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Kudryashova TV, Zaitsev S, Jiang L, Buckley BJ, McGuckin JP, Goncharov D, Zhyvylo I, Lin D, Newcomb G, Piper B, Bogamuwa S, Saiyed A, Teos L, Ranson M, Wolters PJ, Kelso MJ, Poncz M, DeLisser HM, Cines DB, Goncharova EA, Farkas L, Stepanova V. PAI-1 Deficiency Drives Pulmonary Vascular Smooth Muscle Remodeling and Pulmonary Hypertension. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.21.558893. [PMID: 37790328 PMCID: PMC10542168 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.21.558893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and potentially a rapidly fatal disease characterized by vasoconstriction and remodeling of small pulmonary arteries (PA) leading to increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure. Central to the remodeling process is a switch of the smooth muscle cells in small PAs (PASMC) to a proliferative, apoptosis-resistant phenotype. There is reason to suspect that the plasminogen activator system may play an important role in the remodeling program in PAH based on its roles in vascular post-injury restenosis, fibrosis, angiogenesis and tumorigenesis. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the primary physiological inhibitor of the plasminogen activators - urokinase-type and tissue-type (uPA and tPA, respectively). Immunohisto- chemical and immunoblot analyses revealed that PAI-1 was deficient in smooth muscle areas of small remodeled PAs and early-passage PASMC from subjects with PAH compared to non-PAH controls. PAI1-/- male and female mice developed spontaneous pulmonary vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension (PH) as evidenced by significant increase in PA medial thickness, systolic right ventricular pressure, and right ventricular hypertrophy. Lastly, the uPA inhibitors upamostat (WX-671) and amiloride analog BB2-30F down-regulated mTORC1 and SMAD3, restored PAI-1 levels, reduced proliferation, and induced apoptosis in human PAH PASMC. We examined the effect of inhibition of uPA catalytic activity by BB2-30F on the development of SU5416/Hypoxia (SuHx)-induced PH in mice. Vehicletreated SuHx-exposed mice had up-regulated mTORC1 in small PAs, developed pulmonary vascular remodeling and PH, as evidenced by significant increase of PA MT, sRVP, RV hypertrophy, and a significant decrease in the pulmonary artery acceleration time/pulmonary ejection time (PAAT/PET) ratio compared to age- and sex-matched normoxia controls, whereas BB2-30F-treated group was protected from all these pathological changes. Taken together, our data strongly suggest that PAI-1 down- regulation in PASMC from human PAH lungs promotes PASMC hyper-proliferation, remodeling, and spontaneous PH due to unopposed uPA activation. Further studies are needed to determine the potential benefits of targeting the PAI-1/uPA imbalance to attenuate the progression and/or reverse pulmonary vascular remodeling and PH.
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Pullamsetti SS, Sitapara R, Osterhout R, Weiss A, Carter LL, Zisman LS, Schermuly RT. Pharmacology and Rationale for Seralutinib in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12653. [PMID: 37628831 PMCID: PMC10454154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612653] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disorder characterized by vascular remodeling and a consequent increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. The histologic hallmarks of PAH include plexiform and neointimal lesions of the pulmonary arterioles, which are composed of dysregulated, apoptosis-resistant endothelial cells and myofibroblasts. Platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) α and β, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), and mast/stem cell growth factor receptor kit (c-KIT) are closely related kinases that have been implicated in PAH progression. In addition, emerging data indicate significant crosstalk between PDGF signaling and the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2)/transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) receptor axis. This review will discuss the importance of the PDGFR-CSF1R-c-KIT signaling network in PAH pathogenesis, present evidence that the inhibition of all three nodes in this kinase network is a potential therapeutic approach for PAH, and highlight the therapeutic potential of seralutinib, currently in development for PAH, which targets these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soni Savai Pullamsetti
- Lung Vascular Epigenetics, Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung (CIGL), Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Aulweg 132, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | | | | | - Astrid Weiss
- UGMLC Pulmonale Pharmakotherapie, Biomedizinisches Forschungszentrum Seltersberg (BFS), Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, Schubertstraße 81, 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | | | | | - Ralph Theo Schermuly
