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Xu T, Liu C, Ning X, Gao Z, Li A, Wang S, Leng L, Kong P, Liu P, Zhang S, Zhang P. Causal relationship between circulating glutamine levels and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a two-sample mendelian randomization study. BMC Pulm Med 2024; 24:451. [PMID: 39272013 PMCID: PMC11401390 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-03275-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and debilitating respiratory disease with a median survival of less than 5 years. In recent years, glutamine has been reported to be involved in the regulation of collagen deposition and cell proliferation in fibroblasts, thereby influencing the progression of IPF. However, the relationships between glutamine and the incidence, progression, and treatment response of IPF remain unclear. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between circulating glutamine levels and IPF, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target. METHODS We performed a comprehensive Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis using the most recent genome-wide association study summary-level data. A total of 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly correlated to glutamine levels were identified as instrumental variables. Eight MR analysis methods, including inverse variance weighted, MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, constrained maximum likelihood, contamination mixture, robust adjusted profile score, and debiased inverse-variance weighted method, were used to assess the relationship between glutamine levels with IPF. RESULTS The inverse variance weighted analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between glutamine levels and IPF risk (Odds Ratio = 0.750; 95% Confidence Interval : 0.592-0.951; P = 0.017). Sensitivity analyses, including MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO global test, confirmed the robustness of our findings, with no evidence of horizontal pleiotropy or heterogeneity. CONCLUSION Our study provides novel evidence for a causal relationship between lower circulating glutamine levels and increased risk of IPF. This finding may contribute to the early identification of high-risk individuals for IPF, disease monitoring, and development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou, China
| | - Chengyu Liu
- Graduate School of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xuecong Ning
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China
| | - Zhiguo Gao
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China
| | - Aimin Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China
| | - Shengyun Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China
| | - Lina Leng
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China
| | - Pinpin Kong
- Graduate School of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Pengshuai Liu
- Graduate School of Chengde Medical University, Chengde, China
| | - Shusen Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China.
- Hebei Province Xingtai People's Hospital Postdoctoral Workstation, Xingtai, China.
- Postdoctoral Mobile Station, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Affiliated Xing Tai People Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Xingtai, China.
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Yang Z, Yang Y, Han X, Hou J. Novel AT2 Cell Subpopulations and Diagnostic Biomarkers in IPF: Integrating Machine Learning with Single-Cell Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7754. [PMID: 39062997 PMCID: PMC11277372 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25147754] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a long-term condition with an unidentified cause, and currently there are no specific treatment options available. Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AT2) constitute a heterogeneous population crucial for secreting and regenerative functions in the alveolus, essential for maintaining lung homeostasis. However, a comprehensive investigation into their cellular diversity, molecular features, and clinical implications is currently lacking. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive examination of single-cell RNA sequencing data from both normal and fibrotic lung tissues. We analyzed alterations in cellular composition between IPF and normal tissue and investigated differentially expressed genes across each cell population. This analysis revealed the presence of two distinct subpopulations of IPF-related alveolar epithelial type II cells (IR_AT2). Subsequently, three unique gene co-expression modules associated with the IR_AT2 subtype were identified through the use of hdWGCNA. Furthermore, we refined and identified IPF-related AT2-related gene (IARG) signatures using various machine learning algorithms. Our analysis demonstrated a significant association between high IARG scores in IPF patients and shorter survival times (p-value < 0.01). Additionally, we observed a negative correlation between the percent predicted diffusing capacity for lung carbon monoxide (% DLCO) and increased IARG scores (cor = -0.44, p-value < 0.05). The cross-validation findings demonstrated a high level of accuracy (AUC > 0.85, p-value < 0.01) in the prognostication of patients with IPF utilizing the identified IARG signatures. Our study has identified distinct molecular and biological features among AT2 subpopulations, specifically highlighting the unique characteristics of IPF-related AT2 cells. Importantly, our findings underscore the prognostic relevance of specific genes associated with IPF-related AT2 cells, offering valuable insights into the advancement of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xin Han
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (Z.Y.); (Y.Y.)
| | - Jiwei Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China; (Z.Y.); (Y.Y.)
