1
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Kang Z, Wang C, Shao F, Deng H, Sun Y, Ren Z, Zhang W, Ding Z, Zhang J, Zang Y. The increase of long noncoding RNA Fendrr in hepatocytes contributes to liver fibrosis by promoting IL-6 production. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107376. [PMID: 38762176 PMCID: PMC11190708 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107376] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Liver fibrosis/cirrhosis is a pathological state caused by excessive extracellular matrix deposition. Sustained activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) is the predominant cause of liver fibrosis, but the detailed mechanism is far from clear. In this study, we found that long noncoding RNA Fendrr is exclusively increased in hepatocytes in the murine model of CCl4- and bile duct ligation-induced liver fibrosis, as well as in the biopsies of liver cirrhosis patients. In vivo, ectopic expression of Fendrr aggravated the severity of CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice. In contrast, inhibiting Fendrr blockaded the activation of HSC and ameliorated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Our mechanistic study showed that Fendrr binds to STAT2 and enhances its enrichment in the nucleus, which then promote the expression of interleukin 6 (IL-6), and, ultimately, activates HSC in a paracrine manner. Accordingly, disrupting the interaction between Fendrr and STAT2 by ectopic expression of a STAT2 mutant attenuated the profibrotic response inspired by Fendrr in the CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Notably, the increase of Fendrr in patient fibrotic liver is positively correlated with the severity of fibrosis and the expression of IL-6. Meanwhile, hepatic IL-6 positively correlates with the extent of liver fibrosis and HSC activation as well, thus suggesting a causative role of Fendrr in HSC activation and liver fibrosis. In conclusion, these observations identify an important regulatory cross talk between hepatocyte Fendrr and HSC activation in the progression of liver fibrosis, which might represent a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqian Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chenqi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Fang Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Hao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yanyan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China; State Key Laboratory for Organic Electronics and Information Displays (SKLOEID) & Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Biosensors, Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM), Jiangsu National Synergistic Innovation Center for Advanced Materials (SICAM), School of Chemistry and Life Sciences, Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhengrong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Wei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Zhi Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Junfeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Yuhui Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China.
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2
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Liao YW, Yu CC, Hsieh CW, Chao SC, Hsieh PL. Aberrantly downregulated FENDRR by arecoline elevates ROS and myofibroblast activation via mitigating the miR-214/MFN2 axis. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130504. [PMID: 38442830 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130504] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Long non-coding RNA FENDRR possesses both anti-fibrotic and anti-cancer properties, but its significance in the development of premalignant oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) remains unclear. Here, we showed that FENDRR was downregulated in OSF specimens and fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs), and overexpression of FENDRR mitigated various myofibroblasts hallmarks, and vice versa. In the course of investigating the mechanism underlying the implication of FENDRR in myofibroblast transdifferentiation, we found that FENDRR can directly bind to miR-214 and exhibit its suppressive effect on myofibroblast activation via titrating miR-214. Moreover, we showed that mitofusin 2 (MFN2), a protein that is crucial to the fusion of mitochondria, was a direct target of miR-214. Our data suggested that FENDRR was positively correlated with MFN2 and MFN2 was required for the inhibitory property of FENDRR pertaining to myofibroblast phenotypes. Additionally, our results showed that the FENDRR/miR-214 axis participated in the arecoline-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Building on these results, we concluded that the aberrant downregulation of FENDRR in OSF may be associated with chronic exposure to arecoline, leading to upregulation of ROS and myofibroblast activation via the miR-214-mediated suppression of MFN2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Wen Liao
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chia Yu
- Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; School of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Department of Dentistry, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Chang-Wei Hsieh
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40447, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Chi Chao
- Department of Medical Research, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Institute of Oral Sciences, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Ling Hsieh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
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3
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Zhao T, Gong B, Luo S, Zhang R, Zhang L, Huang Y, Gao H, Gong T. A fibroblastic foci-targeting and hypoxia-cleavable delivery system of pirfenidone for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Acta Biomater 2023:S1742-7061(23)00349-5. [PMID: 37356783 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.06.024] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