- Department of Internal Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Aulweg 130, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Hadwiono MR, Hartopo AB, Wasityastuti W, Anggrahini DW, Ryanto GRT, Emoto N, Dinarti LK. Increased serum activin A level in congenital heart disease-associated pulmonary artery hypertension: A comparative study from the COHARD-PH registry. Pulm Circ 2023; 13:e12280. [PMID: 37609359 PMCID: PMC10440839 DOI: 10.1002/pul2.12280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Activin A, a member of TGF-β superfamily, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH due to congenital heart disease (CHD-PAH) is a major problem in developing countries. Activin A may have a role in PAH development and progression among uncorrected CHD. In this comparative study, serum activin A level was significantly increased in subjects with uncorrected CHD without the presence of PH and were more significantly risen in CHD-PAH, as compared to control. The utilization of serum activin A measurement seems promising to identify uncorrected CHD patients with PAH development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad R. Hadwiono
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of MedicinePublic Health and Nursing Universitas Gadjah Mada – Dr. Sardjito HospitalYogyakartaIndonesia
- Master in Biomedical Sciences Program, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and NursingUniversitas Gadjah MadaYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Anggoro B. Hartopo
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of MedicinePublic Health and Nursing Universitas Gadjah Mada – Dr. Sardjito HospitalYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Widya Wasityastuti
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and NursingUniversitas Gadjah MadaYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Dyah W. Anggrahini
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of MedicinePublic Health and Nursing Universitas Gadjah Mada – Dr. Sardjito HospitalYogyakartaIndonesia
| | - Gusty R. T. Ryanto
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutical ScienceKobe Pharmaceutical UniversityKobeJapan
| | - Noriaki Emoto
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutical ScienceKobe Pharmaceutical UniversityKobeJapan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular MedicineKobe University Graduate School of MedicineKobeJapan
| | - Lucia K. Dinarti
- Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of MedicinePublic Health and Nursing Universitas Gadjah Mada – Dr. Sardjito HospitalYogyakartaIndonesia
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Gao J, Li L, Zhou D, Sun X, Cui L, Yang D, Wang X, Du P, Yuan W. Effects of norepinephrine‑induced activation of rat vascular adventitial fibroblasts on proliferation and migration of BMSCs involved in vascular remodeling. Exp Ther Med 2023; 25:290. [PMID: 37206559 PMCID: PMC10189611 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2023.11989] [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: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular remodeling caused by vascular injury such as hypertension and atherosclerosis is a complex process involving a variety of cells and factors, and the mechanism is unclear. A vascular injury model was simulated by adding norepinephrine (NE) to culture medium of vascular adventitial fibroblasts (AFs). NE induced activation and proliferation of AFs. To investigate the association between the AFs activation and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation in vascular remodeling. BMSCs were cultured with supernatant of the AFs culture medium. BMSC differentiation and migration were observed by immunostaining and Transwell assay, respectively, while cell proliferation was measured using the Cell Counting Kit-8. Expression levels of smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), TGF-β1 and SMAD3 were measured using western blot assay. The results indicated that compared with those in the control group, in which BMSCs were cultured in normal medium, expression levels of α-SMA, TGF-β1 and SMAD3 in BMSCs cultured in medium supplemented with supernatant of AFs, increased significantly (all P<0.05). Activated AFs induced the differentiation of BMSCs into vascular smooth muscle-like cells and promoted proliferation and migration. AFs activated by NE may induce BMSCs to participate in vascular remodeling. These findings may help design and develop new approaches and therapeutic strategies for vascular injury to prevent pathological remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Gao
- Medical Laboratory, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264100, P.R. China
| | - Li Li
- Pediatric Department, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264100, P.R. China
| | - Dongli Zhou
- Nurse's Office, Health School of Laiyang, Laiyang, Yantai, Shandong 265200, P.R. China
| | - Xuhong Sun
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Lilu Cui
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Donglin Yang
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
| | - Pengchao Du
