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Zhao Y, Huang Z, Gao L, Ma H, Chang R. Osteopontin/SPP1: a potential mediator between immune cells and vascular calcification. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1395596. [PMID: 38919629 PMCID: PMC11196619 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1395596] [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: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Vascular calcification (VC) is considered a common pathological process in various vascular diseases. Accumulating studies have confirmed that VC is involved in the inflammatory response in heart disease, and SPP1+ macrophages play an important role in this process. In VC, studies have focused on the physiological and pathological functions of macrophages, such as pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory cytokines and pro-fibrotic vesicles. Additionally, macrophages and activated lymphocytes highly express SPP1 in atherosclerotic plaques, which promote the formation of fatty streaks and plaque development, and SPP1 is also involved in the calcification process of atherosclerotic plaques that results in heart failure, but the crosstalk between SPP1-mediated immune cells and VC has not been adequately addressed. In this review, we summarize the regulatory effect of SPP1 on VC in T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells in different organs' VC, which could be a potential therapeutic target for VC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanli Zhao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zujuan Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Limei Gao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Hongbo Ma
- School of Clinical Medicine, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Rong Chang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Shenzhen Longhua District Central Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Li D, Zhang X, Song Z, Zhao S, Huang Y, Qian W, Cai X. Advances in common in vitro cellular models of pulmonary fibrosis. Immunol Cell Biol 2024. [PMID: 38714318 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
The development of in vitro models is essential for a comprehensive understanding and investigation of pulmonary fibrosis (PF) at both cellular and molecular levels. This study presents a literature review and an analysis of various cellular models used in scientific studies, specifically focusing on their applications in elucidating the pathogenesis of PF. Our study highlights the importance of taking a comprehensive approach to studing PF, emphasizing the necessity of considering multiple cell types and organs and integrating diverse analytical perspectives. Notably, primary cells demonstrate remarkable cell growth characteristics and gene expression profiles; however, their limited availability, maintenance challenges, inability for continuous propagation and susceptibility to phenotypic changes over time significantly limit their utility in scientific investigation. By contrast, immortalized cell lines are easily accessible, cultured and continuously propagated, although they may have some phenotypic differences from primary cells. Furthermore, in vitro coculture models offer a more practical and precise method to explore complex interactions among cells, tissues and organs. Consequently, when developing models of PF, researchers should thoroughly assess the advantages, limitations and relevant mechanisms of different cell models to ensure their selection is consistent with the research objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Die Li
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xinyue Zhang
- Department of Lung Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ziqiong Song
- Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- First Clinical Medical College, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Weibin Qian
- Department of Lung Disease, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xinrui Cai
- Shandong Academy of Occupational Health and Occupational Medicine, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Pan Z, El Sharkway R, Bayoumi A, Metwally M, Gloss BS, Brink R, Lu DB, Liddle C, Alqahtani SA, Yu J, O'Connell PJ, George J, Eslam M. Inhibition of MERTK reduces organ fibrosis in mouse models of fibrotic disease. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadj0133. [PMID: 38569018 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) drives fibrosis and disease progression in a number of chronic disorders, but targeting this ubiquitously expressed cytokine may not yield a viable and safe antifibrotic therapy. Here, we sought to identify alternative ways to inhibit TGFβ signaling using human hepatic stellate cells and macrophages from humans and mice in vitro, as well as mouse models of liver, kidney, and lung fibrosis. We identified Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) as a TGFβ-inducible effector of fibrosis that was up-regulated during fibrosis in multiple organs in three mouse models. We confirmed these findings in liver biopsy samples from patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). MERTK also induced TGFβ expression and drove TGFβ signaling resulting in a positive feedback loop that promoted fibrosis in cultured cells. MERTK regulated both canonical and noncanonical TGFβ signaling in both mouse and human cells in vitro. MERTK increased transcription of genes regulating fibrosis by modulating chromatin accessibility and RNA polymerase II activity. In each of the three mouse models, disrupting the fibrosis-promoting signaling loop by reducing MERTK expression reduced organ fibrosis. Pharmacological inhibition of MERTK reduced fibrosis in these mouse models either when initiated immediately after injury or when initiated after fibrosis was established. Together, these data suggest that MERTK plays a role in modulating organ fibrosis and may be a potential target for treating fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyan Pan
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Rasha El Sharkway
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Ali Bayoumi
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Mayada Metwally
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Brian S Gloss
- Westmead Research Hub, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Robert Brink
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
- St. Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Bo Lu
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Christopher Liddle
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Saleh A Alqahtani
- Organ Transplant Centre of Excellence, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, State Key Laboratory of Digestive Disease, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, CUHK-Shenzhen Research Institute, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
| | - Philip J O'Connell
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Jacob George
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Mohammed Eslam
- Storr Liver Centre, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead Hospital and University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
