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Fuster-Martínez I, Calatayud S. The current landscape of antifibrotic therapy across different organs: A systematic approach. Pharmacol Res 2024; 205:107245. [PMID: 38821150 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is a common pathological process that can affect virtually all the organs, but there are hardly any effective therapeutic options. This has led to an intense search for antifibrotic therapies over the last decades, with a great number of clinical assays currently underway. We have systematically reviewed all current and recently finished clinical trials involved in the development of new antifibrotic drugs, and the preclinical studies analyzing the relevance of each of these pharmacological strategies in fibrotic processes affecting tissues beyond those being clinically studied. We analyze and discuss this information with the aim of determining the most promising options and the feasibility of extending their therapeutic value as antifibrotic agents to other fibrotic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Fuster-Martínez
- Departamento de Farmacología, Universitat de València, Valencia 46010, Spain; FISABIO (Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana), Valencia 46020, Spain.
| | - Sara Calatayud
- Departamento de Farmacología, Universitat de València, Valencia 46010, Spain; CIBERehd (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red - Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas), Spain.
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2
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Zhao Z, Yang X. Inhibition of SMYD2 attenuates paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition through the GLIPR2/ERK/p38 axis. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 202:105971. [PMID: 38879290 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
Paraquat (PQ) poisoning leads to irreversible fibrosis in the lungs with high mortality and no known antidote. In this study, we investigated the effect of the SET and MYND domain containing 2 (SMYD2) on PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and its potential mechanisms. We established an in vivo PQ-induced PF mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of PQ (20 mg/kg) and in vitro PQ (25 μM)-injured MLE-12 cell model. On the 15th day of administration, tissue injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in mice were evaluated using various methods including routine blood counts, blood biochemistry, blood gas analysis, western blotting, H&E staining, ELISA, Masson staining, and immunofluorescence. The findings indicated that AZ505 administration mitigated tissue damage, inflammation, and collagen deposition in PQ-poisoned mice. Mechanistically, both in vivo and in vitro experiments revealed that AZ505 treatment suppressed the PQ-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by downregulating GLI pathogenesis related 2 (GLIPR2) and ERK/p38 pathway. Further investigations demonstrated that SMYD2 inhibition decreased GLIPR2 methylation and facilitated GLIPR2 ubiquitination, leading to GLIPR2 destabilization in PQ-exposed MLE-12 cells. Moreover, rescue experiments conducted in vitro demonstrated that GLIPR2 overexpression eliminated the inhibitory effect of AZ505 on the ERK/p38 pathway and EMT. Our results reveal that the SMYD2 inhibitor AZ505 may act as a novel therapeutic candidate to suppress the EMT process by modulating the GLIPR2/ERK/p38 axis in PQ-induced PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Zhao
- Department of Emergency, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China
| | - Xue Yang
- Department of Neurology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
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3
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Hussein ZA, Abu-Raghif AR, Tahseen NJ, Rashed KA, Shaker NS, Fawzi HA. Vinpocetine alleviated alveolar epithelial cells injury in experimental pulmonary fibrosis by targeting PPAR-γ/NLRP3/NF-κB and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathways. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11131. [PMID: 38750140 PMCID: PMC11096407 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61269-y] [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: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the potential anti-fibrotic activity of vinpocetine in an experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis by bleomycin and in the MRC-5 cell line. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in BALB/c mice by oropharyngeal aspiration of a single dose of bleomycin (5 mg/kg). The remaining induced animals received a daily dose of pirfenidone (as a standard anti-fibrotic drug) (300 mg/kg/PO) and vinpocetine (20 mg/kg/PO) on day 7 of the induction till the end of the experiment (day 21). The results of the experiment revealed that vinpocetine managed to alleviate the fibrotic endpoints by statistically improving (P ≤ 0.05) the weight index, histopathological score, reduced expression of fibrotic-related proteins in immune-stained lung sections, as well as fibrotic markers measured in serum samples. It also alleviated tissue levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators significantly elevated in bleomycin-only induced animals (P ≤ 0.05). Vinpocetine managed to express a remarkable attenuating effect in pulmonary fibrosis both in vivo and in vitro either directly by interfering with the classical TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway or indirectly by upregulating the expression of Nrf2 enhancing the antioxidant system, activating PPAR-γ and downregulating the NLRP3/NF-κB pathway making it a candidate for further clinical investigation in cases of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeena A Hussein
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ahmed R Abu-Raghif
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Nibras J Tahseen
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Bayan University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | | | - Nada S Shaker
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
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4
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Gairola S, Sinha A, Kaundal RK. Linking NLRP3 inflammasome and pulmonary fibrosis: mechanistic insights and promising therapeutic avenues. Inflammopharmacology 2024; 32:287-305. [PMID: 37991660 DOI: 10.1007/s10787-023-01389-5] [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: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating disorder distinguished by redundant inflammation and matrix accumulation in the lung interstitium. The early inflammatory cascade coupled with recurring tissue injury orchestrates a set of events marked by perturbed matrix hemostasis, deposition of matrix proteins, and remodeling in lung tissue. Numerous investigations have corroborated a direct correlation between the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) activation and the development of pulmonary fibrosis. Dysregulated activation of NLRP3 within the pulmonary microenvironment exacerbates inflammation and may incite fibrogenic responses. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms through which the NLRP3 inflammasome elicits pro-fibrogenic responses remain inadequately defined. Contemporary findings suggest that the pro-fibrotic consequences stemming from NLRP3 signaling primarily hinge on the action of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). IL-1β instigates IL-1 receptor signaling, potentiating the activity of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β). This signaling cascade, in turn, exerts influence over various transcription factors, including SNAIL, TWIST, and zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB 1/2), which collectively foster myofibroblast activation and consequent lung fibrosis. Here, we have connected the dots to illustrate how the NLRP3 inflammasome orchestrates a multitude of signaling events, including the activation of transcription factors that facilitate myofibroblast activation and subsequent lung remodeling. In addition, we have highlighted the prominent role played by various cells in the formation of myofibroblasts, the primary culprit in lung fibrosis. We also provided a concise overview of various compounds that hold the potential to impede NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, thus offering a promising avenue for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shobhit Gairola
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP, 226002, India
| | - Antarip Sinha
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP, 226002, India
| | - Ravinder K Kaundal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Raebareli (NIPER-R), Transit Campus, Bijnor-Sisendi Road, Sarojini Nagar, Near CRPF Base Camp, Lucknow, UP, 226002, India.
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5
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Mersal KI, Abdel-Maksoud MS, Ali EMH, Ammar UM, Zaraei SO, Haque MM, Das T, Hassan NF, Kim EE, Lee JS, Park H, Lee KH, El-Gamal MI, Kim HK, Ibrahim TM, Oh CH. Evaluation of novel pyrazol-4-yl pyridine derivatives possessing arylsulfonamide tethers as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitors in leukemia cells. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 261:115779. [PMID: 37776574 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115779] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
A series of 36 pyrazol-4-yl pyridine derivatives (8a-i, 9a-i, 10a-i, and 11a-i) was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for its antiproliferative activity over NCI-60 cancer cell line panel and inhibitory effect against JNK isoforms (JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3). All the synthesized compounds were tested against the NCI-60 cancer cell line panel. Compounds 11b, 11c, 11g, and 11i were selected to determine their GI50s and exerted a superior potency over the reference standard SP600125 against the tested cell lines. 11c showed a GI50 of 1.28 μM against K562 leukemic cells. Vero cells were used to assess 11c cytotoxicity compared to the tested cancer cells. The target compounds were tested against hJNK isoforms in which compound 11e exhibited the highest potency against JNK isoforms with IC50 values of 1.81, 12.7, and 10.5 nM against JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, respectively. Kinase profiling of 11e showed higher JNK selectivity in 50 kinase panels. Compounds 11c and 11e showed cell population arrest at the G2/M phase, induced early apoptosis, and slightly inhibited beclin-1 production at higher concentrations in K562 leukemia cells relative to SP600125. NanoBRET assay of 11e showed intracellular JNK1 inhibition with an IC50 of 2.81 μM. Also, it inhibited CYP2D6 and 3A4 with different extent and its hERG activity showed little cardiac toxicity with an IC50 of 4.82 μM. hJNK3 was used as a template to generate the hJNK1 crystal structure to explore the binding mode of 11e (PDB ID: 8ENJ) with a resolution of 2.8 °A and showed a typical type I kinase inhibition against hJNK1. Binding energy scores showed that selectivity of 11e towards JNK1 could be attributed to additional hydrophobic interactions relative to JNK3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim I Mersal
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo, 12055, Egypt; University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, 34113, Republic of Korea; Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammed S Abdel-Maksoud
- Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, National Research Centre NRC (ID: 60014618), Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt
| | - Eslam M H Ali
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo, 12055, Egypt; Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Purdue University, 575 West Stadium Avenue, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Usama M Ammar
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, 9 Sighthill Court, Edinburgh, EH11 4BN, United Kingdom
| | - Seyed-Omar Zaraei
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Md Mamunul Haque
- Department of Neural and Pain Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Tanuza Das
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Noha F Hassan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), Cairo, 12055, Egypt
| | - Eunice EunKyeong Kim
- Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, 02792, South Korea
| | - Jun-Seok Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - HaJeung Park
- The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology, USA
| | - Kwan Hyi Lee
- Center for Advanced Biomolecular Recognition, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea; KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Mohammed I El-Gamal
- Research Institute for Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt
| | - Hee-Kwon Kim
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Molecular Imaging & Therapeutic Medicine Research Center, Jeonbuk National University Medical School and Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, 54907, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Jeonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute of Jeonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, 54907, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tamer M Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, P.O. Box 33516, Egypt
| | - Chang-Hyun Oh
- University of Science & Technology (UST), Daejeon, Yuseong-gu, 34113, Republic of Korea; Center of Biomaterials, Korea Institute of Science & Technology (KIST School), Seoul, Seongbuk-gu, 02792, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Luo W, Gu Y, Fu S, Wang J, Zhang J, Wang Y. Emerging opportunities to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Design, discovery, and optimizations of small-molecule drugs targeting fibrogenic pathways. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 260:115762. [PMID: 37683364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115762] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common fibrotic form of idiopathic diffuse lung disease. Due to limited treatment options, IPF patients suffer from poor survival. About ten years ago, Pirfenidone (Shionogi, 2008; InterMune, 2011) and Nintedanib (Boehringer Ingelheim, 2014) were approved, greatly changing the direction of IPF drug design. However, limited efficacy and side effects indicate that neither can reverse the process of IPF. With insights into the occurrence of IPF, novel targets and agents have been proposed, which have fundamentally changed the treatment of IPF. With the next-generation agents, targeting pro-fibrotic pathways in the epithelial-injury model offers a promising approach. Besides, several next-generation IPF drugs have entered phase II/III clinical trials with encouraging results. Due to the rising IPF treatment requirements, there is an urgent need to completely summarize the mechanisms, targets, problems, and drug design strategies over the past ten years. In this review, we summarize known mechanisms, target types, drug design, and novel technologies of IPF drug discovery, aiming to provide insights into the future development and clinical application of next-generation IPF drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxin Luo
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yilin Gu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Siyu Fu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, Tennessee, United States
| | - Jifa Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
| | - Yuxi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Targeted Tracer Research and Development Laboratory, Institute of Respiratory Health, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-related Molecular Network, Precision Medicine Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province & Precision Medicine Research Center, Joint Research Institution of Altitude Health, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China; Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, 610212, Sichuan, China.
