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Xu J, Lu L, Jiang S, Qin Z, Huang J, Huang M, Jin J. Paeoniflorin ameliorates oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy via inhibiting neuroinflammation through influence on gut microbiota. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 971:176516. [PMID: 38513881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176516] [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: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Oxaliplatin (OXA)-induced peripheral neuropathy (OIPN) is a severe side effect that greatly limits OXA clinical use and threatens patients' life and health. Paeoniflorin exhibits extensive anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, but whether it can protect against OIPN and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of paeoniflorin on OIPN and probe into the underlying mechanisms. The OIPN model was established through oxaliplatin injection in rats. The ameliorative effects of paeoniflorin on OIPN was assessed by nociceptive hypersensitivities through pain behavioral methods. Neuroinflammation were examined by measuring the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells infiltration. The signaling pathway of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB was evaluated by Western blotting. Gut microbial changes were detected by 16S rDNA sequencing technology. In addition, antibiotics-induced microbiota eradication and fecal microbial transplantation (FMT) were applied for exploring the function of gut microbiota in the protective effects of paeoniflorin. The results revealed that paeoniflorin significantly alleviated mechanical and cold hypersensitivity, mitigated neuroinflammation and influenced gut microbial composition in OIPN rats. Fecal microbiota transplantation further verified that gut microbiota was required for paeoniflorin ameliorating OIPN and that the underlying mechanism involved downregulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling. Specifically, Akkermansia, Dubosiella and Corynebacterium might serve as crucial genera regulated by paeoniflorin in the treatment of OIPN. In summary, our investigations delineate paeoniflorin's ameliorative effects on OIPN by alleviating neuroinflammation through regulations of gut microbiota. This suggests that paeoniflorin may serve as a new potential strategy for treatment of OIPN in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayue Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Langqing Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Shiqin Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Zhiyan Qin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Junyuan Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Min Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jing Jin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
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Xu SY, Cao HY, Yang RH, Xu RX, Zhu XY, Ma W, Liu XB, Yan XY, Fu P. Genus Paeonia monoterpene glycosides: A systematic review on their pharmacological activities and molecular mechanisms. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 127:155483. [PMID: 38432036 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155483] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Genus Paeonia, which is the main source of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Paeoniae Radix Rubra (Chishao in Chinese), Paeoniae Radix Alba (Baishao in Chinese) and Moutan Cortex (Mudanpi in Chinese), is rich in active pharmaceutical ingredient such as monoterpenoid glycosides (MPGs). MPGs from Paeonia have extensive pharmacological effects, but the pharmacological effects and molecular mechanisms of MPGs has not been comprehensively reviewed. PURPOSE MPGs compounds are one of the main chemical components of the genus Paeonia, with a wide variety of compounds and strong pharmacological activities, and the structure of the mother nucleus-pinane skeleton is similar to that of a cage. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of MPGs from 2012 to 2023, providing reference direction for the development and utilization of Paeonia resources and preclinical research. METHODS Keywords and phrases are widely used in database searches, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and X-Mol to search for citations related to the new compounds, extensive pharmacological research and molecular mechanisms of MPGs compounds of genus Paeonia. RESULTS Modern research confirms that MPGs are the main compounds in Paeonia that exert pharmacological effects. MPGs with extensive pharmacological characteristics are mainly concentrated in two categories: paeoniflorin derivatives and albiflflorin derivatives among MPGs, which contains 32 compounds. Among them, 5 components including paeoniflorin, albiflorin, oxypaeoniflorin, 6'-O-galloylpaeoniflorin and paeoniflorigenone have been extensively studied, while the other 28 components have only been confirmed to have a certain degree of anti-inflammatory and anticomplementary effects. Studies of pharmacological effects are widely involved in nervous system, endocrine system, digestive system, immune system, etc., and some studies have identified clear mechanisms. MPGs exert pharmacological activity through multilateral mechanisms, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, inhibition of cell apoptosis, regulation of brain gut axis, regulation of gut microbiota and downregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis, etc. CONCLUSION: This systematic review delved into the pharmacological effects and related molecular mechanisms of MPGs. However, there are still some compounds in MPGs whose pharmacological effects and pharmacological mechanisms have not been clarified. In addition, extensive clinical randomized trials are needed to verify the efficacy and dosage of MPGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yi Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; Experimental Training Center, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Hui-Yan Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Rui-Hong Yang
- School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Rong-Xue Xu
- The Health Center of Longjiang Airlines, Harbin 150000, China; Qiqihar Medical University, Qiqihar 161003, China
| | - Xing-Yu Zhu
- Experimental Training Center, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Wei Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China; Experimental Training Center, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Xiu-Bo Liu
- Jiamusi College, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Jiamusi 154007, China
| | - Xue-Ying Yan
- School of Pharmacy, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China.
