 (75 mcg/kg/day) ± ER-antagonist ICI182,780 (3 mg/kg/day). Untreated HPH rats and normoxic rats served as controls. Using a false discovery rate of 10%, we identified a significantly differentially regulated genome in E2-treated versus untreated hypoxia rats. Genes most upregulated by E2 encoded matrix metalloproteinase 8, S100 calcium binding protein A8, and IgA Fc receptor; genes most downregulated by E2 encoded olfactory receptor 63, secreted frizzled-related protein 2, and thrombospondin 2. Several genes affected by E2 changed in the opposite direction after ICI182,780 co-treatment, indicating an ER-regulated genome in HPH lungs. The bone morphogenetic protein antagonist Grem1 (gremlin 1) was upregulated by hypoxia, but found to be among the most downregulated genes after E2 treatment. Gremlin 1 protein was reduced in E2-treated versus untreated hypoxic animals, and ER-blockade abolished the inhibitory effect of E2 on Grem1 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, E2 ER-dependently regulates several genes involved in proliferative and inflammatory processes during hypoxia. Gremlin 1 is a novel target of the E2-ER axis in HPH. Understanding the mechanisms of E2 gene regulation in HPH may allow for selectively harnessing beneficial transcriptional activities of E2 for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Frump
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Marjorie E Albrecht
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Jeanette N McClintick
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Center for Medical Genomics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Tim Lahm
- Department of Medicine; Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep and Occupational Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Jang BG, Kim HS, Chang WY, Bae JM, Oh HJ, Wen X, Jeong S, Cho NY, Kim WH, Kang GH. Prognostic significance of stromal GREM1 expression in colorectal cancer. Hum Pathol 2016; 62:56-65. [PMID: 28041973 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2016.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cancer-associated fibroblasts are the dominant cell population in the cancer stroma. Gremlin 1 (GREM1), an antagonist of the bone morphogenetic protein pathway, is expressed by cancer-associated fibroblasts in a variety of human cancers. However, its biological significance for cancer patients is largely unknown. We applied RNA in situ hybridization to evaluate the prognostic value of stromal GREM1 expression in a large cohort of 670 colorectal cancers (CRCs). Overall, GREM1 expression in CRCs was lower than that of the matched normal mucosa, and GREM1 expression had a strong positive correlation with BMI1 and inverse correlations with EPHB2 and OLFM4. RNA in situ hybridization localized the GREM expression to smooth muscle cells of the muscularis mucosa and fibroblasts around crypt bases and in the submucosal space of a normal colon. In various colon polyps, epithelial GREM1 expression was exclusively observed in traditional serrated adenomas. In total, 44% of CRCs were positive for stromal GREM1, which was associated with decreased lymphovascular invasion, a lower cancer stage, and nuclear β-catenin staining. Stromal GREM1 was significantly associated with improved recurrence-free and overall survival, although it was not found to be an independent prognostic marker in multivariate analyses. In addition, for locally advanced stage II and III CRC, it was associated with better, stage-independent clinical outcomes. In summary, CRCs are frequently accompanied by GERM1-expressing fibroblasts, which are closely associated with low lymphovascular invasion and a better prognosis, suggesting stromal GREM1 as a potential biomarker and possible candidate for targeted therapy in the treatment of CRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Gun Jang
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, 690-767 Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Sung Kim
- Department of Pathology, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, 690-767 Republic of Korea
| | - Weon Young Chang
- Department of General Surgery, Jeju National University School of Medicine and Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju, 690-767 Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Mo Bae
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Jeong Oh
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Xianyu Wen
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Seorin Jeong
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Nam Yun Cho
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Woo Ho Kim
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong Hoon Kang
- Department of Pathology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea; Laboratory of Epigenetics, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 110-799 Republic of Korea.
