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Li X, Liu Y, Tang Y, Xia Z. Transformation of macrophages into myofibroblasts in fibrosis-related diseases: emerging biological concepts and potential mechanism. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1474688. [PMID: 39386212 PMCID: PMC11461261 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1474688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrophage-myofibroblast transformation (MMT) transforms macrophages into myofibroblasts in a specific inflammation or injury microenvironment. MMT is an essential biological process in fibrosis-related diseases involving the lung, heart, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, and other organs and tissues. This process consists of interacting with various cells and molecules and activating different signal transduction pathways. This review deeply discussed the molecular mechanism of MMT, clarified crucial signal pathways, multiple cytokines, and growth factors, and formed a complex regulatory network. Significantly, the critical role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and its downstream signaling pathways in this process were clarified. Furthermore, we discussed the significance of MMT in physiological and pathological conditions, such as pulmonary fibrosis and cardiac fibrosis. This review provides a new perspective for understanding the interaction between macrophages and myofibroblasts and new strategies and targets for the prevention and treatment of MMT in fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiujun Li
- Health Science Center, Chifeng University, Chifeng, China
| | - Yuyan Liu
- Rehabilitation Medicine College, Shandong Second Medical University, Jinan, China
| | - Yongjun Tang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Chifeng University, Chifeng, China
| | - Zhaoyi Xia
- Department of Library, Children’s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Library, Jinan Children’s Hospital, Jinan, China
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2
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Yuan S, Wang Z, Yao S, Wang Y, Xie Z, Wang J, Yu X, Song Y, Cui X, Zhou J, Ge J. Knocking out USP7 attenuates cardiac fibrosis and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition by destabilizing SMAD3 in mice with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Theranostics 2024; 14:5793-5808. [PMID: 39346543 PMCID: PMC11426239 DOI: 10.7150/thno.97767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a predominant type of heart failure. Exploring new pathogenesis and identifying potential novel therapeutic targets for HFpEF is of paramount importance. Methods: HFpEF mouse model was established by the "Multiple-hit" strategy, in that 18- to 22-month-old female C57B6/J mice fed with a high-fat diet were further challenged with chronic infusion of Angiotensin II. RNA sequencing analysis showed that USP7 was significantly increased in the heart of HFpEF mice. Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, in conjunction with co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) techniques, identified expression of SMAD3, the key molecule of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), was also significantly elevated. USP7 endothelium-specific knockout mice was generated to investigate the involvement of USP7 in HFpEF. The biological significance of the interaction between USP7 and SMAD3 was further explored. Results: USP7 promotes EndMT and cardiac fibrosis by binding to SMAD3 directly via its UBL (Ubiquitin-like) domain and cysteine at position 223 of USP7, leading SMAD3 deubiquitination to maintain the stability of SMAD3 by removing the K63 ubiquitin chain and preventing the degradation of SMAD3 by proteasomal process. USP7 also promotes SMAD3 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, thereby aggravating EndMT and cardiac fibrosis. Endothelium-specific USP7 knockout led to improvement of HFpEF phenotypes and reduction of cardiac fibrosis. Overexpression of SMAD3 in endothelium-specific knockout HFpEF mice reversed the protective effects of USP7 knockout in this HFpEF mouse model. Conclusion: Our results indicated that USP7 is one of the key pathogenic molecules of HFpEF, and knocking out USP7 could attenuate HFpEF injury by promoting the degradation of SMAD3. USP7 and SMAD3 inhibition might be potential therapeutic options for HFpEF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zimu Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shun Yao
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanyan Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhonglei Xie
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingfeng Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xueting Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Song
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaotong Cui
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingmin Zhou
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junbo Ge
- Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Ying J, Wang P, Jin X, Luo L, Lai K, Li J. TGF-β1 Mediates the EndoMt in High Glucose-Treated Human Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Semin Ophthalmol 2024; 39:312-319. [PMID: 38192082 DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2023.2300806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to investigate the role of TGF-β1 in the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) and fibrosis in high glucose (HG)-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs). HRMECs were cultured not only under normal glucose (NG) conditions with or without TGF-β1, but also under HG conditions with or without the TGF-β1 inhibitor SB431542. The expression of TGF-β1 was detected by real time-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Morphological changes and migration of the HRMECs were observed using electron microscopy and scratch-wound assay. Endothelial markers, such as CD31 and vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, and the acquisition of fibrotic markers, such as alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP-1), were determined by immunofluorescent staining and western blot. The level of TGF-β1 was significantly upregulated in HG-treated HRMECs. And HG stimulation promoted obvious morphological changes and the migration ability in HRMECs. Our results also demonstrated increased expression of α-SMA and FSP-1, and decreased expression of CD31 and VE-cadherin, in HG-treated HRMECs. These EndoMT-related changes were promoted by TGF-β1 and abrogated by SB431542. The results of this study demonstrated the important role of TGF-β1 in HG-induced vitreoretinal fibrosis. EndoMT is likely to be involved in the associated effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ying
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, PR China
| | - Peipei Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, PR China
| | - Xiao Jin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, PR China
| | - Li Luo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, PR China
| | - Keshuang Lai
- Department of Ophthalmology, Yunhe County Hospital of traditional Chinese medicine, Lishui, PR China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, PR China
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4
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Lu L, Zhu M, Wu Q, Sun Z, Chen X, Miao C. Sirt7/HIC1 complex participates in hyperglycaemia-mediated EndMT via modulation of SDC1 expression in diabetic kidney disease and metabolic memory. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18336. [PMID: 38686489 PMCID: PMC11058670 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a primary microvascular complication arising from diabetes, may result in end-stage renal disease. Epigenetic regulation of endothelial mesenchymal transition (EndMT) has been recently reported to exert function in metabolic memory and DKD. Here, we investigated the mechanism which Sirt7 modulated EndMT in human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) in the occurrence of metabolic memory in DKD. Lower levels of SDC1 and Sirt7 were noted in the glomeruli of both DKD patients and diabetes-induced renal injury rats, as well as in human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) with high blood sugar. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was sustained despite the normalization of glycaemic control. We also found that Sirt7 overexpression associated with glucose normalization promoted the SDC1 expression and reversed EndMT in HGECs. Furthermore, the sh-Sirt7-mediated EndMT could be reversed by SDC1 overexpression. The ChIP assay revealed enrichment of Sirt7 and H3K18ac in the SDC1 promoter region. Furthermore, hypermethylated in cancer 1 (HIC1) was found to be associated with Sirt7. Overexpression of HIC1 with normoglycaemia reversed high glucose-mediated EndMT in HGECs. The knockdown of HIC1-mediated EndMT was reversed by SDC1 upregulation. In addition, the enrichment of HIC1 and Sirt7 was observed in the same promoter region of SDC1. The overexpressed Sirt7 reversed EndMT and improved renal function in insulin-treated diabetic models. This study demonstrated that the hyperglycaemia-mediated interaction between Sirt7 and HIC1 exerts a role in the metabolic memory in DKD by inactivating SDC1 transcription and mediating EndMT despite glucose normalization in HGECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of AnesthesiologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Minmin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Qichao Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhirong Sun
- Department of AnesthesiologyFudan University Shanghai Cancer CenterShanghaiChina
- Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xiangyuan Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan HospitalFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Roccatello D, Lan HY, Sciascia S, Sethi S, Fornoni A, Glassock R. From inflammation to renal fibrosis: A one-way road in autoimmunity? Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103466. [PMID: 37848157 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103466] [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: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is now recognized as a main determinant of renal pathology to include chronic kidney disease. Deposition of pathological matrix in the walls of glomerular capillaries, the interstitial space, and around arterioles predicts and contributes to the functional demise of the nephron and its surrounding vasculature. The recent identification of the major cell populations of fibroblast precursors in the kidney interstitium such as pericytes and tissue-resident mesenchymal stem cells, or bone-marrow-derived macrophages, and in the glomerulus such as podocytes, parietal epithelial and mesangial cells, has enabled the study of the fibrogenic process thought the lens of involved immunological pathways. Besides, a growing body of evidence is supporting the role of the lymphatic system in modulating the immunological response potentially leading to inflammation and ultimately renal damage. These notions have moved our understanding of renal fibrosis to be recognized as a clinical entity and new main player in autoimmunity, impacting directly the management of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Roccatello
- University Center of Excellence on Nephrologic, Rheumatologic and Rare Diseases (ERK-net, ERN-Reconnect and RITA-ERN Member) with Nephrology and Dialysis Unit and Center of Immuno-Rheumatology and Rare Diseases (CMID), Coordinating Center of the Interregional Network for Rare Diseases of Piedmont and Aosta Valley (North-West Italy), San Giovanni Bosco Hub Hospital, ASL Città di Torino and Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine & Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases,Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Savino Sciascia
- University Center of Excellence on Nephrologic, Rheumatologic and Rare Diseases (ERK-net, ERN-Reconnect and RITA-ERN Member) with Nephrology and Dialysis Unit and Center of Immuno-Rheumatology and Rare Diseases (CMID), Coordinating Center of the Interregional Network for Rare Diseases of Piedmont and Aosta Valley (North-West Italy), San Giovanni Bosco Hub Hospital, ASL Città di Torino and Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences of the University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sanjeev Sethi
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alessia Fornoni
- Peggy and Harold Katz Family Drug Discovery Center, Katz Family Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, USA
| | - Richard Glassock
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Pasupulati AK, Nagati V, Paturi ASV, Reddy GB. Non-enzymatic glycation and diabetic kidney disease. VITAMINS AND HORMONES 2024; 125:251-285. [PMID: 38997166 DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2024.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Chronic diabetes leads to various complications including diabetic kidney disease (DKD). DKD is a major microvascular complication and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Varying degrees of proteinuria and reduced glomerular filtration rate are the cardinal clinical manifestations of DKD that eventually progress into end-stage renal disease. Histopathologically, DKD is characterized by renal hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, podocyte injury, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, ultimately leading to renal replacement therapy. Amongst the many mechanisms, hyperglycemia contributes to the pathogenesis of DKD via a mechanism known as non-enzymatic glycation (NEG). NEG is the irreversible conjugation of reducing sugars onto a free amino group of proteins by a series of events, resulting in the formation of initial Schiff's base and an Amadori product and to a variety of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs interact with cognate receptors and evoke aberrant signaling cascades that execute adverse events such as oxidative stress, inflammation, phenotypic switch, complement activation, and cell death in different kidney cells. Elevated levels of AGEs and their receptors were associated with clinical and morphological manifestations of DKD. In this chapter, we discussed the mechanism of AGEs accumulation, AGEs-induced cellular and molecular events in the kidney and their impact on the pathogenesis of DKD. We have also reflected upon the possible options to curtail the AGEs accumulation and approaches to prevent AGEs mediated adverse renal outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil K Pasupulati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.
| | - Veerababu Nagati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Atreya S V Paturi
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - G Bhanuprakash Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India.