| | - Peng Fu
- First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China.
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Liu S, Li Y, Wu C. Paeoniflorin suppresses the apoptosis and inflammation of human coronary artery endothelial cells induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY 2023; 61:1454-1461. [PMID: 37674320 PMCID: PMC10486282 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2220360] [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: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Paeoniflorin (PF) contributes to improving coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE This study clarified the efficiency of PF in CAD and the molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs) were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL; 20, 40, 80 and 160 μg/mL) and PF (0.05, 0.1 0.2 and 0.4 mM). To study cell phenotypes, HCAECs were treated with 80 μg/mL ox-LDL with or without 0.1 mM PF for 24 h, and cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and flow cytometry, respectively. In addition, inflammatory cytokines levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot evaluated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related factors. RESULTS ox-LDL and PF (0.2 and 0.4 mM) suppressed cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 value of PF was 722.9 nM. PF facilitated cell viability (115.76%), inhibited apoptosis (46.28%), reduced IL-6 (63.43%) and IL-8 (66.70%) levels and increased IL-10 levels (181.15%) of ox-LDL-treated HCAECs. Additionally, PF inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and XAV939 treatment further promoted cell viability (120.54%), suppressed apoptosis (56.92%), reduced the levels of IL-6 (76.16%) and IL-8 (86.82%) and increased the IL-10 levels (120.22%) of ox-LDL-induced HCAECs after PF treatment. Moreover, PF alleviated plaque lesions of the aorta and aorta root and serum lipid of ApoE-/- mice with a high-fat diet. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study first revealed that PF inhibited ox-LDL-induced HCAECs apoptosis and inflammation via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and alleviated CAD, suggesting the potential of PF as a drug for CAD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Liu
- Department of Geriatrics, Sichuan People’s Hospital, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Geriatrics, Sichuan People’s Hospital, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Caojie Wu
- Department of Geriatrics, Sichuan People’s Hospital, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Liu Y, Deng J, Zhao Y, Liu K, Zhang W, Wang Q, Wang J, Piao C. Outcomes of pregnancy in mice with pulmonary hypertension induced by Hypoxia/SU5416. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 669:128-133. [PMID: 37269595 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pulmonary hypertension (PH) seriously affects the health of patients. We have found in clinical studies that PH has adverse effects on both maternal and offspring. OBJECTIVE To establish a animal model of PH induced by hypoxia/SU5416 and observe the effects of PH on pregnant mice and their fetuses. METHODS Twenty-four C57 mice aged 7-9 weeks were selected and divided into 4 groups with 6 mice in each group. ① Female mice with normal oxygen; ② Female mice with hypoxia/SU5416; ③ Pregnant mice with normal oxygen; ④ Pregnant mice with hypoxia/SU5416. After 19 days, weight, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) and right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI) were compared in each group. Lung tissue and right ventricular blood were collected. The number and weight of fetal mice were also compared between the two pregnant groups. RESULTS There was no significant difference in RVSP and RVHI between female and pregnant mice under the same condition. Compared with normal oxygen condition, two groups of mice in hypoxia/SU5416 had poor development, RVSP and RVHI were significantly increased, the number of fetal mice was small, hypoplasia, degeneration and even abortion. CONCLUSION The model of mice PH was successfully established. PH affects the development and health of female and pregnant mice, and seriously affects the fetuses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133000, China
| | - Yichen Zhao
- Department of Valvular Cardiac Surgery Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Kemin Liu
- Department of Valvular Cardiac Surgery Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Department of Valvular Cardiac Surgery Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pediatric Cardiac Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