The progressive formation of fibroblastic foci characterizes idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), and excessive oral doses of approved pirfenidone (PFD) always cause gastrointestinal side effects. The fibrotic response driven by activated fibroblasts could perpetuate epithelial damage and promote abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. When modified nanoparticles reach their target, it is important to ensure a responsive release of PFD. Hypoxia is a determining factor in IPF, leading to alveolar dysfunction and deeper cellular fibrosis. Herein, a fibroblastic foci-targeting and hypoxia-cleavable drug delivery system (Fn-Azo-BSA@PEG) was established to reprogram the fibrosis in IPF. We have modified the FnBAP5 peptide to enable comprehensive fibroblastic foci targeting, which helps BSA nanoparticles recognize and accumulate at fibrotic sites. Meantime, the hypoxia-responsive azobenzene group allowed for efficient and rapid drug diffusion, while the PEGylated BSA reduced system toxicity and increased circulation in vivo. As expected, the strategy of the fibronectin-targeting-modification and hypoxia-responsive drug release synergistically inhibited activated fibroblasts and reduced the secretion of the fibrosis-related protein. Fn-Azo-BSA@PEG could accumulate in pulmonary tissue and prolong the survival time in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice. Together, the multivalent BSA nanoparticles offered an efficient approach for improving lung architecture and function by regulating the fibroblastic foci and hypoxia. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We established fibroblastic foci-targeting and hypoxia-cleavable bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles (Fn-Azo-BSA@PEG) to reprogramme the fibroblastic foci in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Fn-Azo-BSA@PEG was designed to actively target fibroblasts and abnormal ECM with the FnBPA5 peptide, delivering more FDA-approved pirfenidone (PFD) to the cross-talk within the foci. Once the drug reached fibroblastic foci, the azobenzene group acted as a hypoxia-responsive linker to trigger effective and rapid drug release. Hypoxic responsiveness and FnBAP5-modification of Fn-Azo-BSA@PEG synergistically inhibited the secretion of proteins closely related to fibrogenesis. BSA's inherent transport and metabolic pathways in the pulmonary reduced the side effects of the main organs. The multivalent BSA nanoparticles efficiently inhibited IPF-fibrosis progress and preserved the lung architecture by regulating the fibroblastic foci and hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Bokai Gong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiqin Luo
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Rongping Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Huile Gao
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Gong
- Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry and Sichuan Province, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Owen T, Carpino G, Chen L, Kundu D, Wills P, Ekser B, Onori P, Gaudio E, Alpini G, Francis H, Kennedy L. Endothelin Receptor-A Inhibition Decreases Ductular Reaction, Liver Fibrosis, and Angiogenesis in a Model of Cholangitis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 16:513-540. [PMID: 37336290 PMCID: PMC10462792 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) leads to ductular reaction and fibrosis and is complicated by vascular dysfunction. Cholangiocyte and endothelial cell crosstalk modulates their proliferation in cholestatic models. Endothelin (ET)-1 and ET-2 bind to their receptor, ET-A, and cholangiocytes are a key source of ET-1 after bile duct ligation. We aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ET-A inhibition in PSC and biliary-endothelial crosstalk mediated by this pathway. METHODS Wild-type and multidrug resistance 2 knockout (Mdr2-/-) mice at 12 weeks of age were treated with vehicle or Ambrisentan (ET-A antagonist) for 1 week by daily intraperitoneal injections. Human control and PSC samples were used. RESULTS Mdr2-/- mice at 4, 8, and 12 weeks displayed angiogenesis that peaked at 12 weeks. Mdr2-/- mice at 12 weeks had enhanced biliary ET-1/ET-2/ET-A expression and secretion, whereas human PSC had enhanced ET-1/ET-A expression and secretion. Ambrisentan reduced biliary damage, immune cell infiltration, and fibrosis in Mdr2-/- mice. Mdr2-/- mice had squamous cholangiocytes with blunted microvilli and dilated arterioles lacking cilia; however, Ambrisentan reversed these alterations. Ambrisentan decreased cholangiocyte expression of pro-angiogenic factors, specifically midkine, through the regulation of cFOS. In vitro, ET-1/ET-A caused cholangiocyte senescence, endothelial cell angiogenesis, and macrophage inflammation. In vitro, human PSC cholangiocyte supernatants increased endothelial cell migration, which was blocked with Ambrisentan treatment. CONCLUSIONS ET-A inhibition reduced biliary and liver damage in Mdr2-/- mice. ET-A promotes biliary angiocrine signaling that may, in turn, enhance angiogenesis. Targeting ET-A may prove therapeutic for PSC, specifically patients displaying vascular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Travis Owen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Guido Carpino
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Lixian Chen
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Debjyoti Kundu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Payton Wills
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Burcin Ekser
- Division of Transplant Surgery, Department of Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Paolo Onori
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Eugenio Gaudio
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Alpini
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Heather Francis
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana
| | - Lindsey Kennedy
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; Department of Research, Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana.