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7
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Yao C, Shen Z, Shen L, Kadier K, Zhao J, Guo Y, Xu L, Cao J, Dong X, Yang B. Identification of Potential JNK3 Inhibitors: A Combined Approach Using Molecular Docking and Deep Learning-Based Virtual Screening. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1459. [PMID: 37895928 PMCID: PMC10610115 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
JNK3, a member of the MAPK family, plays a pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to stress signals, with its activation implicated in a myriad of inflammatory conditions. While JNK3 holds promise as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington's, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's diseases, there remains a gap in the market for effective JNK3 inhibitors. Despite some pan-JNK inhibitors reaching clinical trials, no JNK-targeted therapies have achieved market approval. To bridge this gap, our study introduces a sophisticated virtual screening approach. We begin with an energy-based screening, subsequently integrating a variety of rescoring techniques. These encompass glide docking scores, MM/GBSA, and artificial scoring mechanisms such as DeepDock and advanced Graph Neural Networks. This virtual screening workflow is designed to evaluate and identify potential small-molecule inhibitors with high binding affinity. We have implemented a virtual screening workflow to identify potential candidate molecules. This process has resulted in the selection of ten molecules. Subsequently, these ten molecules have undergone biological activity evaluation to assess their potential efficacy. Impressively, molecule compound 6 surfaced as the most promising, exhibiting a potent kinase inhibitory activity marked by an IC50 of 130.1 nM and a notable reduction in TNF-α release within macrophages. This suggests that compound 6 could potentially serve as an effective inhibitor for the treatment of neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. The prospect of further medicinal modifications to optimize compound 6 presents a promising avenue for future research and development in this field. Utilizing binding pose metadynamics coupled with molecular dynamics simulations, we delved into the explicit binding mode of compound 6 to JNK3. Such insights pave the way for refined drug development strategies. Collectively, our results underscore the efficacy of the hybrid virtual screening workflow in the identification of robust JNK3 inhibitors, holding promise for innovative treatments against neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenpeng Yao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (C.Y.); (K.K.); (J.C.)
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Zheyuan Shen
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (J.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Liteng Shen
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (J.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Kailibinuer Kadier
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (C.Y.); (K.K.); (J.C.)
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Jingyi Zhao
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (J.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (J.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Lei Xu
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Medical Engineering, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, Changzhou 213001, China;
| | - Ji Cao
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (C.Y.); (K.K.); (J.C.)
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
| | - Xiaowu Dong
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (J.Z.); (Y.G.)
| | - Bo Yang
- Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Anti-Cancer Drug Research, Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (C.Y.); (K.K.); (J.C.)
- Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Z.S.); (L.S.)
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (J.Z.); (Y.G.)
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8
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Wang S, Qin S, Cai B, Zhan J, Chen Q. Promising therapeutic mechanism for Chinese herbal medicine in ameliorating renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:932649. [PMID: 37522131 PMCID: PMC10376707 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.932649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious chronic microvascular abnormalities of diabetes mellitus and the major cause of uremia. Accumulating evidence has confirmed that fibrosis is a significant pathological feature that contributes to the development of chronic kidney disease in DN. However, the exact mechanism of renal fibrosis in DN is still unclear, which greatly hinders the treatment of DN. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has shown efficacy and safety in ameliorating inflammation and albuminuria in diabetic patients. In this review, we outline the underlying mechanisms of renal fibrosis in DN, including oxidative stress (OS) generation and OS-elicited ASK1-p38/JNK activation. Also, we briefly summarize the current status of CHM treating DN by improving renal fibrosis. The treatment of DN by inhibiting ASK1 activation to alleviate renal fibrosis in DN with CHM will promote the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for DN and provide a beneficial therapeutic method for DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengju Wang
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shuai Qin
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Baochao Cai
- Diabetes Department, Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiaxing, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jihong Zhan
- Department of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou, China
| | - Qiu Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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9
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Horan G, Ye Y, Adams M, Parton A, Cedzik D, Tang S, Brown EA, Liu L, Nissel J, Carayannopoulos LN, Gaudy A, Schafer P, Palmisano M, Ramirez-Valle F. Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Antifibrotic Activity of CC-90001 (BMS-986360), a c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitor, in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2023. [PMID: 37378860 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1294] [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: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Approved treatments for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis have tolerability concerns and limited efficacy. CC-90001, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor, is under investigation as a therapy for fibrotic diseases. A Phase 1b safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics study of oral CC-90001 (100, 200, or 400 mg) administered once daily for 12 weeks was conducted in patients with pulmonary fibrosis (NCT02510937). Sixteen patients with a mean age of 68 years were studied. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea and headache; all events were of mild or moderate intensity. Pharmacokinetic profiles were similar between the patients in this trial and healthy adults in previous studies. Forced vital capacity increased in the 200- and 400-mg cohorts from baseline to Week 12, and dose-dependent reductions in fibrosis biomarkers were observed. Antifibrotic activity of CC-90001 was also evaluated in vitro in transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated cells. CC-90001 reduced in vitro profibrotic gene expression in both lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts, supporting a potential direct antifibrotic action of c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibition in either or both cell types. Overall, CC-90001 was generally safe and well tolerated, and treatment was associated with forced vital capacity improvement and reductions in profibrotic biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ying Ye
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Mary Adams
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jim Nissel
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA
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10
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Shuai W, Bu F, Zhu Y, Wu Y, Xiao H, Pan X, Zhang J, Sun Q, Wang G, Ouyang L. Discovery of Novel Indazole Chemotypes as Isoform-Selective JNK3 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Parkinson's Disease. J Med Chem 2023; 66:1273-1300. [PMID: 36649216 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases. In particular, JNK3 and not JNK1/2 is primarily expressed in the brain and plays a key role in mediating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's disease (PD). Due to the sequence similarity of JNK isoforms, developing isoform-selective JNK3 inhibitors to evaluate their biological functions and therapeutic potential in PD has become a challenge. Herein, docking-based virtual screening and structure-activity relationship studies identified 25c with excellent inhibitory activity against JNK3 (IC50 = 85.21 nM) and exhibited an over 100-fold isoform selectivity for JNK3 over JNK1/2 and remarkable kinase selectivity. 25c showed neuroprotective effects on in vitro and in vivo PD models by selectively inhibiting JNK3. Meanwhile, 25c showed an ideal blood-brain barrier permeability and low toxicity. Overall, this study provided a valuable molecular tool for investigating the role of JNK3 in PD and a solid foundation for developing JNK3-targeted drugs in PD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Shuai
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yumeng Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Huan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Jifa Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qiu Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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11
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Fu C, Chen L, Cheng Y, Yang W, Zhu H, Wu X, Cai B. Identification of immune biomarkers associated with basement membranes in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and their pan-cancer analysis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1114601. [PMID: 36936416 PMCID: PMC10017543 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1114601] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology, characterized by diffuse alveolitis and alveolar structural damage. Due to the short median survival time and poor prognosis of IPF, it is particularly urgent to find new IPF biomarkers. Previous studies have shown that basement membranes (BMs) are associated with the development of IPF and tumor metastasis. However, there is still a lack of research on BMs-related genes in IPF. Therefore, we investigated the expression level of BMs genes in IPF and control groups, and explored their potential as biomarkers for IPF diagnosis. In this study, the GSE32537 and GSE53845 datasets were used as training sets, while the GSE24206, GSE10667 and GSE101286 datasets were used as validation sets. In the training set, seven immune biomarkers related to BMs were selected by differential expression analysis, machine learning algorithm (LASSO, SVM-RFE, Randomforest) and ssGSEA analysis. Further ROC analysis confirmed that seven BMs-related genes played an important role in IPF. Finally, four immune-related Hub genes (COL14A1, COL17A1, ITGA10, MMP7) were screened out. Then we created a logistic regression model of immune-related hub genes (IHGs) and used a nomogram to predict IPF risk. The nomogram model was evaluated to have good reliability and validity, and ROC analysis showed that the AUC value of IHGs was 0.941 in the training set and 0.917 in the validation set. Pan-cancer analysis showed that IHGs were associated with prognosis, immune cell infiltration, TME, and drug sensitivity in 33 cancers, suggesting that IHGs may be potential targets for intervention in human diseases including IPF and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenkun Fu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Lina Chen
- Guiyang Public Health Clinical Center, Guiyang, China
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Yiju Cheng
- Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Guiyang, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Yiju Cheng, ; Wenting Yang,
| | - Wenting Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
- *Correspondence: Yiju Cheng, ; Wenting Yang,
| | - Honglan Zhu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, China
| | - Banruo Cai
- Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai, China
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12
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Non-kinase targeting of oncogenic c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling: the future of clinically viable cancer treatments. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1823-1836. [PMID: 36454622 PMCID: PMC9788565 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal Kinases (JNKs) have been identified as key disease drivers in a number of pathophysiological settings and central oncogenic signaling nodes in various cancers. Their roles in driving primary tumor growth, positively regulating cancer stem cell populations, promoting invasion and facilitating metastatic outgrowth have led JNKs to be considered attractive targets for anti-cancer therapies. However, the homeostatic, apoptotic and tumor-suppressive activities of JNK proteins limit the use of direct JNK inhibitors in a clinical setting. In this review, we will provide an overview of the different JNK targeting strategies developed to date, which include various ATP-competitive, non-kinase and substrate-competitive inhibitors. We aim to summarize their distinct mechanisms of action, review some of the insights they have provided regarding JNK-targeting in cancer, and outline the limitations as well as challenges of all strategies that target JNKs directly. Furthermore, we will highlight alternate drug targets within JNK signaling complexes, including recently identified scaffold proteins, and discuss how these findings may open up novel therapeutic options for targeting discrete oncogenic JNK signaling complexes in specific cancer settings.