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7
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He H, Wang H, Chen X, Zhong Y, Huang XR, Ma RCW, Wang C, Lan HY. Treatment for type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy by targeting Smad3 signaling. Int J Biol Sci 2024; 20:200-217. [PMID: 38164169 PMCID: PMC10750285 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.87820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
TGF-β/Smad3 signaling plays a critical role in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN), but treatment by specifically targeting Smad3 remains unexplored. To develop a new Smad3-targeted therapy for T2D and T2DN, we treated db/db mice at the pre-diabetic or established diabetic stage with a pharmacological Smad3 inhibitor SIS3. The therapeutic effect and mechanisms of anti-Smad3 treatment on T2D and T2DN were investigated. We found that anti-Smad3 treatment on pre-diabetic db/db mice largely attenuated both T2D and T2DN by markedly reducing blood glucose levels, and inhibiting the elevated serum creatinine, microalbuminuria, and renal fibrosis and inflammation. Unexpectedly, although SIS3 treatment on the established diabetic db/db mice inhibited T2DN but did not significantly improve T2D. Mechanistically, we uncovered that inhibition of T2DN in SIS3-treated db/db mice was associated with effectively restoring the balance of TGF-β/Smad signaling by inhibiting Smad3 while increasing Smad7, thereby suppressing Smad3-mediated renal fibrosis and NF-κB-driven renal inflammation via lncRNA Erbb4-IR and LRN9884-dependent mechanisms. We also revealed that inhibition of islet β cell injury by preventing the loss of islet Pax 6 could be the mechanism through which the pre-diabetic treatment, rather than the late SIS3 treatment on db/db mice significantly improved the T2D phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun He
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, 519000, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Honglian Wang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiaocui Chen
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Xiao Ru Huang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Ronald CW Ma
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong, 519000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, 519000, China
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; and Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory on Immunological and Genetic Kidney Diseases, and Departments of Nephrology and Pathology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510080, China
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Iqubal A, Najmi AK, Md S, Alkreathy HM, Ali J, Syed MA, Haque SE. Oral delivery of nerolidol alleviates cyclophosphamide-induced renal inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis via modulation of NF-κB/cleaved caspase-3/TGF-β signaling molecules. Drug Deliv 2023; 30:2241661. [PMID: 37559381 PMCID: PMC10946274 DOI: 10.1080/10717544.2023.2241661] [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: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the most extensively used antineoplastic drug, but the nephrotoxicity caused by this drug is a major limiting factor for its use. Nerolidol (NERO) is a natural bioactive compound with diverse pharmacological actions. In Vitro and in vivo study was performed using HK-2 renal cells and Swiss Albino mice. Cell lines and animals were treated with NERO 25 and 50 µM + 30 µM CP (in vitro), 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. NERO from day 1 to day 15 + 200 mg/kg, i.p. CP on day 17 as single intraperitoneal injection (in vivo). The makers of oxidative stress, renal-specific injury markers, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis, and histopathological changes were studied. The study's outcome showed a significant reduction in the level of malonaldehyde and interleukin-6 (p < 0.01), tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1β (p < 0.001), and an increase in the superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione and interleukin-10 level (p < 0.01), in the in vivo study when treated with NERO 400 and compared with CP 200. In Vitro study showed reduced expression of nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells, cleaved caspase-3, kidney injury molecule-1 and transforming growth factor-β-1 (p < 0.001), when treated with NERO 50 µM whereas NERO 25 µM only reduced the level of cleaved caspase-3 (p < 0.05) when compared with 30 µM. NERO 400 also reduced uric acid (p < 0.05), urea (p < 0.01), blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine levels (p < 0.001) and increased the level of blood-urea-nitrogen/creatinine ratio (p < 0.001). Additionally, the level of fibrosis-specific markers such as transforming growth factor-β1, hyaluronic acid (p < 0.01), 4-hydroxyproline, a collagen-rich area in Masson's' trichome stain, and Smad3 expression was also significantly reduced (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the outcome of multiple renal staining showed structural reversal aberrations, reduction of the thick basement membrane, and glycogen level toward normal when treated with NERO 400. Thus, the study showed a novel mechanistic modality of NERO against cyclophosphamide-induced renal toxicity. The outcome of this study can be considered a step closer to the development of an adjuvant to mitigate cyclophosphamide-induced renal toxicity among patients treated with cyclophosphamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashif Iqubal
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Abul Kalam Najmi
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Shadab Md
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Huda Mohammed Alkreathy
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Javed Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Mansoor Ali Syed
- Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, India
| | - Syed Ehtaishamul Haque
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, New Delhi, India
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9
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Su Q, Chen X, Ling X, Li D, Ren X, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Liu Y, He A, Zhu X, Yang X, Lu W, Wu H, Qi Y. SUMOylation of Smad2 mediates TGF-β-regulated endothelial-mesenchymal transition. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105244. [PMID: 37690680 PMCID: PMC10570702 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105244] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) is a complex biological process in which endothelial cells are transformed into mesenchymal cells, and dysregulated EndoMT causes a variety of pathological processes. Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling effectively induces the EndoMT process in endothelial cells, and Smad2 is the critical protein of the TGF-β signaling pathway. However, whether small ubiquitin-like modifier modification (SUMOylation) is involved in EndoMT remains unclear. Here, we show that Smad2 is predominantly modified by SUMO1 at two major SUMOylation sites with PIAS2α as the primary E3 ligase, whereas SENP1 (sentrin/SUMO-specific protease 1) mediates the deSUMOylation of Smad2. In addition, we identified that SUMOylation significantly enhances the transcriptional activity and protein stability of Smad2, regulating the expression of downstream target genes. SUMOylation increases the phosphorylation of Smad2 and the formation of the Smad2-Smad4 complex, thus promoting the nuclear translocation of Smad2. Ultimately, the wildtype, but not SUMOylation site mutant Smad2 facilitated the EndoMT process. More importantly, TGF-β enhances the nuclear translocation of Smad2 by enhancing its SUMOylation and promoting the EndoMT process. These results demonstrate that SUMOylation of Smad2 plays a critical role in the TGF-β-mediated EndoMT process, providing a new theoretical basis for the treatment and potential drug targets of EndoMT-related clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Su
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xing Ling
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Danqing Li
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiang Ren
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yang Zhao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanyan Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yuhang Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Anqi He
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinjie Zhu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xinyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbin Lu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongmei Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yitao Qi
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
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10
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Dong G, Huang X, Xu Y, Chen R, Chen S. Mechanical stress induced EndoMT in endothelial cells through PPARγ downregulation. Cell Signal 2023; 110:110812. [PMID: 37468053 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2023.110812] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Portal hypertension is a group of clinical syndromes induced by increased portal system pressure due to various etiologies including cirrhosis. When portal hypertension develops, the portal vein dilates and endothelial cells (ECs) in the portal vein are subjected to mechanical stretch. In this study, elastic silicone chambers were used to simulate the effects of mechanical stretch on ECs under portal hypertension. We found that mechanical stretch decreased PPARγ expression in ECs by blocking the PI3K/AKT/CREB signaling pathway or increasing NEDD4-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of PPARγ. Moreover, PPARγ downregulation triggered Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in ECs under stretch by promoting Smad3 phosphorylation. The PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone mitigated stretch-induced EndoMT in vitro and alleviated EndoMT of the portal vein endothelium in cirrhotic rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Dong
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoquan Huang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ye Xu
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongxin Chen
- Liver Cancer Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Cancer Invasion, Ministry of Education, Shanghai, China.
| | - Shiyao Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Endoscopy Center and Endoscopy, Shanghai, China; Research Institute, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 180 Fenglin Road, Shanghai 200032, China; Center of Evidence-based Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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11
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Pohl L, Schiessl IM. Endothelial cell plasticity in kidney fibrosis and disease. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 239:e14038. [PMID: 37661749 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14038] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Renal endothelial cells demonstrate an impressive remodeling potential during angiogenic sprouting, vessel repair or while transitioning into mesenchymal cells. These different processes may play important roles in both renal disease progression or regeneration while underlying signaling pathways of different endothelial cell plasticity routes partly overlap. Angiogenesis contributes to wound healing after kidney injury and pharmaceutical modulation of angiogenesis may home a great therapeutic potential. Yet, it is not clear whether any differentiated endothelial cell can proliferate or whether regenerative processes are largely controlled by resident or circulating endothelial progenitor cells. In the glomerular compartment for example, a distinct endothelial progenitor cell population may remodel the glomerular endothelium after injury. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) in the kidney is vastly documented and often associated with endothelial dysfunction, fibrosis, and kidney disease progression. Especially the role of EndoMT in renal fibrosis is controversial. Studies on EndoMT in vivo determined possible conclusions on the pathophysiological role of EndoMT in the kidney, but whether endothelial cells really contribute to kidney fibrosis and if not what other cellular and functional outcomes derive from EndoMT in kidney disease is unclear. Sequencing data, however, suggest no participation of endothelial cells in extracellular matrix deposition. Thus, more in-depth classification of cellular markers and the fate of EndoMT cells in the kidney is needed. In this review, we describe different signaling pathways of endothelial plasticity, outline methodological approaches and evidence for functional and structural implications of angiogenesis and EndoMT in the kidney, and eventually discuss controversial aspects in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Layla Pohl
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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12
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Kleibert M, Zygmunciak P, Łakomska K, Mila K, Zgliczyński W, Mrozikiewicz-Rakowska B. Insight into the Molecular Mechanism of Diabetic Kidney Disease and the Role of Metformin in Its Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13038. [PMID: 37685845 PMCID: PMC10487922 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is one of the leading causes of death among patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Despite the growing knowledge about the pathogenesis of DKD, we still do not have effective direct pharmacotherapy. Accurate blood sugar control is essential in slowing down DKD. It seems that metformin has a positive impact on kidneys and this effect is not only mediated by its hypoglycemic action, but also by direct molecular regulation of pathways involved in DKD. The molecular mechanism of DKD is complex and we can distinguish polyol, hexosamine, PKC, and AGE pathways which play key roles in the development and progression of this disease. Each of these pathways is overactivated in a hyperglycemic environment and it seems that most of them may be regulated by metformin. In this article, we summarize the knowledge about DKD pathogenesis and the potential mechanism of the nephroprotective effect of metformin. Additionally, we describe the impact of metformin on glomerular endothelial cells and podocytes, which are harmed in DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Kleibert
- Chair and Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-097 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Przemysław Zygmunciak
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (P.Z.); (K.M.)