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5
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Pushparaj S, Zhu Z, Huang C, More S, Liang Y, Lin K, Vaddadi K, Liu L. Regulation of influenza A virus infection by Lnc-PINK1-2:5. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:2285-2298. [PMID: 35201667 PMCID: PMC8995437 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus causes approximately 291,000 to 646,000 human deaths worldwide annually. It is also a disease of zoonotic importance, affecting animals such as pigs, horses, and birds. Even though vaccination is being used to prevent influenza virus infection, there are limited options available to treat the disease. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA molecules with more than 200 nucleotides that do not translate into proteins. They play important roles in the physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we identified a novel transcript, Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5 that was upregulated by influenza virus. This lncRNA was predominantly located in the nucleus and was not affected by type I interferons. Overexpression of Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5 reduced the influenza viral mRNA and protein levels in cells as well as titres in culture media. Knockdown of Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5 using CRISPR interference enhanced the virus replication. Antiviral activity of Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5 was independent of influenza virus strains. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5 upregulated thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) during influenza virus infection. Overexpression of TXNIP reduced influenza virus infection, suggesting that TXNIP is an antiviral gene. Knockdown of TXNIP abolished the Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5‐mediated increase in influenza virus infection. In conclusion, the newly identified Lnc‐PINK1‐2:5 isoform is an anti‐influenza lncRNA acting through the upregulation of TXNIP gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Pushparaj
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Zhengyu Zhu
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Chaoqun Huang
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Sunil More
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Yurong Liang
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kong Lin
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Kishore Vaddadi
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious Diseases, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.,The Lundberg-Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology Laboratory, Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
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6
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Brereton CJ, Yao L, Davies ER, Zhou Y, Vukmirovic M, Bell JA, Wang S, Ridley RA, Dean LSN, Andriotis OG, Conforti F, Brewitz L, Mohammed S, Wallis T, Tavassoli A, Ewing RM, Alzetani A, Marshall BG, Fletcher SV, Thurner PJ, Fabre A, Kaminski N, Richeldi L, Bhaskar A, Schofield CJ, Loxham M, Davies DE, Wang Y, Jones MG. Pseudohypoxic HIF pathway activation dysregulates collagen structure-function in human lung fibrosis. eLife 2022; 11:e69348. [PMID: 35188460 PMCID: PMC8860444 DOI: 10.7554/elife.69348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening with downstream activation of mechanosensitive pathways is strongly implicated in fibrosis. We previously reported that altered collagen nanoarchitecture is a key determinant of pathogenetic ECM structure-function in human fibrosis (Jones et al., 2018). Here, through human tissue, bioinformatic and ex vivo studies we provide evidence that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway activation is a critical pathway for this process regardless of the oxygen status (pseudohypoxia). Whilst TGFβ increased the rate of fibrillar collagen synthesis, HIF pathway activation was required to dysregulate post-translational modification of fibrillar collagen, promoting pyridinoline cross-linking, altering collagen nanostructure, and increasing tissue stiffness. In vitro, knockdown of Factor Inhibiting HIF (FIH), which modulates HIF activity, or oxidative stress caused pseudohypoxic HIF activation in the normal fibroblasts. By contrast, endogenous FIH activity was reduced in fibroblasts from patients with lung fibrosis in association with significantly increased normoxic HIF pathway activation. In human lung fibrosis tissue, HIF-mediated signalling was increased at sites of active fibrogenesis whilst subpopulations of human lung fibrosis mesenchymal cells had increases in both HIF and oxidative stress scores. Our data demonstrate that oxidative stress can drive pseudohypoxic HIF pathway activation which is a critical regulator of pathogenetic collagen structure-function in fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Brereton
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Liudi Yao
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth R Davies
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Yilu Zhou
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Milica Vukmirovic
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
- Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of TorontoTorontoCanada
| | - Joseph A Bell
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Siyuan Wang
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Robert A Ridley
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lareb SN Dean
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Orestis G Andriotis
- Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics, TU WienViennaAustria
| | - Franco Conforti
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Lennart Brewitz
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research LaboratoryOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Soran Mohammed
- School of Chemistry, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Timothy Wallis
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Ali Tavassoli
- School of Chemistry, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Rob M Ewing
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Aiman Alzetani
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Benjamin G Marshall
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Sophie V Fletcher
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Philipp J Thurner
