1
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Budeus B, Kroepel C, Stasch LM, Klein D. Matrix-free human lung organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells to model lung injury. Stem Cell Res Ther 2024; 15:468. [PMID: 39696649 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-024-04106-3] [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: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 12/08/2024] [Indexed: 12/20/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Organoids, as near-physiological 3D culture systems, offer new opportunities to study the pathogenesis of various organs in mimicking the cellular complexity and functionality of human organs. METHOD Here we used a quite simple and very practicable method to successfully generate induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived human lung organoids (LuOrg) in a matrix-free manner as an alternative to the widely used preclinical mouse models in order to investigate normal lung damage in detail and as close as possible to the patient. We performed detailed morphological and molecular analyses, including bulk and single cell RNA sequencing, of generated lung organoids and evaluated the quality and robustness of our model as a potential in vitro platform for lung diseases, namely radiation-induced lung injury. RESULTS A matrix-free method for differentiation of iPSCs can be used to obtain lung organoids that morphologically reflect the target tissue of the human lung very well, especially with regard to the cellular composition. The different cellular fates were investigated following the genotoxic stress induced by radiation and revealed further insights in the radiation-sensitivity of the different lung cells. Finally, we provide cellular gene sets found to be induced in the different lung organoid cellular subsets after irradiation, which could be used as additional RT response and particularly senescence gene sets in future studies. CONCLUSION By establishing these free-floating LuOrgs for the investigation of cancer therapeutic approaches as a new and patient-oriented in vitro platform particularly in experimental radiooncology, not only a reduction in the number of experimental animals, but also an adequately and meaningfully replacement of corresponding animal experiments can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Budeus
- Institute for Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Chiara Kroepel
- Institute for Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Lisa Marie Stasch
- Institute for Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Diana Klein
- Institute for Cell Biology (Cancer Research), University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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2
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Vijayraghavan S, Blouin T, McCollum J, Porcher L, Virard F, Zavadil J, Feghali-Bostwick C, Saini N. Widespread mutagenesis and chromosomal instability shape somatic genomes in systemic sclerosis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8889. [PMID: 39406724 PMCID: PMC11480385 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53332-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 10/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disorder characterized by excessive fibrosis that primarily affects women, and can present as a multisystem pathology. Roughly 4-22% of patients with systemic sclerosis develop cancer, which drastically worsens prognosis. However, the mechanisms underlying systemic sclerosis initiation, propagation, and cancer development are poorly understood. We hypothesize that the inflammation and immune response associated with systemic sclerosis can trigger DNA damage, leading to elevated somatic mutagenesis, a hallmark of pre-cancerous tissues. To test our hypothesis, we culture clonal lineages of fibroblasts from the lung tissues of controls and systemic sclerosis patients and compare their mutation burdens and spectra. We find an overall increase in all major mutation types in systemic sclerosis samples compared to control lung samples, from small-scale events such as single base substitutions and insertions/deletions, to chromosome-level changes, including copy-number changes and structural variants. In the genomes of patients with systemic sclerosis, we find evidence of somatic hypermutation or kategis (typically only seen in cancer genomes), we identify mutation signatures closely resembling the error-prone translesion polymerase Polη activity, and observe an activation-induced deaminase-like mutation signature, which overlaps with genomic regions displaying kataegis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Vijayraghavan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Thomas Blouin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - James McCollum
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Latarsha Porcher
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - François Virard
- University Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM U1052-CNRS UMR5286, Cancer Research Center, Centre Léon Bérard, Lyon, France
| | - Jiri Zavadil
- International Agency for Research on Cancer WHO, Epigenomics and Mechanisms Branch, Lyon, France
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Natalie Saini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA.
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3
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Trinh-Minh T, Chen CW, Tran Manh C, Li YN, Zhu H, Zhou X, Chakraborty D, Zhang Y, Rauber S, Dees C, Lin NY, Kah D, Gerum R, Bergmann C, Kreuter A, Reuter C, Groeber-Becker F, Eckes B, Distler O, Fabry B, Ramming A, Schambony A, Schett G, Distler JH. Noncanonical WNT5A controls the activation of latent TGF-β to drive fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e159884. [PMID: 38747285 PMCID: PMC11093613 DOI: 10.1172/jci159884] [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: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling is a core pathway of fibrosis, but the molecular regulation of the activation of latent TGF-β remains incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate a crucial role of WNT5A/JNK/ROCK signaling that rapidly coordinates the activation of latent TGF-β in fibrotic diseases. WNT5A was identified as a predominant noncanonical WNT ligand in fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous chronic graft-versus-host disease, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, stimulating fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and tissue fibrosis by activation of latent TGF-β. The activation of latent TGF-β requires rapid JNK- and ROCK-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangements and integrin αV (ITGAV). Conditional ablation of WNT5A or its downstream targets prevented activation of latent TGF-β, rebalanced TGF-β signaling, and ameliorated experimental fibrosis. We thus uncovered what we believe to be a novel mechanism for the aberrant activation of latent TGF-β in fibrotic diseases and provided evidence for targeting WNT5A/JNK/ROCK signaling in fibrotic diseases as a new therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuong Trinh-Minh
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Chih-Wei Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Cuong Tran Manh
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Yi-Nan Li
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Honglin Zhu
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- Department of Rheumatology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Debomita Chakraborty
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Simon Rauber
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Clara Dees
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Neng-Yu Lin
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- Graduate Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Delf Kah
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Richard Gerum
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Christina Bergmann
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Alexander Kreuter
- Clinic for Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, HELIOS St. Elisabeth Clinic Oberhausen, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Christiane Reuter
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Florian Groeber-Becker
- Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies, Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Beate Eckes
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne, Cologne, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
| | - Oliver Distler
- Rheumaklinik, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ben Fabry
- Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Andreas Ramming
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Alexandra Schambony
- Division of Developmental Biology, Biology Department, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 – Rheumatology and Immunology, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
- German Center for Immunotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and University of Erlangen, Erlangen, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Jörg H.W. Distler
- Department of Rheumatology and
- Hiller Research Center, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
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4
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Liu W, Huang K, Yang XZ, Wang P. Transcriptomic and network analysis identifies shared and unique pathways and immune changes across fibrotic interstitial lung diseases. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:3200-3230. [PMID: 38349858 PMCID: PMC10929820 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205530] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses a diverse group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation and fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium. Three ILDs, namely idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP), and connective tissue disease-associated ILD (CTD-ILD), exhibit similar progressive fibrosis phenotypes, yet possess distinct etiologies, encouraging us to explore their different underlying mechanisms. METHODS Transcriptome data of fibrotic lung tissues from patients with IPF, fHP, and CTD-ILD were subjected to functional annotation, network, and pathway analyses. Additionally, we employed the xCell deconvolution algorithm to predict immune cell infiltration in patients with fibrotic ILDs and healthy controls. RESULTS We identified a shared progressive fibrosis-related module in these diseases which was related to extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and production and potentially regulated by the p53 family transcription factors. In IPF, neuron-related processes emerged as a critical specific mechanism in functional enrichment. In fHP, we observed that B cell signaling and immunoglobulin A (IgA) production may act as predominant processes, which was further verified by B cell infiltration and the central role of CD19 gene. In CTD-ILD, active chemokine processes were enriched, and active dendritic cells (aDCs) were predicted to infiltrate the lung tissues. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed shared and specific molecular and cellular pathways among IPF, fHP, and CTD-ILD, providing a basis for understanding their pathogenesis and identifying potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Liu
- Eight-Year Program of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Kangping Huang
- Eight-Year Program of Clinical Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xin-Zhuang Yang
