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Nourmahnad A, Javad Shariyate M, Khak M, Grinstaff MW, Nazarian A, Rodriguez EK. Relaxin as a treatment for musculoskeletal fibrosis: What we know and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2024; 225:116273. [PMID: 38729446 PMCID: PMC11179965 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116273] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic changes in musculoskeletal diseases arise from the abnormal buildup of fibrotic tissue around the joints, leading to limited mobility, compromised joint function, and diminished quality of life. Relaxin (RLX) attenuates fibrosis by accelerating collagen degradation and inhibiting excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Further, RLX disrupts myofibroblast activation by modulating the TGF-β/Smads signaling pathways, which reduces connective tissue fibrosis. However, the mechanisms and effects of RLX in musculoskeletal pathologies are emerging as increasing research focuses on relaxin's impact on skin, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, joint capsules, connective tissues, and muscles. This review delineates the actions of relaxin within the musculoskeletal system and the challenges to its clinical application. Relaxin shows significant potential in both in vivo and in vitro studies for broadly managing musculoskeletal fibrosis; however, challenges such as short biological half-life and sex-specific responses may pose hurdles for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mohammad Javad Shariyate
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mohammad Khak
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Ara Nazarian
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Edward K Rodriguez
- Musculoskeletal Translational Innovation Initiative, Carl J. Shapiro Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Shen C, Feng G, Zhao F, Huang X, Wang M, Wang H. Integration of Transcriptomics and Proteomics Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of Eriocheir sinensis Gills Exposed to Heat Stress. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:2020. [PMID: 38136140 PMCID: PMC10740794 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12122020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat stress is an increasingly concerning topic under global warming. Heat stress can induce organisms to produce excess reactive oxygen species, which will lead to cell damage and destroy the antioxidant defense of aquatic animals. Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, is sensitive to the change in water temperature, and parent crabs are more vulnerable during the breeding stage. In the present study, the multi-omics responses of parent E. sinensis gills to heat stress (24 h) were determined via transcriptome and proteome. The integrative analysis revealed that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and glutathione s-transferase (GST) were significantly up-regulated at gene and protein levels after heat stress, indicating that HSP70 and the antioxidant system participated in the regulatory mechanism of heat stress to resist oxidative damage. Moreover, the "Relaxin signaling pathway" was also activated at gene and protein levels under 30 °C stress, which implied that relaxin may be essential and responsible for reducing the oxidative damage of gills caused by extreme heat stress. These findings provided an understanding of the regulation mechanism in E. sinensis under heat stress at gene and protein levels. The mining of key functional genes, proteins, and pathways can also provide a basis for the cultivation of new varieties resistant to oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenchen Shen
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (C.S.); (F.Z.); (X.H.); (M.W.)
- College of Fisheries and Life sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 200090, China
| | - Guangpeng Feng
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (C.S.); (F.Z.); (X.H.); (M.W.)
- College of Fisheries and Life sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 200090, China
- Jiangxi Institute for Fisheries Sciences, Poyang Lake Fisheries Research Centre of Jiangxi, Nanchang 330039, China;
| | - Feng Zhao
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (C.S.); (F.Z.); (X.H.); (M.W.)
| | - Xiaorong Huang
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (C.S.); (F.Z.); (X.H.); (M.W.)
| | - Min Wang
- East China Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Shanghai 200090, China; (C.S.); (F.Z.); (X.H.); (M.W.)
| | - Haihua Wang
- Jiangxi Institute for Fisheries Sciences, Poyang Lake Fisheries Research Centre of Jiangxi, Nanchang 330039, China;
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Ning X, Han B, Shi Y, Qian X, Zhang K, Yin S. Hypoxia stress induces complicated miRNA responses in the gill of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 261:106619. [PMID: 37379777 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia caused by global climate change and human activities has become a growing concern eliciting serious damages to aquatic animals. microRNAs (miRNAs) as non-coding regulatory RNAs exert vital effects on hypoxia responses. Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) with the habitat on the sediment surface or the pond bottom is susceptible to oxygen deficiency. However, whether miRNAs are involved in the response of the crabs to hypoxia stress remains enigmas. In this study, we conducted the whole transcriptome-based miRNA-mRNA integrated analysis of Chinese mitten crab gill under hypoxic condition for 3 h and 24 h We found that the acute hypoxia induces complex miRNA responses with the extensive influences on their target genes that engaged in various bio-processes, especially those associated with immunity, metabolism and endocrine. The impact of hypoxia on crab miRNAs is severer, as the exposure lasts longer. In response to the dissolved oxygen fluctuation, the HIF-1 signaling is activated by miRNAs to cope with the hypoxia stress through strategies including balancing inflammatory and autophagy involved in immunity, changing metabolism to reducing energy consumption, and enhancing oxygen-carrying and delivering capacities. The miRNAs and their corresponding target genes engaged in hypoxia response were intertwined into an intricate network. Moreover, the top hub molecular, miR-998-y and miR-275-z, discovered from the network might serve as biomarkers for hypoxia response in crabs. Our study provides the first systemic miRNA profile of Chinese mitten crab induced by hypoxia stress, and the identified miRNAs and the interactive network add new insights into the mechanism of hypoxia response in crabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianhui Ning
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Bing Han
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yaxuan Shi
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaobin Qian
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, 222005, China
| | - Shaowu Yin
- College of Marine Science and Engineering, Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Aquatic Animals Breeding and Green Efficient Aquacultural Technology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China; Co-Innovation Center for Marine Bio-Industry Technology of Jiangsu Province, Lianyungang, 222005, China.