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13
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Ye Y, Gaudy A, Thomas M, Reyes J, Burkhardt B, Horan G, Liu L, Chen J, Ghosh A, Carayannopoulos LN, Tatosian DA, Palmisano M. Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of CC-90001 (BMS-986360), a c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Inhibitor, in Phase 1 Studies in Healthy Participants. Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev 2022; 11:1394-1404. [PMID: 36256505 PMCID: PMC10092235 DOI: 10.1002/cpdd.1178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
CC-90001 selectively inhibits c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a stress-activated protein implicated in fibrosis. In 3 phase 1 trials evaluating CC-90001 pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety, healthy adults (N = 184) received oral CC-90001 in a single dose (10-720 mg) or multiple doses (30-480 mg once daily for 7-18 days) or placebo. CC-90001 was rapidly absorbed (median time to maximum concentration, 1-4 hours) and eliminated with a mean terminal elimination half-life of 12-28 hours. Steady state was reached on day 5, with a mean accumulation ratio of 1.5- to 2-fold following daily dosing. Exposure was similar in fed versus fasted participants and in Japanese versus non-Japanese participants. CC-90001 demonstrated dose- and exposure-dependent inhibition of JNK as determined by histopathological analysis of c-Jun phosphorylation in ultraviolet-irradiated skin. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were nausea and headache; all were mild or moderate in intensity. Based on exposure-response analysis using high-quality electrocardiogram data, no clinically relevant QT prolongation liability for CC-90001 was observed. Overall, single- and multiple-dose CC-90001 were generally safe and well tolerated at the tested doses and demonstrated JNK pathway engagement. These results support further clinical evaluation of CC-90001.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ye
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Gerald Horan
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Liangang Liu
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
| | - Jian Chen
- Bristol Myers Squibb, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
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14
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Chi J, Hsiao Y, Liang H, Huang T, Chen F, Chen C, Ko C, Cheng C, Wang J. Blockade of the pentraxin 3/CD44 interaction attenuates lung injury-induced fibrosis. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1099. [PMID: 36336784 PMCID: PMC9637652 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibrosing interstitial lung diseases (fILD) are potentially fatal with limited therapeutic options and no effective strategies to reverse fibrogenesis. Myofibroblasts are chief effector cells in fibrosis that excessively deposit collagen in the pulmonary interstitium and lead to progressive impairment of gaseous exchange. METHODS Plasma and lung specimens from patients with fILD were applied for detecting pentraxin 3 (PTX3) abundance by ELISA and Immunohistochemistry. Masson's trichrome and Sirius red stains and hydroxyproline assay were performed for assessing collagen accumulation in the lungs of bleomycin-exposed conditional Ptx3-deficient and PTX3-neutralizing antibody (αPTX3i)-treated mice. Downstream effectors including signaling pathways and fibrotic genes were examined for assessing CD44-involved PTX3-induced fibrosis in HFL1 and primary mouse fibroblasts. RESULTS PTX3 was upregulated in the lungs and plasma of bleomycin-exposed mice and correlated with disease severity and adverse outcomes in fILD patients. Decreased collagen accumulation, attenuation of alveolar fibrosis and fibrotic markers, and improved lung function were observed in bleomycin-exposed conditional Ptx3-deficient mice. PTX3 activates lung fibroblasts to differentiate towards migrative and highly collagen-expressing myofibroblasts. Lung fibroblasts with CD44 inactivation attenuated the PI3K-AKT1, NF-κB, and JNK signaling pathways and fibrotic markers. αPTX3i mimic-based therapeutic studies demonstrated abrogation of the migrative fibroblast phenotype and myofibroblast activation in vitro. Notably, αPTX3i inhibited lung fibrosis, reduced collagen deposition, increased mouse survival, and improved lung function in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS The present study reveals new insights into the involvement of the PTX3/CD44 axis in fibrosis and suggests PTX3 as a promising therapeutic target in fILD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhih‐Ying Chi
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry SciencesCollege of Bioscience and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Yu‐Wei Hsiao
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry SciencesCollege of Bioscience and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Hsin‐Yin Liang
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry SciencesCollege of Bioscience and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan,International Research Center for Wound Repair and RegenerationNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Tang‐Hsiu Huang
- Division of Chest MedicineDepartment of Internal MedicineNational Cheng Kung University HospitalCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan,Institute of Clinical MedicineCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Feng‐Wei Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical SciencesCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Chen‐Yang Chen
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry SciencesCollege of Bioscience and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Chiung‐Yuan Ko
- Ph.D. Program in Medical NeuroscienceCollege of Medical Science and TechnologyTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chao‐Chun Cheng
- Institute of Basic Medical SciencesCollege of MedicineNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan
| | - Ju‐Ming Wang
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry SciencesCollege of Bioscience and BiotechnologyNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan,International Research Center for Wound Repair and RegenerationNational Cheng Kung UniversityTainanTaiwan,Graduate Institute of Medical SciencesCollege of MedicineTaipei Medical UniversityTaipeiTaiwan,Graduate Institute of MedicineCollege of MedicineKaohsiung Medical UniversityKaohsiungTaiwan
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15
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Ehrhardt B, El-Merhie N, Kovacevic D, Schramm J, Bossen J, Roeder T, Krauss-Etschmann S. Airway remodeling: The Drosophila model permits a purely epithelial perspective. FRONTIERS IN ALLERGY 2022; 3:876673. [PMID: 36187164 PMCID: PMC9520053 DOI: 10.3389/falgy.2022.876673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Airway remodeling is an umbrella term for structural changes in the conducting airways that occur in chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The pathobiology of remodeling involves multiple mesenchymal and lymphoid cell types and finally leads to a variety of hardly reversible changes such as hyperplasia of goblet cells, thickening of the reticular basement membrane, deposition of collagen, peribronchial fibrosis, angiogenesis and hyperplasia of bronchial smooth muscle cells. In order to develop solutions for prevention or innovative therapies, these complex processes must be understood in detail which requires their deconstruction into individual building blocks. In the present manuscript we therefore focus on the role of the airway epithelium and introduce Drosophila melanogaster as a model. The simple architecture of the flies’ airways as well as the lack of adaptive immunity allows to focus exclusively on the importance of the epithelium for the remodeling processes. We will review and discuss genetic and environmentally induced changes in epithelial structures and molecular responses and propose an integrated framework of research for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birte Ehrhardt
- Division of Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Natalia El-Merhie
- Division of Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Draginja Kovacevic
- Division of Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Juliana Schramm
- Division of Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
| | - Judith Bossen
- Division of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Kiel, Germany
| | - Thomas Roeder
- Division of Molecular Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Christian-Albrechts University Kiel, Kiel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Kiel, Germany
| | - Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
- Division of Early Life Origins of Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Airway Research Center North (ARCN), German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Borstel, Germany
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Correspondence: Susanne Krauss-Etschmann
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16
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Sun Y, Wang Y, Zou M, Wang T, Wang L, Peng X. Lnc90386 Sponges miR-33-5p to Mediate Mycoplasma gallisepticum-Induced Inflammation and Apoptosis in Chickens via the JNK Pathway. Front Immunol 2022; 13:887602. [PMID: 35833119 PMCID: PMC9271562 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.887602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is one of the most important pathogens, that causes chronic respiratory disease (CRD) in chickens. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as new regulators for many diseases and some lncRNAs can function as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to regulate mRNAs by competitively binding to miRNAs. Here, we found that miR-33-5p was significantly up-regulated both in MG-infected chicken embryonic lungs and chicken embryo fibroblast cells (DF-1), and Lnc90386 negatively correlated with miR-33-5p. miR-33-5p, as a new regulator for MG infection, repressed apoptosis, inflammatory factors in DF-1 cells by targeting JNK1. Further analyses showed that Lnc90386 sponged miR-33-5p to weaken its inhibitory effect on JNK1, forming the ceRNA regulatory network. Furthermore, knockdown of Lnc90386 significantly inhibited apoptosis and inflammatory factors, and promoted DF-1 cells proliferation. However, co-treatment with miR-33-5p inhibitor and Lnc90386 siRNA showed that knockdown of Lnc90386 could partially eliminate the inhibiting effect of miR-33-5p inhibitor on inflammation, cell apoptosis and proliferation. In conclusion, Lnc90386 sponges miR-33-5p to defend against MG infection by inhibiting the JNK signaling pathway.
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17
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Zhang A, Zou Y, Xu Q, Tian S, Wang J, Li Y, Dong R, Zhang L, Jiang J, Wang L, Tao K, Meng Z, Liu Y. Investigation of the Pharmacological Effect and Mechanism of Jinbei Oral Liquid in the Treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Using Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:919388. [PMID: 35784749 PMCID: PMC9240387 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.919388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Overview: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a disease caused by many factors, eventually resulting in lung function failure. Jinbei oral liquid (JBOL) is a traditional Chinese clinical medicine used to treat pulmonary diseases. However, the pharmacological effects and mechanism of the action of JBOL on IPF remain unclear. This study investigated the protective effects and mechanism of the action of JBOL on IPF using network pharmacology analysis, followed by in vivo and in vitro experimental validation. Methods: The components of JBOL and their targets were screened using the TCMSP database. IPF-associated genes were obtained using DisGeNET and Drugbank. The common targets of JBOL and IPF were identified with the STRING database, and a protein–protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. GO and KEGG analyses were performed. Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with bleomycin (BLM) to establish an IPF model and treated orally with JBOL at doses of 5.4, 10.8, and 21.6 ml/kg. A dose of 54 mg/kg of pirfenidone was used as a control. All rats were treated for 28 successive days. Dynamic pulmonary compliance (Cdyn), minute ventilation volume (MVV), vital capacity (VC), and lung resistance (LR) were used to evaluate the efficacy of JBOL. TGF-β–treated A549 cells were exposed to JBOL, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) changes were assessed. Western blots were performed. Results: Two hundred seventy-eight compounds and 374 targets were screened, and 103 targets related to IPF were identified. Core targets, including MAPK1 (ERK2), MAPK14 (p38), JUN, IL-6, AKT, and others, were identified by constructing a PPI network. Several pathways were involved, including the MAPK pathway. Experimentally, JBOL increased the levels of the pulmonary function indices (Cdyn, MVV, and VC) in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the RL level in the BLM-treated rats. JBOL increased the epithelial marker E-cadherin and suppressed the mesenchymal marker vimentin expression in the TGF-β–treated A549 cells. The suppression of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation by JBOL was validated. Conclusion: JBOL had therapeutic effects against IPF by regulating pulmonary function and EMT through a systemic network mechanism, thus supporting the need for future clinical trials of JBOL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aijun Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Yixuan Zou
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Qingcui Xu
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Shuo Tian
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Yilin Li
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Renchao Dong
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Liangzong Zhang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Juanjuan Jiang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Lili Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Kai Tao
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Zhaoqing Meng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, Shandong Hongji-tang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaoqing Meng, ; Yanqiu Liu,
| | - Yanqiu Liu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaoqing Meng, ; Yanqiu Liu,
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18
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Zhu Y, Shuai W, Zhao M, Pan X, Pei J, Wu Y, Bu F, Wang A, Ouyang L, Wang G. Unraveling the Design and Discovery of c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors and Their Therapeutic Potential in Human Diseases. J Med Chem 2022; 65:3758-3775. [PMID: 35200035 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, are encoded by three genes: jnk1, jnk2, and jnk3. JNKs are involved in the pathogenesis and development of many diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancers. Therefore, JNKs have become important therapeutic targets. Many JNK inhibitors have been discovered, and some have been introduced into clinical trials. However, the study of isoform-selective JNK inhibitors is still a challenging task. To further develop novel JNK inhibitors with clinical value, a comprehensive understanding of JNKs and their corresponding inhibitors is required. In this Perspective, we introduced the JNK signaling pathways and reviewed different chemical types of JNK inhibitors, focusing on their structure-activity relationships and biological activities. The challenges and strategies for the development of JNK inhibitors are also discussed. It is hoped that this Perspective will provide valuable references for the development of novel selective JNK inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Zhu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Wen Shuai
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Min Zhao
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Junping Pei
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yongya Wu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Faqian Bu
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Aoxue Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liang Ouyang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Guan Wang
- Innovation Center of Nursing Research, Nursing Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Biotherapy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
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19