- Center for Bioinformatics, National Infrastructures for Translational Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
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5
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Wang XL, Xu YT, Zhang SL, Zhu XY, Zhang HX, Liu YJ. Hydrogen sulfide inhibits alveolar type II cell senescence and limits pulmonary fibrosis via promoting MDM2-mediated p53 degradation. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024; 240:e14059. [PMID: 37987182 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14059] [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: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
AIM Senescence of alveolar type II (AT2) cells is an important driver of pulmonary fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate whether and how dysregulation of hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) production affected AT2 cell senescence, and then explored the effect of H2 S on the communication between AT2 and fibroblasts. METHODS ICR mice were intratracheally administered with bleomycin (3 mg/kg). Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, 28 μmol/kg/d) was intraperitoneally injected for 2 weeks. The H2 S-generating enzyme cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) knockout heterozygous (CBS+/- ) mice were used as a low H2 S production model. RESULTS Analysis of microarray datasets revealed downregulation of H2 S-generating enzymes in lung tissues of patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Decreased H2 S production was correlated with higher levels of cell senescence markers p53 and p21 in bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. CBS+/- mice exhibited increased levels of p53 and p21. The numbers of AT2 cells positive for p53 and p21 were increased in CBS+/- mice as compared to control mice. H2 S donor NaHS attenuated bleomycin-induced AT2 cell senescence both in vivo and in vitro. H2 S donor suppressed bleomycin-induced senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of AT2 cells via inhibiting p53/p21 pathway, consequently suppressing proliferation and myofibroblast transdifferentiation of fibroblasts. Mechanically, H2 S suppressed p53 expression by enhancing the mouse double-minute 2 homologue (MDM2)-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of p53. CONCLUSION H2 S inactivated p53-p21 pathway, consequently suppressing AT2 cell senescence as well as cell communication between senescent AT2 cells and fibroblasts. Aberrant H2 S synthesis may contribute to the development of pulmonary fibrosis through promoting the activation loop involving senescent AT2 cells and activated fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Li Wang
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China
| | - Yi-Tong Xu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Shu-Li Zhang
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yan Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong-Xia Zhang
- Department of Geriatrics, Kongjiang Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Jian Liu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
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6
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Manie MF, Fawzy HM, El-Sayed ESM. Hydroxytyrosol Alleviates Methotrexate-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Rats: Involvement of TGF-β1, Tissue Factor, and VEGF. Biol Pharm Bull 2024; 47:303-310. [PMID: 38281774 DOI: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00477] [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] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Methotrexate (MTX) is an indispensable drug used for the treatment of many autoimmune and cancerous diseases. However, its clinical use is associated with serious side effects, such as lung fibrosis. The main objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that hydroxytyrosol (HT) can mitigate MTX-induced lung fibrosis in rats while synergizing MTX anticancer effects. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced in the rats using MTX (14 mg/kg/week, per os (p.o.)). The rats were treated with or without HT (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/d p.o.) or dexamethasone (DEX; 0.5 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) for two weeks concomitantly with MTX. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), thromboxane A2 (TXA2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG), tissue factor (TF) and fibrin were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR. Pulmonary fibrosis was manifested by an excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and a marked increase in TGF-β1 and IL-4 in lung tissues. Furthermore, cotreatment with HT or dexamethasone (DEX) significantly attenuated MTX-induced ECM deposition, TGF-β1, and IL-4 expression. Similarly, HT or DEX notably reduced hydroxyproline contents, TXA2, fibrin, and TF expression in lung tissues. Moreover, using HT or DEX downregulated the gene expression of TF. A significant decrease in lung contents of VEGF, IL-8, and 8-OHdG was also observed in HT + MTX- or DEX + MTX -treated animals in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, the results of our study suggest that HT might represent a potential protective agent against MTX-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed F Manie
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), formerly known as National Organization for Drug Control and Research
| | - Hala M Fawzy
- Department of Pharmacology, Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA), formerly known as National Organization for Drug Control and Research
| | - El-Sayed M El-Sayed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University
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Mouawad JE, Feghali-Bostwick C. Reply. Arthritis Rheumatol 2024; 76:149. [PMID: 37605520 DOI: 10.1002/art.42675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
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8
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Mouawad JE, Sanderson M, Sharma S, Helke KL, Pilewski JM, Nadig SN, Feghali-Bostwick C. Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Propagation of Lung Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:2228-2239. [PMID: 37390364 PMCID: PMC10756928 DOI: 10.1002/art.42638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Systemic sclerosis (SSc) has the highest mortality rate among the rheumatic diseases, with lung fibrosis leading as the cause of death. A characteristic of severe SSc-related lung fibrosis is its progressive nature. Although most research has focused on the pathology of the fibrosis, the mechanism mediating the fibrotic spread remains unclear. We hypothesized that extracellular vesicle (EV) communication drives the propagation of SSc lung fibrosis. METHODS EVs were isolated from normal (NL) or SSc-derived human lungs and primary lung fibroblasts (pLFs). EVs were also isolated from human fibrotic lungs and pLFs induced experimentally with transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ). Fibrotic potency of EVs was assessed using functional assays in vitro and in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence were used to analyze EVs, their cargo, extracellular matrix (ECM) fractions, and conditioned media. RESULTS SSc lungs and pLFs released significantly more EVs than NL lungs, and their EVs showed increased fibrotic content and activity. TGFβ-stimulated NL lung cores and pLFs increased packaging of fibrotic proteins, including fibronectin, collagens, and TGFβ, into released EVs. The EVs induced a fibrotic phenotype in recipient pLFs and in vivo in mouse lungs. Furthermore, EVs interacted with and contributed to the ECM. Finally, suppressing EV release in vivo reduced severity of murine lung fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight EV communication as a novel mechanism for propagation of SSc lung fibrosis. Identifying therapies that reduce EV release, activity, and/or fibrotic cargo in SSc patient lungs may be a viable therapeutic strategy to improve fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe E. Mouawad
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Matthew Sanderson
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Shailza Sharma
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kristi L. Helke
- Departments of Comparative Medicine, and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Joseph M. Pilewski
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | - Satish N. Nadig
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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Zhang S, Zhang L, Wang L, Wang H, Wu J, Cai H, Mo C, Yang J. Machine learning identified MDK score has prognostic value for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on integrated bulk and single cell expression data. Front Genet 2023; 14:1246983. [PMID: 38075691 PMCID: PMC10704369 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1246983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease that poses a significant challenge to medical professionals due to its increasing incidence and prevalence coupled with the limited understanding of its underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we employed a novel approach by integrating five expression datasets from bulk tissue with single-cell datasets; they underwent pseudotime trajectory analysis, switch gene selection, and cell communication analysis. Utilizing the prognostic information derived from the GSE47460 dataset, we identified 22 differentially expressed switch genes that were correlated with clinical indicators as important genes. Among these genes, we found that the midkine (MDK) gene has the potential to serve as a marker of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis because its cellular communicating genes are differentially expressed in the epithelial cells. We then utilized midkine and its cellular communication-related genes to calculate the midkine score. Machine learning models were further constructed through midkine and related genes to predict Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease through the bulk gene expression datasets. The midkine score demonstrated a correlation with clinical indexes, and the machine learning model achieved an AUC of 0.94 and 0.86 in the Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis classification task based on lung tissue samples and peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples, respectively. Our findings offer valuable insights into the pathogenesis of Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, providing new therapeutic directions and target genes for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shichen Zhang
- Center of Growth, Metabolism, and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lanlan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Health and Multimorbidity, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Center of Growth, Metabolism, and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongqiu Wang
- Systems Hub, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaxin Wu
- Center of Growth, Metabolism, and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Haoyang Cai
- Center of Growth, Metabolism, and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunheng Mo
- Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children of MOE, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jian Yang
- Center of Growth, Metabolism, and Aging, Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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10