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Cialdai F, Bacci S, Zizi V, Norfini A, Balsamo M, Ciccone V, Morbidelli L, Calosi L, Risaliti C, Vanhelden L, Pantalone D, Bani D, Monici M. Optimization of an Ex-Vivo Human Skin/Vein Model for Long-Term Wound Healing Studies: Ground Preparatory Activities for the 'Suture in Space' Experiment Onboard the International Space Station. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214123. [PMID: 36430601 PMCID: PMC9693847 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is preliminary to an experiment to be performed onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and on Earth to investigate how low gravity influences the healing of sutured human skin and vein wounds. Its objective was to ascertain whether these tissue explants could be maintained to be viable ex vivo for long periods of time, mimicking the experimental conditions onboard the ISS. We developed an automated tissue culture chamber, reproducing and monitoring the physiological tensile forces over time, and a culture medium enriched with serelaxin (60 ng/mL) and (Zn(PipNONO)Cl) (28 ng/mL), known to extend viability of explanted organs for transplantation. The results show that the human skin and vein specimens remained viable for more than 4 weeks, with no substantial signs of damage in their tissues and cells. As a further clue about cell viability, some typical events associated with wound repair were observed in the tissue areas close to the wound, namely remodeling of collagen fibers in the papillary dermis and of elastic fibers in the vein wall, proliferation of keratinocyte stem cells, and expression of the endothelial functional markers eNOS and FGF-2. These findings validate the suitability of this new ex vivo organ culture system for wound healing studies, not only for the scheduled space experiment but also for applications on Earth, such as drug discovery purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Cialdai
- ASA Research Division, ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Bacci
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Virginia Zizi
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | | | | | - Valerio Ciccone
- Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Morbidelli
- Department Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Laura Calosi
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Chiara Risaliti
- ASA Research Division, ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
| | - Lore Vanhelden
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
- M&T Faculty, Applied Engineering and Technology, Karel de Grote University of Applied Sciences, Salesianenlaan 90, 2660 Hoboken, The Netherlands
| | - Desirée Pantalone
- Section of Surgery, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Bani
- Imaging Platform, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine & Joint Laboratory with Department Biology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.B.); (M.M.)
| | - Monica Monici
- ASA Research Division, ASA Campus Joint Laboratory, 50134 Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio”, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: (D.B.); (M.M.)
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Tapia Cáceres F, Gaspari TA, Hossain MA, Samuel CS. Relaxin Inhibits the Cardiac Myofibroblast NLRP3 Inflammasome as Part of Its Anti-Fibrotic Actions via the Angiotensin Type 2 and ATP (P2X7) Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23137074. [PMID: 35806076 PMCID: PMC9266307 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23137074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic NLRP3 inflammasome activation can promote fibrosis through its production of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Conversely, recombinant human relaxin (RLX) can inhibit the pro-fibrotic interactions between IL-1β, IL-18 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Here, the broader extent by which RLX targeted the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome to mediate its anti-fibrotic effects was elucidated. Primary human cardiac fibroblasts (HCFs), stimulated with TGF-β1 (to promote myofibroblast (HCMF) differentiation), LPS (to prime the NLRP3 inflammasome) and ATP (to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome) (T+L+A) or benzoylbenzoyl-ATP (to activate the ATP receptor; P2X7R) (T+L+Bz), co-expressed relaxin family peptide receptor-1 (RXFP1), the angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) and P2X7R, and underwent increased protein expression of toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18. Whilst RLX co-administration to HCMFs significantly prevented the T+L+A- or T+L+Bz-stimulated increase in these end points, the inhibitory effects of RLX were annulled by the pharmacological antagonism of either RXFP1, AT2R, P2X7R, TLR-4, reactive oxygen species (ROS) or caspase-1. The RLX-induced amelioration of left ventricular inflammation, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis in isoproterenol (ISO)-injured mice, was also attenuated by P2X7R antagonism. Thus, the ability of RLX to ameliorate the myofibroblast NLRP3 inflammasome as part of its anti-fibrotic effects, appeared to involve RXFP1, AT2R, P2X7R and the inhibition of TLR-4, ROS and caspase-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Tapia Cáceres
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (F.T.C.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Tracey A. Gaspari
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (F.T.C.); (T.A.G.)
