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Li N, Xue Y, Zhu C, Chen N, Qi M, Fang M, Huang S. The zinc-finger transcription factor KLF6 regulates cardiac fibrosis. Life Sci 2024; 351:122805. [PMID: 38851422 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122805] [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: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Heart failure (HF) is one of the most devastating consequences of cardiovascular diseases. Regardless of etiology, cardiac fibrosis is present and promotes the loss of heart function in HF patients. Cardiac resident fibroblasts, in response to a host of pro-fibrogenic stimuli, trans-differentiate into myofibroblasts to mediate cardiac fibrosis, the underlying mechanism of which remains incompletely understood. METHODS Fibroblast-myofibroblast transition was induced in vitro by exposure to transforming growth factor (TGF-β). Cardiac fibrosis was induced in mice by either transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or by chronic infusion with angiotensin II (Ang II). RESULTS Through bioinformatic screening, we identified Kruppel-like factor 6 (KLF6) as a transcription factor preferentially up-regulated in cardiac fibroblasts from individuals with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) compared to the healthy donors. Further analysis showed that nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) bound to the KLF6 promoter and mediated KLF6 trans-activation by pro-fibrogenic stimuli. KLF6 knockdown attenuated whereas KLF6 over-expression enhanced TGF-β induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transition in vitro. More importantly, myofibroblast-specific KLF6 depletion ameliorated cardiac fibrosis and rescued heart function in mice subjected to the TAC procedure or chronic Ang II infusion. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, our data support a role for KLF6 in cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yujia Xue
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenghao Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Naxia Chen
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Mengwen Qi
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China
| | - Mingming Fang
- Center for Experimental Medicine, Jiangsu Health Vocational College, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shan Huang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research and Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of Education, Institute of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China.
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Liu H, Yue L, Hong W, Zhou J. SMARCA4 (BRG1) activates ABCC3 transcription to promote hepatocellular carcinogenesis. Life Sci 2024; 347:122605. [PMID: 38642845 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122605] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
AIMS Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lead cause of cancer-related deaths. In the present study we investigated the role of Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), a chromatin remodeling protein, in HCC the pathogenesis focusing on identifying novel transcription targets. METHODS AND MATERIALS Hepatocellular carcinogenesis was modeled in mice by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Cellular transcriptome was evaluated by RNA-seq. RESULTS Hepatocellular carcinoma was appreciably retarded in BRG1 knockout mice compared to wild type littermates. Transcriptomic analysis identified ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 3 (ABCC3) as a novel target of BRG1. BRG1 over-expression in BRG1low HCC cells (HEP1) up-regulated whereas BRG1 depletion in BRG1high HCC cells (SNU387) down-regulated ABCC3 expression. Importantly, BRG1 was detected to directly bind to the ABCC3 promoter to activate ABCC3 transcription. BRG1 over-expression in HEP1 cells promoted proliferation and migration, both of which were abrogated by ABCC3 silencing. On the contrary, BRG1 depletion in SNU387 cells decelerated proliferation and migration, both of which were rescued by ABCC3 over-expression. Importantly, high BRG1/ABCC3 expression predicted poor prognosis in HCC patients. Mechanistically, ABCC3 regulated hepatocellular carcinogenesis possibly by influencing lysosomal homeostasis. SIGNIFICANCE In conclusion, our data suggest that targeting BRG1 and its downstream target ABCC3 can be considered as a reasonable approach for the intervention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linbo Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenxuan Hong
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Junjing Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, China.
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Zhu Y, Kang A, Kuai Y, Guo Y, Miao X, Zhu L, Kong M, Li N. The chromatin remodeling protein BRG1 regulates HSC-myofibroblast differentiation and liver fibrosis. Cell Death Dis 2023; 14:826. [PMID: 38092723 PMCID: PMC10719330 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-023-06351-5] [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: 01/03/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Excessive fibrogenic response in the liver disrupts normal hepatic anatomy and function heralding such end-stage liver diseases as hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Myofibroblasts, derived primarily from hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), are the effector of liver fibrosis. In the present study we investigated the mechanism by which Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1, encoded by Smarca4) regulates HSC-myofibroblast transition and the implication in intervention against liver fibrosis. We report that BRG1 expression was elevated during HSC maturation in cell culture, in animal models, and in human cirrhotic liver biopsy specimens. HSC-specific deletion of BRG1 attenuated liver fibrosis in several different animal models. In addition, BRG1 ablation in myofibroblasts ameliorated liver fibrosis. RNA-seq identified IGFBP5 as a novel target for BRG1. Over-expression of IGFBP5 partially rescued the deficiency in myofibroblast activation when BRG1 was depleted. On the contrary, IGFBP5 knockdown suppressed HSC-myofibroblast transition in vitro and mollified liver fibrosis in mice. Mechanistically, IGFBP5 interacted with Bat3 to stabilize the Bat3-TβR complex and sustain TGF-β signaling. In conclusion, our data provide compelling evidence that BRG1 is a pivotal regulator of liver fibrosis by programming HSC-myofibroblast transition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aoqi Kang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yameng Kuai
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Guo
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Xiulian Miao
- College of Life Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Research, Liaocheng University, Liaocheng, China
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, China.