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Lu G, Du R, Liu Y, Zhang S, Li J, Pei J. RGS5 as a Biomarker of Pericytes, Involvement in Vascular Remodeling and Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Vasc Health Risk Manag 2023; 19:673-688. [PMID: 37881333 PMCID: PMC10596204 DOI: 10.2147/vhrm.s429535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a life-threatening disease characterized by a sustained rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure. Pulmonary vascular remodeling serves an important role in PAH. Identifying a key driver gene to regulate vascular remodeling of the pulmonary microvasculature is critical for PAH management. Methods Differentially expressed genes were identified using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) GSE117261, GSE48149, GSE113439, GSE53408 and GSE16947 datasets. A co-expression network was constructed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Novel and key signatures of PAH were screened using four algorithms, including weighted gene co-expression network analysis, GEO2R analysis, support vector machines recursive feature elimination and robust rank aggregation rank analysis. Regulator of G-protein signaling 5 (RGS5), a pro-apoptotic/anti-proliferative protein, which regulate arterial tone and blood pressure in vascular smooth muscle cells. The expression of RGS5 was determined using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in PAH and normal mice. The location of RGS5 and pericytes was detected using immunofluorescence. Results Compared with that in the normal group, RGS5 expression was upregulated in the PAH group based on GEO and RT-qPCR analyses. RGS5 expression in single cells was enriched in pericytes in single-cell RNA sequencing analysis. RGS5 co-localization with pericytes was detected in the pulmonary microvasculature of PAH. Conclusion RGS5 regulates vascular remodeling of the pulmonary microvasculature and the occurrence of PAH through pericytes, which has provided novel ideas and strategies regarding the occurrence and innovative treatment of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofang Lu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, National Key Discipline of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rui Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences of Pain, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710038, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yali Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, National Key Discipline of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Shumiao Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, National Key Discipline of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, National Key Discipline of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianming Pei
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, National Key Discipline of Cell Biology, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, 710032, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Sui C, Lee W. Role of interleukin 6 and its soluble receptor on the diffusion barrier dysfunction of alveolar tissue. Biomed Microdevices 2023; 25:40. [PMID: 37851124 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-023-00680-0] [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] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
During respiratory infection, barrier dysfunction in alveolar tissue can result from "cytokine storm" caused by overly reactive immune response. Particularly, interleukin 6 (IL-6) is implicated as a key biomarker of cytokine storm responsible for and further progression to pulmonary edema. In this study, alveolar-like tissue was reconstructed in a microfluidic device with: (1) human microvascular lung endothelial cells (HULEC-5a) cultured under flow-induced shear stress and (2) human epithelial cells (Calu-3) cultured at air-liquid interface. The effects of IL-6 and the soluble form of its receptor (sIL-6R) on the permeability, electrical resistance, and morphology of the endothelial and epithelial layers were evaluated. The diffusion barrier properties of both the endothelial and epithelial layers were significantly degraded only when IL-6 treatment was combined with sIL-6R. As suggested by recent review and clinical studies, our results provide unequivocal evidence that the barrier dysfunction occurs through trans-signaling in which IL-6 and sIL-6R form a complex and then bind to the surface of endothelial and epithelial cells, but not by classical signaling in which IL-6 binds to membrane-expressed IL-6 receptor. This finding suggests that the role of both IL-6 and sIL-6R should be considered as important biomarkers in developing strategies for treating cytokine storm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Sui
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point On Hudson, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030, USA
| | - Woo Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point On Hudson, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030, USA.
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point On Hudson, Hoboken, New Jersey, 07030, USA.
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12
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Vliagoftis H, Madala SK. Searching for an Animal Model with Clinical Features of Scleroderma. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:373-375. [PMID: 37411040 PMCID: PMC10557919 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0158ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Harissios Vliagoftis
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Alberta Respiratory Centre University of Alberta Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Internal Medicine University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio
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13
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Zhong C, Si Y, Yang H, Zhou C, Chen Y, Wang C, Liu Y, Chen C, Shi H, Lai X, Tang H. Identification of monocyte-associated pathways participated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension based on omics-data. Pulm Circ 2023; 13:e12319. [PMID: 38130888 PMCID: PMC10733707 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is one kind of chronic and uncurable diseases that can cause heart failure. Immune microenvironment plays a significant role in PAH. The aim of this study was to assess the role of immune cell infiltration in the pathogenesis of PAH. Differentially expressed genes based on microarray data were enriched in several immune-related pathways. To evaluate the immune cell infiltration, based on the microarray data sets in the GEO database, we used both ssGSEA and the CIBERSORT algorithm. Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data was used to further explicit the specific role and intercellular communications. Then receiver operating characteristic curves and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator were used to discover and test the potential diagnostic biomarkers for PAH. Both the immune cell infiltration analyses based on the microarray data sets and the cell proportion in scRNA-seq data exhibited a significant downregulation in the infiltration of monocytes in PAH. Then, the intercellular communications showed that the interaction weighs of most immune cells, including monocytes changed between the control and PAH groups, and the ITGAL-ITGB2 and ICAM signaling pathways played critical roles in this process. In addition, ITGAM and ICAM2 displayed good diagnosis values in PAH. This study implicated that the change of monocyte was one of the key immunologic features of PAH. Monocyte-associated ICAM-1 and ITGAL-ITGB2 signaling pathways might be involved in the pathogenesis of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiming Zhong
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changhai HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yachen Si
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Changhai HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Huanhuan Yang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chao Zhou
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yalong Liu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Hui Shi
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changhai HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xueli Lai
- Department of Nephrology, Shanghai Changhai HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng HospitalNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
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14
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Wei J, Zhan J, Ji H, Xu Y, Xu Q, Zhu X, Liu Y. Fibroblast Upregulation of Vitamin D Receptor Represents a Self-Protective Response to Limit Fibroblast Proliferation and Activation during Pulmonary Fibrosis. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1634. [PMID: 37627629 PMCID: PMC10451996 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12081634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) is implicated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, whether VDR dysregulation contributes to the development of pulmonary fibrosis remains largely unknown. Analysis of bulk and single-cell RNA profiling datasets revealed VDR upregulation in lung fibroblasts from patients with pulmonary fibrosis or fibrotic mice, which was validated in lung fibroblasts from bleomycin-exposed mice and bleomycin-treated fibroblasts. Stable VDR knockdown promoted, whereas the VDR agonist paricalcitol suppressed lung fibroblast proliferation and activation. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that the JAK/STAT pathway and unfolded protein response (UPR), a process related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, were enriched in lung fibroblasts of fibrotic lungs. Stable VDR knockdown stimulated, but paricalcitol suppressed ER stress and JAK1/STAT3 activation in lung fibroblasts. The STAT3 inhibitor blocked bleomycin- or stable VDR knockdown-induced ER stress. Paricalcitol inhibited the bleomycin-induced enrichment of STAT3 to the ATF6 promoter, thereby suppressing ATF6 expression in fibroblasts. Paricalcitol or intrapulmonary VDR overexpression inactivated JAK1/STAT3 and suppressed ER stress in bleomycin-treated mice, thus resulting in the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation and activation. Collectively, this study suggests that fibroblast VDR upregulation may be a self-protective response to limit fibroblast proliferation and activation during pulmonary fibrosis by suppressing the JAK1/STAT3/ER stress pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wei
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; (J.W.); (J.Z.); (H.J.); (Y.X.); (Q.X.)
- School of Sports and Health, Nanjing Sport Institute, Nanjing 210014, China
| | - Junhui Zhan
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; (J.W.); (J.Z.); (H.J.); (Y.X.); (Q.X.)
| | - Hui Ji
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; (J.W.); (J.Z.); (H.J.); (Y.X.); (Q.X.)
| | - Yitong Xu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; (J.W.); (J.Z.); (H.J.); (Y.X.); (Q.X.)
| | - Qingfeng Xu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; (J.W.); (J.Z.); (H.J.); (Y.X.); (Q.X.)
| | - Xiaoyan Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Navy Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yujian Liu
- School of Kinesiology, The Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences of Ministry of Education, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China; (J.W.); (J.Z.); (H.J.); (Y.X.); (Q.X.)