| | - Mohammed Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Chrishan S. Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia; (F.T.C.); (T.A.G.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Relaxin-2 as a Potential Biomarker in Cardiovascular Diseases. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071021. [PMID: 35887517 PMCID: PMC9317583 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The pleiotropic hormone relaxin-2 plays a pivotal role in the physiology and pathology of the cardiovascular system. Relaxin-2 exerts relevant regulatory functions in cardiovascular tissues through the specific receptor relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1) in the regulation of cardiac metabolism; the induction of vasodilatation; the reversion of fibrosis and hypertrophy; the reduction of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis; and the stimulation of angiogenesis, with inotropic and chronotropic effects as well. Recent preclinical and clinical outcomes have encouraged the potential use of relaxin-2 (or its recombinant form, known as serelaxin) as a therapeutic strategy during cardiac injury and/or in patients suffering from different cardiovascular disarrangements, especially heart failure. Furthermore, relaxin-2 has been proposed as a promising biomarker of cardiovascular health and disease. In this review, we emphasize the relevance of the endogenous hormone relaxin-2 as a useful diagnostic biomarker in different backgrounds of cardiovascular pathology, such as heart failure, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, aortic valve disease, hypertension, and atherosclerosis, which could be relevant in daily clinical practice and could contribute to comprehending the specific role of relaxin-2 in cardiovascular diseases.
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Gubitosa J, Rizzi V, Laurenzana A, Scavone F, Frediani E, Fibbi G, Fanelli F, Sibillano T, Giannini C, Fini P, Cosma P. The “End Life” of the Grape Pomace Waste Become the New Beginning: The Development of a Virtuous Cycle for the Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles and Removal of Emerging Contaminants from Water. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11050994. [PMID: 35624858 PMCID: PMC9137750 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11050994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
During the last decades, the demand for processes developed according to the Circular Economy Principles has increased, searching for an alternative life for wastes. For this purpose, a one-pot green approach is exploited during this work to synthesize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by using grape pomace waste from Vitis vinifera. A raw aqueous extract of grape seeds, skin, and stems is used for AuNPs synthesis. UV-Vis, XPS, SEM, and ATR-FTIR spectroscopies demonstrate the main role of the extract’s polyphenolic components in stabilizing nanoparticles. XRD, DLS, and Zeta Potential analyses were used to characterize AuNPs. Moreover, the ionic strength, pH, and temperature role was investigated through the Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) band observation to assess AuNPs’ stability and photostability. For foreseeing the as-synthesized AuNPs’ potential use in cosmetic and biomedical fields as multifunctional platforms, their antioxidant, and skin-lightening properties were tested, together with their sunscreen ability. A preliminary in-vitro evaluation is reported about the AuNPs’ cytoprotective effects against H2O2 oxidative stress-induced in normal human dermal fibroblasts. Briefly, the possibility of reusing the grape pomace waste after the AuNPs synthesis as an adsorbent for the efficient removal of emergent contaminants is preliminarily discussed in the paper, further valorizing the use of waste according to a bio circular approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Gubitosa
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, 4-70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Vito Rizzi
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, 4-70126 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (V.R.); (P.C.)
| | - Anna Laurenzana
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche “Mario Serio” Viale Morgagni, 50-50134 Florence, Italy; (A.L.); (F.S.); (E.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Francesca Scavone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche “Mario Serio” Viale Morgagni, 50-50134 Florence, Italy; (A.L.); (F.S.); (E.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Elena Frediani
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche “Mario Serio” Viale Morgagni, 50-50134 Florence, Italy; (A.L.); (F.S.); (E.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Gabriella Fibbi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche Sperimentali e Cliniche “Mario Serio” Viale Morgagni, 50-50134 Florence, Italy; (A.L.); (F.S.); (E.F.); (G.F.)
| | - Fiorenza Fanelli
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Nanotecnologia (CNR-NANOTEC) c/o Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, 4-70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Teresa Sibillano
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CNR-IC, UOS Bari, Via Amendola, 4-70126 Bari, Italy; (T.S.); (C.G.)
| | - Cinzia Giannini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CNR-IC, UOS Bari, Via Amendola, 4-70126 Bari, Italy; (T.S.); (C.G.)
| | - Paola Fini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche CNR-IPCF, UOS Bari, Via Orabona, 4-70126 Bari, Italy;
| | - Pinalysa Cosma
- Dipartimento di Chimica, Università degli Studi di Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, 4-70126 Bari, Italy;
- Correspondence: (V.R.); (P.C.)