| | - Jiangang Wang
- Department of Valvular Cardiac Surgery Center, Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunmei Piao
- Beijing Institute of Heart Lung and Blood Vessel Diseases, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
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Tang BL, Liu Y, Zhang JL, Lu ML, Wang HX. Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates hypoxia-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension by inhibiting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and inflammation by regulating CCN1. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114920. [PMID: 37216706 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a chronic obstructive disease characterized by vascular remodeling. Studies have confirmed that ginsenoside Rg1 can improve pulmonary hypertension to a certain extent, but the potential mechanism by which it improves hypoxia-induced PAH remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on hypoxia-induced PAH. The results showed that hypoxia promoted inflammation, EndMT, and vascular remodeling, which were accompanied by decreased CCN1 levels and increased p-NFκB p65, TGF-β1, and p-Smad 2/3 levels. Treatment with ginsenoside Rg1, recombinant CCN1, BAY-11-7082, and SB-431542 could prevent hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling, reduce the expression of the hypoxia-induced inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, inhibit the expression of the mesenchymal markers α-SMA and Vimentin and restore the expression of the endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin to improve hypoxia-induced EndMT, which may be associated with the upregulation of CCN1 protein expression and downregulation of p-NFκB p65, TGF-β1, and p-Smad 2/3 in rats and cells. siRNA CCN1 transfection increased the expression of p-NFκB p65, TGF-β1, and p-Smad 2/3 and accelerated the occurrence and development of inflammation and EndMT after hypoxia. In summary, our study indicated that hypoxia-induced EndMT and inflammation play a role in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH). Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment could reverse hypoxia-induced EndMT and inflammation by regulating CCN1 and has potential value in the prevention and treatment of HPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai-Lin Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Jing-Liang Zhang
- Internal Medicine-Cardiovascular Department, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Mei-Li Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China
| | - Hong-Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou 121000, China.
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Li KM, Li JJ, Wan L, Cheng YX. Five New Cantharidin Derivatives from the Insect Mylabris cichorii L. and Their Potential against Kidney Fibrosis In Vitro. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28062822. [PMID: 36985794 PMCID: PMC10056085 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28062822] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Five new monoterpenoids including three 1-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl cantharimide-type derivatives (1, 2, and 5) and two 1,2-dimethyl cantharimide-type derivatives (3 and 4), together with three known compounds (6-8) were isolated from the insect Mylabris cichorii Linnaeus. The structures of these new compounds, including their absolute configurations, were characterized by detailed analysis of NMR, chemical derivatization, and quantum chemical ECD calculations. All of the compounds were tested for their biological activity against kidney fibrosis. The results revealed that compounds 2, 4, and 7 could inhibit kidney fibrosis in vitro at 40 μM by inhibiting the expression of fibronectin and collagen I in TGF-β1-induced NRK-52e cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Ming Li
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Medical School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Ji-Jun Li
- Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Medical School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Li Wan
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Yong-Xian Cheng