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3
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Freeberg MAT, Thatcher TH, Camus SV, Huang L, Atkinson J, Narrow W, Haak J, Dylag AM, Cowart LA, Johnson TS, Sime PJ. Transglutaminase 2 knockout mice are protected from bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis with preserved lung function and reduced metabolic derangements. Physiol Rep 2024; 12:e16012. [PMID: 38959068 PMCID: PMC11189770 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.16012] [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: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial scarring disease of the lung characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Tissue transglutaminase 2 (TG2) is believed to promote lung fibrosis by crosslinking extracellular matrix components and activating latent TGFβ. This study assessed physiologic pulmonary function and metabolic alterations in the mouse bleomycin model with TG2 genetic deletion. TG2-deficient mice demonstrated attenuated the fibrosis and preservation of lung function, with significant reduction in elastance and increases in compliance and inspiratory capacity compared to control mice treated with bleomycin. Bleomycin induced metabolic changes in the mouse lung that were consistent with increased aerobic glycolysis, including increased expression of lactate dehydrogenase A and increased production of lactate, as well as increased glutamine, glutamate, and aspartate. TG2-deficient mice treated with bleomycin exhibited similar metabolic changes but with reduced magnitude. Our results demonstrate that TG2 is required for a typical fibrosis response to injury. In the absence of TG2, the fibrotic response is biochemically similar to wild-type, but lesions are smaller and lung function is preserved. We also show for the first time that profibrotic pathways of tissue stiffening and metabolic reprogramming are interconnected, and that metabolic disruptions in fibrosis go beyond glycolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A. T. Freeberg
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Thomas H. Thatcher
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Sarah V. Camus
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Linghong Huang
- UCB Pharma SASloughBerkshireUK
- Present address:
Mestag TherapeuticsCambridgeUK
| | | | - Wade Narrow
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
- Present address:
Department of SurgeryUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Jeannie Haak
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of NeonatologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - Andrew M. Dylag
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of NeonatologyUniversity of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterNew YorkUSA
| | - L. Ashley Cowart
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
| | - Timothy S. Johnson
- UCB Pharma SASloughBerkshireUK
- Present address:
Mestag TherapeuticsCambridgeUK
| | - Patricia J. Sime
- Division of Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care MedicineVirginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmondVirginiaUSA
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care MedicineUniversity of RochesterRochesterNew YorkUSA
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4
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Wang Y, Wang L, Ma S, Cheng L, Yu G. Repair and regeneration of the alveolar epithelium in lung injury. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23612. [PMID: 38648494 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400088r] [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: 01/13/2024] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in understanding the function of alveolar epithelial cells in a quiescent state and regeneration mechanism after lung injury. Lung injury occurs commonly from severe viral and bacterial infections, inhalation lung injury, and indirect injury sepsis. A series of pathological mechanisms caused by excessive injury, such as apoptosis, autophagy, senescence, and ferroptosis, have been studied. Recovery from lung injury requires the integrity of the alveolar epithelial cell barrier and the realization of gas exchange function. Regeneration mechanisms include the participation of epithelial progenitor cells and various niche cells involving several signaling pathways and proteins. While alveoli are damaged, alveolar type II (AT2) cells proliferate and differentiate into alveolar type I (AT1) cells to repair the damaged alveolar epithelial layer. Alveolar epithelial cells are surrounded by various cells, such as fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and various immune cells, which affect the proliferation and differentiation of AT2 cells through paracrine during alveolar regeneration. Besides, airway epithelial cells also contribute to the repair and regeneration process of alveolar epithelium. In this review, we mainly discuss the participation of epithelial progenitor cells and various niche cells involving several signaling pathways and transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Pingyuan Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal university, Xinxiang, 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 Organ Fibrosis, Pingyuan Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal university, Xinxiang, China
| | - Shuaichen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Pingyuan Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal university, Xinxiang, China