| | - Klaudia Łakomska
- Faculty of Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland;
| | - Klaudia Mila
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland; (P.Z.); (K.M.)
| | - Wojciech Zgliczyński
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Bielanski Hospital, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Beata Mrozikiewicz-Rakowska
- Department of Endocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Bielanski Hospital, 01-809 Warsaw, Poland;
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13
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Xu F, Lu S, Jia X, Zhou Y. Bromodomain protein 4 mediates the roles of TGFβ1-induced Stat3 signaling in mouse liver fibrogenesis. Toxicol Lett 2023; 385:42-50. [PMID: 37634812 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Epigenetic reader Bromodomain protein 4 (BrD4) functions as a global genomic regulator to direct hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation (a key step in liver fibrogenesis) and liver fibrosis. The pivotal pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) signals through both Smad and Stat3 to elicit a wide array of biological effects. Stat3 is widely acknowledged as a regulator of gene transcription and is involved in fibrosis of multiple tissues. The present study focused on BrD4 function implication in the roles of TGFβ1-induced Stat3 signaling in HSC activation and liver fibrosis by using heterozygous TGFβ1 knockout mice and HSC culture. Results showed that Stat3 was required for TGFβ1-induced BrD4 expression in HSCs. BrD4 expression paralleled Stat3 activation in activated HSCs in human cirrhotic livers. BrD4 was involved in the roles of TGFβ1-induced Stat3 in HSC activation and liver fibrogenesis. Smad3 bound to phosphorylated-Stat3 and contributed to TGFβ1-induced Stat3 signaling. BrD4 expression induced by Stat3 signaling required the early-immediate gene Egr1. Egr1 had a positive feedback on Stat3 activation. In conclusion, a network consisting of Stat3 signaling, Smad3 signaling, Egr1, and BrD4 was involved in the effects of TGFβ1 on liver fibrosis, providing new toxicological mechanisms for TGFβ1 in liver fibrogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feifan Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong), 500 Yonghe Road, Nantong 226011, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sidan Lu
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Qi xiou Road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Jia
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Qi xiou Road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yajun Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Medical School, Nantong University, Qi xiou Road 19, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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14
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He H, Zhong Y, Wang H, Tang PMK, Xue VW, Chen X, Chen J, Huang X, Wang C, Lan H. Smad3 Mediates Diabetic Dyslipidemia and Fatty Liver in db/db Mice by Targeting PPARδ. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11396. [PMID: 37511155 PMCID: PMC10380492 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411396] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad3 signaling has been shown to play important roles in fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. However, the role of Smad3 in dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes remains unclear, and whether targeting Smad3 has a therapeutic effect on these metabolic abnormalities remains unexplored. These topics were investigated in this study in Smad3 knockout (KO)-db/db mice and by treating db/db mice with a Smad3-specific inhibitor SIS3. Compared to Smad3 wild-type (WT)-db/db mice, Smad3 KO-db/db mice were protected against dyslipidemia and NAFLD. Similarly, treatment of db/db mice with SIS3 at week 4 before the onset of type 2 diabetes until week 12 was capable of lowering blood glucose levels and improving diabetic dyslipidemia and NAFLD. In addition, using RNA-sequencing, the potential Smad3-target genes related to lipid metabolism was identified in the liver tissues of Smad3 KO/WT mice, and the regulatory mechanisms were investigated. Mechanistically, we uncovered that Smad3 targeted peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARδ) to induce dyslipidemia and NAFLD in db/db mice, which was improved by genetically deleting and pharmacologically inhibiting Smad3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijun He
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Yu Zhong
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Honglian Wang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Patrick Ming-Kuen Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Vivian Weiwen Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Translational Oncology, Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xiaocui Chen
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Jiaoyi Chen
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xiaoru Huang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biomedical Imaging, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai 519000, China
| | - Huiyao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
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15
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Baudo G, Wu S, Massaro M, Liu H, Lee H, Zhang A, Hamilton DJ, Blanco E. Polymer-Functionalized Mitochondrial Transplantation to Fibroblasts Counteracts a Pro-Fibrotic Phenotype. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10913. [PMID: 37446100 PMCID: PMC10342003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT) leads to excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition-a well-known hallmark of fibrotic disease. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is the primary cytokine driving FMT, and this phenotypic conversion is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, notably a metabolic reprogramming towards enhanced glycolysis. The objective of this study was to examine whether the establishment of favorable metabolic phenotypes in TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts could attenuate FMT. The hypothesis was that mitochondrial replenishment of TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts would counteract a shift towards glycolytic metabolism, consequently offsetting pro-fibrotic processes. Isolated mitochondria, functionalized with a dextran and triphenylphosphonium (TPP) (Dex-TPP) polymer conjugate, were administered to fibroblasts (MRC-5 cells) stimulated with TGF-β, and effects on bioenergetics and fibrotic programming were subsequently examined. Results demonstrate that TGF-β stimulation of fibroblasts led to FMT, which was associated with enhanced glycolysis. Dex-TPP-coated mitochondria (Dex-TPP/Mt) delivery to TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts abrogated a metabolic shift towards glycolysis and led to a reduction in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Importantly, TGF-β-stimulated fibroblasts treated with Dex-TPP/Mt had lessened expression of FMT markers and ECM proteins, as well as reduced migration and proliferation. Findings highlight the potential of mitochondrial transfer, as well as other strategies involving functional reinforcement of mitochondria, as viable therapeutic modalities in fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gherardo Baudo
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- College of Materials Sciences and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Suhong Wu
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Matteo Massaro
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- College of Materials Sciences and Opto-Electronic Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haoran Liu
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Hyunho Lee
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Aijun Zhang
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Dale J. Hamilton
- Center for Bioenergetics, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Elvin Blanco
- Department of Nanomedicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Houston Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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16
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Altrieth AL, Suarez E, Nelson DA, Gabunia S, Larsen M. Single-cell Transcriptomic Analysis of Salivary Gland Endothelial Cells. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.06.22.545817. [PMID: 37425911 PMCID: PMC10327062 DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.22.545817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Vascular endothelial cells have important functions in fibrosis via direct and indirect methods and in regeneration through secretion of tissue-specific, paracrineacting angiocrine factors. In the salivary gland, endothelial cells are required for proper development, but their roles within adult glands are largely unknown. The goal of this work was to identify ligand-receptor interactions between endothelial cells and other cell types that are important during homeostasis, fibrosis, and regeneration. To model salivary gland fibrosis and regeneration, we utilized a reversible ductal ligation. To induce injury, a clip was applied to the primary ducts for 14 days, and to induce a regenerative response, the clip was subsequently removed for 5 days. To identify endothelial cell-produced factors, we used single-cell RNA-sequencing of stromal-enriched cells from adult submandibular and sublingual salivary glands. Transcriptional profiles of homeostatic salivary gland endothelial cells were compared to endothelial cells of other organs. Salivary gland endothelial cells were found to express unique genes and displayed the highest overlap in gene expression with other fenestrated endothelial cells from the colon, small intestine, and kidney. Comparison of the 14-day ligated, mock ligated, and 5-day deligated stromal-enriched transcripts and lineage tracing were used to identify evidence for a partial endoMT phenotype, which was observed in a small number of endothelial cell subsets with ligation. CellChat was used to predict changes in ligand-receptor interactions in response to ligation and deligation. CellChat predicted that after ligation, endothelial cells are sources of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type m, tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13, and myelin protein zero signaling and targets for tumor necrosis factor signaling. Following deligation, CellChat predicted that endothelial cells are sources of chemokine (C-X-C motif) and EPH signaling to promote regenerative responses. These studies will inform future endothelial cell-based regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber L. Altrieth
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Emily Suarez
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Deirdre A. Nelson
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Sergo Gabunia
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
| | - Melinda Larsen
- Department of Biological Sciences and The RNA Institute, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
- Molecular, Cellular, Developmental, and Neural Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, USA
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17
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Ghorbaninejad M, Abdollahpour-Alitappeh M, Shahrokh S, Fayazzadeh S, Asadzadeh-Aghdaei H, Meyfour A. TGF-β receptor I inhibitor may restrict the induction of EMT in inflamed intestinal epithelial cells. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2023; 248:665-676. [PMID: 36775873 PMCID: PMC10408554 DOI: 10.1177/15353702231151959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the extensive body of research, understanding the exact molecular mechanisms governing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) still demands further investigation. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling possesses a multifacial effect on a broad range of context-dependent cellular responses. However, long-term TGF-β1 activity may trigger epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), followed by fibrosis. This study aimed to determine the role of epithelial TGF-β1 signaling in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. The expression of TGF-β1 signaling components and EMT-related and epithelial tight junction markers was examined in IBD patients (n = 60) as well as LPS-induced Caco-2/RAW264.7 co-culture model using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, the effect of A83-01, as a TGF-β receptor I (TβRI) inhibitor, on the inflamed epithelial cells was evaluated in vitro. To evaluate the cytotoxic effects of the TβRI inhibitor, a cell viability assay was performed by the MTS method. Considering the activation of canonical and non-canonical TGF-β1 signaling pathways in IBD patients, expression results indicated that administering A83-01 in inflamed Caco-2 cells substantially blocked the expression level of TGF-β1, SMAD4, and PI3K and the phosphorylation of p-SMAD2/3, p-AKT, and p-RPS6 as well as prevented downregulation of LncGAS5 and LncCDKN2B. Further analysis revealed that the inhibition of TGF-β1 signaling in inflamed epithelial cells by the small molecule could suppress the EMT-related markers as well as improve the expression of epithelial adherens and tight junctions. Collectively, these findings indicated that the inhibition of the TGF-β1 signaling could suppress the induction of EMT in inflamed epithelial cells as well as exert a protective effect on preserving tight junction integrity. There is a pressing need to determine the exact cellular mechanisms by which TGF-β1 exerts its effect on IBD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Ghorbaninejad
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | | | - Shabnam Shahrokh
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Sara Fayazzadeh
- Bioinformatics and Computational Omics Lab (BioCOOL), Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 14115-154, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh-Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
| | - Anna Meyfour
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1985717413, Iran
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18
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Kourtidou C, Tziomalos K. The Role of Histone Modifications in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24066007. [PMID: 36983082 PMCID: PMC10051814 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24066007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease. The pathogenesis of DKD is multifactorial, with several molecular pathways implicated. Recent data suggest that histone modification plays an important role in the development and progression of DKD. Histone modification appears to induce oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis in the diabetic kidney. In the present review, we summarize the current knowledge on the association between histone modification and DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christodoula Kourtidou
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Tziomalos
- First Propedeutic Department of Internal Medicine, AHEPA Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
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19
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Taguchi K, Fukami K. RAGE signaling regulates the progression of diabetic complications. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1128872. [PMID: 37007029 PMCID: PMC10060566 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1128872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes, the ninth leading cause of death globally, is expected to affect 642 million people by 2040. With the advancement of an aging society, the number of patients with diabetes having multiple underlying diseases, such as hypertension, obesity, and chronic inflammation, is increasing. Thus, the concept of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has been accepted worldwide, and comprehensive treatment of patients with diabetes is required. Receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE), a multiligand receptor, belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily is extensively expressed throughout the body. Various types of ligands, including advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), high mobility group box 1, S100/calgranulins, and nucleic acids, bind to RAGE, and then induces signal transduction to amplify the inflammatory response and promote migration, invasion, and proliferation of cells. Furthermore, the expression level of RAGE is upregulated in patients with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and chronic inflammation, suggesting that activation of RAGE is a common denominator in the context of DKD. Considering that ligand–and RAGE–targeting compounds have been developed, RAGE and its ligands can be potent therapeutic targets for inhibiting the progression of DKD and its complications. Here, we aimed to review recent literature on various signaling pathways mediated by RAGE in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Our findings highlight the possibility of using RAGE–or ligand–targeted therapy for treating DKD and its complications.