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Professor Wendan Yuan or Professor Pengchao Du, Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, 346 Guanhai Road, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China E-mail: 981713509 @qq.com
| | - Wendan Yuan
- Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China
- Correspondence to: Professor Wendan Yuan or Professor Pengchao Du, Institute of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Basic Medical School, Binzhou Medical University, 346 Guanhai Road, Yantai, Shandong 264003, P.R. China E-mail: 981713509 @qq.com
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Su L, Li X, Mao X, Xu T, Zhang Y, Li S, Zhu X, Wang L, Yao D, Wang J, Huang X. Circ-Ntrk2 acts as a miR-296-5p sponge to activate the TGF-β1/p38 MAPK pathway and promote pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodelling. Respir Res 2023; 24:78. [PMID: 36915149 PMCID: PMC10012448 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-023-02385-7] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel class of non-coding RNAs, play an important regulatory role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); however, the specific mechanism is rarely studied. In this study, we aimed to discover functional circRNAs and investigate their effects and mechanisms in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodelling, a core pathological change in PAH. METHODS RNA sequencing was used to illustrate the expression profile of circRNAs in hypoxic PAH. Bioinformatics, Sanger sequencing, and quantitative real-time PCR were used to identify the ring-forming characteristics of RNA and analyse its expression. Then, we established a hypoxia-induced PAH mouse model to evaluate circRNA function in PAH by echocardiography and hemodynamic measurements. Moreover, microRNA target gene database screening, fluorescence in situ hybridisation, luciferase reporter gene detection, and western blotting were used to explore the mechanism of circRNAs. RESULTS RNA sequencing identified 432 differentially expressed circRNAs in mouse hypoxic lung tissues. Our results indicated that circ-Ntrk2 is a stable cytoplasmic circRNA derived from Ntrk2 mRNA and frequently upregulated in hypoxic lung tissue. We further found that circ-Ntrk2 sponges miR-296-5p and miR-296-5p can bind to the 3'-untranslated region of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) mRNA, thereby attenuating TGF-β1 translation. Through gene knockout or exogenous expression, we demonstrated that circ-Ntrk2 could promote PAH and vascular remodelling. Moreover, we verified that miR-296-5p overexpression alleviated pulmonary vascular remodelling and improved PAH through the TGF-β1/p38 MAPK pathway. CONCLUSIONS We identified a new circRNA (circ-Ntrk2) and explored its function and mechanism in PAH, thereby establishing potential targets for the diagnosis and treatment of PAH. Furthermore, our study contributes to the understanding of circRNA in relation to PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihuang Su
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Xiuchun Li
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Xulong Mao
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Tingting Xu
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Yiying Zhang
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Shini Li
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Xiayan Zhu
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Liangxing Wang
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Dan Yao
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
| | - Jian Wang
- grid.470124.4State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510000 Guangdong China
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Section of Physiology, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA USA
| | - Xiaoying Huang
- grid.414906.e0000 0004 1808 0918Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Wenzhou Key Laboratory of Interdiscipline and Translational Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang China
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Novel Molecular Mechanisms Involved in the Medical Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044147. [PMID: 36835558 PMCID: PMC9965798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044147] [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: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe condition with a high mortality rate despite advances in diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. In recent years, significant scientific progress has been made in the understanding of the underlying pathobiological mechanisms. Since current available treatments mainly target pulmonary vasodilation, but lack an effect on the pathological changes that develop in the pulmonary vasculature, there is need to develop novel therapeutic compounds aimed at antagonizing the pulmonary vascular remodeling. This review presents the main molecular mechanisms involved in the pathobiology of PAH, discusses the new molecular compounds currently being developed for the medical treatment of PAH and assesses their potential future role in the therapeutic algorithms of PAH.