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15
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Guo H, Sun J, Zhang S, Nie Y, Zhou S, Zeng Y. Progress in understanding and treating idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: recent insights and emerging therapies. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1205948. [PMID: 37608885 PMCID: PMC10440605 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1205948] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a long-lasting, continuously advancing, and irrevocable interstitial lung disorder with an obscure origin and inadequately comprehended pathological mechanisms. Despite the intricate and uncharted causes and pathways of IPF, the scholarly consensus upholds that the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts-instigated by injury to the alveolar epithelial cells-and the disproportionate accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagen, are integral to IPF's progression. The introduction of two novel anti-fibrotic medications, pirfenidone and nintedanib, have exhibited efficacy in decelerating the ongoing degradation of lung function, lessening hospitalization risk, and postponing exacerbations among IPF patients. Nonetheless, these pharmacological interventions do not present a definitive solution to IPF, positioning lung transplantation as the solitary potential curative measure in contemporary medical practice. A host of innovative therapeutic strategies are presently under rigorous scrutiny. This comprehensive review encapsulates the recent advancements in IPF research, spanning from diagnosis and etiology to pathological mechanisms, and introduces a discussion on nascent therapeutic methodologies currently in the pipeline.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Yulan Zeng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Liyuan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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16
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Jeong H, Lee B, Han SJ, Sohn DH. Glucose metabolic reprogramming in autoimmune diseases. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2023; 27:149-158. [PMID: 37465289 PMCID: PMC10351453 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2023.2234986] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system mistakenly targets and damages healthy tissue in the body. In recent decades, the incidence of autoimmune diseases has increased, resulting in a significant disease burden. The current autoimmune therapies focus on targeting inflammation or inducing immunosuppression rather than addressing the underlying cause of the diseases. The activity of metabolic pathways is elevated in autoimmune diseases, and metabolic changes are increasingly recognized as important pathogenic processes underlying these. Therefore, metabolically targeted therapies may represent an important strategy for treating autoimmune diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evidence surrounding glucose metabolic reprogramming and its potential applications in drug discovery and development for autoimmune diseases, such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoim Jeong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Beomgu Lee
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Jin Han
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Inje University, Gimhae, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Hyun Sohn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, Republic of Korea
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17
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Waldrep KM, Rodgers JI, Garrett SM, Wolf BJ, Feghali-Bostwick CA. The Role of SOX9 in IGF-II-Mediated Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11234. [PMID: 37510994 PMCID: PMC10378869 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411234] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) results in significant morbidity and mortality. We previously reported that insulin-like growth factor-II (IGF-II) is overexpressed in lung tissues and fibroblasts from SSc patients, and IGF-II fosters fibrosis by upregulating collagen type I, fibronectin, and TGFβ. We now show that IGF-II augments mRNA levels of profibrotic signaling molecules TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01) and TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), collagen type III (p ≤ 0.01), and the collagen posttranslational modification enzymes P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.05), P3H2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOX (p = 0.065), LOXL2 (p ≤ 0.05), LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05) in primary human lung fibroblasts. IGF-II increases protein levels of TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.01), as well as COL3A1, P4HA2, P4Hβ, and LOXL4 (p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, IGF-II decreases mRNA levels of the collagen degradation enzymes cathepsin (CTS) K, CTSB, and CTSL and protein levels of CTSK (p ≤ 0.05). The SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) is overexpressed in SSc lung tissues at the mRNA (p ≤ 0.05) and protein (p ≤ 0.01) levels compared to healthy controls. IGF-II induces SOX9 in lung fibroblasts (p ≤ 0.05) via the IGF1R/IR hybrid receptor, and SOX9 regulates TGFβ2 (p ≤ 0.05), TGFβ3 (p ≤ 0.05), COL3A1 (p ≤ 0.01), and P4HA2 (p ≤ 0.001) downstream of IGF-II. Our results identify a novel IGF-II signaling axis and downstream targets that are regulated in a SOX9-dependent and -independent manner. Our findings provide novel insights on the role of IGF-II in promoting pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristy M. Waldrep
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Jessalyn I. Rodgers
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Sara M. Garrett
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
| | - Bethany J. Wolf
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Carol A. Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; (K.M.W.); (J.I.R.); (S.M.G.)
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18
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Pope JE, Denton CP, Johnson SR, Fernandez-Codina A, Hudson M, Nevskaya T. State-of-the-art evidence in the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2023; 19:212-226. [PMID: 36849541 PMCID: PMC9970138 DOI: 10.1038/s41584-023-00909-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease with multi-organ involvement, fibrosis and vasculopathy. Treatment in SSc, including early diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc) and the use of organ-specific therapies, has improved, as evident from randomized clinical trials. Treatments for early dcSSc include immunosuppressive agents such as mycophenolate mofetil, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, rituximab and tocilizumab. Patients with rapidly progressive early dcSSc might be eligible for autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation, which can improve survival. Morbidity from interstitial lung disease and pulmonary arterial hypertension is improving with the use of proven therapies. Mycophenolate mofetil has surpassed cyclophosphamide as the initial treatment for SSc-interstitial lung disease. Nintedanib and possibly perfinidone can be considered in SSc pulmonary fibrosis. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is frequently treated with initial combination therapy (for example, with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and endothelin receptor antagonists) and, if necessary, the addition of a prostacyclin analogue. Raynaud phenomenon and digital ulcers are treated with dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (especially nifedipine), then phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors or intravenous iloprost. Bosentan can reduce the development of new digital ulcers. Trial data for other manifestations are mostly lacking. Research is needed to develop targeted and highly effective treatments, best practices for organ-specific screening and early intervention, and sensitive outcome measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Pope
- Division of Rheumatology, St Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.