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Nagy MA, Hilgraf R, Mortensen DS, Elsner J, Norris S, Tikhe J, Yoon W, Paisner D, Delgado M, Erdman P, Haelewyn J, Khambatta G, Xu L, Romanow WJ, Condroski K, Bahmanyar S, McCarrick M, Benish B, Blease K, LeBrun L, Moghaddam MF, Apuy J, Canan SS, Bennett BL, Satoh Y. Discovery of the c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitor CC-90001. J Med Chem 2021; 64:18193-18208. [PMID: 34894681 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
As a result of emerging biological data suggesting that within the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) family, JNK1 and not JNK2 or JNK3 may be primarily responsible for fibrosis pathology, we sought to identify JNK inhibitors with an increased JNK1 bias relative to our previous clinical compound tanzisertib (CC-930). This manuscript reports the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies for a novel series of JNK inhibitors demonstrating an increased JNK1 bias. SAR optimization on a series of 2,4-dialkylamino-pyrimidine-5-carboxamides resulted in the identification of compounds possessing low nanomolar JNK inhibitory potency, overall kinome selectivity, and the ability to inhibit cellular phosphorylation of the direct JNK substrate c-Jun. Optimization of physicochemical properties in this series resulted in compounds that demonstrated excellent systemic exposure following oral dosing, enabling in vivo efficacy studies and the selection of a candidate for clinical development, CC-90001, which is currently in clinical trials (Phase II) in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (NCT03142191).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Nagy
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Robert Hilgraf
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Deborah S Mortensen
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jan Elsner
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Stephen Norris
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jayashree Tikhe
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Won Yoon
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - David Paisner
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Mercedes Delgado
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Paul Erdman
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jason Haelewyn
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Godrej Khambatta
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Li Xu
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - William J Romanow
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kevin Condroski
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Sogole Bahmanyar
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Meg McCarrick
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Brent Benish
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kate Blease
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Laurie LeBrun
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Mehran F Moghaddam
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Julius Apuy
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Stacie S Canan
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Brydon L Bennett
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Yoshitaka Satoh
- Bristol Myers Squibb, 10300 Campus Point Drive, Suite 100, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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20
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Tong X, Zhang S, Wang D, Zhang L, Huang J, Zhang T, Fan H. Azithromycin Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis Partly by Inhibiting the Expression of LOX and LOXL-2. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:709819. [PMID: 34803671 PMCID: PMC8602210 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.709819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and progressive process of tissue repair. Azithromycin (AZM) may be beneficial for the treatment of PF because AZM has anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory roles and inhibits remodeling, but the mechanism is not entirely clear. In this study, we established a mouse PF model induced by bleomycin (BLM) and primary mouse lung fibroblasts stimulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 to explore the possible mechanisms of AZM in PF. Results showed that AZM reduces mortality and lung inflammation and attenuates BLM-induced PF in mice. AZM effectively reduced the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) and type I collagen. Meanwhile, expression of lysyl oxidase (LOX) and lysyl oxidase-like protein (LOXL)-2 in the lung tissue of mice after AZM treatment was significantly lower than in the BLM group. In addition, this study found that AZM significantly inhibits the TGF-β1/Smad and JNK/c-Jun signaling pathways in vivo, and expression of a-SMA, type I collagen, LOX and LOXL-2 in the lung tissue of mice treated with AZM was significantly lower than that in the BLM group. In vitro, AZM also effectively inhibited type I collagen, LOX, LOXL-2 and JNK-c-Jun signaling pathways in TGF-β1-stimulated primary mouse fibroblasts, and this effect was similar to that of a JNK-specific inhibitor (SP600125). In conclusion, AZM effectively attenuated BLM-induced PF in mice, which may play a role by partially inhibiting the JNK/c-Jun and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathways and reducing production of LOX and LOXL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Tong
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shijie Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dongguang Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jizheng Huang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Tianli Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hong Fan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital/West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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21
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Ong CH, Tham CL, Harith HH, Firdaus N, Israf DA. TGF-β-induced fibrosis: A review on the underlying mechanism and potential therapeutic strategies. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 911:174510. [PMID: 34560077 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays multiple homeostatic roles in the regulation of inflammation, proliferation, differentiation and would healing of various tissues. Many studies have demonstrated that TGF-β stimulates activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, which result in extracellular matrix deposition. Its increased expression can result in many fibrotic diseases, and the level of expression is often correlated with disease severity. On this basis, inhibition of TGF-β and its activity has great therapeutic potential for the treatment of various fibrotic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, renal fibrosis, systemic sclerosis and etc. By understanding the molecular mechanism of TGF-β signaling and activity, researchers were able to develop different strategies in order to modulate the activity of TGF-β. Antisense oligonucleotide was developed to target the mRNA of TGF-β to inhibit its expression. There are also neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that can target the TGF-β ligands or αvβ6 integrin to prevent binding to receptor or activation of latent TGF-β respectively. Soluble TGF-β receptors act as ligand traps that competitively bind to the TGF-β ligands. Many small molecule inhibitors have been developed to inhibit the TGF-β receptor at its cytoplasmic domain and also intracellular signaling molecules. Peptide aptamer technology has been used to target downstream TGF-β signaling. Here, we summarize the underlying mechanism of TGF-β-induced fibrosis and also review various strategies of inhibiting TGF-β in both preclinical and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Hao Ong
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Chau Ling Tham
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Hanis Hazeera Harith
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Nazmi Firdaus
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia
| | - Daud Ahmad Israf
- Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, 43300, Malaysia.
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22
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Sang Y, Tsuji K, Fukushima K, Takahashi K, Kitamura S, Wada J. Semaporin3A-inhibitor ameliorates renal fibrosis through the regulation of JNK signaling. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2021; 321:F740-F756. [PMID: 34747196 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00234.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is the common pathological pathway in progressive renal diseases. In the study, we analyzed the roles of Semaphorin 3A (SEMA3A) on renal fibrosis and the effect of SEMA3A-inhibitor (SEMA3A-I) using unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model. The expression of SEMA3A in the proximal tubulus and neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a recepor of SEMA3A, in fibloblast and tubular cells were increased in the UUO kidneys. The increased expression of myofibroblast marker tenascin-C and fibronection as well as renal fibrosis were increased in UUO kidneys, all of which were ameliorated by SEMA3A-I. In addition, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway known as the target of SEMA3A signaling, was activated in proximal tubular cells and fibroblast cells after UUO surgery while SEMA3A-I significantly attenuated the activation. In vitro, treatments with SEMA3A as well as transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in human proximal tubular cells lost epithelial cell characters while SEMA3A-I significantly ameliorated this transformation. JNK inhibitor, SP600125, partially reversed SEMA3A and TGF-β1-induced cell transformation, indicating that JNK signaling is involved in SEMA3A-induced renal fibrosis. In addition, the treatment with SEMA3A in fibroblast cells activated the expression of tenascin-C, collagen type I and fibronection, indicating that SEMA3A may accelerate renal fibrosis through the activation of fibroblast cells. The analysis of human data revealed the positive correlation between urinary SEMA3A and urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase, indicating the association between SEMA3A and tubular injury. In conclusion, SEMA3A signaling is involved in renal fibrosis through JNK signaling pathway and SEMA3A-I might be the therapeutic option for protecting from renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhen Sang
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kenji Tsuji
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Fukushima
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Kensaku Takahashi
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shinji Kitamura
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Jun Wada
- Department of Nephrology, Rheumatology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
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23
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Giacomelli C, Piccarducci R, Marchetti L, Romei C, Martini C. Pulmonary fibrosis from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic interventions: lessons from post-COVID-19 patients. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 193:114812. [PMID: 34687672 PMCID: PMC8546906 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is characterised by several grades of chronic inflammation and collagen deposition in the interalveolar space and is a hallmark of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Recently, infectious agents have emerged as driving causes for PF development; however, the role of viral/bacterial infections in the initiation and propagation of PF is still debated. In this context, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has been associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and PF development. Although the infection by SARS-CoV-2 can be eradicated in most cases, the development of fibrotic lesions cannot be precluded; furthermore, whether these lesions are stable or progressive fibrotic events is still unknown. Herein, an overview of the main molecular mechanisms driving the fibrotic process together with the currently approved and newly proposed therapeutic solutions was given. Then, the most recent data that emerged from post-COVID-19 patients was discussed, in order to compare PF and COVID-19-dependent PF, highlighting shared and specific mechanisms. A better understanding of PF aetiology is certainly needed, also to develop effective therapeutic strategies and COVID-19 pathology is offering one more chance to do it. Overall, the work reported here could help to define new approaches for therapeutic intervention in the diversity of the ILD spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Giacomelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Rebecca Piccarducci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Laura Marchetti
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy
| | - Chiara Romei
- Multidisciplinary Team of Interstitial Lung Disease, Radiology Department, Pisa University Hospital, Via Paradisa 2, Pisa 56124, Italy
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 6, Pisa 56126, Italy,Corresponding author
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24
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Lin SN, Mao R, Qian C, Bettenworth D, Wang J, Li J, Bruining D, Jairath V, Feagan B, Chen M, Rieder F. Development of Anti-fibrotic Therapy in Stricturing Crohn's Disease: Lessons from Randomized Trials in Other Fibrotic Diseases. Physiol Rev 2021; 102:605-652. [PMID: 34569264 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00005.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal fibrosis is considered an inevitable complication of Crohn's disease (CD) that results in symptoms of obstruction and stricture formation. Endoscopic or surgical treatment is required to treat the majority of patients. Progress in the management of stricturing CD is hampered by the lack of effective anti-fibrotic therapy; however, this situation is likely to change because of recent advances in other fibrotic diseases of the lung, liver and skin. In this review, we summarized data from randomized controlled trials (RCT) of anti-fibrotic therapies in these conditions. Multiple compounds have been tested for the anti-fibrotic effects in other organs. According to their mechanisms, they were categorized into growth factor modulators, inflammation modulators, 5-hydroxy-3-methylgultaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, intracellular enzymes and kinases, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulators and others. From our review of the results from the clinical trials and discussion of their implications in the gastrointestinal tract, we have identified several molecular candidates that could serve as potential therapies for intestinal fibrosis in CD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Nan Lin
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Ren Mao
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Chenchen Qian
- Department of Internal Medicine, UPMC Pinnacle, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States
| | - Dominik Bettenworth
- Department of Medicine B, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Henan Key Laboratory of Immunology and Targeted Drug, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan Province, China
| | - Jiannan Li
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - David Bruining
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, United States
| | - Vipul Jairath
- Alimentiv Inc., London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Brian Feagan
- Alimentiv Inc., London, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada.,Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Minhu Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Florian Rieder
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States.,Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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25