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Galkin A, Sitapara R, Clemons B, Garcia E, Kennedy M, Guimond D, Carter LL, Douthitt A, Osterhout R, Gandjeva A, Slee D, Salter-Cid L, Tuder RM, Zisman LS. Inhaled seralutinib exhibits potent efficacy in models of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Eur Respir J 2022; 60:2102356. [PMID: 35680144 PMCID: PMC9724289 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.02356-2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Signalling through platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) and mast/stem cell growth factor receptor kit (c-KIT) plays a critical role in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We examined the preclinical efficacy of inhaled seralutinib, a unique small-molecule PDGFR/CSF1R/c-KIT kinase inhibitor in clinical development for PAH, in comparison to a proof-of-concept kinase inhibitor, imatinib. METHODS Seralutinib and imatinib potency and selectivity were compared. Inhaled seralutinib pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics were studied in healthy rats. Efficacy was evaluated in two rat models of PAH: SU5416/Hypoxia (SU5416/H) and monocrotaline pneumonectomy (MCTPN). Effects on inflammatory/cytokine signalling were examined. PDGFR, CSF1R and c-KIT immunohistochemistry in rat and human PAH lung samples and microRNA (miRNA) analysis in the SU5416/H model were performed. RESULTS Seralutinib potently inhibited PDGFRα/β, CSF1R and c-KIT. Inhaled seralutinib demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of lung PDGFR and c-KIT signalling and increased bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2). Seralutinib improved cardiopulmonary haemodynamic parameters and reduced small pulmonary artery muscularisation and right ventricle hypertrophy in both models. In the SU5416/H model, seralutinib improved cardiopulmonary haemodynamic parameters, restored lung BMPR2 protein levels and decreased N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), more than imatinib. Quantitative immunohistochemistry in human lung PAH samples demonstrated increased PDGFR, CSF1R and c-KIT. miRNA analysis revealed candidates that could mediate seralutinib effects on BMPR2. CONCLUSIONS Inhaled seralutinib was an effective treatment of severe PAH in two animal models, with improved cardiopulmonary haemodynamic parameters, a reduction in NT-proBNP, reverse remodelling of pulmonary vascular pathology and improvement in inflammatory biomarkers. Seralutinib showed greater efficacy compared to imatinib in a preclinical study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Galkin
- Gossamer Bio, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- A. Galkin and R. Sitapara contributed equally as first authors
| | - Ravikumar Sitapara
- Gossamer Bio, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- The Rensselaer Center for Translational Research Inc., Rensselaer, NY, USA
- A. Galkin and R. Sitapara contributed equally as first authors
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Aneta Gandjeva
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | | | - Rubin M Tuder
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
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The Role of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor Type 2 ( BMPR2) and the Prospects of Utilizing Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs) in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Disease Modeling. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233823. [PMID: 36497082 PMCID: PMC9741276 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233823] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), causing right ventricular hypertrophy and ultimately death from right heart failure. Heterozygous mutations in the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) are linked to approximately 80% of hereditary, and 20% of idiopathic PAH cases, respectively. While patients carrying a BMPR2 gene mutation are more prone to develop PAH than non-carriers, only 20% will develop the disease, whereas the majority will remain asymptomatic. PAH is characterized by extreme vascular remodeling that causes pulmonary arterial endothelial cell (PAEC) dysfunction, impaired apoptosis, and uncontrolled proliferation of the pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). To date, progress in understanding the pathophysiology of PAH has been hampered by limited access to human tissue samples and inadequacy of animal models to accurately mimic the pathogenesis of human disease. Along with the advent of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, there has been an increasing interest in using this tool to develop patient-specific cellular models that precisely replicate the pathogenesis of PAH. In this review, we summarize the currently available approaches in iPSC-based PAH disease modeling and explore how this technology could be harnessed for drug discovery and to widen our understanding of the pathophysiology of PAH.
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Sotatercept analog suppresses inflammation to reverse experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7803. [PMID: 35551212 PMCID: PMC9098455 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11435-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sotatercept is an activin receptor type IIA-Fc (ActRIIA-Fc) fusion protein that improves cardiopulmonary function in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) by selectively trapping activins and growth differentiation factors. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms of ActRIIA-Fc action are incompletely understood. Here, we determined through genome-wide expression profiling that inflammatory and immune responses are prominently upregulated in the lungs of a Sugen-hypoxia rat model of severe angio-obliterative PAH, concordant with profiles observed in PAH patients. Therapeutic treatment with ActRIIA-Fc—but not with a vasodilator—strikingly reversed proinflammatory and proliferative gene expression profiles and normalized macrophage infiltration in diseased rodent lungs. Furthermore, ActRIIA-Fc normalized pulmonary macrophage infiltration and corrected cardiopulmonary structure and function in Bmpr2 haploinsufficient mice subjected to hypoxia, a model of heritable PAH. Three high-affinity ligands of ActRIIA-Fc each induced macrophage activation in vitro, and their combined immunoneutralization in PAH rats produced cardiopulmonary benefits comparable to those elicited by ActRIIA-Fc. Our results in complementary experimental and genetic models of PAH reveal therapeutic anti-inflammatory activities of ActRIIA-Fc that, together with its known anti-proliferative effects on vascular cell types, could underlie clinical activity of sotatercept as either monotherapy or add-on to current PAH therapies.