- Institute of Lightweight Design and Structural Biomechanics, TU WienViennaAustria
| | - Aurelie Fabre
- Department of Histopathology, St. Vincent's University Hospital & UCD School of Medicine, University College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Naftali Kaminski
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Yale University School of MedicineNew HavenUnited States
| | - Luca Richeldi
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Unità Operativa Complessa di Pneumologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Atul Bhaskar
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Christopher J Schofield
- Department of Chemistry and the Ineos Oxford Institute for Antimicrobial Research, Chemistry Research LaboratoryOxfordUnited Kingdom
| | - Matthew Loxham
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Donna E Davies
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Yihua Wang
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
| | - Mark G Jones
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of SouthamptonSouthamptonUnited Kingdom
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7
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You X, Jiang X, Zhang C, Jiang K, Zhao X, Guo T, Zhu X, Bao J, Dou H. Dihydroartemisinin attenuates pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in rats by suppressing JAK2/STAT3 signaling. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:1110-1127. [PMID: 35120332 PMCID: PMC8876897 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by SARS-CoV-2, has induced a worldwide pandemic since early 2020. COVID-19 causes pulmonary inflammation, secondary pulmonary fibrosis (PF); however, there are still no effective treatments for PF. The present study aimed to explore the inhibitory effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on pulmonary inflammation and PF, and its molecular mechanism. Morphological changes and collagen deposition were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining, and the hydroxyproline content. DHA attenuated early alveolar inflammation and later PF in a bleomycin-induced rat PF model, and inhibited the expression of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), and chemokine (C-C Motif) Ligand 3 (CCL3) in model rat serum. Further molecular analysis revealed that both pulmonary inflammation and PF were associated with increased transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Janus activated kinase 2 (JAK2), and signal transducer and activator 3(STAT3) expression in the lung tissues of model rats. DHA reduced the inflammatory response and PF in the lungs by suppressing TGF-β1, JAK2, phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3, and p-STAT3. Thus, DHA exerts therapeutic effects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation and PF by inhibiting JAK2-STAT3 activation. DHA inhibits alveolar inflammation, and attenuates lung injury and fibrosis, possibly representing a therapeutic candidate to treat PF associated with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolan You
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xingyu Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuanmeng Zhang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kejia Jiang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaojun Zhao
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of Central Laboratory, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaowei Zhu
- Department of the Pathology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jingjing Bao
- Department of the Pathology, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hongmei Dou
- Department of the Operation Room, Taizhou Clinical Medical School of Nanjing Medical University (Taizhou People's Hospital), Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
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8
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Trivlidis J, Aloufi N, Al-Habeeb F, Nair P, Azuelos I, Eidelman DH, Baglole CJ. HuR drives lung fibroblast differentiation but not metabolic reprogramming in response to TGF-β and hypoxia. Respir Res 2021; 22:323. [PMID: 34963461 PMCID: PMC8715577 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-021-01916-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pulmonary fibrosis is thought to be driven by recurrent alveolar epithelial injury which leads to the differentiation of fibroblasts into α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing myofibroblasts and subsequent deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) plays a key role in fibroblast differentiation, which we have recently shown involves human antigen R (HuR). HuR is an RNA binding protein that also increases the translation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF-1α) mRNA, a transcription factor critical for inducing a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation towards glycolysis. This metabolic shift may cause fibroblast differentiation. We hypothesized that under hypoxic conditions, HuR controls myofibroblast differentiation and glycolytic reprogramming in human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). Methods Primary HLFs were cultured in the presence (or absence) of TGF-β1 (5 ng/ml) under hypoxic (1% O2) or normoxic (21% O2) conditions. Evaluation included mRNA and protein expression of glycolytic and myofibroblast/ECM markers by qRT-PCR and western blot. Metabolic profiling was done by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H- NMR). Separate experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of HuR on metabolic reprogramming using siRNA-mediated knock-down. Results Hypoxia alone had no significant effect on fibroblast differentiation or metabolic reprogramming. While hypoxia- together with TGFβ1- increased mRNA levels of differentiation and glycolysis genes, such as ACTA2, LDHA, and HK2, protein levels of α-SMA and collagen 1 were significantly reduced. Hypoxia induced cytoplasmic translocation of HuR. Knockdown of HuR reduced features of fibroblast differentiation in response to TGF-β1 with and without hypoxia, including α-SMA and the ECM marker collagen I, but had no effect on lactate secretion. Conclusions Hypoxia reduced myofibroblasts differentiation and lactate secretion in conjunction with TGF-β. HuR is an important protein in the regulation of myofibroblast differentiation but does not control glycolysis in HLFs in response to hypoxia. More research is needed to understand the functional implications of HuR in IPF pathogenesis.