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Yang CC, Yang CM. Chinese Herbs and Repurposing Old Drugs as Therapeutic Agents in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Pulmonary Diseases. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:657-687. [PMID: 33707963 PMCID: PMC7940992 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s293135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Several pro-inflammatory factors and proteins have been characterized that are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, induced by oxidative stress, cytokines, bacterial toxins, and viruses. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as secondary messengers and are products of normal cellular metabolism. Under physiological conditions, ROS protect cells against oxidative stress through the maintenance of cellular redox homeostasis, which is important for proliferation, viability, cell activation, and organ function. However, overproduction of ROS is most frequently due to excessive stimulation of either the mitochondrial electron transport chain and xanthine oxidase or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) by pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor α. NADPH oxidase activation and ROS overproduction could further induce numerous inflammatory target proteins that are potentially mediated via Nox/ROS-related transcription factors triggered by various intracellular signaling pathways. Thus, oxidative stress is considered important in pulmonary inflammatory processes. Previous studies have demonstrated that redox signals can induce pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Thus, therapeutic strategies directly targeting oxidative stress may be effective for pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Therefore, drugs with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties may be beneficial to these diseases. Recent studies have suggested that traditional Chinese medicines, statins, and peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor agonists could modulate inflammation-related signaling processes and may be beneficial for pulmonary inflammatory diseases. In particular, several herbal medicines have attracted attention for the management of pulmonary inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we reviewed the pharmacological effects of these drugs to dissect how they induce host defense mechanisms against oxidative injury to combat pulmonary inflammation. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of oxidative stress and apoptotic cell death can be protected via the induction of HO-1 by these drugs. The main objective of this review is to focus on Chinese herbs and old drugs to develop anti-inflammatory drugs able to induce HO-1 expression for the management of pulmonary inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Chung Yang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Tao-Yuan, Kwei-San, Tao-Yuan, 33302, Taiwan.,School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Kwei-San, Tao-Yuan, 33302, Taiwan
| | - Chuen-Mao Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.,Ph.D. Program for Biotech Pharmaceutical Industry, China Medical University, Taichung, 40402, Taiwan.,Department of Post-Baccalaureate Veterinary Medicine, College of Medical and Health Science, Asia University, Taichung, 41354, Taiwan
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26
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Li G, Qi W, Li X, Zhao J, Luo M, Chen J. Recent Advances in c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase (JNK) Inhibitors. Curr Med Chem 2021; 28:607-627. [PMID: 32039671 DOI: 10.2174/0929867327666200210144114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
c-Jun N-Terminal Kinases (JNKs), members of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, play a key role in the pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer, inflammation, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Therefore, JNKs represent new and excellent target by therapeutic agents. Many JNK inhibitors based on different molecular scaffolds have been discovered in the past decade. However, only a few of them have advanced to clinical trials. The major obstacle for the development of JNK inhibitors as therapeutic agents is the JNKisoform selectivity. In this review, we describe the recent development of JNK inhibitors, including ATP competitive and ATP non-competitive (allosteric) inhibitors, bidentatebinding inhibitors and dual inhibitors, the challenges, and the future direction of JNK inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- Department of Oncology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan 528300, China
| | - Wenqing Qi
- Department of Pathology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis TN 38105, United States
| | - Xiaoxun Li
- Chengdu Easton Biopharmaceuticals Co., Ltd., Chengdu 611731, China
| | - Jinwu Zhao
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, Songshan Lake Science and Technology Industry Park, Dongguan 523808, China
| | - Meihua Luo
- Department of Oncology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan 528300, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Department of Oncology, Shunde Hospital, Southern Medical University (The First People's Hospital of Shunde), Foshan 528300, China
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27
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Le A, Azouz A, Thomas S, Istaces N, Nguyen M, Goriely S. JNK1 Signaling Downstream of the EGFR Pathway Contributes to Aldara ®-Induced Skin Inflammation. Front Immunol 2021; 11:604785. [PMID: 33613525 PMCID: PMC7892463 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.604785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1 (JNK1) is involved in multiple biological processes but its implication in inflammatory skin diseases is still poorly defined. Herein, we studied the role of JNK1 in the context of Aldara®-induced skin inflammation. We observed that constitutive ablation of JNK1 reduced Aldara®-induced acanthosis and expression of inflammatory markers. Conditional deletion of JNK1 in myeloid cells led to reduced skin inflammation, a finding that was associated with impaired Aldara®-induced inflammasome activation in vitro. Next, we evaluated the specific role of JNK1 in epidermal cells. We observed reduced Aldara®-induced acanthosis despite similar levels of inflammatory markers. Transcriptomic and epigenomic analysis of keratinocytes revealed the potential involvement of JNK1 in the EGFR signaling pathway. Finally, we show that inhibition of the EGFR pathway reduced Aldara®-induced acanthosis. Taken together, these data indicate that JNK1 plays a dual role in the context of psoriasis by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines by myeloid cells and the sensitivity of keratinocytes to EGFR ligands. These results suggest that JNK1 could represent a valuable therapeutic target in the context of psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Stanislas Goriely
- Institute for Medical Immunology and ULB Center for Research in Immunology (U-CRI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, Gosselies, Belgium
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28
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Hepp Rehfeldt SC, Majolo F, Goettert MI, Laufer S. c-Jun N-Terminal Kinase Inhibitors as Potential Leads for New Therapeutics for Alzheimer's Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9677. [PMID: 33352989 PMCID: PMC7765872 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is becoming more prevalent as the population lives longer. For individuals over 60 years of age, the prevalence of AD is estimated at 40.19% across the world. Regarding the cognitive decline caused by the disease, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways such as the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway are involved in the progressive loss of neurons and synapses, brain atrophy, and augmentation of the brain ventricles, being activated by synaptic dysfunction, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity. Nowadays, AD symptoms are manageable, but the disease itself remains incurable, thus the inhibition of JNK3 has been explored as a possible therapeutic target, considering that JNK is best known for its involvement in propagating pro-apoptotic signals. This review aims to present biological aspects of JNK, focusing on JNK3 and how it relates to AD. It was also explored the recent development of inhibitors that could be used in AD treatment since several drugs/compounds in phase III clinical trials failed. General aspects of the MAPK family, therapeutic targets, and experimental treatment in models are described and discussed throughout this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Cristine Hepp Rehfeldt
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Vale do Taquari (Univates), Lajeado CEP 95914-014, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; (S.C.H.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Fernanda Majolo
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Vale do Taquari (Univates), Lajeado CEP 95914-014, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; (S.C.H.R.); (F.M.)
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul (BraIns), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre CEP 90619-900, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Márcia Inês Goettert
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology, University of Vale do Taquari (Univates), Lajeado CEP 95914-014, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; (S.C.H.R.); (F.M.)
| | - Stefan Laufer
- Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Tuebingen, D-72076 Tuebingen, Germany
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Checa J, Aran JM. Airway Redox Homeostasis and Inflammation Gone Awry: From Molecular Pathogenesis to Emerging Therapeutics in Respiratory Pathology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E9317. [PMID: 33297418 PMCID: PMC7731288 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As aerobic organisms, we are continuously and throughout our lifetime subjected to an oxidizing atmosphere and, most often, to environmental threats. The lung is the internal organ most highly exposed to this milieu. Therefore, it has evolved to confront both oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a variety of pollutants, pathogens, and allergens that promote inflammation and can harm the airways to different degrees. Indeed, an excess of ROS, generated intrinsically or from external sources, can imprint direct damage to key structural cell components (nucleic acids, sugars, lipids, and proteins) and indirectly perturb ROS-mediated signaling in lung epithelia, impairing its homeostasis. These early events complemented with efficient recognition of pathogen- or damage-associated recognition patterns by the airway resident cells alert the immune system, which mounts an inflammatory response to remove the hazards, including collateral dead cells and cellular debris, in an attempt to return to homeostatic conditions. Thus, any major or chronic dysregulation of the redox balance, the air-liquid interface, or defects in epithelial proteins impairing mucociliary clearance or other defense systems may lead to airway damage. Here, we review our understanding of the key role of oxidative stress and inflammation in respiratory pathology, and extensively report current and future trends in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatments focusing on the following major acute and chronic lung diseases: acute lung injury/respiratory distress syndrome, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, pulmonary fibrosis, and cystic fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Josep M. Aran
- Immune-Inflammatory Processes and Gene Therapeutics Group, IDIBELL, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, 08908 Barcelona, Spain;
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Cheng J, Eroglu A. The Promising Effects of Astaxanthin on Lung Diseases. Adv Nutr 2020; 12:850-864. [PMID: 33179051 PMCID: PMC8166543 DOI: 10.1093/advances/nmaa143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astaxanthin (ASX) is a naturally occurring xanthophyll carotenoid. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that it is a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, whereas other lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, and asthma are of high prevalence. In the past decade, mounting evidence has suggested a protective role for ASX against lung diseases. This article reviews the potential role of ASX in protecting against lung diseases, including lung cancer. It also summarizes the underlying molecular mechanisms by which ASX protects against pulmonary diseases, including regulating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor/heme oxygenase-1 pathway, NF-κB signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 signaling, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt pathway, and modulating immune response. Several future directions are proposed in this review. However, most in vitro and in vivo studies have used ASX at concentrations that are not achievable by humans. Also, no clinical trials have been conducted and/or reported. Thus, preclinical studies with ASX treatment within physiological concentrations as well as human studies are required to examine the health benefits of ASX with respect to lung diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junrui Cheng
- Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC, USA
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31
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Trachalaki A, Irfan M, Wells AU. Pharmacological management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: current and emerging options. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2020; 22:191-204. [PMID: 32993388 DOI: 10.1080/14656566.2020.1822326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis is a chronic, progressive lung disease characterized by worsening lung scarring and the radiological/histological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia. Substantial progress has been made in the clinical management of IPF in the last decade. The two novel antifibrotics, Nintedanib and Pirfenidone have changed the landscape of IPF, by hindering disease progression; however, the drugs have significant discontinuation rates, due to adverse events and do not offer a definitive cure, as such IPF remains a deleterious disease with poor survival. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors focus on the current and emerging pharmacological options in the treatment of IPF. They include a summary of the current approach including treatment of comorbidities and then discuss promising drugs in the drug pipeline. EXPERT OPINION IPF remains a disease with detrimental outcomes. The plethora of emerging pharmacological treatments brings hope for the future. The current pharmacological 'one fits all' approach has been proven effective in slowing disease progression. The future lies in an oncological approach with combination of therapies. We expect to see a change in clinical trial endpoints and a more inclusive approach for the diagnosis of IPF. ABBREVIATION LIST AE: Acute ExacerbationA-SMA: a smooth muscle actinATX: AutotaxinCOPD: Combined Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseCPFE: Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and EmphysemaGER: Gastro-esophageal refluxFVC: forced vital capacityECMO: extracorporeal membrane oxygenationILD: Interstitial Lung DiseaseIPF: Idiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisNAC: N-acetylcysteineLPA: Lysophosphatidic acidPH: Pulmonary RehabilitationPR: Pulmonary rehabilitationRCTs: randomized placebo-controlled trialsUIP: usual interstitial pneumonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Trachalaki
- Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Respiratory Department, Royal Brompton Hospital , London, UK
| | - Mujammil Irfan
- Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Respiratory Department, Royal Brompton Hospital , London, UK
| | - Athol U Wells
- Interstitial Lung Disease Unit, Respiratory Department, Royal Brompton Hospital , London, UK
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32
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George PM, Wells AU, Jenkins RG. Pulmonary fibrosis and COVID-19: the potential role for antifibrotic therapy. THE LANCET. RESPIRATORY MEDICINE 2020; 8:807-815. [PMID: 32422178 PMCID: PMC7228727 DOI: 10.1016/s2213-2600(20)30225-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 679] [Impact Index Per Article: 169.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
In December, 2019, reports emerged from Wuhan, China, of a severe acute respiratory disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). By the end of April, 2020, over 3 million people had been confirmed infected, with over 1 million in the USA alone, and over 215 000 deaths. The symptoms associated with COVID-19 are diverse, ranging from mild upper respiratory tract symptoms to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. The major risk factors for severe COVID-19 are shared with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), namely increasing age, male sex, and comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes. However, the role of antifibrotic therapy in patients with IPF who contract SARS-CoV-2 infection, and the scientific rationale for their continuation or cessation, is poorly defined. Furthermore, several licensed and potential antifibrotic compounds have been assessed in models of acute lung injury and viral pneumonia. Data from previous coronavirus infections such as severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome, as well as emerging data from the COVID-19 pandemic, suggest there could be substantial fibrotic consequences following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Antifibrotic therapies that are available or in development could have value in preventing severe COVID-19 in patients with IPF, have the potential to treat severe COVID-19 in patients without IPF, and might have a role in preventing fibrosis after SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M George
- Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Athol U Wells
- Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - R Gisli Jenkins
- National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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33
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Kim S, Lim JH, Woo CH. Therapeutic potential of targeting kinase inhibition in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Yeungnam Univ J Med 2020; 37:269-276. [PMID: 32693446 PMCID: PMC7606966 DOI: 10.12701/yujm.2020.00458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. The fibrotic process ultimately leads to organ dysfunction and failure in chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, advanced kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common form of progressive and chronic interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. Pathophysiologically, the parenchyma of the lung alveoli, interstitium, and capillary endothelium becomes scarred and stiff, which makes breathing difficult because the lungs have to work harder to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveolar space and bloodstream. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and scarring of the lung tissue. Recent clinical trials focused on the development of pharmacological agents that either directly or indirectly target kinases for the treatment of IPF. Therefore, to develop therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis, it is essential to understand the key factors involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and the underlying signaling pathway. The objective of this review is to discuss the role of kinase signaling cascades in the regulation of either TGF-β-dependent or other signaling pathways, including Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5, and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase pathways, and potential therapeutic targets in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suji Kim
- Smart-Ageing Convergence Research Center, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.,Department of Pharmacology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Jae Hyang Lim
- Department of Microbiology, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Hoon Woo
- Smart-Ageing Convergence Research Center, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.,Department of Pharmacology, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
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34
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Duong MTH, Lee JH, Ahn HC. C-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitors: Structural insight into kinase-inhibitor complexes. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1440-1457. [PMID: 32637042 PMCID: PMC7327381 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.06.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) plays an important role in physiological processes including neuronal function, immune activity, and development, and thus, JNKs have been a therapeutic target for various diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, inflammation, and cancer. Efforts to develop JNK-specific inhibitors have been ongoing for several decades. In this process, the structures of JNK in complex with various inhibitors have contributed greatly to the design of novel compounds and to the elucidation of structure-activity relationships. Almost 100 JNK structures with various compounds have been determined. Here we summarize the information gained from these structures and classify the inhibitors into several groups based on the binding mode. These groups include inhibitors in the open conformation and closed conformation of the gatekeeper residue, non-ATP site binders, peptides, covalent inhibitors, and type II kinase inhibitors. Through this work, deep insight into the interaction of inhibitors with JNKs can be gained and this will be helpful for developing novel, potent, and selective inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Men Thi Hoai Duong
- Department of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Gyeonggi 10326, South Korea
| | - Joon-Hwa Lee
- Department of Chemistry and RINS, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Gyeongnam 52828, South Korea
| | - Hee-Chul Ahn
- Department of Pharmacy, Dongguk University-Seoul, Goyang, Gyeonggi 10326, South Korea
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35
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Sang Y, Tsuji K, Inoue-Torii A, Fukushima K, Kitamura S, Wada J. Semaphorin3A-Inhibitor Ameliorates Doxorubicin-Induced Podocyte Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114099. [PMID: 32521824 PMCID: PMC7312798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Podocyte injury is an independent risk factor for the progression of renal diseases. Semaphorin3A (SEMA3A), expressed in podocytes and tubular cells in the mammalian adult kidneys, has been reported to regulate diverse biological functions and be associated with renal diseases. Here, we investigated pathological roles of SEMA3A signaling on podocyte injury using a doxorubicin (Dox)-induced mouse model and examined the therapeutic effect of SEMA3A-inhibitor (SEMA3A-I). We demonstrated that Dox caused massive albuminuria and podocyte apoptosis as well as an increase of SEMA3A expression in podocytes, all of which were ameliorated with SEMA3A-I treatment. In addition, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), known as a downstream of SEMA3A signaling, was activated in Dox-injected mouse podocytes while SEMA3A-I treatment partially blocked the activation. In vitro, SEMA3A-I protected against Dox-induced podocyte apoptosis and recombinant SEMA3A caused podocyte apoptosis with activation of JNK signaling. JNK inhibitor, SP600125, attenuated SEMA3A-induced podocyte apoptosis, indicating that the JNK pathway would be involved in SEMA3A-induced podocyte apoptosis. Furthermore, the analysis of human data revealed a positive correlation between levels of urinary SEMA3A and protein, suggesting that SEMA3A is associated with podocyte injury. In conclusion, SEMA3A has essential roles in podocyte injury and it would be the therapeutic target for protecting from podocyte injury.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Shinji Kitamura
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-86-235-7235; Fax: +81-86-222-5214
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36
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Cui L, Chen SY, Lerbs T, Lee JW, Domizi P, Gordon S, Kim YH, Nolan G, Betancur P, Wernig G. Activation of JUN in fibroblasts promotes pro-fibrotic programme and modulates protective immunity. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2795. [PMID: 32493933 PMCID: PMC7270081 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor JUN is highly expressed in pulmonary fibrosis. Its induction in mice drives lung fibrosis, which is abrogated by administration of anti-CD47. Here, we use high-dimensional mass cytometry to profile protein expression and secretome of cells from patients with pulmonary fibrosis. We show that JUN is activated in fibrotic fibroblasts that expressed increased CD47 and PD-L1. Using ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq, we found that activation of JUN rendered promoters and enhancers of CD47 and PD-L1 accessible. We further detect increased IL-6 that amplified JUN-mediated CD47 enhancer activity and protein expression. Using an in vivo mouse model of fibrosis, we found two distinct mechanisms by which blocking IL-6, CD47 and PD-L1 reversed fibrosis, by increasing phagocytosis of profibrotic fibroblasts and by eliminating suppressive effects on adaptive immunity. Our results identify specific immune mechanisms that promote fibrosis and suggest a therapeutic approach that could be used alongside conventional anti-fibrotics for pulmonary fibrosis. Fibroblast contributions to lung fibrosis and in particular their crosstalk with immune cells in the lung are incompletely understood. Here, the authors show an overall immune suppressive environment transcriptionally controlled and maintained by fibroblasts in lung fibrosis with possible therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Cui
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Shih-Yu Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Tristan Lerbs
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Jin-Wook Lee
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Pablo Domizi
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Sydney Gordon
- Orca Biosystems, 3475 Edison Way, Suite B, Menlo Park, 94025, CA, USA
| | - Yong-Hun Kim
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Garry Nolan
- Baxter Laboratories Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA
| | - Paola Betancur
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, San Francisco, 94143, CA, USA
| | - Gerlinde Wernig
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (ISCBRM), Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, 94305, CA, USA.
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37
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Hammouda MB, Ford AE, Liu Y, Zhang JY. The JNK Signaling Pathway in Inflammatory Skin Disorders and Cancer. Cells 2020; 9:E857. [PMID: 32252279 PMCID: PMC7226813 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), with its members JNK1, JNK2, and JNK3, is a subfamily of (MAPK) mitogen-activated protein kinases. JNK signaling regulates a wide range of cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, and inflammation. Dysregulation of JNK pathway is associated with a wide range of immune disorders and cancer. Our objective is to provide a review of JNK proteins and their upstream regulators and downstream effector molecules in common skin disorders, including psoriasis, dermal fibrosis, scleroderma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel B. Hammouda
- Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.B.H.); (A.E.F.); (Y.L.)
| | - Amy E. Ford
- Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.B.H.); (A.E.F.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.B.H.); (A.E.F.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jennifer Y. Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; (M.B.H.); (A.E.F.); (Y.L.)
- Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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38
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Tesch GH, Ma FY, Nikolic‐Paterson DJ. Targeting apoptosis signal‐regulating kinase 1 in acute and chronic kidney disease. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 303:2553-2560. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Greg H. Tesch
- Department of NephrologyMonash University Victoria Australia
- Department of MedicineMonash Medical Centre Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Frank Y. Ma
- Department of NephrologyMonash University Victoria Australia
- Department of MedicineMonash Medical Centre Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - David J. Nikolic‐Paterson
- Department of NephrologyMonash University Victoria Australia
- Department of MedicineMonash Medical Centre Clayton Victoria Australia
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39
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Zhang Y, Distler JHW. Therapeutic molecular targets of SSc-ILD. JOURNAL OF SCLERODERMA AND RELATED DISORDERS 2020; 5:17-30. [DOI: 10.1177/2397198319899013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a fibrosing chronic connective tissue disease of unknown etiology. A major hallmark of systemic sclerosis is the uncontrolled and persistent activation of fibroblasts, which release excessive amounts of extracellular matrix, lead to organ dysfunction, and cause high mobility and motility of patients. Systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease is one of the most common fibrotic organ manifestations in systemic sclerosis and a major cause of death. Treatment options for systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease and other fibrotic manifestations, however, remain very limited. Thus, there is a huge medical need for effective therapies that target tissue fibrosis, vascular alterations, inflammation, and autoimmune disease in systemic sclerosis–associated interstitial lung disease. In this review, we discuss data suggesting therapeutic ways to target different genes in distinct tissues/organs that contribute to the development of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jörg HW Distler
- Department of Internal Medicine 3—Rheumatology and Immunology, University Hospital Erlangen, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
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40
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van der Velden JL, Alcorn JF, Chapman DG, Lundblad LKA, Irvin CG, Davis RJ, Butnor K, Janssen-Heininger YMW. Airway epithelial specific deletion of Jun-N-terminal kinase 1 attenuates pulmonary fibrosis in two independent mouse models. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0226904. [PMID: 31935227 PMCID: PMC6959564 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The stress-induced kinase, c-Jun-N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis. However, the exact cell type(s) wherein JNK1 exerts its pro-fibrotic role(s) remained enigmatic. Herein we demonstrate prominent activation of JNK in bronchial epithelia using the mouse models of bleomycin- or AdTGFβ1-induced fibrosis. Furthermore, in lung tissues of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), active JNK was observed in various regions including type I and type II pneumocytes and fibroblasts. No JNK activity was observed in adjacent normal tissue or in normal control tissue. To address the role of epithelial JNK1, we ablated Jnk1 form bronchiolar and alveolar type II epithelial cells using CCSP-directed Cre recombinase-mediated ablation of LoxP-flanked Jnk1 alleles. Our results demonstrate that ablation of Jnk1 from airway epithelia resulted in a strong protection from bleomycin- or adenovirus expressing active transforming growth factor beta-1 (AdTGFβ1)-induced fibrosis. Ablation of the Jnk1 allele at a time when collagen increases were already present showed a reversal of existing increases in collagen content. Epithelial Jnk1 ablation resulted in attenuation of mesenchymal genes and proteins in lung tissue and preserved expression of epithelial genes. Collectively, these data suggest that epithelial JNK1 contributes to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Given the presence of active JNK in lungs from patients with IPF, targeting JNK1 in airway epithelia may represent a potential treatment strategy to combat this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jos L. van der Velden
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - John F. Alcorn
- Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David G. Chapman
- Departments of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Lennart K. A. Lundblad
- Departments of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Charles G. Irvin
- Departments of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Roger J. Davis
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kelly Butnor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
| | - Yvonne M. W. Janssen-Heininger
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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41
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Non-canonical (non-SMAD2/3) TGF-β signaling in fibrosis: Mechanisms and targets. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 101:115-122. [PMID: 31883994 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β uses several intracellular signaling pathways besides canonical ALK5-Smad2/3 signaling to regulate a diverse array of cellular functions. Several of these so-called non-canonical (non-Smad2/3) pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of fibrosis and may therefore represent targets for therapeutic intervention. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the mechanisms of non-canonical TGF-β signaling in fibrosis, the potential molecular targets and the use of agonists/antagonists for therapeutic intervention.