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Lechartier B, Berrebeh N, Huertas A, Humbert M, Guignabert C, Tu L. Phenotypic Diversity of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Implications for Therapy. Chest 2021; 161:219-231. [PMID: 34391758 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2021.08.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive incurable condition that is characterized by extensive remodelling of the pulmonary circulation, leading to severe right heart failure and death. Similar to other vascular contractile cells, pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PA-SMCs) play central roles in physiological and pathological vascular remodelling due to their remarkable ability to dynamically modulate their phenotype to ensure contractile and synthetic functions. The dysfunction and molecular mechanisms underlying their contribution to the various pulmonary vascular lesions associated with PAH have been a major focus of research. The aim of this review is to describe the medial and non-medial origins of contractile cells in the pulmonary vascular wall and present evidence of how they contribute to the onset and progression of PAH. We also highlight specific potential target molecules and discuss future directions that are being explored to widen the therapeutic options for the treatment of PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benoit Lechartier
- Pulmonary Division, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; Université Paris-Saclay, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; INSERM UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France; AP-HP, Department of Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Nihel Berrebeh
- Université Paris-Saclay, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; INSERM UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
| | - Alice Huertas
- Université Paris-Saclay, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; INSERM UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France; AP-HP, Department of Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Marc Humbert
- Université Paris-Saclay, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; INSERM UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France; AP-HP, Department of Respiratory and Intensive Care Medicine, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- Université Paris-Saclay, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; INSERM UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
| | - Ly Tu
- Université Paris-Saclay, School of Medicine, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; INSERM UMR_S 999, Hôpital Marie Lannelongue, Le Plessis-Robinson, France.
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11
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Pal-Ghosh R, Xue D, Warburton R, Hill N, Polgar P, Wilson JL. CDC2 Is an Important Driver of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation via FOXM1 and PLK1 in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:6943. [PMID: 34203295 PMCID: PMC8268698 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22136943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A key feature of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is the hyperplastic proliferation exhibited by the vascular smooth muscle cells from patients (HPASMC). The growth inducers FOXM1 and PLK1 are highly upregulated in these cells. The mechanism by which these two proteins direct aberrant growth in these cells is not clear. Herein, we identify cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), also termed cell division cycle protein 2 (CDC2), as having a primary role in promoting progress of the cell cycle leading to proliferation in HPASMC. HPASMC obtained from PAH patients and pulmonary arteries from Sugen/hypoxia rats were investigated for their expression of CDC2. Protein levels of CDC2 were much higher in PAH than in cells from normal donors. Knocking down FOXM1 or PLK1 protein expression with siRNA or pharmacological inhibitors lowered the cellular expression of CDC2 considerably. However, knockdown of CDC2 with siRNA or inhibiting its activity with RO-3306 did not reduce the protein expression of FOXM1 or PLK1. Expression of CDC2 and FOXM1 reached its maximum at G1/S, while PLK1 reached its maximum at G2/M phase of the cell cycle. The expression of other CDKs such as CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, CDK7, and CDK9 did not change in PAH HPASMC. Moreover, inhibition via Wee1 inhibitor adavosertib or siRNAs targeting Wee1, Myt1, CDC25A, CDC25B, or CDC25C led to dramatic decreases in CDC2 protein expression. Lastly, we found CDC2 expression at the RNA and protein level to be upregulated in pulmonary arteries during disease progression Sugen/hypoxia rats. In sum, our present results illustrate that the increased expression of FOXM1 and PLK1 in PAH leads directly to increased expression of CDC2 resulting in potentiated growth hyperactivity of PASMC from patients with pulmonary hypertension. Our results further suggest that the regulation of CDC2, or associated regulatory proteins, will prove beneficial in the treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruma Pal-Ghosh
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (R.P.-G.); (D.X.); (R.W.); (N.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Danfeng Xue
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (R.P.-G.); (D.X.); (R.W.); (N.H.); (P.P.)