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Patient-Specific iPSC-Derived Endothelial Cells Uncover Pathways that Protect against Pulmonary Hypertension in BMPR2 Mutation Carriers. Cell Stem Cell 2016; 20:490-504.e5. [PMID: 28017794 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2016.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2016] [Revised: 07/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In familial pulmonary arterial hypertension (FPAH), the autosomal dominant disease-causing BMPR2 mutation is only 20% penetrant, suggesting that genetic variation provides modifiers that alleviate the disease. Here, we used comparison of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (iPSC-ECs) from three families with unaffected mutation carriers (UMCs), FPAH patients, and gender-matched controls to investigate this variation. Our analysis identified features of UMC iPSC-ECs related to modifiers of BMPR2 signaling or to differentially expressed genes. FPAH-iPSC-ECs showed reduced adhesion, survival, migration, and angiogenesis compared to UMC-iPSC-ECs and control cells. The "rescued" phenotype of UMC cells was related to an increase in specific BMPR2 activators and/or a reduction in inhibitors, and the improved cell adhesion could be attributed to preservation of related signaling. The improved survival was related to increased BIRC3 and was independent of BMPR2. Our findings therefore highlight protective modifiers for FPAH that could help inform development of future treatment strategies.
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38
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Ji C, Huang JW, Xu QY, Zhang J, Lin MT, Tu Y, He L, Bi ZG, Cheng B. Gremlin inhibits UV-induced skin cell damages via activating VEGFR2-Nrf2 signaling. Oncotarget 2016; 7:84748-84757. [PMID: 27713170 PMCID: PMC5356696 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Ultra Violet (UV) radiation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA oxidation and single strand breaks (SSBs), which will eventually lead to skin cell damages or even skin cancer. Here, we tested the potential activity of gremlin, a novel vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 (VEGFR2) agonist, against UV-induced skin cell damages. We show that gremlin activated VEGFR2 and significantly inhibited UV-induced death and apoptosis of skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Pharmacological inhibition or shRNA-mediated knockdown of VEGFR2 almost abolished gremlin-mediated cytoprotection against UV in the skin cells. Further studies showed that gremlin activated VEGFR2 downstream NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling, which appeared required for subsequent skin cell protection. Nrf2 shRNA knockdown or S40T dominant negative mutation largely inhibited gremlin-mediated skin cell protection against UV. At last, we show that gremlin dramatically inhibited UV-induced ROS production and DNA SSB formation in skin keratinocytes and fibroblasts. We conclude that gremlin protects skin cells from UV damages via activating VEGFR2-Nrf2 signaling. Gremlin could be further tested as a novel anti-UV skin protectant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Ji
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Jin-wen Huang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Qiu-yun Xu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Meng-ting Lin
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Tu
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Provincial Institute of Dermatology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Li He
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Provincial Institute of Dermatology, Kunming 650032, Yunnan, China
| | - Zhi-gang Bi
- Department of Dermatology, BenQ Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210019, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Cheng
- Department of Dermatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350005, Fujian, China
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Chen T, Yang C, Li M, Tan X. Alveolar Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation: From Local Initiation to Secondary Promotion by Activated Systemic Inflammation. J Vasc Res 2016; 53:317-329. [PMID: 27974708 DOI: 10.1159/000452800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 10/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathological condition with high mortality and morbidity. Hypoxic PH (HPH) is a common form of PH occurring mainly due to lung disease and/or hypoxia. Most causes of HPH are associated with persistent or intermittent alveolar hypoxia, including exposure to high altitude and chronic obstructive respiratory disease. Recent evidence suggests that inflammation is a critical step for HPH initiation and development. A detailed understanding of the initiation and progression of pulmonary inflammation would help in exploring potential clinical treatments for HPH. In this review, the mechanism for alveolar hypoxia-induced local lung inflammation and its progression are discussed as follows: (1) low alveolar PO2 levels activate resident lung cells, mainly the alveolar macrophages, which initiate pulmonary inflammation; (2) systemic inflammation is induced by alveolar hypoxia through alveolar macrophage activation; (3) monocytes are recruited into the pulmonary circulation by alveolar hypoxia-induced macrophage activation, which then contributes to the progression of pulmonary inflammation during the chronic phase of alveolar hypoxia, and (4) alveolar hypoxia-induced systemic inflammation contributes to the development of HPH. We hypothesize that a combination of alveolar hypoxia-induced local lung inflammation and the initiation of systemic inflammation ("second hit") is essential for HPH progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Chen