| | - Lianhui Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Organ Fibrosis, Pingyuan Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal university, Xinxiang, 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 Organ Fibrosis, Pingyuan Laboratory, College of Life Science, Henan Normal university, Xinxiang, China
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5
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Parveen S, Shen J, Lun S, Zhao L, Alt J, Koleske B, Leone RD, Rais R, Powell JD, Murphy JR, Slusher BS, Bishai WR. Glutamine metabolism inhibition has dual immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7427. [PMID: 37973991 PMCID: PMC10654700 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
As one of the most successful human pathogens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has evolved a diverse array of determinants to subvert host immunity and alter host metabolic patterns. However, the mechanisms of pathogen interference with host metabolism remain poorly understood. Here we show that a glutamine metabolism antagonist, JHU083, inhibits Mtb proliferation in vitro and in vivo. JHU083-treated mice exhibit weight gain, improved survival, a 2.5 log lower lung bacillary burden at 35 days post-infection, and reduced lung pathology. JHU083 treatment also initiates earlier T-cell recruitment, increased proinflammatory myeloid cell infiltration, and a reduced frequency of immunosuppressive myeloid cells when compared to uninfected and rifampin-treated controls. Metabolomic analysis of lungs from JHU083-treated Mtb-infected mice reveals citrulline accumulation, suggesting elevated nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, and lowered levels of quinolinic acid which is derived from the immunosuppressive metabolite kynurenine. JHU083-treated macrophages also produce more NO potentiating their antibacterial activity. When tested in an immunocompromised mouse model of Mtb infection, JHU083 loses its therapeutic efficacy suggesting the drug's host-directed effects are likely to be predominant. Collectively, these data reveal that JHU083-mediated glutamine metabolism inhibition results in dual antibacterial and host-directed activity against tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadiya Parveen
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jessica Shen
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shichun Lun
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Benjamin Koleske
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robert D Leone
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jonathan D Powell
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Calico, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - John R Murphy
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - William R Bishai
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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6
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Yu Z, Xu C, Song B, Zhang S, Chen C, Li C, Zhang S. Tissue fibrosis induced by radiotherapy: current understanding of the molecular mechanisms, diagnosis and therapeutic advances. J Transl Med 2023; 21:708. [PMID: 37814303 PMCID: PMC10563272 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04554-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains the leading cause of death around the world. In cancer treatment, over 50% of cancer patients receive radiotherapy alone or in multimodal combinations with other therapies. One of the adverse consequences after radiation exposure is the occurrence of radiation-induced tissue fibrosis (RIF), which is characterized by the abnormal activation of myofibroblasts and the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. This phenotype can manifest in multiple organs, such as lung, skin, liver and kidney. In-depth studies on the mechanisms of radiation-induced fibrosis have shown that a variety of extracellular signals such as immune cells and abnormal release of cytokines, and intracellular signals such as cGAS/STING, oxidative stress response, metabolic reprogramming and proteasome pathway activation are involved in the activation of myofibroblasts. Tissue fibrosis is extremely harmful to patients' health and requires early diagnosis. In addition to traditional serum markers, histologic and imaging tests, the diagnostic potential of nuclear medicine techniques is emerging. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant therapies are the traditional treatments for radiation-induced fibrosis. Recently, some promising therapeutic strategies have emerged, such as stem cell therapy and targeted therapies. However, incomplete knowledge of the mechanisms hinders the treatment of this disease. Here, we also highlight the potential mechanistic, diagnostic and therapeutic directions of radiation-induced fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuxiang Yu
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chaoyu Xu
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Bin Song
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, 610051, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation (Mianyang Central Hospital), Mianyang, 621099, China
| | - Shihao Zhang
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Chong Chen
- Department of Gastroenterology, The First People's Hospital of Xuzhou, Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, 221200, China
| | - Changlong Li
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Shuyu Zhang
- Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College, China National Nuclear Corporation 416 Hospital, Chengdu, 610051, China.