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9
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Yao L, Zhou Y, Li J, Wickens L, Conforti F, Rattu A, Ibrahim FM, Alzetani A, Marshall BG, Fletcher SV, Hancock D, Wallis T, Downward J, Ewing RM, Richeldi L, Skipp P, Davies DE, Jones MG, Wang Y. Bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk provides self-sustaining profibrotic signals in pulmonary fibrosis. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101096. [PMID: 34418430 PMCID: PMC8435701 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the prototypic progressive fibrotic lung disease with a median survival of 2 to 4 years. Injury to and/or dysfunction of the alveolar epithelium is strongly implicated in IPF disease initiation, but the factors that determine whether fibrosis progresses rather than normal tissue repair occurs remain poorly understood. We previously demonstrated that zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cells augments transforming growth factor-β-induced profibrogenic responses in underlying lung fibroblasts via paracrine signaling. Here, we investigated bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk and its potential to drive fibrosis progression. RNA-Seq of lung fibroblasts exposed to conditioned media from ATII cells undergoing RAS-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition identified many differentially expressed genes including those involved in cell migration and extracellular matrix regulation. We confirmed that paracrine signaling between RAS-activated ATII cells and fibroblasts augmented fibroblast recruitment and demonstrated that this involved a zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1-tissue plasminogen activator axis. In a reciprocal fashion, paracrine signaling from transforming growth factor-β-activated lung fibroblasts or IPF fibroblasts induced RAS activation in ATII cells, at least partially through the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine, which may signal via the epithelial growth factor receptor via epithelial growth factor-like repeats. Together, these data identify that aberrant bidirectional epithelial-mesenchymal crosstalk in IPF drives a chronic feedback loop that maintains a wound-healing phenotype and provides self-sustaining profibrotic signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liudi Yao
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Yilu Zhou
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Juanjuan Li
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Wickens
- Centre for Proteomic Research, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Franco Conforti
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Anna Rattu
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Fathima Maneesha Ibrahim
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Aiman Alzetani
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ben G Marshall
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Sophie V Fletcher
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - David Hancock
- Oncogene Biology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tim Wallis
- NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Julian Downward
- Oncogene Biology, The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rob M Ewing
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Luca Richeldi
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Unità Operativa Complessa di Pneumologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Paul Skipp
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Centre for Proteomic Research, Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Donna E Davies
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mark G Jones
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
| | - Yihua Wang
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom; NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom.
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10
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Long Noncoding RNA FENDRR Inhibits Lung Fibroblast Proliferation via a Reduction of β-Catenin. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168536. [PMID: 34445242 PMCID: PMC8395204 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic, progressive, and usually lethal lung disease and it has been widely accepted that fibroblast proliferation is one of the key characteristics of IPF. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play vital roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases. In this study, we investigated the role of lncRNA FENDRR on fibroblast proliferation. Human lung fibroblasts stably overexpressing FENDRR showed a reduced cell proliferation compared to those expressing the control vector. On the other hand, FENDRR silencing increased fibroblast proliferation. FENDRR bound serine-arginine rich splicing factor 9 (SRSF9) and inhibited the phosphorylation of p70 ribosomal S6 kinase 1 (PS6K), a downstream protein of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Silencing SRSF9 reduced fibroblast proliferation. FENDRR reduced β-catenin protein, but not mRNA levels. The reduction of β-catenin protein levels in lung fibroblasts by gene silencing or chemical inhibitor decreased fibroblast proliferation. Adenovirus-mediated FENDRR transfer to the lungs of mice reduced asbestos-induced fibrotic lesions and collagen deposition. RNA sequencing of lung tissues identified 7 cell proliferation-related genes that were up-regulated by asbestos but reversed by FENDRR. In conclusion, FENDRR inhibits fibroblast proliferation and functions as an anti-fibrotic lncRNA.