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, China
| | - Rod Warburton
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (R.P.-G.); (D.X.); (R.W.); (N.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Nicholas Hill
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (R.P.-G.); (D.X.); (R.W.); (N.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Peter Polgar
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (R.P.-G.); (D.X.); (R.W.); (N.H.); (P.P.)
| | - Jamie L. Wilson
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA 02111, USA; (R.P.-G.); (D.X.); (R.W.); (N.H.); (P.P.)
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12
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Yung LM, Yang P, Joshi S, Augur ZM, Kim SSJ, Bocobo GA, Dinter T, Troncone L, Chen PS, McNeil ME, Southwood M, Poli de Frias S, Knopf J, Rosas IO, Sako D, Pearsall RS, Quisel JD, Li G, Kumar R, Yu PB. ACTRIIA-Fc rebalances activin/GDF versus BMP signaling in pulmonary hypertension. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/543/eaaz5660. [PMID: 32404506 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz5660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Human genetics, biomarker, and animal studies implicate loss of function in bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling and maladaptive transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling as drivers of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Although sharing common receptors and effectors with BMP/TGFβ, the function of activin and growth and differentiation factor (GDF) ligands in PAH are less well defined. Increased expression of GDF8, GDF11, and activin A was detected in lung lesions from humans with PAH and experimental rodent models of pulmonary hypertension (PH). ACTRIIA-Fc, a potent GDF8/11 and activin ligand trap, was used to test the roles of these ligands in animal and cellular models of PH. By blocking GDF8/11- and activin-mediated SMAD2/3 activation in vascular cells, ACTRIIA-Fc attenuated proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells. In several experimental models of PH, prophylactic administration of ACTRIIA-Fc markedly improved hemodynamics, right ventricular (RV) hypertrophy, RV function, and arteriolar remodeling. When administered after the establishment of hemodynamically severe PH in a vasculoproliferative model, ACTRIIA-Fc was more effective than vasodilator in attenuating PH and arteriolar remodeling. Potent antiremodeling effects of ACTRIIA-Fc were associated with inhibition of SMAD2/3 activation and downstream transcriptional activity, inhibition of proliferation, and enhancement of apoptosis in the vascular wall. ACTRIIA-Fc reveals an unexpectedly prominent role of GDF8, GDF11, and activin as drivers of pulmonary vascular disease and represents a therapeutic strategy for restoring the balance between SMAD1/5/9 and SMAD2/3 signaling in PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-Ming Yung
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peiran Yang
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Zachary M Augur
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stephanie S J Kim
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Geoffrey A Bocobo
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Teresa Dinter
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Luca Troncone
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Po-Sheng Chen
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan City 704, Taiwan
| | - Megan E McNeil
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mark Southwood
- Department of Pathology, Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0AY, UK
| | - Sergio Poli de Frias
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - John Knopf
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ivan O Rosas
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Dianne Sako
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Gang Li
- Acceleron Pharma Inc., Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Paul B Yu
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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13
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Ryanto GRT, Ikeda K, Miyagawa K, Tu L, Guignabert C, Humbert M, Fujiyama T, Yanagisawa M, Hirata KI, Emoto N. An endothelial activin A-bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 link is overdriven in pulmonary hypertension. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1720. [PMID: 33741934 PMCID: PMC7979873 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21961-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive fatal disease that is characterized by pathological pulmonary artery remodeling, in which endothelial cell dysfunction is critically involved. We herein describe a previously unknown role of endothelial angiocrine in pulmonary hypertension. By searching for genes highly expressed in lung microvascular endothelial cells, we identify inhibin-β-A as an angiocrine factor produced by pulmonary capillaries. We find that excess production of inhibin-β-A by endothelial cells impairs the endothelial function in an autocrine manner by functioning as activin-A. Mechanistically, activin-A induces bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 internalization and targeting to lysosomes for degradation, resulting in the signal deficiency in endothelial cells. Of note, endothelial cells isolated from the lung of patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension show higher inhibin-β-A expression and produce more activin-A compared to endothelial cells isolated from the lung of normal control subjects. When endothelial activin-A-bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 link is overdriven in mice, hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension was exacerbated, whereas conditional knockout of inhibin-β-A in endothelial cells prevents the progression of pulmonary hypertension. These data collectively indicate a critical role for the dysregulated endothelial activin-A-bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 link in the progression of pulmonary hypertension, and thus endothelial inhibin-β-A/activin-A might be a potential pharmacotherapeutic target for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gusty R T Ryanto
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutical Science, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada, Kobe, Japan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, Japan
| | - Koji Ikeda
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutical Science, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada, Kobe, Japan.