- School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Institute for Inheritance-Based Innovation of Chinese Medicine, Medical School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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Liu Y, Tang BL, Lu ML, Wang HX. Astragaloside IV improves pulmonary arterial hypertension by increasing the expression of CCN1 and activating the ERK1/2 pathway. J Cell Mol Med 2023; 27:622-633. [PMID: 36762748 PMCID: PMC9983322 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate the underlying mechanism of AS-IV and CCN1 in PAH and to evaluate whether the protective effect of AS-IV against PAH is associated with CCN1 and its related signalling pathway. In vivo, male SD rats were intraperitoneally injected with monocrotaline (MCT, 60 mg/kg) or exposed to hypoxia (10% oxygen) and gavaged with AS-IV (20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/day) to create a PAH model. In vitro, human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (hPAECs) were exposed to hypoxia (3% oxygen) or monocrotaline pyrrole (MCTP, 60 μg/mL) and treated with AS-IV (10, 20 and 40 μM), EGF (10 nM, ERK agonist), small interfering CCN1 (CCN1 siRNA) and recombinant CCN1 protein (rCCN1, 100 ng/mL). We identified the differences in the expression of genes in the lung tissues of PAH rats by proteomics. At the same time, we dynamically detected the expression of CCN1 by Western blot both in vivo and in vitro. The Western blot experimental results showed that the expression of CCN1 increased in the early stage of PAH and decreased in the advanced stage of PAH. The results showed that compared with the control group, MCT- and hypoxia-induced increased the hemodynamic parameters and apoptosis. AS-IV can improve PAH, as characterized by decreased hemodynamic parameters, vascular wall area ratio (WA%), vascular wall thickness ratio (WT%) and α-SMA expression and inhibition of cell apoptosis. Moreover, the improvement of PAH by AS-IV was accompanied by increased CCN1 expression, which activated the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. Meanwhile, CCN1 and p-ERK1/2 were inhibited by siCCN1 and promoted by rCCN1. EGF not only activated the ERK1/2 signalling pathway but also induced the expression of CCN1. In conclusion, AS-IV improves PAH by increasing the expression of CCN1 and activating the ERK1/2 signalling pathway. The results of our study provide a theoretical basis for additional study on the protective effect of AS-IV against PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Bai-Lin Tang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Mei-Li Lu
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
| | - Hong-Xin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Drug Research of Liaoning Province, Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, China
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METTL3 Promotes Endothelium-Mesenchymal Transition of Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells by Regulating TRPC6/Calcineurin/NFAT Signaling Pathways. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2023; 2023:8269356. [PMID: 36865750 PMCID: PMC9974285 DOI: 10.1155/2023/8269356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Background Endothelium-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process of phenotypic and functional transition from activated endothelial cells to mesenchymal cells. Recently, EndMT has been proved to be one of the main pathological mechanisms of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). However, the molecular mechanism is not clear. Methods Primary rat pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (rPAECs) were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats and verified by CD31 immunofluorescence staining. rPAECs were exposed to hypoxic conditions to induce EndMT. RNA and protein levels in cells were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The migration ability was verified by the transwell assay. The RIP experiment was used to test the m6A modification of TRPC6 mRNA and the binding relationship between TRPC6 and METTL3. Calcineurin/NFAT signaling was measured by using commercial kits. Results METTL3 was found to be highly expressed by hypoxia treatment in a time-dependent manner. Knockdown of METTL3 significantly suppressed cell migration, downregulated the levels of interstitial cell-related markers like α-SMA and vimentin, and increased the levels of endothelial cell markers including CD31 and VE-cadherin. Mechanistically, METTL3 increased TRPC6 expression by enhancing the m6A modification of TRPC6 mRNA, thus activating calcineurin/NFAT signaling. Our experiments showed that METTL3 silencing mediated the inhibitory roles in the hypoxia-mediated EndMT process, which were significantly reversed by TRPC6/calcineurin/NFAT signaling activation. Conclusion Our results elucidated that METTL3 knockdown inhibited the hypoxia-mediated EndMT process by inactivating TRPC6/calcineurin/NFAT signaling.
