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Zhang W, Zhu L, Fang F, Zhang F, Wang R, Yang K, Liu Y, Cui X. Activin A plays an essential role in migration and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells via Smad3 and calcium signaling. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20419. [PMID: 39223291 PMCID: PMC11369249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-71304-7] [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: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/27/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Activin A and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are involved in tissue repair and fibrosis in liver injury. This study investigated the impact of activin A on HSC activation and migration. A microfluidic D4-chip was used for examining the cell migration of mouse hepatic stellate cell line MHSteC. The analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed that activin βA (Inhba), activin receptor type 1A (Acvr1a) and type 2A (Acvr2a) mRNAs were more significantly expressed in human HSCs than in the hepatocytes. Moreover, activin A promoted MHSteC proliferation and induced MHSteC migration. Furthermore, the MHSteCs treated with activin A exhibited increased levels of migration-related proteins, N-cadherin, Vimentin, α-SMA, MMP2 and MMP9, but a decreased level of E-cadherin. Additionally, activin A treatment significantly increased the p-Smad3 levels and p-Smad3/Smad3 ratio in the MHSteCs, and the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 attenuated activin A-induced MHSteC proliferation and migration. Simultaneously, activin A increased the calcium levels in the MHSteCs, and the migratory effects of activin A on MHSteCs were weakened by the intracellular calcium ion-chelating agent BAPTA-AM. These data indicate that activin A can promote MHSteC activation and migration through the canonical Smad3 signaling and calcium signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Linjing Zhu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Fenglin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Runnan Wang
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Institute of Applied Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei, 230031, Anhui, China
| | - Yahui Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, General Surgery Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
| | - Xueling Cui
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, Jilin, China.
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Weinstein N, Carlsen J, Schulz S, Stapleton T, Henriksen HH, Travnik E, Johansson PI. A Lifelike guided journey through the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension-from measured metabolites to the mechanism of action of drugs. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1341145. [PMID: 38845688 PMCID: PMC11153715 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1341145] [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: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a pathological condition that affects approximately 1% of the population. The prognosis for many patients is poor, even after treatment. Our knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms that cause or are involved in the progression of PH is incomplete. Additionally, the mechanism of action of many drugs used to treat pulmonary hypertension, including sotatercept, requires elucidation. Methods Using our graph-powered knowledge mining software Lifelike in combination with a very small patient metabolite data set, we demonstrate how we derive detailed mechanistic hypotheses on the mechanisms of PH pathophysiology and clinical drugs. Results In PH patients, the concentration of hypoxanthine, 12(S)-HETE, glutamic acid, and sphingosine 1 phosphate is significantly higher, while the concentration of L-arginine and L-histidine is lower than in healthy controls. Using the graph-based data analysis, gene ontology, and semantic association capabilities of Lifelike, led us to connect the differentially expressed metabolites with G-protein signaling and SRC. Then, we associated SRC with IL6 signaling. Subsequently, we found associations that connect SRC, and IL6 to activin and BMP signaling. Lastly, we analyzed the mechanisms of action of several existing and novel pharmacological treatments for PH. Lifelike elucidated the interplay between G-protein, IL6, activin, and BMP signaling. Those pathways regulate hallmark pathophysiological processes of PH, including vasoconstriction, endothelial barrier function, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. Discussion The results highlight the importance of SRC, ERK1, AKT, and MLC activity in PH. The molecular pathways affected by existing and novel treatments for PH also converge on these molecules. Importantly, sotatercept affects SRC, ERK1, AKT, and MLC simultaneously. The present study shows the power of mining knowledge graphs using Lifelike's diverse set of data analytics functionalities for developing knowledge-driven hypotheses on PH pathophysiological and drug mechanisms and their interactions. We believe that Lifelike and our presented approach will be valuable for future mechanistic studies of PH, other diseases, and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Weinstein
- CAG Center for Endotheliomics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jørn Carlsen
- CAG Center for Endotheliomics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sebastian Schulz
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy Stapleton
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Hanne H. Henriksen
- CAG Center for Endotheliomics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Evelyn Travnik
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Pär Ingemar Johansson
- CAG Center for Endotheliomics, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Wang Y, Liu Z, Qi Y, Wu J, Liu B, Cui X. Activin A, a Novel Chemokine, Induces Mouse NK Cell Migration via AKT and Calcium Signaling. Cells 2024; 13:728. [PMID: 38727264 PMCID: PMC11083611 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural killer (NK) cells can migrate quickly to the tumor site to exert cytotoxic effects on tumors, and some chemokines, including CXCL8, CXCL10 or and CXCL12, can regulate the migration of NK cells. Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily, is highly expressed in tumor tissues and involved in tumor development and immune cell activation. In this study, we focus on the effects of activin A on NK cell migration. In vitro, activin A induced NK cell migration and invasion, promoted cell polarization and inhibited cell adhesion. Moreover, activin A increased Ca2+, p-SMAD3 and p-AKT levels in NK cells. An AKT inhibitor and Ca2+ chelator partially blocked activin A-induced NK cell migration. In vivo, exogenous activin A increased tumor-infiltrating NK cells in NS-1 cell solid tumors and inhibited tumor growth, and blocking endogenous activin A with anti-activin A antibody reduced tumor-infiltrating NK cells in 4T-1 cell solid tumors. These results suggest that activin A induces NK cell migration through AKT signaling and calcium signaling and may enhance the antitumor effect of NK cells by increasing tumor-infiltrating NK cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfeng Wang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China; (Y.W.); (Z.L.); (Y.Q.)