- Department of High Altitude Physiology and Biology, College of High Altitude Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Ministry of Education, Chongqing, China
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40
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Barnes JW, Kucera ET, Tian L, Mellor NE, Dvorina N, Baldwin WW, Aldred MA, Farver CF, Comhair SAA, Aytekin M, Dweik RA. Bone Morphogenic Protein Type 2 Receptor Mutation-Independent Mechanisms of Disrupted Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling in Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2016; 55:564-575. [PMID: 27187737 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2015-0402oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Altered bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling, independent of BMPR2 mutations, can result in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Glucose dysregulation can regulate multiple processes in IPAH. However, the role of glucose in BMP antagonist expression in IPAH has not been characterized. We hypothesized that glucose uptake regulates BMP signaling through stimulation of BMP antagonist expression in IPAH. Using human plasma, lung tissue, and primary pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), we examined the protein expression of BMP2, BMP-regulated Smads, and Smurf-1 in patients with IPAH and control subjects. Gremlin-1 levels were elevated in patients with IPAH compared with control subjects, whereas expression of BMP2 was not different. We demonstrate increased Smad polyubiquitination in IPAH lung tissue and PASMCs that was further enhanced with proteasomal inhibition. Examination of the Smad ubiquitin-ligase, Smurf-1, showed increased protein expression in IPAH lung tissue and localization in the smooth muscle of the pulmonary artery. Glucose dose dependently increased Smurf-1 protein expression in control PASMCs, whereas Smurf-1 in IPAH PASMCs was increased and sustained. Conversely, phospho-Smad1/5/8 levels were reduced in IPAH compared with control PASMCs at physiological glucose concentrations. Interestingly, high glucose concentrations decreased phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 in control PASMCs. Blocking glucose uptake had opposing effects in IPAH PASMCs, and inhibition of Smurf-1 activity resulted in partial rescue of Smad1/5/8 activation and cell migration rates. Collectively, these data suggest that BMP signaling can be regulated through BMPR2 mutation-independent mechanisms. Gremlin-1 (synonym: induced-in-high-glucose-2 protein) and Smurf-1 may function to inhibit BMP signaling as a consequence of the glucose dysregulation described in IPAH.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Micheala A Aldred
- 3 Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; and
| | | | | | - Metin Aytekin
- Departments of 1 Pathobiology and.,5 Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Raed A Dweik
- Departments of 1 Pathobiology and.,6 Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Respiratory Institute
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Nolan K, Kattamuri C, Rankin SA, Read RJ, Zorn AM, Thompson TB. Structure of Gremlin-2 in Complex with GDF5 Gives Insight into DAN-Family-Mediated BMP Antagonism. Cell Rep 2016; 16:2077-2086. [PMID: 27524626 PMCID: PMC5001929 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2016.07.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2016] [Revised: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The DAN family, including Gremlin-1 and Gremlin-2 (Grem1 and Grem2), represents a large family of secreted BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) antagonists. However, how DAN proteins specifically inhibit BMP signaling has remained elusive. Here, we report the structure of Grem2 bound to GDF5 at 2.9-Å resolution. The structure reveals two Grem2 dimers binding perpendicularly to each GDF5 monomer, resembling an H-like structure. Comparison to the unbound Grem2 structure reveals a dynamic N terminus that undergoes significant transition upon complex formation, leading to simultaneous interaction with the type I and type II receptor motifs on GDF5. Binding studies show that DAN-family members can interact with BMP-type I receptor complexes, whereas Noggin outcompetes the type I receptor for ligand binding. Interestingly, Grem2-GDF5 forms a stable aggregate-like structure in vitro that is not clearly observed for other antagonists, including Noggin and Follistatin. These findings exemplify the structural and functional diversity across the various BMP antagonist families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristof Nolan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Chandramohan Kattamuri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Scott A Rankin
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Randy J Read
- Department of Haematology, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, England
| | - Aaron M Zorn
- Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, and Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Abstract