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Yu M, Wu X, Wang J, He M, Han H, Hu S, Xu J, Yang M, Tan Q, Wang Y, Wang H, Xie W, Kong H. Paeoniflorin attenuates monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats by suppressing TAK1-MAPK/NF-κB pathways. Int J Med Sci 2022; 19:681-694. [PMID: 35582418 PMCID: PMC9108400 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.69289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling is a lethal disease. Paeoniflorin (PF) is a monoterpene glycoside with numerous beneficial functions, such as vasodilation, anti-inflammation and immunomodulation. This study aims to investigate the effects of PF on monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rats. Our data showed that both prophylactic or therapeutic administration of PF alleviated MCT-induced increasing of right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), prevented right ventricle hypertrophy and pulmonary arterial remodeling, as well as inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration around pulmonary arteries. Meanwhile, PF blocked MCT-induced endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) as indicated by the restored expression of endothelial markers in lung. Moreover, PF inhibited MCT-induced down-regulation of bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) and suppressed MCT-induced phosphorylation of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in vivo. In vitro studies indicated that PF prevented human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) from platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-stimulated proliferation and migration. PF also partially reversed TGFβ1, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) co-stimulated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in cultured human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAECs). Signaling pathway analysis demonstrated that the underlying mechanism might be associated with the inhibition of TAK1-MAPK/NF-κB pathways. Taken together, our results suggested that PF could be a potential drug for the treatment of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215000, P.R. China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Xuecheng Wu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Mengyu He
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Honghao Han
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Song Hu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, Jiangsu 213003, P.R. China
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200433, P.R. China
| | - Mingxia Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Changzhou No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213003, P.R. China
| | - Qi Tan
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Yanli Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Hong Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Weiping Xie
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
| | - Hui Kong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
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Wu J, Zhang D, Hu L, Zheng X, Chen C. Paeoniflorin alleviates NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced gestational hypertension and upregulates silent information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 (SIRT1) to reduce H 2O 2-induced endothelial cell damage. Bioengineered 2022; 13:2248-2258. [PMID: 35030965 PMCID: PMC8973614 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2024325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a leading cause of maternal mortality. Paeoniflorin has been reported to alleviate hypertension, thus relieving the injury of target organ. This study aimed to investigate the role of paeoniflorin in PIH development by regulating SIRT1 in rats. The mean arterial pressure (MAP), urine protein and histopathological damage of placenta in gestational hypertension rats were, respectively, detected by noninvasive tail-artery pressure measuring instrument, BCA method and H&E staining. The viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with paeoniflorin or/and H2O2 was observed by CCK-8 assay. SIRT1 protein expression in HUVECs treated with paeoniflorin or/and H2O2 was analyzed by Western blot. Tunel assay, wound healing assay and tube formation assay were used to detect the apoptosis, migration and tube formation of HUVECs administrated with paeoniflorin or/and H2O2 or/and EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitor). As a result, MAP, urine protein and histopathological damage of placenta were enhanced in PIH rats, which were then alleviated by paeoniflorin. Paeoniflorin decreased the levels of sFlt-1, PlGF and VEGF in serum and placental tissues of gestational hypertension rats as well as the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. In addition, paeoniflorin promoted the expressions of SIRT1 and NO/eNOS and inhibited the production of iNOS in gestational hypertension rats to improve vascular endothelial cell injury. However, SIRT1 inhibition could suppress the protective effects of paeoniflorin on endothelial dysfunction of H2O2-induced HUVECs. In conclusion, paeoniflorin could improve gestational hypertension development by upregulating SIRT1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Dongmei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Linlin Hu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Xiaowei Zheng
- Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
| | - Caihong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou, Fujian, P.R. China
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11
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Yu Z, Xiao J, Chen X, Ruan Y, Chen Y, Zheng X, Wang Q. Bioactivities and mechanisms of natural medicines in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Chin Med 2022; 17:13. [PMID: 35033157 PMCID: PMC8760698 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-022-00568-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and rare disease without obvious clinical symptoms that shares characteristics with pulmonary vascular remodeling. Right heart failure in the terminal phase of PAH seriously threatens the lives of patients. This review attempts to comprehensively outline the current state of knowledge on PAH its pathology, pathogenesis, natural medicines therapy, mechanisms and clinical studies to provide potential treatment strategies. Although PAH and pulmonary hypertension have similar pathological features, PAH exhibits significantly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance caused by vascular stenosis and occlusion. Currently, the pathogenesis of PAH is thought to involve multiple factors, primarily including genetic/epigenetic factors, vascular cellular dysregulation, metabolic dysfunction, even inflammation and immunization. Yet many issues regarding PAH need to be clarified, such as the "oestrogen paradox". About 25 kinds monomers derived from natural medicine have been verified to protect against to PAH via modulating BMPR2/Smad, HIF-1α, PI3K/Akt/mTOR and eNOS/NO/cGMP signalling pathways. Yet limited and single PAH animal models may not corroborate the efficacy of natural medicines, and those natural compounds how to regulate crucial genes, proteins and even microRNA and lncRNA still need to put great attention. Additionally, pharmacokinetic studies and safety evaluation of natural medicines for the treatment of PAH should be undertaken in future studies. Meanwhile, methods for validating the efficacy of natural drugs in multiple PAH animal models and precise clinical design are also urgently needed to promote advances in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Yu
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Jun Xiao
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiao Chen
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yi Ruan
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Yang Chen
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China
| | - Xiaoyuan Zheng
- Pharmacy Department, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400014, China.