- NHC Key Laboratory of Nuclear Technology Medical Transformation (Mianyang Central Hospital), Mianyang, 621099, China.
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7
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Liu G, Summer R. Reclaiming the Balance: Blocking Glutamine Uptake to Restrain Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2023; 69:378-379. [PMID: 37463521 PMCID: PMC10557921 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2023-0189ed] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gang Liu
- School of Life Sciences University of Technology Sydney Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
- Centre for Inflammation Centenary Institute and University of Technology Sydney Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ross Summer
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College Thomas Jefferson University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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8
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Ishikane S, Arioka M, Takahashi-Yanaga F. Promising small molecule anti-fibrotic agents: Newly developed or repositioned drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation. Biochem Pharmacol 2023; 214:115663. [PMID: 37336252 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2023.115663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Fibrosis occurs in all organs and tissues except the brain, and its progression leads to dysfunction of affected organs. Fibrosis-induced organ dysfunction results from the loss of elasticity, strength, and functionality of tissues due to the extracellular matrix secreted by myofibroblasts that express smooth muscle-type actin as a marker. Myofibroblasts, which play a major role in fibrosis, were once thought to originate exclusively from activated fibroblasts; however, it is now clear that myofibroblasts are diverse in origin, from epithelial cells, endothelial cells, adipocytes, macrophages, and other cells. Fibrosis of vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver, is a serious chronic disease that ultimately leads to death. Currently, anti-cancer drugs have made remarkable progress, as evidenced by the development of many molecular-targeted drugs, and are making a significant contribution to improving the prognosis of cancer treatment. However, the development of anti-fibrotic agents, which also play an important role in prognosis, has lagged. In this review, the current knowledge regarding myofibroblasts is summarized, with particular attention given to their origin and transdifferentiation signaling pathways (e.g., TGF-β, Wnt/β-catenin, YAP/TAZ and AMPK signaling pathways). The development of new small molecule anti-fibrotic agents and the repositioning of existing drugs targeting myofibroblast transdifferentiation are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Ishikane
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Masaki Arioka
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan
| | - Fumi Takahashi-Yanaga
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan.
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9
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Li S, Long Q, Nong L, Zheng Y, Meng X, Zhu Q. Identification of immune infiltration and cuproptosis-related molecular clusters in tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1205741. [PMID: 37497230 PMCID: PMC10366538 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1205741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Cuproptosis is a novel cell death mechanism correlated with various diseases. This study sought to elucidate the role of cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) in TB. Methods Based on the GSE83456 dataset, we analyzed the expression profiles of CRGs and immune cell infiltration in TB. Based on CRGs, the molecular clusters and related immune cell infiltration were explored using 92 TB samples. The Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) algorithm was utilized to identify the co-expression modules and cluster-specific differentially expressed genes. Subsequently, the optimal machine learning model was determined by comparing the performance of the random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), generalized linear model (GLM), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB). The predictive performance of the machine learning model was assessed by generating calibration curves and decision curve analysis and validated in an external dataset. Results 11 CRGs were identified as differentially expressed cuproptosis genes. Significant differences in immune cells were observed in TB patients. Two cuproptosis-related molecular clusters expressed genes were identified. Distinct clusters were identified based on the differential expression of CRGs and immune cells. Besides, significant differences in biological functions and pathway activities were observed between the two clusters. A nomogram was generated to facilitate clinical implementation. Next, calibration curves were generated, and decision curve analysis was conducted to validate the accuracy of our model in predicting TB subtypes. XGB machine learning model yielded the best performance in distinguishing TB patients with different clusters. The top five genes from the XGB model were selected as predictor genes. The XGB model exhibited satisfactory performance during validation in an external dataset. Further analysis revealed that these five model-related genes were significantly associated with latent and active TB. Conclusion Our study provided hitherto undocumented evidence of the relationship between cuproptosis and TB and established an optimal machine learning model to evaluate the TB subtypes and latent and active TB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sijun Li