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11
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Yuan Y, Li Y, Qiao G, Zhou Y, Xu Z, Hill C, Jiang Z, Wang Y. Hyperbaric Oxygen Ameliorates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:675437. [PMID: 34150851 PMCID: PMC8211992 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.675437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis is increasing with an aging population and its burden is likely to increase following COVID-19, with large financial and medical implications. As approved therapies in pulmonary fibrosis only slow disease progression, there is a significant unmet medical need. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) is the inhaling of pure oxygen, under the pressure of greater than one atmosphere absolute, and it has been reported to improve pulmonary function in patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Our recent study suggested that repetitive HBO exposure may affect biological processes in mice lungs such as response to wounding and extracellular matrix. To extend these findings, a bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model was used to evaluate the effect of repetitive HBO exposure on pulmonary fibrosis. Building on our previous findings, we provide evidence that HBO exposure attenuates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice. In vitro, HBO exposure could reverse, at least partially, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced fibroblast activation, and this effect may be mediated by downregulating TGF-β-induced expression of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α. These findings support HBO as a potentially life-changing therapy for patients with pulmonary fibrosis, although further research is needed to fully evaluate this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yuan
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine and Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yali Li
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine and Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Guoqiang Qiao
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine and Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yilu Zhou
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Zijian Xu
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Charlotte Hill
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Zhenglin Jiang
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neuropharmacology, Institute of Special Environmental Medicine and Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yihua Wang
- Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- Institute for Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
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12
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Ye Z, Hu Y. TGF‑β1: Gentlemanly orchestrator in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (Review). Int J Mol Med 2021; 48:132. [PMID: 34013369 PMCID: PMC8136122 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2021.4965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a worldwide disease characterized by the chronic and irreversible decline of lung function. Currently, there is no drug to successfully treat the disease except for lung transplantation. Numerous studies have been devoted to the study of the fibrotic process of IPF and findings showed that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a central role in the development of IPF. TGF-β1 promotes the fibrotic process of IPF through various signaling pathways, including the Smad, MAPK, and ERK signaling pathways. There are intersections between these signaling pathways, which provide new targets for researchers to study new drugs. In addition, TGF-β1 can affect the fibrosis process of IPF by affecting oxidative stress, epigenetics and other aspects. Most of the processes involved in TGF-β1 promote IPF, but TGF-β1 can also inhibit it. This review discusses the role of TGF-β1 in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Ye
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, P.R. China
| | - Yongbin Hu
- Department of Pathology, Basic Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410006, P.R. China
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13
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Zhang S, Chen H, Yue D, Blackwell TS, Lv C, Song X. Long non-coding RNAs: Promising new targets in pulmonary fibrosis. J Gene Med 2021; 23:e3318. [PMID: 33533071 PMCID: PMC7988597 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.3318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by progressive and irreversible scarring in the lungs with poor prognosis and treatment. It is caused by various factors, including environmental and occupational exposures, and some rheumatic immune diseases. Even the rapid global spread of the COVID‐19 pandemic can also cause pulmonary fibrosis with a high probability. Functions attributed to long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) make them highly attractive diagnostic and therapeutic targets in fibroproliferative diseases. Therefore, an understanding of the specific mechanisms by which lncRNAs regulate pulmonary fibrotic pathogenesis is urgently needed to identify new possibilities for therapy. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms and implications of lncRNAs targeted protein‐coding and non‐coding genes during pulmonary fibrogenesis, and systematically analyze the communication of lncRNAs with various types of RNAs, including microRNA, circular RNA and mRNA. Finally, we propose the potential approach of lncRNA‐based diagnosis and therapy for pulmonary fibrosis. We hope that understanding these interactions between protein‐coding and non‐coding genes will contribute to the development of lncRNA‐based clinical applications for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songzi Zhang
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital to Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China