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20
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Huang Z, Shen S, Wang M, Li W, Wu G, Huang W, Luo W, Liang G. Mouse endothelial OTUD1 promotes angiotensin II-induced vascular remodeling by deubiquitinating SMAD3. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56135. [PMID: 36579465 PMCID: PMC9986815 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256135] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the molecular mechanisms of pathological vascular remodeling is important for treating cardiovascular diseases and complications. Recent studies have highlighted a role of deubiquitinases in vascular pathophysiology. Here, we investigate the role of a deubiquitinase, OTUD1, in angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced vascular remodeling. We detect upregulated OTUD1 in the vascular endothelium of Ang II-challenged mice and show that OTUD1 deletion attenuates vascular remodeling, collagen deposition, and EndMT. Conversely, OTUD1 overexpression aggravates these pathological changes both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, SMAD3 is identified as a substrate of OTUD1 using co-immunoprecipitation followed by LC-MS/MS. We find that OTUD1 stabilizes SMAD3 and facilitates SMAD3/SMAD4 complex formation and subsequent nuclear translocation through both K48- and K63-linked deubiquitination. OTUD1-mediated SMAD3 activation regulates transcription of genes involved in vascular EndMT and remodeling in HUVECs. Finally, SMAD3 inhibition reverses OTUD1-promoted vascular remodeling. Our findings demonstrate that endothelial OTUD1 promotes Ang II-induced vascular remodeling by deubiquitinating SMAD3. We identify SMAD3 as a target of OTUD1 and propose OTUD1 as a potential therapeutic target for diseases related to vascular remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuqi Huang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Sirui Shen
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Mengyang Wang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Weixin Li
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Gaojun Wu
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Weijian Huang
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Wu Luo
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
| | - Guang Liang
- Chemical Biology Research Center, School of Pharmaceutical SciencesWenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- Department of CardiologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical UniversityWenzhouChina
- School of Pharmaceutical SciencesHangzhou Medical CollegeHangzhouChina
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Li H, Wang G, Hu M, Dai R, Li C, Cao Y. Specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) alleviated submandibular gland fibrosis and dysfunction after dominant duct ligation in mice. J Dent Sci 2023; 18:865-871. [PMID: 37021213 PMCID: PMC10068496 DOI: 10.1016/j.jds.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background/purpose Chronic obstructive sialadenitis (COS) is a condition that severely reduced patients' quality of life. This study aimed to analyze the effects of SIS3, a specific inhibitor of small mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (SMAD3), on the submandibular gland (SMG) dysfunction, fibrosis, and inflammation. Materials and methods The dominant duct in the SMG was ligated in mice, followed by intraperitoneal injection of SIS3 (2 mg/kg/day) or Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) saline for 7 days. In the sham group, this duct was surgically identified but not ligated. Saliva flow, histological structure, fibrosis, Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β)/SMAD3 signaling, and inflammatory cytokines, were analyzed. Results SIS3 rescued ligation-induced SMG dysfunction and improved the saliva flow rate compared to DMSO. SIS3 alleviated acinar atrophy and ductal dilation and maintained the morphology of the basal membrane. SIS3 reduces interlobular and intralobular fibrosis and collagen deposition. We observed reduced SMAD3 phosphorylation and TGF-β expression. The SIS3 group showed downregulation of np_5318 and miR-21 and upregulation of miR-29 b compared to the DMSO group. Moreover, SIS3 controlled the inflammatory cytokine release, including interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β. Conclusion SIS3 protected duct-ligated SMGs against fibrosis and dysfunction by inhibiting the TGF-β/SMAD3 signaling and inflammatory cytokine expression. SIS3 may serve as a promising treatment for chronic obstructive sialadenitis.
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Wang E, Wang H, Chakrabarti S. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition: An underappreciated mediator of diabetic complications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1050540. [PMID: 36777351 PMCID: PMC9911675 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1050540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes and its complications represent a great burden on the global healthcare system. Diabetic complications are fundamentally diseases of the vasculature, with endothelial cells being the centerpiece of early hyperglycemia-induced changes. Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition is a tightly regulated process that results in endothelial cells losing endothelial characteristics and developing mesenchymal traits. Although endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition has been found to occur within most of the major complications of diabetes, it has not been a major focus of study or a common target in the treatment or prevention of diabetic complications. In this review we summarize the importance of endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in each major diabetic complication, examine specific mechanisms at play, and highlight potential mechanisms to prevent endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in each of the major chronic complications of diabetes.
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Yang J, Ruan Y, Wang D, Fan J, Luo N, Chen H, Li X, Chen W, Wang X. VHL-recruiting PROTAC attenuates renal fibrosis and preserves renal function via simultaneous degradation of Smad3 and stabilization of HIF-2α. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:203. [PMID: 36536448 PMCID: PMC9761961 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00936-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis is the pathological foundation of various chronic kidney diseases progressing to end stage renal failure. However, there are currently no nephroprotective drugs targeted to the fibrotic process in clinical practice. Proteolytic targeting chimeras (PROTACs), which reversibly degrade target proteins through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, is a novel therapeutic modality. Smad3 is a key pathogenic factor in fibrogenesis while HIF-2α exhibits prominent renal protective effects, which is the natural substrate of von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 Ligase. We hypothesied the construction of VHL-recruiting, Smad3-targeting PROTAC might combine the effects of Smad3 degradation and HIF-2α stabilization, which not only improving the clinical efficacy of PROTAC but also avoiding its potential off-target effects, could greatly improve the possibility of its translation into clinical drugs. METHODS By joining the Smad3-binding small molecule compound (SMC) to VHL-binding SMC with a linker, we designed and synthesized a Smad3-targeting, VHL-based PROTAC. The effects of this PROTAC on targeted proteins were verified both in vitro and in vivo. The toxicity and pharmacokinetic (PK) evaluations were conducted with both male and female mice. The renal protection effects and mechanism of PROTAC were evaluated in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (5/6Nx) mouse model. RESULTS By optimizing the linker and the Smad3-binding SMC, we got a stable and high efficient PROTAC which simultaneously degraded Smad3 and stabilized HIF-2α both in vivo and in vitro. The acute toxicity evaluation showed a pretty large therapeutic window of the PROTAC. The prominent renal protection effects and its underlying mechanism including anti-fibrosis and anti-inflammatory, improving renal anemia and promoting kidney repair, had all been verified in UUO and 5/6Nx mouse model. CONCLUSION By accurate combination of PROTAC targeted protein and E3 ligase, we got a Smad3-targeting, VHL-recruting PROTAC which caused Smad3 degradation and HIF-2α stabilization effects simultaneously, and led to the strong renal function protection effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Yang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Yuyi Ruan
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Dan Wang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Jinjin Fan
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Ning Luo
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Huiting Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Wei Chen
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
| | - Xin Wang
- grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XDepartment of Nephrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080 China ,grid.12981.330000 0001 2360 039XNHC Key Laboratory of Clinical Nephrology (Sun Yat-Sen University) and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nephrology, Guangzhou, 510080 China
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TGF-β Inhibitors for Therapeutic Management of Kidney Fibrosis. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15121485. [PMID: 36558936 PMCID: PMC9783223 DOI: 10.3390/ph15121485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Kidney fibrosis is a common pathophysiological mechanism of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression caused by several underlying kidney diseases. Among various contributors to kidney fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the major factor driving fibrosis. TGF-β1 exerts its profibrotic attributes via the activation of canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, which induce proliferation and activation of myofibroblasts and subsequent accumulation of extracellular matrix. Over the past few decades, studies have determined the TGF-β1 signaling pathway inhibitors and evaluated whether they could ameliorate the progression of CKD by hindering kidney fibrosis. However, therapeutic strategies that block TGF-β1 signaling have usually demonstrated unsatisfactory results. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic concepts of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway and its inhibitors and review the current state of the art regarding regarding TGF-β1 inhibitors in CKD management.