The discovery of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family ligands and the realization that their bioactivities need to be tightly controlled temporally and spatially led to intensive research that has identified a multitude of extracellular modulators of TGF-β family ligands, uncovered their functions in developmental and pathophysiological processes, defined the mechanisms of their activities, and explored potential modulator-based therapeutic applications in treating human diseases. These studies revealed a diverse repertoire of extracellular and membrane-associated molecules that are capable of modulating TGF-β family signals via control of ligand availability, processing, ligand-receptor interaction, and receptor activation. These molecules include not only soluble ligand-binding proteins that were conventionally considered as agonists and antagonists of TGF-β family of growth factors, but also extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and proteoglycans that can serve as "sink" and control storage and release of both the TGF-β family ligands and their regulators. This extensive network of soluble and ECM modulators helps to ensure dynamic and cell-specific control of TGF-β family signals. This article reviews our knowledge of extracellular modulation of TGF-β growth factors by diverse proteins and their molecular mechanisms to regulate TGF-β family signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenbei Chang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
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Koli K, Sutinen E, Rönty M, Rantakari P, Fortino V, Pulkkinen V, Greco D, Sipilä P, Myllärniemi M. Gremlin-1 Overexpression in Mouse Lung Reduces Silica-Induced Lymphocyte Recruitment - A Link to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis through Negative Correlation with CXCL10 Chemokine. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159010. [PMID: 27428020 PMCID: PMC4948891 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 06/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by activation and injury of epithelial cells, the accumulation of connective tissue and changes in the inflammatory microenvironment. The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) inhibitor protein gremlin-1 is associated with the progression of fibrosis both in human and mouse lung. We generated a transgenic mouse model expressing gremlin-1 in type II lung epithelial cells using the surfactant protein C (SPC) promoter and the Cre-LoxP system. Gremlin-1 protein expression was detected specifically in the lung after birth and did not result in any signs of respiratory insufficiency. Exposure to silicon dioxide resulted in reduced amounts of lymphocyte aggregates in transgenic lungs while no alteration in the fibrotic response was observed. Microarray gene expression profiling and analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytokines indicated a reduced lymphocytic response and a downregulation of interferon-induced gene program. Consistent with reduced Th1 response, there was a downregulation of the mRNA and protein expression of the anti-fibrotic chemokine CXCL10, which has been linked to IPF. In human IPF patient samples we also established a strong negative correlation in the mRNA expression levels of gremlin-1 and CXCL10. Our results suggest that in addition to regulation of epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk during tissue injury, gremlin-1 modulates inflammatory cell recruitment and anti-fibrotic chemokine production in the lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katri Koli
- Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Biology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- * E-mail:
| | - Eva Sutinen
- Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Rönty
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Fimlab laboratories, Pathology, Tampere, Finland
| | - Pia Rantakari
- MediCity Research Laboratory, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Vittorio Fortino
- Unit of Systems Toxicology and Nanosafety Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ville Pulkkinen
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Dario Greco
- Unit of Systems Toxicology and Nanosafety Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petra Sipilä
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Turku Center for Disease Modeling, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Marjukka Myllärniemi
- Transplantation Laboratory, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Heart and Lung Center, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Helsinki, Finland
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44