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Bionic Sensing and Intelligence Center, Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen 518055, China;
| | - Boyang Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Scientific Research, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
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Zhang F, Qi Y, Li J, Liu B, Liu Z, Cui X. Activin A induces apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway. Oncol Rep 2024; 51:29. [PMID: 38131250 PMCID: PMC10777458 DOI: 10.3892/or.2023.8688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of the transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) superfamily, has been implicated in the tumorigenesis and progression of various cancers. However, it remains unclear whether activin A induces apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway. In the present study, BrdU, flow cytometry and western blotting were used to examine cell proliferation, apoptosis and protein expression, respectively. The present study revealed that activin A inhibited human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and upregulated the protein levels of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), growth arrest and DNA damage‑inducible protein 34 (GADD34), cleaved‑caspase‑3 and caspase‑12. Furthermore, the administration of activin A did not alter the levels of suppressor of mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) or phosphorylated (p)‑Smad3 proteins, whereas, it significantly elevated the levels of ActRIIA and p‑extracellular signal regulated kinase proteins 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) proteins in A549 cells. The apoptotic effects of activin A on A549 cells were attenuated by the ERK inhibitor FR180204, which also downregulated CHOP and caspase‑12 protein levels. Additionally, activin A increased intracellular calcium flux in A549 cells, and the calcium ion chelator BAPTA acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA‑AM) inhibited activin A‑induced A549 cell apoptosis, whereas the calcium agonist ionomycin significantly increased apoptosis of A549 cells induced by activin A. These findings indicated that the activation of the ER stress pathway resulting in apoptosis of A549 cells triggered by activin A is facilitated by the ActRIIA‑ERK1/2 signaling and calcium signaling. The present findings suggest that the agonists of ERK and calcium signaling exhibit promising clinical therapeutic potential for the induction of apoptosis in lung adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fenglin Zhang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Boyang Liu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Department of Scientific Research, Jilin Jianzhu University, Changchun, Jilin 130118, P.R. China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology in Jilin, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin 130021, P.R. China
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Tiskratok W, Yamada M, Watanabe J, Pengyu Q, Kimura T, Egusa H. Mechanoregulation of Osteoclastogenesis-Inducing Potentials of Fibrosarcoma Cell Line by Substrate Stiffness. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108959. [PMID: 37240303 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108959] [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: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
A micro-physiological system is generally fabricated using soft materials, such as polydimethylsiloxane silicone (PDMS), and seeks an inflammatory osteolysis model for osteoimmunological research as one of the development needs. Microenvironmental stiffness regulates various cellular functions via mechanotransduction. Controlling culture substrate stiffness may help spatially coordinate the supply of osteoclastogenesis-inducing factors from immortalized cell lines, such as mouse fibrosarcoma L929 cells, within the system. Herein, we aimed to determine the effects of substrate stiffness on the osteoclastogenesis-inducing potential of L929 cells via cellular mechanotransduction. L929 cells showed increased expression of osteoclastogenesis-inducing factors when cultured on type I collagen-coated PDMS substrates with soft stiffness, approximating that of soft tissue sarcomas, regardless of the addition of lipopolysaccharide to augment proinflammatory reactions. Supernatants of L929 cells cultured on soft PDMS substrates promoted osteoclast differentiation of the mouse osteoclast precursor RAW 264.7 by stimulating the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related gene markers and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity. The soft PDMS substrate inhibited the nuclear translocation of YES-associated proteins in L929 cells without reducing cell attachment. However, the hard PDMS substrate hardly affected the cellular response of the L929 cells. Our results showed that PDMS substrate stiffness tuned the osteoclastogenesis-inducing potential of L929 cells via cellular mechanotransduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Watcharaphol Tiskratok
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
- School of Geriatric Oral Health, Institute of Dentistry, Suranaree University of Technology, 111 University Rd. Suranaree, Nakhon Ratchasima 30000, Mueang, Thailand