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Soldano S, Smith V, Montagna P, Gotelli E, Campitiello R, Pizzorni C, Paolino S, Sulli A, Cere A, Cutolo M. Nintedanib downregulates the profibrotic M2 phenotype in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages obtained from systemic sclerosis patients affected by interstitial lung disease. Arthritis Res Ther 2024; 26:74. [PMID: 38509595 PMCID: PMC10953168 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-024-03308-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by vasculopathy and progressive fibrosis of skin and several internal organs, including lungs. Macrophages are the main cells involved in the immune-inflammatory damage of skin and lungs, and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages seem to have a profibrotic role through the release of profibrotic cytokines (IL10) and growth factors (TGFβ1). Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting several fibrotic mediators and it is approved for the treatment of SSc-related interstitial lung disease (ILD). The study aimed to evaluate the effect of nintedanib in downregulating the profibrotic M2 phenotype in cultured monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) obtained from SSc-ILD patients. METHODS Fourteen SSc patients, fulfilling the 2013 ACR/EULAR criteria for SSc, 10 SSc patients affected by ILD (SSc-ILD pts), 4 SSc patients non affected by ILD (SSc pts no-ILD), and 5 voluntary healthy subjects (HSs), were recruited at the Division of Clinical Rheumatology-University of Genova, after obtaining Ethical Committee approval and patients' informed consent. Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood, differentiated into MDMs, and then maintained in growth medium without any treatment (untreated cells), or treated with nintedanib (0.1 and 1µM) for 3, 16, and 24 h. Gene expression of macrophage scavenger receptors (CD204, CD163), mannose receptor-1 (CD206), Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK), identifying M2 macrophages, together with TGFβ1 and IL10, were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Protein synthesis was investigated by Western blotting and the level of active TGFβ1 was evaluated by ELISA. Statistical analysis was carried out using non-parametric Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Cultured untreated SSc-ILD MDMs showed a significant increased protein synthesis of CD206 (p < 0.05), CD204, and MerTK (p < 0.01), together with a significant upregulation of the gene expression of MerTK and TGFβ1 (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) compared to HS-MDMs. Moreover, the protein synthesis of CD206 and MerTK and the gene expression of TGFβ1 were significantly higher in cultured untreated MDMs from SSc-ILD pts compared to MDMs without ILD (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). In cultured SSc-ILD MDMs, nintedanib 0.1 and 1µM significantly downregulated the gene expression and protein synthesis of CD204, CD206, CD163 (p < 0.05), and MerTK (p < 0.01) compared to untreated cells after 24 h of treatment. Limited to MerTK and IL10, both nintedanib concentrations significantly downregulated their gene expression already after 16 h of treatment (p < 0.05). In cultured SSc-ILD MDMs, nintedanib 0.1 and 1µM significantly reduced the release of active TGFβ1 after 24 h of treatment (p < 0.05 vs. untreated cells). CONCLUSIONS In cultured MDMs from SSc-ILD pts, nintedanib seems to downregulate the profibrotic M2 phenotype through the significant reduction of gene expression and protein synthesis of M2 cell surface markers, together with the significant reduction of TGFβ1 release, and notably MerTK, a tyrosine kinase receptor involved in lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Soldano
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Vanessa Smith
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Rheumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Unit for Molecular Immunology and Inflammation, VIB Inflammation Research Centre, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paola Montagna
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gotelli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosanna Campitiello
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Carmen Pizzorni
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Sabrina Paolino
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Alberto Sulli
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Andrea Cere
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy
| | - Maurizio Cutolo
- Laboratory of Experimental Rheumatology, Division of Clinical Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genova, Genoa, Italy.
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy.
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Huang D, Chen Y, Yang J, Zhao B, Wang S, Chai T, Cui J, Zhou X, Shang Z. Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of 2-Substituted Aniline Pyrimidine Derivatives as Potent Dual Mer/c-Met Inhibitors. Molecules 2024; 29:475. [PMID: 38257391 PMCID: PMC10819570 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29020475] [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: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Mer and c-Met kinases, which are commonly overexpressed in various tumors, are ideal targets for the development of antitumor drugs. This study focuses on the design, synthesis, and evaluation of several 2-substituted aniline pyrimidine derivatives as highly potent dual inhibitors of Mer and c-Met kinases for effective tumor treatment. Compound 18c emerged as a standout candidate, demonstrating robust inhibitory activity against Mer and c-Met kinases, with IC50 values of 18.5 ± 2.3 nM and 33.6 ± 4.3 nM, respectively. Additionally, compound 18c displayed good antiproliferative activities on HepG2, MDA-MB-231, and HCT116 cancer cells, along with favorable safety profiles in hERG testing. Notably, it exhibited exceptional liver microsomal stability in vitro, with a half-life of 53.1 min in human liver microsome. Compound 18c also exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity and hindered migration of HCT116 cancer cells, as demonstrated in apoptosis and migration assays. These findings collectively suggest that compound 18c holds promise as a dual Mer/c-Met agent for cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daowei Huang
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base-Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry for Drug, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
| | - Ying Chen
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jixia Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang 050200, China;
| | - Bingyang Zhao
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Shouying Wang
- School of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Tingting Chai
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
| | - Jie Cui
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Shenzhen 518116, China;
| | - Xiaolei Zhou
- School of Food Science and Biology, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China;
| | - Zhenhua Shang
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Hebei University of Science and Technology, Shijiazhuang 050018, China; (D.H.); (Y.C.); (B.Z.); (T.C.)
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base-Hebei Key Laboratory of Molecular Chemistry for Drug, Shijiazhuang 050018, China
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Zizzo G, Cohen PL. Editorial: The key role of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase: where inflammation ends and fibrosis begins. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1251577. [PMID: 37529052 PMCID: PMC10390068 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1251577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano Zizzo
- Temple Autoimmunity Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Azienda Socio-Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Ovest Milanese, Milan, Italy
| | - Philip L. Cohen
- Temple Autoimmunity Center, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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