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42
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Javed E, Thangavel C, Frara N, Singh J, Mohanty I, Hypolite J, Birbe R, Braverman AS, Den RB, Rattan S, Zderic SA, Deshpande DA, Penn RB, Ruggieri MR, Chacko S, Boopathi E. Increased expression of desmin and vimentin reduces bladder smooth muscle contractility via JNK2. FASEB J 2019; 34:2126-2146. [PMID: 31909533 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201901301r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 10/18/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Bladder dysfunction is associated with the overexpression of the intermediate filament (IF) proteins desmin and vimentin in obstructed bladder smooth muscle (BSM). However, the mechanisms by which these proteins contribute to BSM dysfunction are not known. Previous studies have shown that desmin and vimentin directly participate in signal transduction. In this study, we hypothesized that BSM dysfunction associated with overexpression of desmin or vimentin is mediated via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). We employed a model of murine BSM tissue in which increased expression of desmin or vimentin was induced by adenoviral transduction to examine the sufficiency of increased IF protein expression to reduce BSM contraction. Murine BSM strips overexpressing desmin or vimentin generated less force in response to KCl and carbachol relative to the levels in control murine BSM strips, an effect associated with increased JNK2 phosphorylation and reduced myosin light chain (MLC20 ) phosphorylation. Furthermore, desmin and vimentin overexpressions did not alter BSM contractility and MLC20 phosphorylation in strips isolated from JNK2 knockout mice. Pharmacological JNK2 inhibition produced results qualitatively similar to those caused by JNK2 knockout. These findings suggest that inhibition of JNK2 may improve diminished BSM contractility associated with obstructive bladder disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Javed
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Nagat Frara
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jagmohan Singh
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ipsita Mohanty
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joseph Hypolite
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ruth Birbe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cooper University Health Care, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Alan S Braverman
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Robert B Den
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Satish Rattan
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Stephen A Zderic
- Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Deepak A Deshpande
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Raymond B Penn
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Michael R Ruggieri
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Samuel Chacko
- Division of Urology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ettickan Boopathi
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Division of Urology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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Schnieder J, Mamazhakypov A, Birnhuber A, Wilhelm J, Kwapiszewska G, Ruppert C, Markart P, Wujak L, Rubio K, Barreto G, Schaefer L, Wygrecka M. Loss of LRP1 promotes acquisition of contractile-myofibroblast phenotype and release of active TGF-β1 from ECM stores. Matrix Biol 2019; 88:69-88. [PMID: 31841706 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2019.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In healing tissue, fibroblasts differentiate to α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-expressing contractile-myofibroblasts, which pull the wound edges together ensuring proper tissue repair. Uncontrolled expansion of the myofibroblast population may, however, lead to excessive tissue scarring and finally to organ dysfunction. Here, we demonstrate that the loss of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) 1 overactivates the JNK1/2-c-Jun-Fra-2 signaling pathway leading to the induction of α-SMA and periostin expression in human lung fibroblasts (hLF). These changes are accompanied by increased contractility of the cells and the integrin- and protease-dependent release of active transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 from the extracellular matrix (ECM) stores. Liberation of active TGF-β1 from the ECM further enhances α-SMA and periostin expression thus accelerating the phenotypic switch of hLF. Global gene expression profiling of LRP1-depleted hLF revealed that the loss of LRP1 affects cytoskeleton reorganization, cell-ECM contacts, and ECM production. In line with these findings, fibrotic changes in the skin and lung of Fra-2 transgenic mice were associated with LRP1 depletion and c-Jun overexpression. Altogether, our results suggest that dysregulation of LRP1 expression in fibroblasts in healing tissue may lead to the unrestrained expansion of contractile myofibroblasts and thereby to fibrosis development. Further studies identifying molecules, which regulate LRP1 expression, may provide new therapeutic options for largely untreatable human fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schnieder
- Departments of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Argen Mamazhakypov
- Departments of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Anna Birnhuber
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Lung Vascular Research, Graz, Austria
| | - Jochen Wilhelm
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Clemens Ruppert
- Departments of Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Philipp Markart
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Fulda Hospital, University Medicine Marburg, Campus Fulda, Fulda, Germany
| | - Lukasz Wujak
- Departments of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Karla Rubio
- Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Guillermo Barreto
- Lung Cancer Epigenetic, Max-Planck-Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany; Brain and Lung Epigenetics, Laboratoire Croissance, Réparation et Régénération Tissulaires (CRRET), Université Paris Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil, France
| | - Liliana Schaefer
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Goethe University, Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Wygrecka
- Departments of Biochemistry and Internal Medicine, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany.
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44
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Current advances in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: the pathogenesis, therapeutic strategies and candidate molecules. Future Med Chem 2019; 11:2595-2620. [PMID: 31633402 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2019-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a type of chronic, progressive lung disease with unknown cause, which is characterized by increasing dyspnea and destruction of lung function with a high mortality rate. Evolving evidence demonstrated that the pathogenesis of IPF involved multiple signaling pathways such as inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. However, drug discovery to prevent or revert IPF has been insufficient to cope with the development. Drug discovery targeting multiple links should be considered. In this review, we will brief the pathogenesis of IPF and discuss several small chemical entities toward the pathogenesis for IPF studied in animal models and clinical trials. The field of novel anti-IPF agents and the future directions for the prevention and treatment of IPF are detailed thoroughly discussed.
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45
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Xu F, Xu F, Xie S, Zuo W, Wen G, Zhao T, Wan X. MicroRNA-448 overexpression inhibits fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis and promotes cell apoptosis via targeting ABCC3 through the JNK signaling pathway. J Cell Physiol 2019; 235:1374-1385. [PMID: 31506947 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a condition that results in the progressive deterioration of lung function with poor prognosis. The current study is aimed at exploring how microRNA-448 (miR-448) targeting ABCC3 affects fibroblast proliferation, apoptosis, and collagen synthesis of mice with IPF via the Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase polymerase chain reaction were used to predict the relationship of miR-448 and ABCC3. The expression of miR-448 and ABCC3 was detected in IPF tissues. Using IPF mouse models, lung fibroblasts for the experiments were treated with miR-448 mimic, miR-448 inhibitor, si-ABCC3, or SP600125 (inhibitor of JNK) to evaluate the cell proliferation and apoptosis in response to miR-448. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to identify the expression of miR-448, ABCC3, and the activation of the JNK signaling pathway. ABCC3 was targeted and downregulated by miR-448 based on bioinformatics prediction and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Additionally, miR-448 was found to be highly expressed in IPF lung tissues with low expression levels of ABCC3. In response to the treatment of miR-448 mimic or si-ABCC3, lung fibroblasts exhibited decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptotic rates, whereas the miR-448 inhibitor reversed the conditions. Notably, we also found that miR-448 mimic inhibited the JNK signaling pathway. In conclusion, by using miR-448 to target and downregulate ABCC3 to block the JNK signaling pathway in mice with IPF, we found an increase in fibroblast apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation, and decreased collagen synthesis of fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feihong Xu
- Clinical Medicine, Queen Mary College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shiguang Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei Zuo
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Guilan Wen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tiantian Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Wan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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46
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Somogyi V, Chaudhuri N, Torrisi SE, Kahn N, Müller V, Kreuter M. The therapy of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: what is next? Eur Respir Rev 2019; 28:28/153/190021. [PMID: 31484664 DOI: 10.1183/16000617.0021-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 154] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, fibrosing interstitial lung disease, characterised by progressive scarring of the lung and associated with a high burden of disease and early death. The pathophysiological understanding, clinical diagnostics and therapy of IPF have significantly evolved in recent years. While the recent introduction of the two antifibrotic drugs pirfenidone and nintedanib led to a significant reduction in lung function decline, there is still no cure for IPF; thus, new therapeutic approaches are needed. Currently, several clinical phase I-III trials are focusing on novel therapeutic targets. Furthermore, new approaches in nonpharmacological treatments in palliative care, pulmonary rehabilitation, lung transplantation, management of comorbidities and acute exacerbations aim to improve symptom control and quality of life. Here we summarise new therapeutic attempts and potential future approaches to treat this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivien Somogyi
- Center for Interstitial and Rare Lung Diseases, Thoraxklinik, University of Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Dept of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nazia Chaudhuri
- Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Sebastiano Emanuele Torrisi
- Center for Interstitial and Rare Lung Diseases, Thoraxklinik, University of Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany.,Regional Referral Centre for Rare Lung Diseases, University Hospital "Policlinico", Dept of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Nicolas Kahn
- Center for Interstitial and Rare Lung Diseases, Thoraxklinik, University of Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Veronika Müller
- Dept of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Michael Kreuter
- Center for Interstitial and Rare Lung Diseases, Thoraxklinik, University of Heidelberg, German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Heidelberg, Germany
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47
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Xylourgidis N, Min K, Ahangari F, Yu G, Herazo-Maya JD, Karampitsakos T, Aidinis V, Binzenhöfer L, Bouros D, Bennett AM, Kaminski N, Tzouvelekis A. Role of dual-specificity protein phosphatase DUSP10/MKP-5 in pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 317:L678-L689. [PMID: 31483681 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00264.2018] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 5 (MKP-5) is a member of the dual-specificity family of protein tyrosine phosphatases that negatively regulates p38 MAPK and the JNK. MKP-5-deficient mice exhibit improved muscle repair and reduced fibrosis in an animal model of muscular dystrophy. Here, we asked whether the effects of MKP-5 on muscle fibrosis extend to other tissues. Using a bleomycin-induced model of pulmonary fibrosis, we found that MKP-5-deficient mice were protected from the development of lung fibrosis, expressed reduced levels of hydroxyproline and fibrogenic genes, and displayed marked polarization towards an M1-macrophage phenotype. We showed that the profibrogenic effects of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were inhibited in MKP-5-deficient lung fibroblasts. MKP-5-deficient fibroblasts exhibited enhanced p38 MAPK activity, impaired Smad3 phosphorylation, increased Smad7 levels, and decreased expression of fibrogenic genes. Myofibroblast differentiation was attenuated in MKP-5-deficient fibroblasts. Finally, we found that MKP-5 expression was increased in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF)-derived lung fibroblasts but not in whole IPF lungs. These data suggest that MKP-5 plays an essential role in promoting lung fibrosis. Our results couple MKP-5 with the TGF-β1 signaling machinery and imply that MKP-5 inhibition may serve as a therapeutic target for human lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikos Xylourgidis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Kisuk Min
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Texas, El Paso, Texas
| | - Farida Ahangari
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Guoying Yu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jose D Herazo-Maya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | | | - Vassilis Aidinis
- Division of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Athens, Greece
| | - Leonhard Binzenhöfer
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Demosthenes Bouros
- First Academic Department of Pneumonology, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Anton M Bennett
- Department of Pharmacology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Argyrios Tzouvelekis
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.,Division of Immunology, Biomedical Sciences Research Center "Alexander Fleming," Athens, Greece
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48
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Wang D, Yan Z, Bu L, An C, Deng B, Zhang J, Rao J, Cheng L, Zhang J, Zhang B, Xie J. Protective effect of peptide DR8 on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β/MAPK signaling pathway and oxidative stress. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2019; 382:114703. [PMID: 31398421 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2019.114703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Revised: 08/02/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a fatal and irreversible lung disease that eventually causes respiratory failure, lung dysfunction and death. The peptide DHNNPQIR-NH2 (DR8) has been reported to possess potent antioxidant activity, and an imbalance of oxidation/antioxidation is a crucial mechanism that causes PF. Here, we studied the ability of DR8 to improve PF and further explored the pathway in which DR8 plays a critical role. We found that after prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with DR8, fibrosis-associated indices, including marker proteins, proinflammatory cytokines and profibrogenic cytokines, were significantly downregulated. Importantly, DR8 could reduce bleomycin-induced pathological changes and collagen deposition, especially collagen I content. Furthermore, DR8 prominently upregulated nonenzymatic antioxidants and enzymatic antioxidants. Consistent with the in vivo results, we observed that DR8 significantly inhibited the proliferation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of A549 cells and NIH3T3 cells stimulated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), as well as decreased NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) levels under the same conditions. Moreover, DR8 reversed the TGF-β1-induced upregulation of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in cells and the bleomycin-induced upregulation of these indices in mice. Our results indicate that DR8 could prevent and treat PF by reducing oxidative damage and suppressing the TGF-β/MAPK pathway. Because of the high efficiency and low toxicity of DR8, we consider that DR8 could be a candidate drug for PF, and our studies establish a foundation for the development of a lead compound to be used as a therapy for fibrosis-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Zhibin Yan
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lili Bu
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chunmei An
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bochuan Deng
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jianfeng Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jing Rao
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Lu Cheng
- School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Jingying Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Bangzhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
| | - Junqiu Xie
- Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China.