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Cao Y, Lin JH, Hammes HP, Zhang C. Cellular phenotypic transitions in diabetic nephropathy: An update. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1038073. [PMID: 36408221 PMCID: PMC9666367 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1038073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetes and is the most common cause of end stage renal disease (ESRD). Renal fibrosis is the final pathological change in DN. It is widely believed that cellular phenotypic switching is the cause of renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Several types of kidney cells undergo activation and differentiation and become reprogrammed to express markers of mesenchymal cells or podocyte-like cells. However, the development of targeted therapy for DN has not yet been identified. Here, we discussed the pathophysiologic changes of DN and delineated the possible origins that contribute to myofibroblasts and podocytes through phenotypic transitions. We also highlight the molecular signaling pathways involved in the phenotypic transition, which would provide valuable information for the activation of phenotypic switching and designing effective therapies for DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiling Cao
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Ji-Hong Lin
- 5th Medical Department, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Hammes
- 5th Medical Department, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Chun Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Tang J, Liu F, Cooper ME, Chai Z. Renal fibrosis as a hallmark of diabetic kidney disease: Potential role of targeting transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and related molecules. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2022; 26:721-738. [PMID: 36217308 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2022.2133698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide. Currently, there is no effective treatment to completely prevent DKD progression to ESRD. Renal fibrosis and inflammation are the major pathological features of DKD, being pursued as potential therapeutic targets for DKD. AREAS COVERED Inflammation and renal fibrosis are involved in the pathogenesis of DKD. Anti-inflammatory drugs have been developed to combat DKD but without efficacy demonstrated. Thus, we have focused on the mechanisms of TGF-β-induced renal fibrosis in DKD, as well as discussing the important molecules influencing the TGF-β signaling pathway and their potential development into new pharmacotherapies, rather than targeting the ligand TGF-β and/or its receptors, such options include Smads, microRNAs, histone deacetylases, connective tissue growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein 7, hepatocyte growth factor, and cell division autoantigen 1. EXPERT OPINION TGF-β is a critical driver of renal fibrosis in DKD. Molecules that modulate TGF-β signaling rather than TGF-β itself are potentially superior targets to safely combat DKD. A comprehensive elucidation of the pathogenesis of DKD is important, which requires a better model system and access to clinical samples via collaboration between basic and clinical researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Tang
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Fang Liu
- Department of Nephrology and Laboratory of Diabetic Kidney Disease, Centre of Diabetes and Metabolism Research, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mark E Cooper
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Zhonglin Chai
- Department of Diabetes, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
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El-Waseif EG, Sharawy MH, Suddek GM. The modulatory effect of sodium molybdate against cisplatin-induced CKD: Role of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Life Sci 2022; 306:120845. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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Xie SS, Dong ZH, He Y, Chen ZW, Yang Q, Ma WX, Li C, Chen Y, Wang JN, Yu JT, Xu CH, Ni WJ, Hou R, Suo XG, Wen JG, Jin J, Li J, Liu MM, Meng XM. Cpd-0225 attenuates renal fibrosis via inhibiting ALK5. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 204:115240. [PMID: 36070847 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing public health concern, characterized by a reduced glomerular filtration rate and increased urinary albumin excretion. Renal fibrosis is an important pathological condition in patients with CKD. In this study, we evaluated the anti-fibrotic effect of Cpd-0225, a novel transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) type I receptor (also known as ALK5) inhibitor, in vitro and in vivo, by comparing its effect with that of SB431542, a classic ALK5 inhibitor, which has not entered the clinical trial stage owing to multiple side effects. Our data showed that Cpd-0225 attenuated fibrotic response in TGF-β1-stimulated human kidney tubular epithelial cells and repeated hypoxia/reoxygenation-treated mouse tubular epithelial cells. We further confirmed that Cpd-0225 improved renal tubular injury and ameliorated collagen deposition in unilateral ureteral obstruction-, ischemia/reperfusion-, and aristolochic acid-induced mouse models of renal fibrosis. In addition, molecular docking and site-directed mutagenesis showed that Cpd-0225 exerted a higher reno-protective effect than SB431542, by physically binding to the key amino acid residues, Lys232 and Lys335 of ALK5, thereby suppressing the phosphorylation of Smad3 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these findings suggest that Cpd-0225 administration attenuates renal fibrosis via ALK5-dependent mechanisms and displays a more effective therapeutic effect than SB431542. Thus, Cpd-0225 may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of CKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai-Shuai Xie
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ze-Hui Dong
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yuan He
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Zu-Wang Chen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Qin Yang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wen-Xian Ma
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chao Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jia-Nan Wang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ju-Tao Yu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Chuan-Hui Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Wei-Jian Ni
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Rui Hou
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Xiao-Guo Suo
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jia-Gen Wen
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Juan Jin
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immunopharmacology, Ministry of Education, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jun Li
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Ming-Ming Liu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Xiao-Ming Meng
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory of Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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BMP3 inhibits TGFβ2-mediated myofibroblast differentiation during wound healing of the embryonic cornea. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:36. [PMID: 35879352 PMCID: PMC9314337 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Often acute damage to the cornea initiates drastic tissue remodeling, resulting in fibrotic scarring that disrupts light transmission and precedes vision impairment. Very little is known about the factors that can mitigate fibrosis and promote scar-free cornea wound healing. We previously described transient myofibroblast differentiation during non-fibrotic repair in an embryonic cornea injury model. Here, we sought to elucidate the mechanistic regulation of myofibroblast differentiation during embryonic cornea wound healing. We found that alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive myofibroblasts are superficial and their presence inversely correlates with wound closure. Expression of TGFβ2 and nuclear localization of pSMAD2 were elevated during myofibroblast induction. BMP3 and BMP7 were localized in the corneal epithelium and corresponded with pSMAD1/5/8 activation and absence of myofibroblasts in the healing stroma. In vitro analyses with corneal fibroblasts revealed that BMP3 inhibits the persistence of TGFβ2-induced myofibroblasts by promoting disassembly of focal adhesions and αSMA fibers. This was confirmed by the expression of vinculin and pFAK. Together, these data highlight a mechanism to inhibit myofibroblast persistence during cornea wound repair.
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Hypoxia Selectively Increases a SMAD3 Signaling Axis to Promote Cancer Cell Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112751. [PMID: 35681731 PMCID: PMC9179584 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112751] [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] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) plays a paradoxical role in cancer, first inhibiting then promoting its progression, a duality that poses a real challenge for the development of effective TGFβ-targeted therapies. The major TGFβ downstream effectors, SMAD2 and SMAD3, display both distinct and overlapping functions and accumulating evidence suggests that their activation ratio may contribute to the dual effect of TGFβ. However, the mechanisms responsible for their selective activation remain poorly understood. Here, we provide experimental evidence that hypoxia induces the pro-invasive arm of TGFβ signaling through a selective increase in SMAD3 interaction with SMAD-Anchor for Receptor Activation (SARA). This event relies on HDAC6-dependent SMAD3 bioavailability, as well as increased SARA recruitment to EEA1+ endosomes. A motility gene expression study indicated that SMAD3 selectively increased the expression of ITGB2 and VIM, two genes that were found to be implicated in hypoxia-induced cell invasion and associated with tumor progression and metastasis in cohorts of cancer patients. Furthermore, CAM xenograft assays show the significant benefit of selective inhibition of the SMAD3 signaling pathway as opposed to global TGFβ inhibition in preventing tumor progression. Overall, these results suggest that fine-tuning of the pro-invasive HDAC6-SARA-SMAD3 axis could be a better strategy towards effective cancer treatments.
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Liu S, Zhao J, Tian WS, Wang JC, Wang HW, Zhou BH. Estrogen deficiency aggravates fluorine ion-induced renal fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway in rats. Toxicol Lett 2022; 362:26-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Li X, Lu L, Hou W, Wang F, Huang T, Meng Z, Zhu M. The SETD8/ELK1/bach1 complex regulates hyperglycaemia-mediated EndMT in diabetic nephropathy. J Transl Med 2022; 20:147. [PMID: 35351142 PMCID: PMC8961497 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03352-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN), the most common microvascular complication in patients with diabetes, induces kidney failure. Previous research showed that endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs) is involved in the progression of DN. Moreover, SET domain-containing protein 8 (SETD8), ETS-domain containing protein (ELK1) and BTB and CNC homology 1 (bach1) all participate in endothelial injury. In this study, we hypothesize that the SETD8/ELK1/bach1 functional axis is involved in mediating EndMT in diabetic nephropathy. Methods Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and qPCR were performed to determine the protein and mRNA levels of genes in HGECs and the kidney tissues of participants and rats. Immunofluorescence, Co-IP and GST pulldown assays were performed to verify the direct interaction between SETD8 and ELK1. ChIP and dual-luciferase assays were performed to determine the transcriptional regulation of bach1 and Snail. AVV-SETD8 injection in rat kidney was used to verify the potential protective effect of SETD8 on DN. Results Our current study showed that hyperglycaemia triggered EndMT by increasing Snail expression both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, high glucose increased bach1 expression in HGECs, positively regulating Snail and EndMT. As a transcription factor, ELK1 was augmented and participated in hyperglycaemia-induced EndMT via modulation of bach1 expression. Moreover, ELK1 was found to associate with SETD8. Furthermore, SETD8 negatively regulated EndMT by cooperating with bach1 to regulate Snail transcription. Furthermore, histone H4-Lys-20 monomethylation (H4K20me1), which is downstream of SETD8, was accompanied by ELK1 localization at the same promoter region of bach1. ELK1 overexpression enhanced bach1 promoter activity, which disappeared after specific binding site deletion. Mutual inhibition between ELK1 and SETD8 was found in HGECs. In vivo, SETD8 overexpression decreased ELK1 and bach1 expression, as well as EndMT. Moreover, SETD8 overexpression improved the renal function of rats with DN. Conclusions SETD8 cooperates with ELK1 to regulate bach1 transcription, thus participating in the progression of DN. In addition, SETD8 interacts with bach1 to modulate Snail transcription, thus inducing EndMT in DN. SETD8 plays a core role in the SETD8/ELK1/bach1 functional axis, which participates in hyperglycaemia-mediated EndMT in DN, and SETD8 may be a potential therapeutic target for DN. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR2000029425. 2020/1/31, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=48548 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03352-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Lihong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Wenting Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ting Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Zhipeng Meng
- Department of Anaesthesiology, Huzhou Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University, Affiliated Central Hospital of HuZhou University, Huzhou, 313000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Minmin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China. .,Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China.