| | - Masahiro Yamada
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Jun Watanabe
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Qu Pengyu
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Kimura
- Department of Material-Based Medical Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Chiyoda-ku, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Egusa
- Division of Molecular and Regenerative Prosthodontics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
- Center for Advanced Stem Cell and Regenerative Research, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan
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Liu G, Qi Y, Wu J, Lin F, Liu Z, Cui X. Follistatin is a crucial chemoattractant for mouse decidualized endometrial stromal cell migration by JNK signalling. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 27:127-140. [PMID: 36528873 PMCID: PMC9806297 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Follistatin (FST) and activin A as gonadal proteins exhibit opposite effects on follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release from pituitary gland, and activin A-FST system is involved in regulation of decidualization in reproductive biology. However, the roles of FST and activin A in migration of decidualized endometrial stromal cells are not well characterized. In this study, transwell chambers and microfluidic devices were used to assess the effects of FST and activin A on migration of decidualized mouse endometrial stromal cells (d-MESCs). We found that compared with activin A, FST exerted more significant effects on adhesion, wound healing and migration of d-MESCs. Similar results were also seen in the primary cultured decidual stromal cells (DSCs) from uterus of pregnant mouse. Simultaneously, the results revealed that FST increased calcium influx and upregulated the expression levels of the migration-related proteins MMP9 and Ezrin in d-MESCs. In addition, FST increased the level of phosphorylation of JNK in d-MESCs, and JNK inhibitor AS601245 significantly attenuated FST action on inducing migration of d-MESCs. These data suggest that FST, not activin A in activin A-FST system, is a crucial chemoattractant for migration of d-MESCs by JNK signalling to facilitate the successful uterine decidualization and tissue remodelling during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guole Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Institute of Biomedical and Health Engineering, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of SciencesShenzhenChina
| | - Francis Lin
- Department of Physics and AstronomyUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
| | - Xueling Cui
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical SciencesJilin UniversityChangchunChina
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7
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Li J, Qi Y, Yang K, Zhu L, Cui X, Liu Z. Follistatin Is a Novel Chemoattractant for Migration and Invasion of Placental Trophoblasts of Mice. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233816. [PMID: 36497076 PMCID: PMC9741044 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Follistatin (FST) as a gonadal protein is central to the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Trophoblasts' migration and invasion into the endometrium are critical events in placental development. This study aimed to elucidate the role of FST in the migration and invasion of placental trophoblasts of mice. We found that FST increased the vitality and proliferation of primary cultured trophoblasts of embryonic day 8.5 (E8.5) mice and promoted wound healing of trophoblasts. Moreover, FST significantly induced migration of trophoblasts in a microfluidic device and increased the number of invasive trophoblasts by Matrigel-coated transwell invasion assay. Being treated with FST, the adhesion of trophoblasts was inhibited, but intracellular calcium flux of trophoblasts was increased. Western blotting results showed that FST had no significant effects on the level of p-Smad3 or the ratio of p-Smad3/Smad3 in trophoblasts. Interestingly, FST elevated the level of p-JNK; the ratio of p-JNK/JNK; and expression of migration-related proteins N-cadherin, vimentin, ezrin and MMP2 in trophoblasts. Additionally, the migration of trophoblasts and expression of N-cadherin, vimentin, and MMP2 in trophoblasts induced by FST were attenuated by JNK inhibitor AS601245. These findings suggest that the elevated FST in pregnancy may act as a chemokine to induce trophoblast migration and invasion through the enhanced JNK signaling to maintain trophoblast function and promote placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yan Qi
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ke Yang
- Institute of Applied Technology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
| | - Linjing Zhu
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Xueling Cui
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
- Department of Genetics, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Zhonghui Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroimmunology and Clinical Immunology, Changchun 130021, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-431-8561-9476