- Department of Epidemiology for Longevity and Regional Health, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyou, Kyoto, Japan.
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kamigyou, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Kazuya Miyagawa
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutical Science, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada, Kobe, Japan
| | - Ly Tu
- INSERM UMR_S 999, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Christophe Guignabert
- INSERM UMR_S 999, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Marc Humbert
- INSERM UMR_S 999, Le Plessis-Robinson, France
- Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris-Sud, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
- AP-HP, Service de Pneumologie, Centre de Référence de l'Hypertension Pulmonaire Sévère, DHU Thorax Innovation, Hôpital Bicêtre, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Tomoyuki Fujiyama
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Masashi Yanagisawa
- International Institute for Integrative Sleep Medicine (WPI-IIIS), University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Hirata
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, Japan
| | - Noriaki Emoto
- Laboratory of Clinical Pharmaceutical Science, Kobe Pharmaceutical University, Higashinada, Kobe, Japan
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Chuo, Kobe, Japan
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14
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Dunmore BJ, Jones RJ, Toshner MR, Upton PD, Morrell NW. Approaches to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension by targeting bmpr2 - from cell membrane to nucleus. Cardiovasc Res 2021; 117:2309-2325. [PMID: 33399862 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is estimated to affect between 10-50 people per million worldwide. The lack of cure and devastating nature of the disease means that treatment is crucial to arrest rapid clinical worsening. Current therapies are limited by their focus on inhibiting residual vasoconstriction rather than targeting key regulators of the cellular pathology. Potential disease-modifying therapies may come from research directed towards causal pathways involved in the cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease. It is widely acknowledged, that targeting reduced expression of the critical bone morphogenetic protein type-2 receptor (BMPR2) and its associated signalling pathways is a compelling therapeutic avenue to explore. In this review we highlight the advances that have been made in understanding this pathway and the therapeutics that are being tested in clinical trials and the clinic to treat PAH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Dunmore
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rowena J Jones
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mark R Toshner
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Paul D Upton
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicholas W Morrell
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, Addenbrooke's and Royal Papworth Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
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15
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Martinez-Hackert E, Sundan A, Holien T. Receptor binding competition: A paradigm for regulating TGF-β family action. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2020; 57:39-54. [PMID: 33087301 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The transforming growth factor (TGF)-β family is a group of structurally related, multifunctional growth factors, or ligands that are crucially involved in the development, regulation, and maintenance of animal tissues. In humans, the family counts over 33 members. These secreted ligands typically form multimeric complexes with two type I and two type II receptors to activate one of two distinct signal transduction branches. A striking feature of the family is its promiscuity, i.e., many ligands bind the same receptors and compete with each other for binding to these receptors. Although several explanations for this feature have been considered, its functional significance has remained puzzling. However, several recent reports have promoted the idea that ligand-receptor binding promiscuity and competition are critical features of the TGF-β family that provide an essential regulating function. Namely, they allow a cell to read and process multi-ligand inputs. This capability may be necessary for producing subtle, distinctive, or adaptive responses and, possibly, for facilitating developmental plasticity. Here, we review the molecular basis for ligand competition, with emphasis on molecular structures and binding affinities. We give an overview of methods that were used to establish experimentally ligand competition. Finally, we discuss how the concept of ligand competition may be fundamentally tied to human physiology, disease, and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Martinez-Hackert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.
| | - Anders Sundan
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Centre of Molecular Inflammation Research (CEMIR), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Toril Holien
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491, Trondheim, Norway; Department of Hematology, St. Olav's University Hospital, 7030, Trondheim, Norway.