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Sanders LN, Schoenhard JA, Saleh MA, Mukherjee A, Ryzhov S, McMaster WG, Nolan K, Gumina RJ, Thompson TB, Magnuson MA, Harrison DG, Hatzopoulos AK. BMP Antagonist Gremlin 2 Limits Inflammation After Myocardial Infarction. Circ Res 2016; 119:434-49. [PMID: 27283840 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.116.308700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE We have recently shown that the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist Gremlin 2 (Grem2) is required for early cardiac development and cardiomyocyte differentiation. Our initial studies discovered that Grem2 is strongly induced in the adult heart after experimental myocardial infarction (MI). However, the function of Grem2 and BMP-signaling inhibitors after cardiac injury is currently unknown. OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of Grem2 during cardiac repair and assess its potential to improve ventricular function after injury. METHODS AND RESULTS Our data show that Grem2 is transiently induced after MI in peri-infarct area cardiomyocytes during the inflammatory phase of cardiac tissue repair. By engineering loss- (Grem2(-/-)) and gain- (TG(Grem2)) of-Grem2-function mice, we discovered that Grem2 controls the magnitude of the inflammatory response and limits infiltration of inflammatory cells in peri-infarct ventricular tissue, improving cardiac function. Excessive inflammation in Grem2(-/-) mice after MI was because of overactivation of canonical BMP signaling, as proven by the rescue of the inflammatory phenotype through administration of the canonical BMP inhibitor, DMH1. Furthermore, intraperitoneal administration of Grem2 protein in wild-type mice was sufficient to reduce inflammation after MI. Cellular analyses showed that BMP2 acts with TNFα to induce expression of proinflammatory proteins in endothelial cells and promote adhesion of leukocytes, whereas Grem2 specifically inhibits the BMP2 effect. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that Grem2 provides a molecular barrier that controls the magnitude and extent of inflammatory cell infiltration by suppressing canonical BMP signaling, thereby providing a novel mechanism for limiting the adverse effects of excessive inflammation after MI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lehanna N Sanders
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - John A Schoenhard
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Mohamed A Saleh
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Amrita Mukherjee
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Sergey Ryzhov
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - William G McMaster
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Kristof Nolan
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Richard J Gumina
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Thomas B Thompson
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Mark A Magnuson
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - David G Harrison
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.)
| | - Antonis K Hatzopoulos
- From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine (L.N.S., J.A.S., A.M., R.J.G., A.K.H.), Department of Cell and Developmental Biology (L.N.S., A.K.H.), Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine (M.A.S., W.G.M., D.G.H.), and Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery (W.G.M.), Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN; Maine Medical Center Research Institute, Scarborough (S.R.); Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Cincinnati, OH (K.N., T.B.T.); CentraCare Health, St. Cloud, MN (J.A.S.); Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH (A.M.); Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt (M.A.S.); and Center for Stem Cell Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN (M.A.M.).
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Maruyama H, Dewachter C, Sakai S, Belhaj A, Rondelet B, Remmelink M, Vachiéry JL, Naeije R, Dewachter L. Bosentan reverses the hypoxia-induced downregulation of the bone morphogenetic protein signaling in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. Life Sci 2016; 159:111-115. [PMID: 27188586 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common complication of chronic hypoxic lung diseases. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and endothelin-1 signaling pathways have been shown to be altered in hypoxic PH and to play crucial roles in the associated pulmonary artery remodeling. We, therefore, aimed to study the potential link between hypoxia and the alteration of BMP and endothelin-1 signaling observed in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PA-SMCs) in hypoxic PH. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human PA-SMCs were treated with hypoxia-mimetic agent cobalt chloride (CoCl2; 100μM), with or without pretreatment with a dual endothelin receptor antagonist bosentan (10μM). Expressions of preproendothelin-1 (PPET1), BMP type 2 receptor (BMPR-2), and one BMP signaling target gene, the inhibitor of DNA binding 1 (ID1) were evaluated by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. BMP2-treated PA-SMCs were assessed for Smad1/5/8 signaling activation by Western Blotting. KEY FINDINGS Treatment of PA-SMCs with CoCl2 increased PPET1 gene expression, while it did not alter expressions of endothelin converting enzyme, endothelin receptor type A or type B. Hypoxia-mimetic agent CoCl2 decreased the expressions of BMPR-2 and ID1 maximally after 3- and 6-hour treatment respectively, while CoCl2 treatment progressively increased noggin expression. Bosentan pretreatment restored expressions of BMPR-2 and ID1, as well as the activation (by phosphorylation) of Smad1/5/8 signaling induced by BMP2. SIGNIFICANCE Hypoxia induces the downregulation of the BMP signaling in PA-SMCs, at least, partly through the endothelin system. In hypoxic PH, increased endothelin-1 production might therefore contribute to the altered BMP signaling and subsequent PA-SMC hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hidekazu Maruyama
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium,.