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Li Y, Cheng Z, Yu F, Zhang Q, Yu S, Ding F, He Q. Activin A Secreted From Peripheral Nerve Fibroblasts Promotes Proliferation and Migration of Schwann Cells. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:859349. [PMID: 35875658 PMCID: PMC9301483 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.859349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The peripheral nervous system has remarkable regenerative capabilities. Schwann cells and fibroblasts are known to play crucial roles in these processes. In this study, we delineated the differential effects of peripheral nerve fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts on Schwann cells. We found that peripheral nerve fibroblasts significantly promoted Schwann cell proliferation and migration compared with cardiac fibroblasts. The cytokine array results identified 32 of 67 proteins that were considered differentially expressed in peripheral nerve fibroblasts versus cardiac fibroblasts. Among them, 25 were significantly upregulated in peripheral nerve fibroblasts compared with cardiac fibroblasts. Activin A, the protein with the greatest differential expression, clearly co-localized with fibroblasts in the in vivo sciatic never injury rat model. In vitro experiments proved that activin A secreted from nerve fibroblasts is the key factor responsible for boosting proliferation and migration of Schwann cells through ALK4, ALK5, and ALK7. Overall, these findings suggest that peripheral nerve fibroblasts and cardiac fibroblasts exhibit different patterns of cytokine secretion and activin A secreted from peripheral nerve fibroblasts can promote the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- School of Biology and Basic Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhenghang Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Fanhui Yu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Shu Yu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Fei Ding
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Fei Ding,
| | - Qianru He
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Qianru He,
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9
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Peng W, Kepsch A, Kracht TO, Hasan H, Wijayarathna R, Wahle E, Pleuger C, Bhushan S, Günther S, Kauerhof AC, Planinić A, Fietz D, Schuppe HC, Wygrecka M, Loveland KL, Ježek D, Meinhardt A, Hedger MP, Fijak M. Activin A and CCR2 regulate macrophage function in testicular fibrosis caused by experimental autoimmune orchitis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:602. [PMID: 36434305 PMCID: PMC9700630 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04632-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune-orchitis (EAO), a rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation and fibrosis, replicates pathogenic changes seen in some cases of human spermatogenic disturbances. During EAO, increased levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators such as TNF, CCL2, and activin A are accompanied by infiltration of leukocytes into the testicular parenchyma. Activin A levels correlate with EAO severity, while elevated CCL2 acting through its receptor CCR2 mediates leukocyte trafficking and recruits macrophages. CCR2 + CXCR4 + macrophages producing extracellular matrix proteins contribute widely to fibrogenesis. Furthermore, testicular macrophages (TMs) play a critical role in organ homeostasis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of the activin A/CCL2-CCR2/macrophage axis in the development of testicular fibrosis. Following EAO induction, we observed lower levels of organ damage, collagen deposition, and leukocyte infiltration (including fibronectin+, collagen I+ and CXCR4+ TMs) in Ccr2-/- mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, levels of Il-10, Ccl2, and the activin A subunit Inhba mRNAs were lower in Ccr2-/- EAO testes. Notably, fibronectin+ TMs were also present in biopsies from patients with impaired spermatogenesis and fibrotic alterations. Overexpression of the activin A antagonist follistatin reduced tissue damage and collagen I+ TM accumulation in WT EAO testes, while treating macrophages with activin A in vitro increased the expression of Ccr2, Fn1, Cxcr4, and Mmp2 and enhanced migration along a CCL2 gradient; these effects were abolished by follistatin. Taken together, our data indicate that CCR2 and activin A promote fibrosis during testicular inflammation by regulating macrophage function. Inhibition of CCR2 or activin A protects against damage progression, offering a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Peng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Artem Kepsch
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Till O Kracht
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hiba Hasan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eva Wahle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - A Christine Kauerhof
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Planinić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Małgorzata Wygrecka
- Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung, German Center for Lung Research, University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Davor Ježek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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