| | | | - Sindhu R Johnson
- Toronto Scleroderma Program, Toronto Western Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Andreu Fernandez-Codina
- Division of Rheumatology, St Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
- General Internal Medicine, Windsor Regional Hospital, Windsor, ON, Canada
- Critical Care, Emergency and Systemic Autoimmune Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marie Hudson
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Division of Rheumatology and Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tatiana Nevskaya
- Division of Rheumatology, St Joseph's Health Care, London, ON, Canada
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19
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Lu Y, Wang Y, Wang Y, Wu Y, Huang Y, Liu X, Zhang S, Zhong S, Li Y, Li B, Sun J, Fang S, Zhou H. M1-Like Macrophages Modulate Fibrosis and Inflammation of Orbital Fibroblasts in Graves' Orbitopathy: Potential Relevance to Soluble Interleukin-6 Receptor. Thyroid 2023; 33:338-350. [PMID: 36617890 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2022.0254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Background: Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a disfiguring and sight-threatening autoimmune disease. Previous studies have shown the infiltration of macrophages in GO orbital connective tissues. However, the immunophenotypes of macrophages and their modulatory effects on orbital fibroblasts (OFs) have not been examined so far. In this study, we sought to determine the pathophysiology of macrophages in GO. Methods: In this case-control study, orbital connective tissues collected from 40 GO patients and 20 healthy controls were immunohistochemically stained for cytokines and macrophage cell surface antigens. The polarization of orbital-infiltrating macrophages was investigated by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. Effects of interleukin (IL)-6 combined with soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R) on the proliferation, differentiation, and inflammation of different OF subsets were examined by CCK-8, Western blotting, and Luminex assays, respectively. The antigen-presenting abilities of different OF subsets under IL-6/sIL-6R signaling were studied by proteomics. Finally, the differentiation of CD8+ IL-17A-producing T cells by sIL-6R was tested. Results: GO orbital connective tissues displayed increased IL-6, sIL-6R, STAT3, and IL-17A levels. CD86+ M1-like macrophages were predominant in active GO patients, while stable GO patients tended to have more CD163+ M2-like macrophages. The expression of IL-6 was higher in M1-like macrophages, and the expression of transforming growth factor-β was higher in M2-like macrophages both in GO orbital connective tissues in situ in vivo and in cell culture system in vitro. The IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation promoted the fibrosis of both CD34+ and CD34- OFs. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression was also induced by IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation in both OF subsets. IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation enhanced the antigen processing of CD34+ OFs through upregulating the intact major histocompatibility complex I and antigen transporters. However, the protein expressions of the thyrotropin receptor and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor could not be directly increased by IL-6/sIL-6R stimulation in CD34+ OFs. Furthermore, sIL-6R was conducive to the differentiation of CD8+ IL-17A-producing T cells. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated the immunophenotypes of orbital-infiltrating macrophages that may activate OFs depending on the IL-6/sIL-6R signaling in GO. Our preclinical findings implicate, at least in part, the molecular rationale for blocking sIL-6R as a promising therapeutic agent for GO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yazhuo Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xingtong Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Sisi Zhong
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinwei Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Li
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
| | - Sijie Fang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Huifang Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Orbital Diseases and Ocular Oncology, Shanghai, China
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Mouawad JE, Sharma S, Renaud L, Pilewski JM, Nadig SN, Feghali-Bostwick C. Reduced Cathepsin L expression and secretion into the extracellular milieu contribute to lung fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2023; 62:1306-1316. [PMID: 35900152 PMCID: PMC10167927 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keac411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Lung fibrosis is the leading cause of death in SSc, with no cure currently available. Antifibrotic Endostatin (ES) production does not reach therapeutic levels in SSc patients, suggesting a deficit in its release from Collagen XVIII by the main cleavage enzyme, Cathepsin L (CTSL). Thus, elucidating a potential deficit in CTSL expression and activity unravels an underlying molecular cause for SSc-driven lung fibrosis. METHODS Fibrosis was induced experimentally using TGF-β in vitro, in primary human lung fibroblasts (pLFs), and ex vivo, in human lung tissues. ES and CTSL expression was quantified using ELISA, RT-qPCR, immunoblotting or immunofluorescence. Recombinant NC1-FLAG peptide was used to assess CTSL cleavage activity. CTSL expression was also compared between SSc vs normal (NL)-derived pLFs and lung tissues. RESULTS ES levels were significantly reduced in media conditioned by TGF-β-induced pLFs. TGF-β-stimulated pLFs significantly reduced expression and secretion of CTSL into the extracellular matrix (ECM). CTSL was also sequestered in its inactive form into extracellular vesicles, further reducing its availability in the ECM. Media conditioned by TGF-β-induced pLFs showed reduced cleavage of NC1-Flag and reduced release of the antifibrotic ES fragment. SSc-derived pLFs and lung tissues expressed significantly lower levels of CTSL compared with NL. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identify CTSL as a protein protective against lung fibrosis via its activation of antifibrotic ES, and whose expression in SSc pLFs and lung tissues is suppressed. Identifying strategies to boost CTSL endogenous levels in SSc patients could serve as a viable therapeutic strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joe E Mouawad
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC
| | - Shailza Sharma
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine
| | - Ludivine Renaud
- Division of Rheumatology & Immunology, Department of Medicine
| | - Joseph M Pilewski
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Satish N Nadig
- Division of Organ Transplantation, Department of Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
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Molecular Mechanisms Behind the Role of Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells in Systemic Sclerosis. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12020285. [PMID: 36829561 PMCID: PMC9953616 DOI: 10.3390/biology12020285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a debilitating autoimmune disease that affects multiple systems. It is characterized by immunological deregulation, functional and structural abnormalities of small blood vessels, and fibrosis of the skin, and, in some cases, internal organs. Fibrosis has a devastating impact on a patient's life and lung fibrosis is associated with high morbimortality. Several immune populations contribute to the progression of SSc, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been identified as crucial mediators of fibrosis. Research on murine models of lung and skin fibrosis has shown that pDCs are essential in the development of fibrosis, and that removing pDCs improves fibrosis. pDCs are a subset of dendritic cells (DCs) that are specialized in anti-viral responses and are also involved in autoimmune diseases, such as SSc, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and psoriasis, mostly due to their capacity to produce type I interferon (IFN). A type I IFN signature and high levels of CXCL4, both derived from pDCs, have been associated with poor prognosis in patients with SSc and are correlated with fibrosis. This review will examine the recent research on the molecular mechanisms through which pDCs impact SSc.
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The Molecular Mechanisms of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Lung Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032963. [PMID: 36769282 PMCID: PMC9917655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc), also known as scleroderma, is an autoimmune disorder that affects the connective tissues and has the highest mortality rate among the rheumatic diseases. One of the hallmarks of SSc is fibrosis, which may develop systemically, affecting the skin and virtually any visceral organ in the body. Fibrosis of the lungs leads to interstitial lung disease (ILD), which is currently the leading cause of death in SSc. The identification of effective treatments to stop or reverse lung fibrosis has been the main challenge in reducing SSc mortality and improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Thus, understanding the molecular mechanisms, altered pathways, and their potential interactions in SSc lung fibrosis is key to developing potential therapies. In this review, we discuss the diverse molecular mechanisms involved in SSc-related lung fibrosis to provide insights into the altered homeostasis state inherent to this fatal disease complication.
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Cerro Chiang G, Parimon T. Understanding Interstitial Lung Diseases Associated with Connective Tissue Disease (CTD-ILD): Genetics, Cellular Pathophysiology, and Biologic Drivers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032405. [PMID: 36768729 PMCID: PMC9917355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032405] [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: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) is a collection of systemic autoimmune disorders resulting in lung interstitial abnormalities or lung fibrosis. CTD-ILD pathogenesis is not well characterized because of disease heterogeneity and lack of pre-clinical models. Some common risk factors are inter-related with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, an extensively studied fibrotic lung disease, which includes genetic abnormalities and environmental risk factors. The primary pathogenic mechanism is that these risk factors promote alveolar type II cell dysfunction triggering many downstream profibrotic pathways, including inflammatory cascades, leading to lung fibroblast proliferation and activation, causing abnormal lung remodeling and repairs that result in interstitial pathology and lung fibrosis. In CTD-ILD, dysregulation of regulator pathways in inflammation is a primary culprit. However, confirmatory studies are required. Understanding these pathogenetic mechanisms is necessary for developing and tailoring more targeted therapy and provides newly discovered disease biomarkers for early diagnosis, clinical monitoring, and disease prognostication. This review highlights the central CTD-ILD pathogenesis and biological drivers that facilitate the discovery of disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliana Cerro Chiang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Tanyalak Parimon
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
- Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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24
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Li Z, Wang S, Zhao H, Yan P, Yuan H, Zhao M, Wan R, Yu G, Wang L. Artificial neural network identified the significant genes to distinguish Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1225. [PMID: 36681777 PMCID: PMC9867697 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28536-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung disease that causes irreversible damage to lung tissue characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) and remodeling of lung parenchyma. The current diagnosis of IPF is complex and usually completed by a multidisciplinary team including clinicians, radiologists and pathologists they work together and make decision for an effective treatment, it is imperative to introduce novel practical methods for IPF diagnosis. This study provided a new diagnostic model of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis based on machine learning. Six genes including CDH3, DIO2, ADAMTS14, HS6ST2, IL13RA2, and IGFL2 were identified based on the differentially expressed genes in IPF patients compare to healthy subjects through a random forest classifier with the existing gene expression databases. An artificial neural network model was constructed for IPF diagnosis based these genes, and this model was validated by the distinctive public datasets with a satisfactory diagnostic accuracy. These six genes identified were significant correlated with lung function, and among them, CDH3 and DIO2 were further determined to be significantly associated with the survival. Putting together, artificial neural network model identified the significant genes to distinguish idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis from healthy people and it is potential for molecular diagnosis of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongzheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Shenghui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Huabin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Peishuo Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Hongmei Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Mengxia Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Ruyan Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China
| | - Guoying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China.
| | - Lan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Science, Henan Normal University, 46 Jianshe Road, Xinxiang, 453007, Henan, China.