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Qian Long
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Lanwei Nong
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Yanqing Zheng
- Infectious Disease Laboratory, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Xiayan Meng
- Department of Tuberculosis, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
| | - Qingdong Zhu
- Department of Tuberculosis, The Fourth People’s Hospital of Nanning, Nanning, China
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10
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Parveen S, Shen J, Lun S, Zhao L, Koleske B, Leone RD, Rais R, Powell JD, Murphy JR, Slusher BS, Bishai WR. Glutamine metabolism inhibition has dual immunomodulatory and antibacterial activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.02.23.529704. [PMID: 36865287 PMCID: PMC9980128 DOI: 10.1101/2023.02.23.529704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
As one of the most successful human pathogens, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has evolved a diverse array of determinants to subvert host immunity and alter host metabolic patterns. However, the mechanisms of pathogen interference with host metabolism remain poorly understood. Here we show that a novel glutamine metabolism antagonist, JHU083, inhibits Mtb proliferation in vitro and in vivo. JHU083-treated mice exhibit weight gain, improved survival, a 2.5 log lower lung bacillary burden at 35 days post-infection, and reduced lung pathology. JHU083 treatment also initiates earlier T-cell recruitment, increased proinflammatory myeloid cell infiltration, and a reduced frequency of immunosuppressive myeloid cells when compared to uninfected and rifampin-treated controls. Metabolomics analysis of lungs from JHU083-treated Mtb-infected mice revealed reduced glutamine levels, citrulline accumulation suggesting elevated NOS activity, and lowered levels of quinolinic acid which is derived from the immunosuppressive metabolite kynurenine. When tested in an immunocompromised mouse model of Mtb infection, JHU083 lost its therapeutic efficacy suggesting the drug's host-directed effects are likely to be predominant. Collectively, these data reveal that JHU083-mediated glutamine metabolism inhibition results in dual antibacterial and host-directed activity against tuberculosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadiya Parveen
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Jessica Shen
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Shichun Lun
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Liang Zhao
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin Koleske
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Robert D. Leone
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Powell
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - John R. Murphy
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- The Bloomberg-Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - William R. Bishai
- Center for Tuberculosis Research, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Crotta S, Villa M, Major J, Finsterbusch K, Llorian M, Carmeliet P, Buescher J, Wack A. Repair of airway epithelia requires metabolic rewiring towards fatty acid oxidation. Nat Commun 2023; 14:721. [PMID: 36781848 PMCID: PMC9925445 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36352-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epithelial tissues provide front-line barriers shielding the organism from invading pathogens and harmful substances. In the airway epithelium, the combined action of multiciliated and secretory cells sustains the mucociliary escalator required for clearance of microbes and particles from the airways. Defects in components of mucociliary clearance or barrier integrity are associated with recurring infections and chronic inflammation. The timely and balanced differentiation of basal cells into mature epithelial cell subsets is therefore tightly controlled. While different growth factors regulating progenitor cell proliferation have been described, little is known about the role of metabolism in these regenerative processes. Here we show that basal cell differentiation correlates with a shift in cellular metabolism from glycolysis to fatty acid oxidation (FAO). We demonstrate both in vitro and in vivo that pharmacological and genetic impairment of FAO blocks the development of fully differentiated airway epithelial cells, compromising the repair of airway epithelia. Mechanistically, FAO links to the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway to support protein glycosylation in airway epithelial cells. Our findings unveil the metabolic network underpinning the differentiation of airway epithelia and identify novel targets for intervention to promote lung repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Crotta