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Tian Y, Bi Z, Ge S, Ye B, Han W. STAT5A modulated EndMT via upregulation of ELTD1 expression in diabetic nephropathy. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2022; 49:686-695. [PMID: 35320597 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.13644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, results in renal dysfunction and end-stage renal disease. Recently, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) was reported to mediate glomerular endothelial dysfunction, thus participating in the progress of fibrosis in DN. As a special type of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, EndMT and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition may share corporate modulators. It was reported that EGF, Latrophilin And Seven Transmembrane Domain Containing 1 (ELTD1) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5A (STAT5A) participate in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in some situations. In this work, we proposed that STAT5A participated in high glucose-mediated EndMT via modulation of ELTD1 levels in DN. Our data indicated that hyperglycemia/high glucose-induced ELTD1 and EndMT in DN rats and hyperglycemic human glomerular endothelial cells (HGECs). Also, high glucose mediated STAT5A nuclear translocation in HGECs. Moreover, high glucose-mediated EndMT was reversed by ELTD1 silencing. Further, STAT5A was found to be elevated in DN rats and hyperglycemic HGECs. The effect of high glucose-mediated increase of ELTD1 expression and EndMT was reversed by STAT5A silencing in vitro. Further, STAT5A overexpression enhanced ELTD1 levels and EndMT, which was inhibited by si-ELTD1. ChIP and luciferase assay represented that STAT5A directly regulated ELTD1 transcription. STAT5A directly regulated ELTD1 transcription, thus participating in high glucose-mediated EndMT in glomeruli of DN. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenhua Bi
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shuaina Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Ye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Air force medical center, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Han
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, the Sixth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Pandya Thakkar N, Pereira BMV, Katakia YT, Ramakrishnan SK, Thakar S, Sakhuja A, Rajeev G, Soorya S, Thieme K, Majumder S. Elevated H3K4me3 Through MLL2-WDR82 upon Hyperglycemia Causes Jagged Ligand Dependent Notch Activation to Interplay with Differentiation State of Endothelial Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:839109. [PMID: 35392173 PMCID: PMC8982561 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.839109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a hallmark of diabetes-associated vascular complications. Epigenetic mechanisms emerged as one of the key pathways to regulate diabetes-associated complications. In the current study, we aimed to determine how abrupt changes in histone 3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3) upon hyperglycemia exposure reprograms endothelial cells to undergo EndMT. Through in vitro studies, we first establish that intermittent high-glucose exposure to EC most potently induced partial mesenchyme-like characteristics compared with transient or constant high-glucose-challenged endothelial cells. In addition, glomerular endothelial cells of BTBR Ob/Ob mice also exhibited mesenchymal-like characteristics. Intermittent hyperglycemia-dependent induction of partial mesenchyme-like phenotype of endothelial cells coincided with an increase in H3K4me3 level in both macro- and micro-vascular EC due to selective increase in MLL2 and WDR82 protein of SET1/COMPASS complex. Such an endothelial-specific heightened H3K4me3 level was also detected in intermittent high-glucose-exposed rat aorta and in kidney glomeruli of Ob/Ob mice. Elevated H3K4me3 enriched in the promoter regions of Notch ligands Jagged1 and Jagged2, thus causing abrupt expression of these ligands and concomitant activation of Notch signaling upon intermittent hyperglycemia challenge. Pharmacological inhibition and/or knockdown of MLL2 in cells in vitro or in tissues ex vivo normalized intermittent high-glucose-mediated increase in H3K4me3 level and further reversed Jagged1 and Jagged2 expression, Notch activation and further attenuated acquisition of partial mesenchyme-like phenotype of endothelial cells. In summary, the present study identifies a crucial role of histone methylation in hyperglycemia-dependent reprograming of endothelial cells to undergo mesenchymal transition and indicated that epigenetic pathways contribute to diabetes-associated vascular complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niyati Pandya Thakkar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - Beatriz Maria Veloso Pereira
- Laboratório de Bases Celulares e Moleculares da Fisiologia Renal, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Yash T. Katakia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - Shyam Kumar Ramakrishnan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - Sumukh Thakar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - Ashima Sakhuja
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - Gayathry Rajeev
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - S. Soorya
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
| | - Karina Thieme
- Laboratório de Bases Celulares e Moleculares da Fisiologia Renal, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Syamantak Majumder
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani Campus, Pilani, India
- *Correspondence: Syamantak Majumder,
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Heparanase promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in diabetic glomerular endothelial cells through mediating ERK signaling. Cell Death Dis 2022; 8:67. [PMID: 35173145 PMCID: PMC8850459 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-022-00858-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) dysfunction occurs at the early stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN). One of its characteristics is endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Heparanase (HPSE) is the only known mammalian endoglycosidase capable of degrading heparin sulfates and has a prominent role in DN pathogenesis. However, whether HPSE induces EndMT of GEnCs remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect and potential mechanism of HPSE on GEnCs phenotype under high-glucose conditions. In the early development of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, HPSE overexpression was positively correlated with renal injury and the number of GEnCs undergoing EndMT, which was characterized by loss of endothelial marker CD31 and gain of mesenchymal markers including α-SMA and Snail1/2 by double immunofluorescence staining. Bioinformatics analysis revealed a positive correlation between HPSE and ERK. The counts of double positive staining of CD31 and p-ERK1/2 was significantly increased in the glomeruli of STZ-induced diabetic mice compared with sham mice. In cultured GEnCs, high glucose dramatically upregulated the expressions of HPSE and p-ERK1/2, both of which were markedly blocked by HPSE siRNA. Furthermore, recombinant mouse HPSE (rmHPSE) promoted the expressions of mesenchymal markers and p-ERK1/2 in a dosage- and time-dependent manner. U0126, a specific MEK/ERK inhibitor, significantly inhibited either high glucose or rmHPSE-induced EndMT of GEnCs. These data indicate that high glucose induces EndMT of GEnCs at least partially through upregulating HPSE and that HPSE promotes EndMT of GEnCs via activating ERK signaling. This study improves understanding the crucial role of HPSE in DN development and progression.
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Mitochondrial Pathophysiology on Chronic Kidney Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031776. [PMID: 35163697 PMCID: PMC8836100 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In healthy kidneys, interstitial fibroblasts are responsible for the maintenance of renal architecture. Progressive interstitial fibrosis is thought to be a common pathway for chronic kidney diseases (CKD). Diabetes is one of the boosters of CKD. There is no effective treatment to improve kidney function in CKD patients. The kidney is a highly demanding organ, rich in redox reactions occurring in mitochondria, making it particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress (OS). A dysregulation in OS leads to an impairment of the Electron transport chain (ETC). Gene deficiencies in the ETC are closely related to the development of kidney disease, providing evidence that mitochondria integrity is a key player in the early detection of CKD. The development of novel CKD therapies is needed since current methods of treatment are ineffective. Antioxidant targeted therapies and metabolic approaches revealed promising results to delay the progression of some markers associated with kidney disease. Herein, we discuss the role and possible origin of fibroblasts and the possible potentiators of CKD. We will focus on the important features of mitochondria in renal cell function and discuss their role in kidney disease progression. We also discuss the potential of antioxidants and pharmacologic agents to delay kidney disease progression.
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37
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Li M, Yan Y, He J, Wang YM, Guo YX, Wang ZX, Zhang WK, Zhang HJ, Xu JK. Jolkinolide B alleviates renal fibrosis via anti-inflammation and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in unilateral ureteral obstruction mice. JOURNAL OF ASIAN NATURAL PRODUCTS RESEARCH 2022; 24:76-87. [PMID: 34937462 DOI: 10.1080/10286020.2021.2016715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Renal fibrosis is a critical pathological process lead to a progressive loss of renal function. Jolkinolide B (JB) is a natural compound with anti-inflammatory activity from Euphorbia fischeriana Steud. The study evaluated the effect of JB on renal fibrosis in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The results showed that JB could decrease renal fibrotic area, reduce phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and the release of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, restore the expression of vementin, α-SMA and E-cadherin, as well as TGF-β1 and p-smad2/3. In conclusion, JB might reduce renal fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation induced by NF-κB pathway and EMT mediated by TGF-β1/Smad pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Li
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yu Yan
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jun He
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yu-Ming Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yu-Xuan Guo
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Ze-Xing Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Wei-Ku Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hao-Jun Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences & Department of Pharmacy, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Jie-Kun Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
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Assessing and counteracting fibrosis is a cornerstone of the treatment of CKD secondary to systemic and renal limited autoimmune disorders. Autoimmun Rev 2021; 21:103014. [PMID: 34896651 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2021.103014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Besides the higher prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and aging worldwide, immune mediated disorders remain an important cause of kidney disease and are especially prevalent in young adults. Regardless of the initial insult, final pathway to CKD and kidney failure is always the loss of normal tissue and fibrosis development, in which the dynamic equilibrium between extracellular matrix synthesis and degradation is disturbed, leading to excessive production and accumulation. During fibrosis, a multitude of cell types intervene at different levels, but myofibroblasts and inflammatory cells are considered critical in the process. They exert their effects through different molecular pathways, of which transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) has demonstrated to be of particular importance. Additionally, CKD itself promotes fibrosis due to the accumulation of toxins and hormonal changes, and proteinuria is simultaneously a manifestation of CKD and a specific driver of renal fibrosis. Pathways involved in renal fibrosis and CKD are closely interrelated, and although important advances have been made in our knowledge of them, it is still necessary to translate them into clinical practice. Given the complexity of this process, it is highly likely that its treatment will require a multi-target strategy to control the origin of the damage but also the mechanisms that perpetuate it. Fortunately, rapid technology development over the last years and new available drugs in the nephrologist's armamentarium give reasons for optimism that more personalized assistance for CKD and renal fibrosis will appear in the future.