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8
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Samuel CS, Bennett RG. Relaxin as an anti-fibrotic treatment: Perspectives, challenges and future directions. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 197:114884. [PMID: 34968489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis refers to the scarring and hardening of tissues, which results from a failed immune system-coordinated wound healing response to chronic organ injury and which manifests from the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix components (ECM), primarily collagen. Despite being a hallmark of prolonged tissue damage and related dysfunction, and commonly associated with high morbidity and mortality, there are currently no effective cures for its regression. An emerging therapy that meets several criteria of an effective anti-fibrotic treatment, is the recombinant drug-based form of the human hormone, relaxin (also referred to as serelaxin, which is bioactive in several other species). This review outlines the broad anti-fibrotic and related organ-protective roles of relaxin, mainly from studies conducted in preclinical models of ageing and fibrotic disease, including its ability to ameliorate several aspects of fibrosis progression and maturation, from immune cell infiltration, pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokine secretion, oxidative stress, organ hypertrophy, cell apoptosis, myofibroblast differentiation and ECM production, to its ability to facilitate established ECM degradation. Studies that have compared and/or combined these therapeutic effects of relaxin with current standard of care medication have also been discussed, along with the main challenges that have hindered the translation of the anti-fibrotic efficacy of relaxin to the clinic. The review then outlines the future directions as to where scientists and several pharmaceutical companies that have recognized the therapeutic potential of relaxin are working towards, to progress its development as a treatment for human patients suffering from various fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia.
| | - Robert G Bennett
- Research Service, Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE 68105, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-4130, USA.
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9
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Martin B, Vanderpool RR, Henry BL, Palma JB, Gabris B, Lai YC, Hu J, Tofovic SP, Reddy RP, Mora AL, Gladwin MT, Romero G, Salama G. Relaxin Inhibits Ventricular Arrhythmia and Asystole in Rats With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:668222. [PMID: 34295927 PMCID: PMC8290063 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.668222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular cardiomyopathy and cardiac dysfunctions where in the clinical setting, cardiac arrest is the likely cause of death, in ~70% of PAH patients. We investigated the cardiac phenotype of PAH hearts and tested the hypothesis that the insulin-like hormone, Relaxin could prevent maladaptive cardiac remodeling and protect against cardiac dysfunctions in a PAH animal model. PAH was induced in rats with sugen (20 mg/kg), hypoxia then normoxia (3-weeks/each); relaxin (RLX = 0, 30 or 400 μg/kg/day, n ≥ 6/group) was delivered subcutaneously (6-weeks) with implanted osmotic mini-pumps. Right ventricle (RV) hemodynamics and Doppler-flow measurements were followed by cardiac isolation, optical mapping, and arrhythmia phenotype. Sugen-hypoxia (SuHx) treated rats developed PAH characterized by higher RV systolic pressures (50 ± 19 vs. 22 ± 5 mmHg), hypertrophy, reduced stroke volume, ventricular fibrillation (VF) (n = 6/11) and bradycardia/arrest (n = 5/11); both cardiac phenotypes were suppressed with dithiothreitol (DTT = 1 mM) (n = 0/2/group) or RLX (low or high dose, n = 0/6/group). PAH hearts developed increased fibrosis that was reversed by RLX-HD, but not RLX-LD. Relaxin decreased Nrf2 and glutathione transferases but not glutathione-reductase. High-dose RLX improved pulmonary arterial compliance (measured by Doppler flow), suppressed VF even after burst-pacing, n = 2/6). Relaxin suppressed VF and asystole through electrical remodeling and by reversing thiol oxidative stress. For the first time, we showed two cardiac phenotypes in PAH animals and their prevention by RLX. Relaxin may modulate maladaptive cardiac remodeling in PAH and protect against arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Martin
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rebecca R Vanderpool
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian L Henry
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Joshua B Palma
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Beth Gabris
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Yen-Chun Lai
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Stevan P Tofovic
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Rajiv P Reddy
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ana L Mora
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Aging Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Mark T Gladwin
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Guillermo Romero
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Guy Salama
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.,Vascular Medicine Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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