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Akca MN, Kasavi C. Identifying new molecular signatures and potential therapeutics for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a network medicine approach. Mamm Genome 2024:10.1007/s00335-024-10069-w. [PMID: 39254743 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-024-10069-w] [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: 06/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition and fibrosis of the lung parenchyma, leading to respiratory failure. The molecular mechanisms underlying IPF pathogenesis remain incompletely understood, hindering the development of effective therapeutic strategies. We have used a network medicine approach to comprehensively analyze molecular interactions and identify novel molecular signatures and potential therapeutics associated with IPF progression. Our integrative analysis revealed dysregulated molecular networks that are central to IPF pathophysiology. We have highlighted key molecular players and signaling pathways that are implicated in aberrant fibrotic processes. This systems-level understanding enables the identification of new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for IPF, providing potential avenues for precision medicine. Drug repurposing analysis revealed several drug candidates with anti-fibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activities that could potentially slow fibrotic progression and improve patient outcomes. This study offers new insights into the molecular underpinnings of IPF and highlights network medicine approaches in uncovering complex disease mechanisms. The molecular signatures and therapeutic targets identified hold promise for developing precision therapies tailored to individual patients, ultimately advancing the management of this debilitating lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mecbure Nur Akca
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, İstanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ceyda Kasavi
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marmara University, İstanbul, Türkiye.
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Goten C, Usui S, Takashima SI, Inoue O, Yamaguchi K, Hashimuko D, Takeda Y, Nomura A, Sakata K, Kaneko S, Takamura M. Important Role of Endogenous Nerve Growth Factor Receptor in the Pathogenesis of Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:1868. [PMID: 36768190 PMCID: PMC9916204 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a disease with poor prognosis; thus, a new mechanism for PAH treatment is necessary. Circulating nerve growth factor receptor (Ngfr)-positive cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells are associated with disease severity and the prognosis of PAH patients; however, the role of Ngfr in PAH is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the function of Ngfr using Ngfr gene-deletion (Ngfr-/-) mice. To elucidate the role of Ngfr in pulmonary hypertension (PH), we used Ngfr-/- mice that were exposed to chronic hypoxic conditions (10% O2) for 3 weeks. The development of hypoxia-induced PH was accelerated in Ngfr-/- mice compared to littermate controls. In contrast, the reconstitution of bone marrow (BM) in Ngfr-/- mice transplanted with wild-type BM cells improved PH. Notably, the exacerbation of PH in Ngfr-/- mice was accompanied by the upregulation of pulmonary vascular remodeling-related genes in lung tissue. In a hypoxia-induced PH model, Ngfr gene deletion resulted in PH exacerbation. This suggests that Ngfr may be a key molecule involved in the pathogenesis of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiaki Goten
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Soichiro Usui
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Takashima
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Oto Inoue
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kosei Yamaguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Daiki Hashimuko
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yusuke Takeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Ayano Nomura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kenji Sakata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Shuichi Kaneko
- Department of Information-Based Medicine Development, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Masayuki Takamura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 13-1 Takara-machi, Kanazawa 920-8641, Ishikawa, Japan
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Biventricular Myocardial Strain Analysis in Patients with Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Using Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Tissue-Tracking Technology. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11082230. [PMID: 35456323 PMCID: PMC9025312 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11082230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate both left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) using cardiac magnetic resonance tissue-tracking (CMR-TT) technology and explore its clinical value. Methods: A total of 79 participants (including 47 patients with PAH and 32 healthy controls) underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) with a short-axis balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequence. The biventricular cardiac function parameters and strain parameters were obtained by postprocessing with CVI42 software. A comparative analysis was performed between the LV and RV strain parameters in all PAH patients and in PAH patients with reduced or preserved cardiac function. Results: The results showed preferable repeatability of CMR-TT in analyzing the global radial strain (GRS), circumferential strain (GCS), and longitudinal strain (GLS) of the left and right ventricles in the PAH group. The GRS, GCS, and GLS of the left and right ventricles except for LV GRS (LVGRS) of PAH patients were significantly lower than those of healthy controls (p < 0.05 for all). The GRS and GCS of the left and right ventricles showed a moderate correlation in the PAH group (r = 0.323, p = 0.02; r = 0.301, p = 0.04, respectively). PAH patients with preserved RV function (n = 9) showed significantly decreased global and segmental RS, CS, and LS of the right ventricles than healthy controls (p < 0.05 for all), except for basal RVGCS (RVGCS-b, p = 0.996). Only the LVGLS was significantly different between the PAH patients with preserved LV function (n = 32) and the healthy controls (−14.23 ± 3.01% vs. −16.79 ± 2.86%, p < 0.01). Conclusions: As a nonradioactive and noninvasive technique, CMR-TT has preferable feasibility and repeatability in quantitatively evaluating LV and RV strain parameters in PAH patients and can be used to effectively detect early biventricular myocardial damage in patients with PAH.
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