- Immunoregulation Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
| | - Matteo Villa
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Jack Major
- Immunoregulation Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | - Peter Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, VIB, and Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory of Angiogenesis & Vascular Heterogeneity, Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Center for Biotechnology (BTC), Khalifa University of Science and Technology, PO Box 127788, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Joerg Buescher
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Wack
- Immunoregulation Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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Niche-Dependent Regulation of Lkb1 in the Proliferation of Lung Epithelial Progenitor Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315065. [PMID: 36499390 PMCID: PMC9735896 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung homeostasis and regeneration depend on lung epithelial progenitor cells. Lkb1 (Liver Kinase B1) has known roles in the differentiation of airway epithelial cells during embryonic development. However, the effects of Lkb1 in adult lung epithelial progenitor cell regeneration and its mechanisms of action have not been determined. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which Lkb1 regulates lung epithelial progenitor cell regeneration. Organoid culture showed that loss of Lkb1 significantly reduced the proliferation of club cells and alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells in vitro. In the absence of Lkb1, there is a slower recovery rate of the damaged airway epithelium in naphthalene-induced airway epithelial injury and impaired expression of surfactant protein C during bleomycin-induced alveolar epithelial damage. Moreover, the expression of autophagy-related genes was reduced in club cells and increased in AT2 cells, but the expression of Claudin-18 was obviously reduced in AT2 cells after Lkb1 knockdown. On the whole, our findings indicated that Lkb1 may promote the proliferation of lung epithelial progenitor cells via a niche-dependent pathway and is required for the repair of the damaged lung epithelium.
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Zhu W, Tan C, Zhang J. Alveolar Epithelial Type 2 Cell Dysfunction in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Lung 2022; 200:539-547. [PMID: 36136136 DOI: 10.1007/s00408-022-00571-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and irreversible pulmonary interstitial disease that seriously affects the patient's quality of life and lifespan. The pathogenesis of IPF has not been clarified, and its treatment is limited to pirfenidone and nintedanib, which only delays the decline of lung function. Alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells are indispensable in the regeneration and lung surfactant secretion of alveolar epithelial cells. Studies have shown that AT2 cell dysfunction initiates the occurrence and progression of IPF. This review expounds on the AT2 cell dysfunction in IPF, involving senescence, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial damage, metabolic reprogramming, and the transitional state of AT2 cells. This article also briefly summarizes potential treatments targeting AT2 cell dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunting Tan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, No. 95 Yong An Road, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100050, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.119 South Fourth Ring West Road, Fengtai District, Beijing, 100070, People's Republic of China.
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MDH1 and MDH2 Promote Cell Viability of Primary AT2 Cells by Increasing Glucose Uptake. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2022; 2022:2023500. [PMID: 36158123 PMCID: PMC9492344 DOI: 10.1155/2022/2023500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background Acute lung injury (ALI) is a clinical disease with high morbidity and mortality, with limited treatment means. For primary alveolar epithelial type II (AT2) cells, glycolysis is an essential bioenergetic process. However, the significance of AT2 cell glycolysis in sepsis ALI remains unknown. Methods and Results In the current study, based on microarray analysis, real-time quantitative PCR, and Western blotting, we found that the hsa00020: citrate cycle pathway was inactivated, specifically its downstream gene: malate dehydrogenase 1 (MDH1) and MDH2 in ALI. In this context, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) were used to construct the septic-ALI mouse model and the biological function of MDH1 and MDH2 in primary alveolar epithelial type II (AT2) cells was explored. Through CCK-8, EdU, transwell, and apoptosis assays, we found that MDH1 and MDH2 promoted the cell vitality of AT2 cells, which relied on MDH1 and MDH2 to promote the glucose intake of AT2 cells. Conclusion Overall, these findings suggest that targeting MDH1/MDH2-mediated AT2 cell glycolysis may be a potential strategy for ALI patients.
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