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Huang QF, Cheng YB, Guo QH, Liu CY, Kang YY, Sheng CS, Li Y, Wang JG. Clinic and ambulatory blood pressure in relation to the interaction between plasma advanced glycation end products and sodium dietary intake and renal handling. Hypertens Res 2021; 45:665-674. [PMID: 34862479 DOI: 10.1038/s41440-021-00805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Advanced glycation end product (AGE) clearance may cause renal tubular injuries, such as changes in sodium reabsorption. We hypothesize that AGEs interact with sodium metabolism to influence blood pressure (BP). The study participants were outpatients who were suspected of having hypertension but had not been treated with antihypertensive medication. Clinic and ambulatory blood pressures were measured at baseline (n = 989) and during follow-up (median, 4.4 years, n = 293). Plasma AGE concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Twenty-four-hour urine was collected for measurements of creatinine, sodium and lithium. In a cross-sectional analysis (n = 989), subjects in the top quintile versus quintiles 1-4 of plasma AGE concentration had significantly (P ≤ 0.004) lower fractional excretion of lithium (18.3% vs. 21.6%) and fractional distal reabsorption rate of sodium (95.0% vs. 95.8%) but similar BP (P ≥ 0.25). However, there was an interaction between plasma AGE concentration and urinary sodium excretion in relation to diastolic BP (P ≤ 0.058). Only in participants with low urinary sodium chloride excretion (≤6 grams/day, n = 189), clinic (84.3 vs. 80.2 mmHg), 24-h (83.9 vs. 80.4 mmHg), daytime (87.8 vs. 84.8 mmHg) and nighttime (75.1 vs. 72.1 mmHg) diastolic BP at baseline were higher (P ≤ 0.05) in the top quintile than in quintiles 1-4 of plasma AGE concentration. In the longitudinal study (n = 383), similar trends were observed, with significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences in the increment in daytime diastolic BP (6.8 vs. -1.7 mmHg) and incidence of ambulatory and treated hypertension (hazard ratio 3.73) during follow-up. In conclusion, AGEs were associated with high BP, probably via enhanced proximal sodium handling and on low dietary sodium intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Fang Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi-Bang Cheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian-Hui Guo
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang-Yuan Liu
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Kang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Chang-Sheng Sheng
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ji-Guang Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Centre for Epidemiological Studies and Clinical Trials, The Shanghai Institute of Hypertension, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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Lu L, Li X, Zhong Z, Zhou W, Zhou D, Zhu M, Miao C. KMT5A downregulation participated in High Glucose-mediated EndMT via Upregulation of ENO1 Expression in Diabetic Nephropathy. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4093-4107. [PMID: 34803485 PMCID: PMC8579450 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.62867] [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: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) has become the common and principal microvascular complication of diabetes that could lead to end-stage renal disease. It was reported endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in glomeruli plays an important role in DN. Enolase1 (ENO1) and Lysine Methyltransferase 5A (KMT5A) were found to modulate epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in some situations. In the present study, we speculated KMT5A regulates ENO1 transcript, thus participating in hyperglycemia-induced EndMT in glomeruli of DN. Our study represented vimentin, αSMA and ENO1 expression elevated, and CD31 expression decreased in glomeruli of DN participants and rats. In vitro, high glucose induced EndMT by increase of ENO1 levels. Moreover, high glucose downregulated KMT5A levels and increased regulatory factor X1 (RFX1) levels. KMT5A upregulation or si-RFX1 decreased high glucose-induced ENO1 expression and EndMT. RFX1 overexpression- or sh-KMT5A-induced EndMT was attenuated by si-ENO1. Further, the association between KMT5A and RFX1 was verified. Furthermore, histone H4 lysine20 methylation (the direct target of KMT5A) and RFX1 positioned on ENO1 promoter region. sh-KMT5A enhanced positive action of RFX1 on ENO1 promoter activity. KMT5A reduction and RFX1 upregulation were verified in glomeruli of DN patients and rats. KMT5A associated with RFX1 to modulate ENO1, thus involved in hyperglycemia-mediated EndMT in glomeruli of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ziwen Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Wenchang Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Di Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Minmin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center; Department of Oncology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
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Wu W, Wang Y, Li H, Chen H, Shen J. Buyang Huanwu Decoction protects against STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad3 signaling-mediated renal fibrosis and inflammation. Chin Med 2021; 16:118. [PMID: 34775979 PMCID: PMC8591830 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-021-00531-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) is a classical Chinese Medicine formula empirically used for diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, its therapeutic efficacies and the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. In our study, we aim to evaluate the renoprotective effect of BHD on a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy mouse model and explore the potential underlying mechanism in mouse mesangial cells (MCs) treated with high glucose in vitro, followed by screening the active compounds in BHD. Methods Mice were received 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) or citrate buffer intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days. BHD was intragastrically administrated for 12 weeks starting from week 4 after the diabetes induction. The quality control and quantitative analysis of BHD were studied by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Renal function was evaluated by urinary albumin excretion (UAE) using ELISA. The mesangial matrix expansion and renal fibrosis were measured using periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining and Masson Trichrome staining. Mouse mesangial cells (MCs) were employed to study molecular mechanisms. Results We found that the impaired renal function in diabetic nephropathy was significantly restored by BHD, as indicated by the decreased UAE without affecting the blood glucose level. Consistently, BHD markedly alleviated STZ-induced diabetic glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury as shown by PAS staining, accompanied by a reduction of renal inflammation and fibrosis. Mechanistically, BHD inhibited the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling in diabetic nephropathy while suppressing Arkadia expression and restoring renal Smad7. We further found that calycosin-7-glucoside (CG) was one of the active compounds from BHD, which significantly suppressed high glucose-induced inflammation and fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling pathways in mesangial cells. Conclusion BHD could attenuate renal fibrosis and inflammation in STZ-induced diabetic kidneys via inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad3 and NF-κB signaling while suppressing the Arkadia and restoring renal Smad7. CG could be one of the active compounds in BHD to suppress renal inflammation and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13020-021-00531-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yifan Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Haidi Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Haiyong Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Jiangang Shen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Kanno Y, Hirota M, Matsuo O, Ozaki KI. α2-antiplasmin positively regulates endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis progression in diabetic nephropathy. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 49:205-215. [PMID: 34709571 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06859-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetic nephropathy (DN), is microvascular complication of diabetes causes to kidney dysfunction and renal fibrosis. It is known that hyperglycemia and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) produced by hyperglycemic condition induce myofibroblast differentiation and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT), and exacerbate fibrosis in DN. Recently, we demonstrated that α2-antiplasmin (α2AP) is associated with inflammatory response and fibrosis progression. METHODS We investigated the role of α2AP on fibrosis progression in DN using a streptozotocin-induced DN mouse model. RESULTS α2AP deficiency attenuated EndoMT and fibrosis progression in DN model mice. We also showed that the high glucose condition/AGEs induced α2AP production in fibroblasts (FBs), and the reduction of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) by siRNA attenuated the AGEs-induced α2AP production in FBs. Furthermore, the bloackade of α2AP by the neutralizing antibody attenuated the high glucose condition-induced pro-fibrotic changes in FBs. On the other hand, the hyperglycemic condition/AGEs induced EndoMT in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), the FBs/ECs co-culture promoted the high glucose condition-induced EndoMT compared to ECs mono-culture. Furthermore, α2AP promoted the AGEs-induced EndoMT, and the blockade of α2AP attenuated the FBs/ECs co-culture-promoted EndoMT under the high glucose condition. CONCLUSIONS The high glucose conditions induced α2AP production, and α2AP is associated with EndoMT and fibrosis progression in DN. These findings provide a basis for clinical strategies to improve DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosuke Kanno
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, 97-1 Kodo Kyo-tanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan.
| | - Momoko Hirota
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, 97-1 Kodo Kyo-tanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
| | - Osamu Matsuo
- Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, 589-8511, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichi Ozaki
- Department of Molecular Pathology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Science, Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts, 97-1 Kodo Kyo-tanabe, Kyoto, 610-0395, Japan
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43
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You YK, Wu WF, Huang XR, Li HD, Ren YP, Zeng JC, Chen H, Lan HY. Deletion of Smad3 protects against C-reactive protein-induced renal fibrosis and inflammation in obstructive nephropathy. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:3911-3922. [PMID: 34671208 PMCID: PMC8495386 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.62929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction and Aims: Elevated plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are closely associated with progressive renal injury in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Here, we tested a hypothesis that CRP may promote renal fibrosis and inflammation via a TGF-β/Smad3-dependent mechanism. Methods: Role and mechanisms of TGF-β/Smad3 in CRP-induced renal fibrosis and inflammation were examined in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) induced in CRP Tg/Smad3 KO mice and in a rat tubular epithelial cell line in which Smad3 gene is stably knocked down (S3KD-NRK52E). Results: We found that mice overexpressing the human CRP gene were largely promoted renal inflammation and fibrosis as evidenced by increasing IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1 expression, F4/80+ macrophages infiltration, and marked accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I and fibronectin in the UUO kidney, which were blunted when Smad3 gene was deleted in CRPtg-Smad3KO. Mechanistically, we found that the protection of renal inflammation and fibrosis in the UUO kidney of CRPtg-Smad3KO mice was associated with the inactivation of CD32-NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling. Conclusion: In conclusion, Smad3 deficiency protects against CRP-mediated renal inflammation and fibrosis in the UUO kidney by inactivating CD32-NF-κB and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Ke You
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.,Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei-Feng Wu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiao-Ru Huang
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunological and Genetic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,CUHK-Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Joint Research Laboratory for Immunological and Genetic Kidney Disease, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hai-Di Li
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ye-Ping Ren
- Department of Nephrology, Shenzhen University General Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jin-Cheng Zeng
- Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunological and Genetic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haiyong Chen
- School of Chinese Medicine, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Immunological and Genetic Kidney Disease, Guangdong Academy of Medical Science, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangzhou, China.,CUHK-Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital Joint Research Laboratory for Immunological and Genetic Kidney Disease, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Tetraethylthiuram disulphide alleviates pulmonary fibrosis through modulating transforming growth factor-β signalling. Pharmacol Res 2021; 174:105923. [PMID: 34607006 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) induces significant morbidity and mortality, for which there are limited therapeutic options available. Here, we found that tetraethylthiuram disulphide (disulfiram, DSF), a derivative of thiuram, used in the treatment of alcohol abuse, has an inhibitory effect on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis via the attenuation of the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, migration, and proliferation of fibroblasts. Furthermore, DSF inhibited the activation of primary pulmonary fibroblasts and fibroblast cell line under transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β1) challenge. Mechanistically, the anti-fibrotic effect of DSF on fibroblasts depends on the inhibition of TGF-β signalling. We further determined that DSF interrupts the interaction between SMAD3 and TGF-β receptor Ι (TBR Ι), and identified that DSF directly binds with SMAD3, in which Trp326, Thr330, and Cys332 of SMAD3 are critical binding sites for DSF. Collectively, our results reveal a powerful anti-fibrotic function of DSF in pulmonary fibrosis through the inhibition of TGF-β/SMAD signalling in pulmonary fibroblasts, indicating that DSF is a promising therapeutic candidate for IPF.