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25
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Identification of diagnostic biomarkers for idiopathic pulmonary hypertension with metabolic syndrome by bioinformatics and machine learning. Sci Rep 2023; 13:615. [PMID: 36635413 PMCID: PMC9837120 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-27435-4] [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: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary hypertension (IPAH) is a condition that affects various tissues and organs and the metabolic and inflammatory systems. The most prevalent metabolic condition is metabolic syndrome (MS), which involves insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity. There may be a connection between IPAH and MS, based on a plethora of studies, although the underlying pathogenesis remains unclear. Through various bioinformatics analyses and machine learning algorithms, we identified 11 immune- and metabolism-related potential diagnostic genes (EVI5L, RNASE2, PARP10, TMEM131, TNFRSF1B, BSDC1, ACOT2, SAC3D1, SLA2, P4HB, and PHF1) for the diagnosis of IPAH and MS, and we herein supply a nomogram for the diagnosis of IPAH in MS patients. Additionally, we discovered IPAH's aberrant immune cells and discuss them here.
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Li Q, Hujiaaihemaiti M, Wang J, Uddin MN, Li MY, Aierken A, Wu Y. Identifying key transcription factors and miRNAs coregulatory networks associated with immune infiltrations and drug interactions in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2023; 20:4153-4177. [PMID: 36899621 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2023194] [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: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The deregulated genetic factors are critically associated with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) development and progression. However, the identification of hub-transcription factors (TFs) and miRNA-hub-TFs co-regulatory network-mediated pathogenesis in IPAH remains lacking. METHODS We used GSE48149, GSE113439, GSE117261, GSE33463, and GSE67597 for identifying key genes and miRNAs in IPAH. We used a series of bioinformatics approaches, including R packages, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) to identify the hub-TFs and miRNA-hub-TFs co-regulatory networks in IPAH. Also, we employed a molecular docking approach to evaluate the potential protein-drug interactions. RESULTS We found that 14 TFs encoding genes, including ZNF83, STAT1, NFE2L3, and SMARCA2 are upregulated, and 47 TFs encoding genes, including NCOR2, FOXA2, NFE2, and IRF5 are downregulated in IPAH relative to the control. Then, we identified the differentially expressed 22 hub-TFs encoding genes, including four upregulated (STAT1, OPTN, STAT4, and SMARCA2) and 18 downregulated (such as NCOR2, IRF5, IRF2, MAFB, MAFG, and MAF) TFs encoding genes in IPAH. The deregulated hub-TFs regulate the immune system, cellular transcriptional signaling, and cell cycle regulatory pathways. Moreover, the identified differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) are involved in the co-regulatory network with hub-TFs. The six hub-TFs encoding genes, including STAT1, MAF, CEBPB, MAFB, NCOR2, and MAFG are consistently differentially expressed in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of IPAH patients, and these hub-TFs showed significant diagnostic efficacy in distinguishing IPAH cases from the healthy individuals. Moreover, we revealed that the co-regulatory hub-TFs encoding genes are correlated with the infiltrations of various immune signatures, including CD4 regulatory T cells, immature B cells, macrophages, MDSCs, monocytes, Tfh cells, and Th1 cells. Finally, we discovered that the protein product of STAT1 and NCOR2 interacts with several drugs with appropriate binding affinity. CONCLUSIONS The identification of hub-TFs and miRNA-hub-TFs co-regulatory networks may provide a new avenue into the mechanism of IPAH development and pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- Department of General Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Minawaer Hujiaaihemaiti
- Department of General Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Md Nazim Uddin
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Ming-Yuan Li
- Department of General Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Alidan Aierken
- Department of General Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Yun Wu
- Department of General Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830011, China
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27
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Shen LH, Zhang Y, Shen Y, Su ZT, Yu SM, Cao SZ, Zong XL. Effect of anemoside B4 on milk whey in clinical mastitis-affected cows elucidated using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:18829. [PMID: 36335251 PMCID: PMC9637092 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-23749-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Intramuscular injection of anemoside B4 (AB4) has a superior therapeutic effect on clinical mastitis in lactating cows. Here, we explored AB4's effect on milk whey in clinical mastitis-affected cows using proteomics. Among fifty clinical mastitis cows received AB4 administration (0.05 ml/kg/day, for 7 days), twelve healed cows were selected and marked as group T. Twelve clinically heathy cows received the same dose of saline for 7 days, marked as group C. Collected milk whey of group T before and after AB4 administration marked as T1 and T2, respectively. The milk whey of group C after saline injection marked as C1. Milk whey protein changes were detected using tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomic. We identified 872 quantifiable proteins in the samples. Among them, 511 proteins between T1 and C1, and 361 proteins between T2 and T1 were significantly altered. T1 than C1 had significantly more proteins associated with inflammatory damage and trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, whereas these proteins were reduced in T2 treated with AB4. Compared with C, proteins associated with fibrin clot degradation and complement system activation were downregulated in T1 but upregulated in T2. In summary, AB4 can exert its therapeutic effect on clinical mastitis in cows mainly by reducing inflammatory damage, activating the complement system, inhibiting trans-endothelial migration of leukocytes, and promoting degradation of milk fibrin clots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liu-hong Shen
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, The Medical Research Center for Cow Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Yue Zhang
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, The Medical Research Center for Cow Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Yu Shen
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, The Medical Research Center for Cow Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Zhe-tong Su
- Guangxi Innovates Medical Technology Co., Ltd., Lipu, 546600 Guangxi China
| | - Shu-min Yu
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, The Medical Research Center for Cow Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Sui-zhong Cao
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, The Medical Research Center for Cow Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
| | - Xiao-lan Zong
- grid.80510.3c0000 0001 0185 3134The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, The Medical Research Center for Cow Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan China
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Kletukhina S, Mutallapova G, Titova A, Gomzikova M. Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Extracellular Vesicles in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911212. [PMID: 36232511 PMCID: PMC9569825 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial fibrotic disease that leads to disability and death within 5 years of diagnosis. Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease with a multifactorial etiology. The concept of aberrant regeneration of the pulmonary epithelium reveals the pathogenesis of IPF, according to which repeated damage and death of alveolar epithelial cells is the main mechanism leading to the development of progressive IPF. Cell death provokes the migration, proliferation and activation of fibroblasts, which overproduce extracellular matrix, resulting in fibrotic deformity of the lung tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are promising therapies for pulmonary fibrosis. MSCs, and EVs derived from MSCs, modulate the activity of immune cells, inhibit the expression of profibrotic genes, reduce collagen deposition and promote the repair of damaged lung tissue. This review considers the molecular mechanisms of the development of IPF and the multifaceted role of MSCs in the therapy of IPF. Currently, EVs-MSCs are regarded as a promising cell-free therapy tool, so in this review we discuss the results available to date of the use of EVs-MSCs for lung tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sevindzh Kletukhina
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Guzel Mutallapova
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Angelina Titova
- Morphology and General Pathology Department, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
| | - Marina Gomzikova
- Laboratory of Intercellular Communication, Kazan Federal University, 420008 Kazan, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-917-8572269
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Huang B, Li J, Zhao J. Screening and identification of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease. Arch Rheumatol 2022; 36:548-559. [PMID: 35382367 PMCID: PMC8957772 DOI: 10.46497/archrheumatol.2021.8625] [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: 12/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to analyze gene expression in lung tissue and lung fibroblasts of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) to identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets and to examine its possible role in the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD. Patients and methods We obtained datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and used Robust Rank Aggregation to calculate the co-expressed differentially-expressed-genes (DEGs) in three chips, then analyzed the function, signaling pathways and the protein-protein interaction network of the DEGs. Finally, we verified the DEGs related to SSc-ILD by three databases of Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD), GENE, and DisGeNET, respectively. Results There were 16 co-expressed DEGs related to SSc-ILD in three GEO series, of which six genes were upregulated, and 10 genes were downregulated. The CTD included 29,936 genes related to SSc, and the GENE and DisGeNET databases had 429 genes related to SSc. Conclusion The results of gene differential expression analysis suggest that interleukin-6, chemokine ligand 2, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3, pentraxin 3, and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein may be implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD and are expected to be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SSc-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biqing Huang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China.,Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiuliang Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