| | - Hongbin Chen
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Dayong Yue
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | | | - Changjun Lv
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital to Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Song
- Department of Cellular and Genetic Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital to Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou Medical University, Binzhou, China
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14
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Szafranski P, Stankiewicz P. Long Non-Coding RNA FENDRR: Gene Structure, Expression, and Biological Relevance. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:177. [PMID: 33513839 PMCID: PMC7911649 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The FOXF1 Adjacent Noncoding Developmental Regulatory RNA (Fendrr) plays an important role in the control of gene expression in mammals. It is transcribed in the opposite direction to the neighboring Foxf1 gene with which it shares a region containing promoters. In humans, FENDRR is located on chromosome 16q24.1, and is positively regulated both by the FOXF1 distant lung-specific cis-acting enhancer and by trans-acting FOXF1. Fendrr has been shown to function as a competing endogenous RNA, sponging microRNAs and protein factors that control stability of mRNAs, and as an epigenetic modifier of chromatin structure around gene promoters and other regulatory sites, targeting them with histone methyltrasferase complexes. In mice, Fendrr is essential for development of the heart, lungs, and gastrointestinal system; its homozygous loss causes embryonic or perinatal lethality. Importantly, deregulation of FENDRR expression has been causatively linked also to tumorigenesis, resistance to chemotherapy, fibrosis, and inflammatory diseases. Here, we review the current knowledge on the FENDRR structure, expression, and involvement in development and tissue maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemyslaw Szafranski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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15
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Di Mauro S, Scamporrino A, Fruciano M, Filippello A, Fagone E, Gili E, Scionti F, Purrazzo G, Di Pino A, Scicali R, Di Martino MT, Malaguarnera R, Malatino L, Purrello F, Vancheri C, Piro S. Circulating Coding and Long Non-Coding RNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228812. [PMID: 33233868 PMCID: PMC7709007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic degenerative disease with a median survival of 2-5 years after diagnosis. Therefore, IPF patient identification represents an important and challenging clinical issue. Current research is still searching for novel reliable non-invasive biomarkers. Therefore, we explored the potential use of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs as biomarkers for IPF. METHODS We first performed a whole transcriptome analysis using microarray (n = 14: 7 Control, 7 IPF), followed by the validation of selected transcripts through qPCRs in an independent cohort of 95 subjects (n = 95: 45 Control, 50 IPF). Diagnostic performance and transcript correlation with functional/clinical data were also analyzed. RESULTS 1059 differentially expressed transcripts were identified. We confirmed the downregulation of FOXF1 adjacent non-coding developmental regulatory RNA (FENDRR) lncRNA, hsa_circ_0001924 circularRNA, utrophin (UTRN) and Y-box binding protein 3 (YBX3) mRNAs. The two analyzed non-coding RNAs correlated with Forced Vital Capacity (FVC)% and Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO)% functional data, while coding RNAs correlated with smock exposure. All analyzed transcripts showed excellent performance in IPF identification with Area Under the Curve values above 0.87; the most outstanding one was YBX3: AUROC 0.944, CI 95% = 0.895-0.992, sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 88.9%, p-value = 1.02 × 10-13. CONCLUSIONS This study has identified specific transcript signatures in IPF suggesting that validated transcripts and microarray data could be useful for the potential future identification of RNA molecules as non-invasive biomarkers for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Di Mauro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Alessandra Scamporrino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Mary Fruciano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
| | - Agnese Filippello
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Evelina Fagone
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
| | - Elisa Gili
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
| | - Francesca Scionti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (M.T.D.M.)
| | - Giacomo Purrazzo
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Antonino Di Pino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Roberto Scicali
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Maria Teresa Di Martino
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (F.S.); (M.T.D.M.)
| | - Roberta Malaguarnera
- School of Human and Social Sciences, “Kore” University of Enna, 94100 Enna, Italy;
| | - Lorenzo Malatino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Internal Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliera Cannizzaro, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy;
| | - Francesco Purrello
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
| | - Carlo Vancheri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Respiratory Medicine Unit, A.O.U. “Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (M.F.); (E.F.); (E.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +390-9-5378-1774 (ext. 1424)
| | - Salvatore Piro
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Internal Medicine, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital, University of Catania, 95122 Catania, Italy; (S.D.M.); (A.S.); (A.F.); (G.P.); (A.D.P.); (R.S.); (F.P.); (S.P.)