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Valero-Muñoz M, Oh A, Faudoa E, Bretón-Romero R, El Adili F, Bujor A, Sam F. Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Heart Failure With a Preserved Ejection Fraction: Insights Into the Cardiorenal Syndrome. Circ Heart Fail 2021; 14:e008372. [PMID: 34407636 DOI: 10.1161/circheartfailure.121.008372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of clinical heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is often complicated by concurrent renal dysfunction, known as the cardiorenal syndrome. This, combined with the notable lack of evidence-based therapies for HFpEF, highlights the importance of examining mechanisms and targetable pathways in HFpEF with the cardiorenal syndrome. METHODS HFpEF was induced in mice by uninephrectomy, infusion of d-aldosterone (HFpEF; N=10) or saline (Sham; N=8), and given 1% NaCl drinking water for 4 weeks. Renal fibrosis and endothelial-mesenchymal transition (endo-MT) were evident once HFpEF developed. Human aortic endothelial cells were treated for 4 days with 10% serum obtained from patients with chronically stable HFpEF with the cardiorenal syndrome (N=12) and compared with serum-treated human aortic endothelial cells from control subjects (no cardiac/renal disease; N=12) to recapitulate the in vivo findings. RESULTS Kidneys from HFpEF mice demonstrated hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis (1.9-fold increase; P<0.05) with increased expression of endo-MT transcripts, including pdgfrβ (platelet-derived growth factor receptor β), snail, fibronectin, fsp1 (fibroblast-specific protein 1), and vimentin by 1.7- (P=0.004), 1.7- (P=0.05), 1.8- (P=0.005), 2.6- (P=0.001), and 2.0-fold (P=0.001) versus Sham. Immunostaining demonstrated co-localization of CD31 and ACTA2 (actin α2) in kidney sections suggesting evidence of endo-MT. Similar to the findings in HFpEF mice, comparable endo-MT markers were also significantly elevated in human aortic endothelial cells treated with serum from patients with HFpEF compared with human aortic endothelial cells treated with serum from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS These translational findings demonstrate a plausible role for endo-MT in HFpEF with cardiorenal syndrome and may have therapeutic implications in drug development for patients with HFpEF and concomitant renal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Valero-Muñoz
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Albin Oh
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Elizabeth Faudoa
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Rosa Bretón-Romero
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Fatima El Adili
- Department of Rheumatology, Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Research Center (F.E.A., A.B.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Andreea Bujor
- Department of Rheumatology, Arthritis and Autoimmune Diseases Research Center (F.E.A., A.B.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
| | - Flora Sam
- Department of Medicine, Whitaker Cardiovascular Institute (M.V.-M., A.O., E.F., R.B.-R., F.S.), Boston University School of Medicine, MA
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Wang X, Chen J, Xu J, Xie J, Harris DCH, Zheng G. The Role of Macrophages in Kidney Fibrosis. Front Physiol 2021; 12:705838. [PMID: 34421643 PMCID: PMC8378534 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.705838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The phenotypic heterogeneity and functional diversity of macrophages confer on them complexed roles in the development and progression of kidney diseases. After kidney injury, bone marrow-derived monocytes are rapidly recruited to the glomerulus and tubulointerstitium. They are activated and differentiated on site into pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, which initiate Th1-type adaptive immune responses and damage normal tissues. In contrast, anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages induce Th2-type immune responses, secrete large amounts of TGF-β and anti-inflammatory cytokines, transform into αSMA+ myofibroblasts in injured kidney, inhibit immune responses, and promote wound healing and tissue fibrosis. Previous studies on the role of macrophages in kidney fibrosis were mainly focused on inflammation-associated injury and injury repair. Apart from macrophage-secreted profibrotic cytokines, such as TGF-β, evidence for a direct contribution of macrophages to kidney fibrosis is lacking. However, under inflammatory conditions, Wnt ligands are derived mainly from macrophages and Wnt signaling is central in the network of multiple profibrotic pathways. Largely underinvestigated are the direct contribution of macrophages to profibrotic signaling pathways, macrophage phenotypic heterogeneity and functional diversity in relation to kidney fibrosis, and on their cross-talk with other cells in profibrotic signaling networks that cause fibrosis. Here we aim to provide an overview on the roles of macrophage phenotypic and functional diversity in their contribution to pro-fibrotic signaling pathways, and on the therapeutic potential of targeting macrophages for the treatment of kidney fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Clinical Laboratory, Shanxi Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jianwei Chen
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jun Xu
- Department of General Surgery, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Jun Xie
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - David C. H. Harris
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Guoping Zheng
- Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Wang L, Wang HL, Liu TT, Lan HY. TGF-Beta as a Master Regulator of Diabetic Nephropathy. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7881. [PMID: 34360646 PMCID: PMC8345981 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications in diabetes mellitus and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. TGF-β is a pleiotropic cytokine and has been recognized as a key mediator of DN. However, anti-TGF-β treatment for DN remains controversial due to the diverse role of TGF-β1 in DN. Thus, understanding the regulatory role and mechanisms of TGF-β in the pathogenesis of DN is the initial step towards the development of anti-TGF-β treatment for DN. In this review, we first discuss the diverse roles and signaling mechanisms of TGF-β in DN by focusing on the latent versus active TGF-β1, the TGF-β receptors, and the downstream individual Smad signaling molecules including Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7. Then, we dissect the regulatory mechanisms of TGF-β/Smad signaling in the development of DN by emphasizing Smad-dependent non-coding RNAs including microRNAs and long-non-coding RNAs. Finally, the potential therapeutic strategies for DN by targeting TGF-β signaling with various therapeutic approaches are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (L.W.); (H.-L.W.); (T.-T.L.)
| | - Hong-Lian Wang
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (L.W.); (H.-L.W.); (T.-T.L.)
| | - Tong-Tong Liu
- Research Center for Integrative Medicine, Affiliated Traditional Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; (L.W.); (H.-L.W.); (T.-T.L.)
| | - Hui-Yao Lan
- Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, and Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
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48
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Lu L, Zhong Z, Gu J, Nan K, Zhu M, Miao C. ets1 associates with KMT5A to participate in high glucose-mediated EndMT via upregulation of PFN2 expression in diabetic nephropathy. Mol Med 2021; 27:74. [PMID: 34238215 PMCID: PMC8266168 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00339-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is currently the leading cause of end-stage renal disease globally. The endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) of glomerular endothelial cells has been reported to play a crucial role in DN. As a specific form of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, EndMT and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition may exhibit mutual modulators. Profilin 2 (PFN2) has been reported to participate in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ets1) and lysine methyltransferase 5A (KMT5A) have been reported to contribute to high glucose-mediated endothelial injury and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In this study, we hypothesize ets1 associates with KMT5A to modulate PFN2 transcription, thus participating in high glucose-mediated EndMT in glomerular endothelial cells. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect protein levels in the kidney tissues and/or aorta tissues of human subjects and rats. Western blot, qPCR and immunofluorescence were performed using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays and dual luciferase assays were performed to assess transcriptional activity. The difference between the groups was compared by two-tailed unpaired t-tests or one-way ANOVAs. Results Our data indicated that vimentin, αSMA, S100A4 and PFN2 levels were increased, and CD31 levels were reduced in glomerular endothelial cells of DN patients and rats. Our cell experiments showed that high glucose induced EndMT by augmenting PFN2 expression in HUVECs. Moreover, high glucose increased ets1 expression. si-ets1 suppressed high glucose-induced PFN2 levels and EndMT. ets1 overexpression-mediated EndMT was reversed by si-PFN2. Furthermore, ets1 was determined to associate with KMT5A. High glucose attenuated KMT5A levels and histone H4 lysine 20 methylation (H4K20me1), one of the downstream targets of KMT5A. KMT5A upregulation suppressed high glucose-induced PFN2 levels and EndMT. sh-KMT5A-mediated EndMT was counteracted by si-PFN2. Furthermore, H4K20me1 and ets1 occupied the PFN2 promoter region. sh-KMT5A cooperated with ets1 overexpression to activate PFN2 promoter activity. Our in vivo study demonstrated that KMT5A was reduced, while ets1 was augmented, in glomerular endothelial cells of DN patients and rats. Conclusions The present study indicated that ets1 cooperated with KMT5A to transcribe PFN2, thus contributing to hyperglycemia-induced EndMT in the glomerular endothelial cells of DN patients and rats. Trial registration ChiCTR, ChiCTR2000029425. 2020/1/31, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=48548 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s10020-021-00339-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihong Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ziwen Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.,Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Jiahui Gu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Ke Nan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Minmin Zhu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Department of Oncology, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Changhong Miao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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Tsai PS, Chiu CY, Sheu ML, Yang CY, Lan KC, Liu SH. Advanced glycation end products activated endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pancreatic islet endothelial cells and triggered islet fibrosis in diabetic mice. Chem Biol Interact 2021; 345:109562. [PMID: 34153226 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular complications. Induction of the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is associated with the pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases. The roles of AGEs in islet EndMT induction and diabetes-related islet microvasculopathy and fibrosis remain unclear. This study investigated the pathological roles of AGEs in islet EndMT induction and fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Non-cytotoxic concentrations of AGEs upregulated the protein expression of fibronectin, vimentin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) (mesenchymal/myofibroblast markers) and downregulated the protein expression of vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin and cluster of differentiation (CD) 31 (endothelial cell markers) in cultured mouse pancreatic islet endothelial cells, which was prevented by the AGE cross-link breaker alagebrium chloride. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, the average islet area and islet immunoreactivities for insulin and CD31 were decreased and the islet immunoreactivities for AGEs and α-SMA and fibrosis were increased, which were prevented by the AGE inhibitor aminoguanidine. Immunofluorescence double staining showed that α-SMA-positive staining co-localized with CD31-positive staining in the diabetic islets, which was effectively prevented by aminoguanidine. These results demonstrate that AGEs can induce EndMT in islet endothelial cells and islet fibrosis in diabetic mice, suggesting that AGE-induced EndMT may contribute to islet fibrosis in diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Shan Tsai
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Yuan Chiu
- Center of Consultation, Center for Drug Evaluation, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Meei-Ling Sheu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Yao Yang
- Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Cheng Lan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Shing-Hwa Liu
- Institute of Toxicology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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50
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Desposito D, Schiessl IM, Gyarmati G, Riquier-Brison A, Izuhara AK, Kadoya H, Der B, Shroff UN, Hong YK, Peti-Peterdi J. Serial intravital imaging captures dynamic and functional endothelial remodeling with single-cell resolution. JCI Insight 2021; 6:123392. [PMID: 33848265 PMCID: PMC8262275 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.123392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial cells are important in the maintenance of healthy blood vessels and in the development of vascular diseases. However, the origin and dynamics of endothelial precursors and remodeling at the single-cell level have been difficult to study in vivo owing to technical limitations. Therefore, we aimed to develop a direct visual approach to track the fate and function of single endothelial cells over several days and weeks in the same vascular bed in vivo using multiphoton microscopy (MPM) of transgenic Cdh5-Confetti mice and the kidney glomerulus as a model. Individual cells of the vascular endothelial lineage were identified and tracked owing to their unique color combination, based on the random expression of cyan/green/yellow/red fluorescent proteins. Experimental hypertension, hyperglycemia, and laser-induced endothelial cell ablation rapidly increased the number of new glomerular endothelial cells that appeared in clusters of the same color, suggesting clonal cell remodeling by local precursors at the vascular pole. Furthermore, intravital MPM allowed the detection of distinct structural and functional alterations of proliferating endothelial cells. No circulating Cdh5-Confetti+ cells were found in the renal cortex. Moreover, the heart, lung, and kidneys showed more significant clonal endothelial cell expansion compared with the brain, pancreas, liver, and spleen. In summary, we have demonstrated that serial MPM of Cdh5-Confetti mice in vivo is a powerful technical advance to study endothelial remodeling and repair in the kidney and other organs under physiological and disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorinne Desposito
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Ina Maria Schiessl
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Georgina Gyarmati
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Anne Riquier-Brison
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Audrey K Izuhara
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Hiroyuki Kadoya
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Balint Der
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Urvi Nikhil Shroff
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
| | - Young-Kwon Hong
- Department of Surgery, Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Janos Peti-Peterdi
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, and
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