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Li Y, He Y, Chen S, Wang Q, Yang Y, Shen D, Ma J, Wen Z, Ning S, Chen H. S100A12 as Biomarker of Disease Severity and Prognosis in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:810338. [PMID: 35185901 PMCID: PMC8854978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.810338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with poor prognosis. S100 calcium binding protein A12 (S100A12) has been reported as a prognostic serum biomarker in the IPF, but its correlation with IPF remains unclear in the lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). Methods Datasets were collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Person correlation coefficient, Kaplan–Meier analysis, Cox regression analysis, functional enrichment analysis and so on were used. And single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis was also used to explore the role of S100A12 and related genes in the IPF. Results S100A12 was mainly and highly expressed in the monocytes, and its expression was downregulated in the lung of patients with IPF according to scRNA-seq and the transcriptome analysis. However, S100A12 expression was upregulated both in blood and BALF of patients with IPF. In addition, 10 genes were found to interact with S100A12 according to protein–protein interaction (PPI) network, and the first four transcription factors (TF) targeted these genes were found according to hTFtarget database. Two most significant co-expression genes of S100A12 were S100A8 and S100A9. The 3 genes were significantly negatively associated with lung function and positively associated with the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores in the lung of patients with IPF. And, high expression of the 3 genes was associated with higher mortality in the BALF, and shorter transplant-free survival (TFS) and progression-free survival (PFS) time in the blood. Prognostic predictive value of S100A12 was more superior to S100A8 and S100A9 in patients with IPF, and the composited variable [S100A12 + GAP index (gender, age, and physiological index)] may be a more effective predictive index. Conclusion These results imply that S100A12 might be an efficient disease severity and prognostic biomarker in patients with IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yupeng Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yaowu He
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shibin Chen
- Medical Research Center, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Danting Shen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhe Wen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Shangwei Ning
- College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Chen, ; Shangwei Ning,
| | - Hong Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- *Correspondence: Hong Chen, ; Shangwei Ning,
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31
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Cardoneanu A, Burlui AM, Macovei LA, Bratoiu I, Richter P, Rezus E. Targeting Systemic Sclerosis from Pathogenic Mechanisms to Clinical Manifestations: Why IL-6? Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020318. [PMID: 35203527 PMCID: PMC8869570 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder, which has both cutaneous and systemic clinical manifestations. The disease pathogenesis includes a triad of manifestations, such as vasculopathy, autoimmunity, and fibrosis. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has a special role in SS development, both in vascular damage and in the development of fibrosis. In the early stages, IL-6 participates in vascular endothelial activation and apoptosis, leading to the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which maintain inflammation and autoimmunity. Moreover, IL-6 plays an important role in the development of fibrotic changes by mediating the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts. All of these are associated with disabling clinical manifestations, such as skin thickening, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), heart failure, and dysphagia. Tocilizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-6 by binding to the specific receptor, thus preventing its proinflammatory and fibrotic actions. Anti-IL-6 therapy with Tocilizumab is a new hope for SS patients, with data from clinical trials supporting the favorable effect, especially on skin and lung damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Cardoneanu
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexandra Maria Burlui
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Luana Andreea Macovei
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Ioana Bratoiu
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Patricia Richter
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena Rezus
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T Popa”, 700115 Iasi, Romania; (A.M.B.); (L.A.M.); (I.B.); (P.R.); (E.R.)
- Rehabilitation Hospital, 700661 Iasi, Romania
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to evaluate the recent evidence of the role of metabolism in systemic sclerosis (SSc), highlighting specific aberrations and to appraise the feasibility of targeting these therapeutically. RECENT FINDINGS SSc is an autoimmune disease that is characterised by three facets: vascular problems, inflammation, and fibrosis. The fibrosis primarily affects the skin and lungs and currently, no antifibrotic treatment has been found effective. In recent years a renaissance in metabolism research has begun with renewed vigour in the role of metabolism in disease, particularly in the immune system. Alterations in glycolysis and utilisation of specific metabolic pathways in specific cell types have been associated with specific diseases. Most recently alterations in glycolysis and glutaminolysis have been determined in SSc fibroblasts mediating fibrosis. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels have also been described in SSc. SUMMARY Specific metabolic aberrations have been described in SSc and this may lead to novel therapeutic targets in this disease.
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Yang H, Lu Y, Yang H, Zhu Y, Tang Y, Li L, Liu C, Yuan J. Integrated weighted gene co-expression network analysis uncovers STAT1(signal transducer and activator of transcription 1) and IFI44L (interferon-induced protein 44-like) as key genes in pulmonary arterial hypertension. Bioengineered 2021; 12:6021-6034. [PMID: 34516357 PMCID: PMC8806536 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1972200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the multiple diagnostic and therapeutic strategies implemented in clinical practice, the mortality rate of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains high. Understanding the mechanisms and key genes involved could provide insight into the drivers of the pathogenesis of PAH. In this research, we aimed to examine the mechanisms underlying PAH and identify key genes with potential usefulness as clinical biomarkers of PAH and thereby establish therapeutic targets for PAH. The datasets GSE117261, GSE113439, and GSE53408 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEOs) database. We used weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify networks and the most relevant modules in PAH. Functional enrichment analysis was performed for the selected clinically relevant modules. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was applied to identify key genes in lung samples from patients with PAH. The genes were validated in a monocrotaline-induced PAH rat model. Three clinically relevant modules were identified through average linkage hierarchical clustering. The genes in the clinically relevant modules were related to endothelial cell differentiation, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Seven genes were screened as key genes significantly associated with PAH. Interferon-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1) were expressed at higher levels in the lung tissues of the PAH rat model than in those of the controls. Our findings reveal the novel pathological mechanisms underlying PAH and indicate that STAT1 and IFI44L may represent potential therapeutic targets in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongmin Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaoxi Zhu
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaohan Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lixia Li
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Changhu Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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He K, Luo X, Wen M, Wang C, Qin C, Shao J, Gan L, Dong R, Jiang H. Effect of acute ammonia toxicity on inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis in head kidney macrophage of Pelteobagrus fulvidraco and the alleviation of curcumin. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2021; 248:109098. [PMID: 34139380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2021.109098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Ammonia is one of the most major pollutant and stress factors of aquaculture systems, and has seriously endangered fish health. However, few studies have been performed on mechanisms of the detrimental impact of ammonia stress and mitigation in fish. A study was carried out to investigate the response of genes involved in inflammation, antioxidation, polarization and apoptosis in head kidney macrophages to acute ammonia toxicity, and the alleviation effect of curcumin. The cells were divided into six groups, as follows: The control group composed of untreated macrophages (CON), the experimental groups, consisting of macrophages treated with 0.23 mg L-1 ammonia (AM), 45 μmol L-1 curcumin (CUR), 0.23 mg L-1 ammonia and 5 μmol L-1 curcumin (5A), 0.23 mg L-1 ammonia and 25 μmol L-1 curcumin (25A), 0.23 mg L-1 ammonia and 45 μmol L-1 curcumin (45A). The cells were pretreated with different concentrations of curcumin for 1 h and then incubated with ammonia for 24 h. The results showed that ammonia poisoning could increase ROS levels, up-regulate the expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α) and inflammatory mediators (NF-κB p65 and COX-2), decrease cell viability, down-regulate the expression of M2 marker (Arg-1) and anti-apoptosis (Bcl-2), but curcumin could alleviate the adverse effect of ammonia toxicity. Overall, these results have important implications for understanding of the mechanism of ammonia toxicity and the mitigating effect of curcumin in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei He
- Breeding and Reproduction in The Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Xueping Luo
- Breeding and Reproduction in The Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Ming Wen
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Diseases and Veterinary Public Health of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Changan Wang
- Heilongjiang River Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Harbin 150070, China.
| | - Chuanjie Qin
- Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province for Fishes Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of theYangtze River, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang 641100, China.
| | - Jian Shao
- Breeding and Reproduction in The Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Lei Gan
- Breeding and Reproduction in The Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Ranran Dong
- Breeding and Reproduction in The Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Haibo Jiang
- Breeding and Reproduction in The Plateau Mountainous Region, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Key Laboratory for Animal Diseases and Veterinary Public Health of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China.