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.
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12
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Liang QQ, Liu L. Application of vascular endothelial cells in stem cell medicine. World J Clin Cases 2021; 9:10765-10780. [PMID: 35047589 PMCID: PMC8678855 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v9.i35.10765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Stem cell medicine is gaining momentum in the development of therapy for various end-stage diseases. The search for new seed cells and exploration of their application prospects are topics of interest in stem cell medicine. In recent years, vascular endothelial cells (VECs) have attracted wide attention from scholars. VECs, which form the inner lining of blood vessels, are critically involved in many physiological functions, including permeability, angiogenesis, blood pressure regulation, immunity, and pathological development, such as atherosclerosis and malignant tumors. VECs have significant therapeutic effects and broad application prospects in stem cell medicine for the treatment of various refractory diseases, including atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, diabetic complications, hypertension, coronavirus disease 2019, and malignant tumors. On the one hand, VECs and their extracellular vesicles can be directly used for the treatment of these diseases. On the other hand, VECs can be used as therapeutic targets for some diseases. However, there are still some obstacles to the use of VECs in stem cell medicine. In this review, advances in the applications and challenges that come with the use of these cells are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Qing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Lei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases & Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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13
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Xue Z, Li Y, Zhou M, Liu Z, Fan G, Wang X, Zhu Y, Yang J. Traditional Herbal Medicine Discovery for the Treatment and Prevention of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Front Pharmacol 2021; 12:720873. [PMID: 34899290 PMCID: PMC8660120 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.720873] [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: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by pulmonary artery remodeling that may subsequently culminate in right heart failure and premature death. Although there are currently both non-pharmacological (lung transplantation, etc.) and pharmacological (Sildenafil, Bosentan, and new oral drugs on trial) therapies available, PAH remains a serious and fatal pulmonary disease. As a unique medical treatment, traditional herbal medicine (THM) treatment has gradually exerted its advantages in treating PAH worldwide through a multi-level and multi-target approach. Additionally, the potential mechanisms of THM were deciphered, including suppression of proliferation and apoptosis of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, controlling the processes of inflammation and oxidative stress, and regulating vasoconstriction and ion channels. In this review, the effects and mechanisms of the frequently studied compound THM, single herbal preparations, and multiple active components from THM are comprehensively summarized, as well as their related mechanisms on several classical preclinical PAH models. It is worth mentioning that sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate sodium and tetramethylpyrazine are under clinical trials and are considered the most promoting medicines for PAH treatment. Last, reverse pharmacology, a strategy to discover THM or THM-derived components, has also been proposed here for PAH. This review discusses the current state of THM, their working mechanisms against PAH, and prospects of reverse pharmacology, which are expected to facilitate the natural anti-PAH medicine discovery and development and its bench-to-bedside transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifeng Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Research and Development Center of TCM, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yixuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Research and Development Center of TCM, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Research and Development Center of TCM, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhidong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Engineering Research Center of Modern Chinese Medicine Discovery and Preparation Technique, Ministry of Education, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Guanwei Fan
- Medical Experiment Center, First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Tianjin Laboratory of Translational Research of TCM Prescription and Syndrome, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaoying Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Yan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Research and Development Center of TCM, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Component-based Chinese Medicine, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.,Research and Development Center of TCM, Tianjin International Joint Academy of Biotechnology and Medicine, Tianjin, China
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14