| | - Céline Dewachter
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Satoshi Sakai
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Asmae Belhaj
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Benoit Rondelet
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Myriam Remmelink
- Department of Anatomopathology, Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Jean-Luc Vachiéry
- Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Robert Naeije
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Laurence Dewachter
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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46
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Ali IHA, Brazil DP. Bone morphogenetic proteins and their antagonists: current and emerging clinical uses. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 171:3620-32. [PMID: 24758361 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are members of the TGFβ superfamily of secreted cysteine knot proteins that includes TGFβ1, nodal, activins and inhibins. BMPs were first discovered by Urist in the 1960s when he showed that implantation of demineralized bone into intramuscular tissue of rabbits induced bone and cartilage formation. Since this seminal discovery, BMPs have also been shown to play key roles in several other biological processes, including limb, kidney, skin, hair and neuronal development, as well as maintaining vascular homeostasis. The multifunctional effects of BMPs make them attractive targets for the treatment of several pathologies, including bone disorders, kidney and lung fibrosis, and cancer. This review will summarize current knowledge on the BMP signalling pathway and critically evaluate the potential of recombinant BMPs as pharmacological agents for the treatment of bone repair and tissue fibrosis in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran H A Ali
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK
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47
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Don't Feed After Midnight: Gremlin and Chronic Pancreatitis. Pancreas 2016; 45:631-2. [PMID: 27077711 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000000613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
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48
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Axis inhibition protein 2 deficiency leads to hypoxic pulmonary hypertension through β-catenin signaling pathway. J Hypertens 2016; 34:877-92. [DOI: 10.1097/hjh.0000000000000872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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49
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Hoffmann J, Wilhelm J, Olschewski A, Kwapiszewska G. Microarray analysis in pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J 2016; 48:229-41. [PMID: 27076594 PMCID: PMC5009873 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02030-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Microarrays are a powerful and effective tool that allows the detection of genome-wide gene expression differences between controls and disease conditions. They have been broadly applied to investigate the pathobiology of diverse forms of pulmonary hypertension, namely group 1, including patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, and group 3, including pulmonary hypertension associated with chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. To date, numerous human microarray studies have been conducted to analyse global (lung homogenate samples), compartment-specific (laser capture microdissection), cell type-specific (isolated primary cells) and circulating cell (peripheral blood) expression profiles. Combined, they provide important information on development, progression and the end-stage disease. In the future, system biology approaches, expression of noncoding RNAs that regulate coding RNAs, and direct comparison between animal models and human disease might be of importance. Comprehensive overview of compartment-specific microarray studies of material from pulmonary hypertension patientshttp://ow.ly/YEFO2
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Hoffmann
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Dept of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, German Center for Lung Research, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andrea Olschewski
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria Dept of Experimental Anaesthesiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Grazyna Kwapiszewska
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria Dept of Experimental Anaesthesiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
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50
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Rowan SC, Keane MP, Gaine S, McLoughlin P. Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung diseases: novel vasoconstrictor pathways. THE LANCET RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2016; 4:225-36. [PMID: 26895650 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(15)00517-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 12/03/2015] [Accepted: 12/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension is a well recognised complication of chronic hypoxic lung diseases, which are among the most common causes of death and disability worldwide. Development of pulmonary hypertension independently predicts reduced life expectancy. In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, long-term oxygen therapy ameliorates pulmonary hypertension and greatly improves survival, although the correction of alveolar hypoxia and pulmonary hypertension is only partial. Advances in understanding of the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone show that chronic vasoconstriction plays a more important part in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension than previously thought, and that structural vascular changes contribute less. Trials of existing vasodilators show that pulmonary hypertension can be ameliorated and systemic oxygen delivery improved in carefully selected patients, although systemic hypotensive effects limit the doses used. Vasoconstrictor pathways that are selective for the pulmonary circulation can be blocked to reduce hypoxic pulmonary hypertension without causing systemic hypotension, and thus provide potential targets for novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon C Rowan
- UCD School of Medicine, Conway Institute, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael P Keane
- UCD School of Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Seán Gaine
- National Pulmonary Hypertension Unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
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