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49
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Ucero AC, Bakiri L, Roediger B, Suzuki M, Jimenez M, Mandal P, Braghetta P, Bonaldo P, Paz-Ares L, Fustero-Torre C, Ximenez-Embun P, Hernandez AI, Megias D, Wagner EF. Fra-2-expressing macrophages promote lung fibrosis in mice. J Clin Invest 2019; 129:3293-3309. [PMID: 31135379 DOI: 10.1172/jci125366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a deadly disease with limited therapies. Tissue fibrosis is associated with Type 2 immune response, although the causal contribution of immune cells is not defined. The AP-1 transcription factor Fra-2 is upregulated in IPF lung sections and Fra-2 transgenic mice (Fra-2tg) exhibit spontaneous lung fibrosis. Here we show that Bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis is attenuated upon myeloid-inactivation of Fra-2 and aggravated in Fra-2tg bone marrow chimeras. Type VI collagen (ColVI), a Fra-2 transcriptional target, is up-regulated in three lung fibrosis models, and macrophages promote myofibroblast activation in vitro in a ColVI- and Fra-2-dependent manner. Fra-2 or ColVI inactivation does not affect macrophage recruitment and alternative activation, suggesting that Fra-2/ColVI specifically controls the paracrine pro-fibrotic activity of macrophages. Importantly, ColVI knock-out mice (KO) and ColVI-KO bone marrow chimeras are protected from Bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. Therapeutic administration of a Fra-2/AP-1 inhibitor reduces ColVI expression and ameliorates fibrosis in Fra-2tg mice and in the Bleomycin model. Finally, Fra-2 and ColVI positively correlate in IPF patient samples and co-localize in lung macrophages. Therefore, the Fra-2/ColVI pro-fibrotic axis is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for lung fibrosis, and possibly other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro C Ucero
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Latifa Bakiri
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ben Roediger
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.,Skin Imaging and Inflammation Laboratory, The Centenary Institute, Newtown, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Masakatsu Suzuki
- End-Organ Disease Laboratories, R&D Division, Daiichi Sankyo Company, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Maria Jimenez
- Genes, Development and Disease Group, Cancer Cell Biology Programme, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pratyusha Mandal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Paola Braghetta
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonaldo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Diego Megias
- Confocal Microscopy Core Unit, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - Erwin F Wagner
- Laboratory Genes and Disease, Department of Dermatology and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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50
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Jin YK, Li XH, Wang W, Liu J, Zhang W, Fang YS, Zhang ZF, Dai HP, Ning W, Wang C. Follistatin-Like 1 Promotes Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis through the Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway. Chin Med J (Engl) 2018; 131:1917-1925. [PMID: 30082522 PMCID: PMC6085847 DOI: 10.4103/0366-6999.238151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) is a novel profibrogenic factor that induces pulmonary fibrosis (PF) through the transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling. Little is known about its effects on PF through the non-Smad signaling, like the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of FSTL1 in PF through the MAPK signaling pathway and its mechanisms in lung fibrogenesis. Methods PF was induced in Fstl1+/-and wild-type (WT) C57BL/6 mice with bleomycin. After 14 days, the mice were sacrificed, and lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin; the hydroxyproline content was measured to confirm PF. The mRNA and protein level of FSTL1 and the change of MAPK phosphorylation were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The effect of Fstl1 deficiency on fibroblasts differentiation was measured by Western blotting and cell immunofluorescence. MAPK signaling activation was measured by Western blotting in Fstl1+/- and WT fibroblasts treated with recombinant human FSTL1 protein. We pretreated mouse lung fibroblast cells with inhibitors of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling and analyzed their differentiation, proliferation, migration, and invasion by Western blotting, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis, and transwell assays. The Student's t-test was used to compare the differences between two groups. Results Fstl1 deficiency attenuated phosphorylation of the ERK, p38, and JNK signaling in bleomycin-induced fibrotic lung tissue 14 days after injury (0.67 ± 0.05 vs. 1.22 ± 0.03, t = 14.92, P = 0.0001; 0.41 ± 0.01 vs. 1.15 ± 0.07; t = 11.19; P = 0.0004; and 0.41 ± 0.01 vs. 1.07 ± 0.07, t = 8.92, P = 0.0009; respectively), compared with WT lungs at the same time and in primary lung fibroblasts (0.82 ± 0.01 vs. 1.01 ± 0.04, t = 4.06, P = 0.0150; 1.04 ± 0.03 vs. 1.24 ± 0.03, t = 4.44, P = 0.0100; and 0.76 ± 0.05 vs. 0.99 ± 0.05, t = 4.48, P = 0.0100; respectively), compared with TGF-β1-stimulated WT group. Recombinant human FSTL1 protein in lung fibroblasts enhanced TGF-β1-mediated phosphorylation of the ERK (1.19 ± 0.08 vs. 0.55 ± 0.04, t = 6.99, P = 0.0020), p38 (1.18 ± 0.04 vs. 0.66 ± 0.03, t = 11.20, P = 0.0020), and JNK (1.11 ± 0.01 vs. 0.84 ± 0.04, t = 6.53, P = 0.0030), compared with the TGF-β1-stimulated WT group. Fstl1-deficient fibroblasts showed reduced alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression (0.70 ± 0.06 vs. 1.28 ± 0.11, t = 4.65, P = 0.0035, compared with the untreated WT group; 1.40 ± 0.05 vs. 1.76 ± 0.02, t = 6.31, P = 0.0007; compared with the TGF-β1-treated WT group). Compared with the corresponding condition in the control group, the TGF-β1/FSTL1-mediated α-SMA expression was significantly suppressed by pretreatment with an inhibitor of p38 (0.73 ± 0.01 vs. 1.13 ± 0.10, t = 3.92, P = 0.0078) and JNK (0.78 ± 0.03 vs. 1.08 ± 0.06, t = 4.40, P = 0.0046) signaling. The proliferation of mouse lung fibroblast cells (MLgs) significantly decreased after treatment of an inhibitor of p38 (0.30 ± 0.01 vs. 0.46 ± 0.03, t = 4.64, P = 0.0009), JNK (0.30 ± 0.01 vs. 0.49 ± 0.01, t = 12.84, P = 0.0001), and Smad2/3 (0.18 ± 0.02 vs. 0.46 ± 0.02, t = 12.69, P = 0.0001) signaling compared with the dimethylsulfoxide group. The migration and invasion cells of MLgs significantly decreased in medium pretreated with an inhibitor of p38 (70.17 ± 3.28 vs. 116.30 ± 7.11, t = 5.89, P = 0.0042 for the migratory cells; 19.87 ± 0.84 vs. 32.70 ± 0.95, t = 10.14, P = 0.0005 for the invasive cells), JNK (72.30 ± 3.85 vs. 116.30 ± 7.11, t = 5.44, P = 0.0056 for the migratory cells; 18.03 ± 0.94 vs. 32.70 ± 0.95, t = 11.00, P = 0.0004 for the invasive cells), and Smad2/3 (64.76 ± 1.41 vs. 116.30 ± 7.11, t = 7.11, P = 0.0021 for the migratory cells; 18.03 ± 0.94 vs. 32.70 ± 0.95, t = 13.29, P = 0.0002 for the invasive cells) signaling compared with the corresponding condition in the dimethylsulfoxide group. Conclusion FSTL1 affects lung fibroblast differentiation, proliferation, migration, and invasion through p38 and JNK signaling, and in this way, it might influence the development of PF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Kun Jin
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University; Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Capital Medical University; Department of Respiratory Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Xiao-He Li
- Department of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Wang Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Capital Medical University; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Capital Medical University; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Capital Medical University; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Yin-Shan Fang
- Department of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Zhi-Fei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Capital Medical University; Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
| | - Hua-Ping Dai
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
| | - Wen Ning
- Department of Life Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Respiratory Disease, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Capital Medical University; Department of Respiratory Disease, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China
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