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Romano E, Rosa I, Fioretto BS, Matucci-Cerinic M, Manetti M. New Insights into Profibrotic Myofibroblast Formation in Systemic Sclerosis: When the Vascular Wall Becomes the Enemy. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:610. [PMID: 34202703 PMCID: PMC8307837 DOI: 10.3390/life11070610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In systemic sclerosis (SSc), abnormalities in microvessel morphology occur early and evolve into a distinctive vasculopathy that relentlessly advances in parallel with the development of tissue fibrosis orchestrated by myofibroblasts in nearly all affected organs. Our knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying such a unique relationship between SSc-related vasculopathy and fibrosis has profoundly changed over the last few years. Indeed, increasing evidence has suggested that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), a process in which profibrotic myofibroblasts originate from endothelial cells, may take center stage in SSc pathogenesis. While in arterioles and small arteries EndoMT may lead to the accumulation of myofibroblasts within the vessel wall and development of fibroproliferative vascular lesions, in capillary vessels it may instead result in vascular destruction and formation of myofibroblasts that migrate into the perivascular space with consequent tissue fibrosis and microvessel rarefaction, which are hallmarks of SSc. Besides endothelial cells, other vascular wall-resident cells, such as pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells, may acquire a myofibroblast-like synthetic phenotype contributing to both SSc-related vascular dysfunction and fibrosis. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the differentiation of myofibroblasts inside the vessel wall provides the rationale for novel targeted therapeutic strategies for the treatment of SSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloisa Romano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Irene Rosa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Bianca Saveria Fioretto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Marco Matucci-Cerinic
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (E.R.); (B.S.F.); (M.M.-C.)
| | - Mirko Manetti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
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15
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Gorelova A, Berman M, Al Ghouleh I. Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 34:891-914. [PMID: 32746619 PMCID: PMC8035923 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2020.8169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a process that encompasses extensive transcriptional reprogramming of activated endothelial cells leading to a shift toward mesenchymal cellular phenotypes and functional responses. Initially observed in the context of embryonic development, in the last few decades EndMT is increasingly recognized as a process that contributes to a variety of pathologies in the adult organism. Within the settings of cardiovascular biology, EndMT plays a role in various diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart valvular disease, cardiac fibrosis, and myocardial infarction. EndMT is also being progressively implicated in development and progression of pulmonary hypertension (PH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This review covers the current knowledge about EndMT in PH and PAH, and provides comprehensive overview of seminal discoveries. Topics covered include evidence linking EndMT to factors associated with PAH development, including hypoxia responses, inflammation, dysregulation of bone-morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2), and redox signaling. This review amalgamates these discoveries into potential insights for the identification of underlying mechanisms driving EndMT in PH and PAH, and discusses future directions for EndMT-based therapeutic strategies in disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasia Gorelova
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mariah Berman
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Imad Al Ghouleh
- Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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16
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Di Benedetto P, Ruscitti P, Berardicurti O, Vomero M, Navarini L, Dolo V, Cipriani P, Giacomelli R. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Immunol 2021; 205:12-27. [PMID: 33772754 DOI: 10.1111/cei.13599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by significant vascular alterations and multi-organ fibrosis. Microvascular alterations are the first event of SSc and injured endothelial cells (ECs) may transdifferentiate towards myofibroblasts, the cells responsible for fibrosis and collagen deposition. This process is identified as endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), and understanding of its development is pivotal to identify early pathogenetic events and new therapeutic targets for SSc. In this review, we have highlighted the molecular mechanisms of EndMT and summarize the evidence of the role played by EndMT during the development of progressive fibrosis in SSc, also exploring the possible therapeutic role of its inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Di Benedetto
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Ruscitti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - O Berardicurti
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - M Vomero
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Rome, Italy
| | - L Navarini
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Rome, Italy
| | - V Dolo
- Clinical Pathology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - P Cipriani
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - R Giacomelli
- Unit of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University of Rome 'Campus Biomedico', Rome, Italy
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