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16
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Shen Y, Goncharov DA, Avolio T, Ray A, Okorie E, DeLisser H, Mora AL, Vanderpool R, Kudryashova TV, Goncharova EA. Differential effects of integrin-linked kinase inhibitor Cpd22 on severe pulmonary hypertension in male and female rats. Pulm Circ 2020; 10:2045894019898593. [PMID: 32110386 PMCID: PMC7016388 DOI: 10.1177/2045894019898593] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive fatal disease with no cure. Inhibition of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) reverses experimental pulmonary hypertension (PH) in male mice, but its effect on severe experimental PH in either male or female animals is unknown. We examined effects of ILK inhibitor Cpd22 on rats with SU5416/hypoxia-induced PH; treatment was performed at six to eight weeks after PH initiation. Five weeks after PH initiation, male and female rats developed similar levels of PH. Eight weeks after PH induction, vehicle-treated male rats had more severe PH than females. Cpd22-treated males, but not females, showed complete suppression of phospho-Akt in small pulmonary arteries (PAs), significantly lower PA medial thickness and percentage of fully occluded arteries, decreased systolic right ventricle (RV) pressure, PA pressure, RV hypertrophy, RV end-diastolic pressure, and improved RV contractility index compared to vehicle-treated group. Cpd22 suppressed proliferation of human male and female PAH pulmonary artery vascular smooth muscle cell (PAVSMC). 17β-estradiol had no effect as a single agent but significantly attenuated Cpd22-dependent inhibition of proliferation in female, but not male, PAH PAVSMC. Taken together, these data demonstrate that male rats develop more severe PH than females but respond better to Cpd22 treatment by reducing pulmonary vascular remodeling, PH, and RV hypertrophy and improving RV functional outcomes. 17β-estradiol diminishes anti-proliferative effect of Cpd22 in female, but not male, human PAH PAVSMC. These findings suggest potential attractiveness of ILK inhibition to reduce established PH in males and suggest that the combination with estrogen-lowering drugs could be considered to maximize anti-proliferative and anti-remodeling effects of ILK inhibitors in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjun Shen
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Dmitry A Goncharov
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Theodore Avolio
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Arnab Ray
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Evelyn Okorie
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Horace DeLisser
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Pulmonary Vascular Disease Program, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ana L Mora
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Ageing Institute, University of Pittsburgh Department of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Rebecca Vanderpool
- Division of Translational and Regenerative Medicine, The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | | | - Elena A Goncharova
- Pittsburgh Heart, Lung and Blood Vascular Medicine Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,University of Pittsburgh Department of Bioengineering, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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17
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Wilson JL, Wang L, Zhang Z, Hill NS, Polgar P. Participation of PLK1 and FOXM1 in the hyperplastic proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells in pulmonary arterial hypertension. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0221728. [PMID: 31437238 PMCID: PMC6705859 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular smooth muscle cells from the pulmonary arteries (HPASMC) of subjects with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) exhibit hyperplastic growth. The PAH HPASMC display an increased sensitivity to fetal bovine serum (FBS) and undergo growth at a very low, 0.2%, FBS concentration. On the other hand, normal HPASMC (obtained from non-PAH donors) do not proliferate at low FBS (0.2%). A previous genomic study suggested that the nuclear factor, FOXM1 and the polo like kinase 1 (PLK1) are involved in promoting this hyperplastic growth of the PAH HPASMC. Here we find that limiting the action of FOXM1 or PLK1 not only restricts the hyperplastic proliferation of the PAH HPASMC but also modulates the FBS stimulated growth of normal HPASMC. The PAH HPASMC exhibit significantly elevated PLK1 and FOXM1 expression and decreased p27 (quiescence protein) levels compared to normal HPASMC. Regulation of the expression of FOXM1 and PLK1 is accompanied by the regulation of downstream expression of cell cycle components, Aurora B, cyclin B1 and cyclin D1. Expression of these cell cycle components is reversed by the knockdown of FOXM1 or PLK1 expression/activity. Furthermore, the knockdown of PLK1 expression lowers the protein level of FOXM1. On the other hand, inhibiting the action of FOXO1, a growth inhibitor, further increases the expression of FOXM1 in PAH HPASMC. Although PLK1 and FOXM1 clearly participate in PAH HPASMC hyperplasia, at this time it is not clear whether their increased activity is the primary driver of the hyperplastic behavior of the PAH HPASMC or merely a component of the pathway(s) leading to this response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie L. Wilson
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lizhen Wang
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeyu Zhang
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Postdoctoral Research Station of Clinical Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Nicholas S. Hill
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Peter Polgar
- Tupper Research Institute and Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Division, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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