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Selman M, Pardo A. From pulmonary fibrosis to progressive pulmonary fibrosis: a lethal pathobiological jump. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2021; 321:L600-L607. [PMID: 34318695 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00310.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The month of September is Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. In this context, we would like to highlight the concept of progressive pulmonary fibrosis, a common denominator/phenotype of many interstitial lung diseases other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, leading to clinical deterioration, decreased quality of life, and high mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moisés Selman
- Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias "Ismael Cosío Villegas," Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Annie Pardo
- Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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Wu Q, Liu Y, Xie Y, Wei S, Liu Y. Identification of Potential ceRNA Network and Patterns of Immune Cell Infiltration in Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:622021. [PMID: 34222222 PMCID: PMC8248550 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.622021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) is one of the most severe complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and is the leading cause of SSc-related deaths. However, the precise pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in SSc-ILD remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network and immune cell infiltration patterns in SSc-ILD. Methods One microRNA (miRNA) and three messenger RNA (mRNA) microarray datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then, the differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) and mRNAs (DEMs) between SSc-ILD patients and normal controls were identified, respectively, followed by the prediction of the target genes and target lncRNAs of DEmiRs. The overlapping genes between DEmiRs target genes and DEMs were identified as core mRNAs to construct the ceRNA network. In addition, the “Cell Type Identification by Estimating Relative Subsets of Known RNA Transcripts (CIBERSORT)” algorithm was used to analyze the composition of infiltrating immune cells in lung tissues of SSc-ILD patients and controls, and differentially expressed immune cells were recognized. The correlation between immune cells and core mRNAs was evaluated by Pearson correlation analysis. Results Totally, 42 SSc-ILD lung tissues and 18 normal lung tissues were included in this study. We identified 35 DEmiRs and 142 DEMs and predicted 1,265 target genes of DEmiRs. Then, 9 core mRNAs related to SSc-ILD were recognized, which were the overlapping genes between DEmiRs target genes and DEMs. Meanwhile, 9 DEmiRs related to core mRNAs were identified reversely, and their target lncRNAs were predicted. In total, 9 DEmiRs, 9 core mRNAs, and 51 predicted lncRNAs were integrated to construct the ceRNA regulatory network of SSc-ILD. In addition, 9 types of immune cells were differentially expressed in lung tissues between SSc-ILD patients and controls. Some core mRNAs, such as COL1A1, FOS, and EDN1, were positively or negatively correlated with the number of infiltrating immune cells. Conclusion This is the first comprehensive study to construct the potential ceRNA regulatory network and analyze the composition of infiltrating immune cells in lung tissues of SSc-ILD patients, which improves our understanding of the pathogenesis of SSc-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuhong Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Lung Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Xie
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Shixiong Wei
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Rare Diseases Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.,Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Kendall RT, Renaud L, Baatz JE, Malaab M, Nguyen XX, Feghali-Bostwick CA. Systemic sclerosis biomarkers detection in the secretome of TGFβ1-activated primary human lung fibroblasts. J Proteomics 2021; 242:104243. [PMID: 33930553 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2021.104243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
TGFβ1 is a profibrotic mediator that contributes to a broad spectrum of pathologies, including systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary fibrosis (SSc-PF). However, the secretome of TGFβ1-stimulated primary human normal lung (NL) fibroblasts has not been well characterized. Using fluorescent 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) followed by Mass Spectrometry, we identified 37 differentially secreted proteins in the conditioned media of TGFβ1-activated NL fibroblasts and generated a protein-protein association network of the TGFβ1 secretome using STRING. Functional enrichment revealed that several biological processes and pathways characteristic of PF were enriched. Additionally, by comparing the TGFβ1 secretome of NL fibroblasts to proteomic biomarkers from biological fluids of systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients, we identified 11 overlapping proteins. Together our data validate the TGFβ1-induced secretome of NL fibroblasts as a valid in vitro model that reflects SSc biomarkers and identify potential therapeutic targets for SSc-PF. SIGNIFICANCE: All proteins secreted by fibroblasts into the extracellular space, representing the secretome, promote cell-to-cell communication as well as tissue homeostasis, immune mechanisms, developmental regulation, proteolysis, development of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and cell adhesion. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how TGFβ1, a well-known profibrotic cytokine, modulates the secretome of pulmonary fibroblasts, and how the TGFβ1-induced secretome resembles biomarkers in SSc. Using functional enrichment analysis, key pathways and hub proteins can be identified and studied as potential therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan T Kendall
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology, MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States of America
| | - Ludivine Renaud
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology, MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States of America.
| | - John E Baatz
- Department of Pediatrics, MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States of America.
| | - Maya Malaab
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology, MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States of America.
| | - Xinh-Xinh Nguyen
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology, MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States of America.
| | - Carol A Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology & Immunology, MUSC, Charleston, SC, United States of America.
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Understanding Fibrosis in Systemic Sclerosis: Novel and Emerging Treatment Approaches. Curr Rheumatol Rep 2020; 22:77. [DOI: 10.1007/s11926-020-00953-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Khedoe P, Marges E, Hiemstra P, Ninaber M, Geelhoed M. Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: Toward Personalized-Medicine-Based Prediction and Drug Screening Models of Systemic Sclerosis-Related Interstitial Lung Disease (SSc-ILD). Front Immunol 2020; 11:1990. [PMID: 33013852 PMCID: PMC7500178 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease, characterized by immune dysregulation and progressive fibrosis. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is the most common cause of death among SSc patients and there are currently very limited approved disease-modifying treatment options for systemic sclerosis-related interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD). The mechanisms underlying pulmonary fibrosis in SSc-ILD are not completely unraveled, and knowledge on fibrotic processes has been acquired mostly from studies in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The incomplete knowledge of SSc-ILD pathogenesis partly explains the limited options for disease-modifying therapy for SSc-ILD. Fibrosis in IPF appears to be related to aberrant repair following injury, but whether this also holds for SSc-ILD is less evident. Furthermore, immune dysregulation appears to contribute to pro-fibrotic responses in SSc-ILD, perhaps more than in IPF. In addition, SSc-ILD patient heterogeneity complicates the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of disease development, and more importantly, limits correct clinical diagnosis and treatment effectivity. Therefore, there is an unmet need for patient-relevant (in vitro) models to examine patient-specific disease pathogenesis, predict disease progression, screen appropriate treatment regimens and identify new targets for treatment. Technological advances in in vitro patient-relevant disease modeling, including (human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived) lung epithelial cells, organoids and organ-on-chip technology offer a platform that has the potential to contribute to unravel the underlying mechanisms of SSc-ILD development. Combining these models with state-of-the-art analysis platforms, including (single cell) RNA sequencing and (imaging) mass cytometry, may help to delineate pathogenic mechanisms and define new treatment targets of SSc-ILD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padmini Khedoe
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Emiel Marges
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Pieter Hiemstra
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maarten Ninaber
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Miranda Geelhoed
- Department of Pulmonology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, Netherlands
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Feghali-Bostwick C. Pulmonary fibrosis: something old, something new…still waiting for a breakthrough. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2020; 319:L560-L561. [PMID: 32755317 PMCID: PMC7518060 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00366.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carol Feghali-Bostwick
- Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina
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