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16
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Phan THG, Paliogiannis P, Nasrallah GK, Giordo R, Eid AH, Fois AG, Zinellu A, Mangoni AA, Pintus G. Emerging cellular and molecular determinants of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2020; 78:2031-2057. [PMID: 33201251 PMCID: PMC7669490 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03693-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 155] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia, is a progressive, irreversible, and typically lethal disease characterized by an abnormal fibrotic response involving vast areas of the lungs. Given the poor knowledge of the mechanisms underpinning IPF onset and progression, a better understanding of the cellular processes and molecular pathways involved is essential for the development of effective therapies, currently lacking. Besides a number of established IPF-associated risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, environmental factors, comorbidities, and viral infections, several other processes have been linked with this devastating disease. Apoptosis, senescence, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, endothelial-mesenchymal transition, and epithelial cell migration have been shown to play a key role in IPF-associated tissue remodeling. Moreover, molecules, such as chemokines, cytokines, growth factors, adenosine, glycosaminoglycans, non-coding RNAs, and cellular processes including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, hypoxia, and alternative polyadenylation have been linked with IPF development. Importantly, strategies targeting these processes have been investigated to modulate abnormal cellular phenotypes and maintain tissue homeostasis in the lung. This review provides an update regarding the emerging cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the onset and progression of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thị Hằng Giang Phan
- Department of Immunology and Pathophysiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Hue University, Hue City, Vietnam
| | - Panagiotis Paliogiannis
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Gheyath K Nasrallah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences Member of QU Health, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar. .,Biomedical Research Center Qatar University, P.O Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Roberta Giordo
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, University City Rd, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Ali Hussein Eid
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.,Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Research Unit, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Alessandro Giuseppe Fois
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Angelo Zinellu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Arduino Aleksander Mangoni
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
| | - Gianfranco Pintus
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, University City Rd, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates. .,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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Senavirathna LK, Huang C, Pushparaj S, Xu D, Liu L. Hypoxia and transforming growth factor β1 regulation of long non-coding RNA transcriptomes in human pulmonary fibroblasts. Physiol Rep 2020; 8:e14343. [PMID: 31925944 PMCID: PMC6954122 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.14343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the key characteristics of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is accumulation of excess fibrous tissue in the lung, which leads to hypoxic conditions. Transforming growth factor (TGF) β is a major mediator that promotes the differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts. However, how hypoxia and TGFβ together contribute the pathogenesis of IPF is poorly understood. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have regulatory effects on certain genes and are involved in many diseases. In this study, we determined the effects of hypoxia and/or TGFβ on mRNA and lncRNA transcriptomes in pulmonary fibroblasts. Hypoxia and TGFβ1 synergistically increased myofibroblast marker expression. RNA sequencing revealed that hypoxia and TGFβ1 treatment resulted in significant changes in 669 lncRNAs and 2,676 mRNAs compared to 150 lncRNAs and 858 mRNAs in TGFβ1 alone group and 222 lncRNAs and 785 mRNAs in hypoxia alone group. TGFβ1 induced the protein expression of HIF-1α, but not HIF-2α. On the other hand, hypoxia enhanced the TGFβ1-induced phosphorylation of Smad3, suggesting a cross-talk between these two signaling pathways. In all, 10 selected lncRNAs (five-up and five-down) in RNA sequencing data were validated using real-time PCR. Two lncRNAs were primarily located in cytoplasm, three in nuclei and five in both nuclei and cytoplasm. The silencing of HIF-1α and Smad3, but not Smad2 and HIF-2α rescued the downregulation of FENDRR by hypoxia and TGFβ1. In conclusion, hypoxia and TGFβ1 synergistically regulate mRNAs and lncRNAs involved in several cellular processes, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lakmini K. Senavirathna
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious DiseasesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
- Lundberg‐Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology LaboratoryDepartment of Physiological SciencesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Chaoqun Huang
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious DiseasesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
- Lundberg‐Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology LaboratoryDepartment of Physiological SciencesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Samuel Pushparaj
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious DiseasesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
- Lundberg‐Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology LaboratoryDepartment of Physiological SciencesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Dao Xu
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious DiseasesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
- Lundberg‐Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology LaboratoryDepartment of Physiological SciencesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
| | - Lin Liu
- Oklahoma Center for Respiratory and Infectious DiseasesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
- Lundberg‐Kienlen Lung Biology and Toxicology LaboratoryDepartment of Physiological SciencesOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOKUSA
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