| | - Ming Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Nan Li
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Departments of Pathophysiology and Human Anatomy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Liu W, Yuan Q, Cao S, Wang G, Liu X, Xia Y, Bian Y, Xu F, Chen Y. Review: Acetylation Mechanisms andTargeted Therapies in Cardiac Fibrosis. Pharmacol Res 2023; 193:106815. [PMID: 37290541 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathophysiological remodeling process that occurs in a variety of cardiovascular diseases and greatly influences heart structure and function, progressively leading to the development of heart failure. However, to date, few effective therapies for cardiac fibrosis exist. Abnormal proliferation, differentiation, and migration of cardiac fibroblasts are responsible for the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the myocardium. Acetylation, a widespread and reversible protein post-translational modification, plays an important role in the development of cardiac fibrosis by adding acetyl groups to lysine residues. Many acetyltransferases and deacetylases regulate the dynamic alterations of acetylation in cardiac fibrosis, regulating a range of pathogenic conditions including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and energy metabolism disturbance. In this review, we demonstrate the critical roles that acetylation modifications caused by different types of pathological injury play in cardiac fibrosis. Furthermore, we propose therapeutic acetylation-targeting strategies for the prevention and treatment of patients with cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikang Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Qiuhuan Yuan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shengchuan Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Guoying Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangguo Liu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yanan Xia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Yuan Bian
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Yuguo Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong University, Chest Pain Center, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Key Laboratory of Cardiopulmonary-Cerebral Resuscitation Research of Shandong Province, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education, Chinese Ministry of Health and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; The State and Shandong Province Joint Key Laboratory of Translational Cardiovascular Medicine; Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; NMPA Key Laboratory for Clinical Research and Evaluation of Innovative Drug, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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Zhao Q, Shao T, Zhu Y, Zong G, Zhang J, Tang S, Lin Y, Ma H, Jiang Z, Xu Y, Wu X, Zhang T. An MRTF-A-ZEB1-IRF9 axis contributes to fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and renal fibrosis. Exp Mol Med 2023:10.1038/s12276-023-00990-6. [PMID: 37121967 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-00990-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts, characterized by the expression of the matricellular protein periostin (Postn), mediate the profibrogenic response during tissue repair and remodeling. Previous studies have demonstrated that systemic deficiency in myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) attenuates renal fibrosis in mice. In the present study, we investigated the myofibroblast-specific role of MRTF-A in renal fibrosis and the underlying mechanism. We report that myofibroblast-specific deletion of MRTF-A, achieved through crossbreeding Mrtfa-flox mice with Postn-CreERT2 mice, led to amelioration of renal fibrosis. RNA-seq identified zinc finger E-Box binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1) as a downstream target of MRTF-A in renal fibroblasts. MRTF-A interacts with TEA domain transcription factor 1 (TEAD1) to bind to the Zeb1 promoter and activate Zeb1 transcription. Zeb1 knockdown retarded the fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (FMyT) in vitro and dampened renal fibrosis in mice. Transcriptomic assays showed that Zeb1 might contribute to FMyT by repressing the transcription of interferon regulatory factor 9 (IRF9). IRF9 knockdown overcame the effect of Zeb1 depletion and promoted FMyT, whereas IRF9 overexpression antagonized TGF-β-induced FMyT. In conclusion, our data unveil a novel MRTF-A-Zeb1-IRF9 axis that can potentially contribute to fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and renal fibrosis. Screening for small-molecule compounds that target this axis may yield therapeutic options for the mollification of renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianwen Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Tinghui Shao
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuwen Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Gengjie Zong
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shifan Tang
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanshan Lin
- Key Laboratory of Targeted Intervention of Cardiovascular Disease and Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardiovascular Translational Medicine, Department of Pathophysiology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongzhen Ma
- Department of Geriatric Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhifan Jiang
- Department of Geriatric Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yong Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, Department of Pharmacology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wu
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing, China.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Geriatric Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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Shao J, Liu J, Zuo S. Roles of Epigenetics in Cardiac Fibroblast Activation and Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11152347. [PMID: 35954191 PMCID: PMC9367448 DOI: 10.3390/cells11152347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac fibrosis is a common pathophysiologic process associated with numerous cardiovascular diseases, resulting in cardiac dysfunction. Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play an important role in the production of the extracellular matrix and are the essential cell type in a quiescent state in a healthy heart. In response to diverse pathologic stress and environmental stress, resident CFs convert to activated fibroblasts, referred to as myofibroblasts, which produce more extracellular matrix, contributing to cardiac fibrosis. Although multiple molecular mechanisms are implicated in CFs activation and cardiac fibrosis, there is increasing evidence that epigenetic regulation plays a key role in this process. Epigenetics is a rapidly growing field in biology, and provides a modulated link between pathological stimuli and gene expression profiles, ultimately leading to corresponding pathological changes. Epigenetic modifications are mainly composed of three main categories: DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. This review focuses on recent advances regarding epigenetic regulation in cardiac fibrosis and highlights the effects of epigenetic modifications on CFs activation. Finally, we provide some perspectives and prospects for the study of epigenetic modifications and cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingrong Shao
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China;
| | - Jiao Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Inflammatory Biology, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China;
| | - Shengkai Zuo
- The Province and Ministry Co-Sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics, School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin 300070, China;
- Correspondence:
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