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Ren M, Yao S, Chen T, Luo H, Tao X, Jiang H, Yang X, Zhang H, Yu S, Wang Y, Lu A, Zhang G. Connective Tissue Growth Factor: Regulation, Diseases, and Drug Discovery. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4692. [PMID: 38731911 PMCID: PMC11083620 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094692] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In drug discovery, selecting targeted molecules is crucial as the target could directly affect drug efficacy and the treatment outcomes. As a member of the CCN family, CTGF (also known as CCN2) is an essential regulator in the progression of various diseases, including fibrosis, cancer, neurological disorders, and eye diseases. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of CTGF in different diseases may contribute to the discovery of novel drug candidates. Summarizing the CTGF-targeting and -inhibitory drugs is also beneficial for the analysis of the efficacy, applications, and limitations of these drugs in different disease models. Therefore, we reviewed the CTGF structure, the regulatory mechanisms in various diseases, and drug development in order to provide more references for future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meishen Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases (TMBJ), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shanshan Yao
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tienan Chen
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases (TMBJ), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hang Luo
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xiaohui Tao
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases (TMBJ), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hewen Jiang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Xin Yang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases (TMBJ), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Huarui Zhang
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sifan Yu
- School of Chinese Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Diseases and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Aiping Lu
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases (TMBJ), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Law Sau Fai Institute for Advancing Translational Medicine in Bone and Joint Diseases (TMBJ), School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Liu YY, Bai JS, Liu CC, Zhou JF, Chen J, Cheng Y, Zhou B. The Small GTPase Rab14 Regulates the Trafficking of Ceramide from Endoplasmic Reticulum to Golgi Apparatus and Facilitates Classical Swine Fever Virus Assembly. J Virol 2023; 97:e0036423. [PMID: 37255314 PMCID: PMC10231254 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00364-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) is a highly pathogenic RNA virus belonging to the Flaviviridae family that can cause deadly classical swine fever (CSF) in pigs. However, the molecular details of virus replication in the host are still unclear. Our previous studies have reported that several Rab proteins mediate CSFV entry into host cells, but it is unknown whether CSFV hijacks other Rab proteins for effective viral infection. Here, we systematically studied the role of Rab14 protein in regulating lipid metabolism for promoting viral assembly. First, Rab14 knockdown and overexpression significantly affected CSFV replication, indicating the essential role of Rab14 in CSFV infection. Interestingly, Rab14 could significantly affect virus replication in the late stage of infection. Mechanistically, CSFV NS5A recruited Rab14 to the ER, followed by ceramide transportation to the Golgi apparatus, where sphingomyelin was synthesized. The experimental data of small molecule inhibitors, RNA interference, and replenishment assay showed that the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/AS160 signaling pathway regulated the function of Rab14 to affect the transport of ceramide. More importantly, sphingomyelin on the Golgi apparatus contributed to the assembly of viral particles. Blockage of the Rab14 regulatory pathway induced the reduction of the content of sphingomyelin on the Golgi apparatus, impairing the assembly of virus particles. Our study clarifies that Rab14 regulates lipid metabolism and promotes CSFV replication, which provides insight into a novel function of Rab14 in regulating vesicles to transport lipids to the viral assembly factory. IMPORTANCE The Rab protein family members participate in the viral replication of multiple viruses and play important roles in the virus infection cycle. Our previous research focused on Rab5/7/11, which regulated the trafficking of vesicles in the early stage of CSFV infection, especially in viral endocytosis. However, the role of other Rab proteins in CSFV replication is unclear and needs further clarification. Strikingly, we screened some Rabs and found the important role of Rab14 in CSFV infection. Virus infection mobilized Rab14 to regulate the vesicle to transport ceramide from the ER to the Golgi apparatus, further promoting the synthesis of sphingomyelin and facilitating virus assembly. The treatment of inhibitors showed that the lipid transport mediated by Rab14 was regulated by the PI3K/AKT/AS160 signaling pathway. Knockdown of Rab14 or the treatment with PI3K/AKT/AS160 inhibitors reduced the ceramide content in infected cells and hindered virus assembly. Our study is the first to explain that vesicular lipid transport regulated by Rab promotes CSFV assembly, which is conducive to the development of antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Yun Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ji Shan Bai
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chun-Chun Liu
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiang-Fei Zhou
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jing Chen
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Cheng
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bin Zhou
- MOE Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Hoshijima M, Aoyama E, Kamioka H, Takigawa M. Imaging of Molecular Interaction Between CCN Protein and Its Binding Partners: An In Situ Proximity Ligation Assay of Interaction Between CCN2 and Rab14 in Chondrocytes. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2582:31-37. [PMID: 36370342 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2744-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
An in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) enables visualization of protein interactions in fixed cells. It is a powerful method for investigating protein-protein binding of endogenously expressed proteins. To confirm binding between CCN2 and Rab14 GTPase (Rab14) in chondrocytes, we performed a PLA using chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells. The protocol in this chapter introduces an optimized technique for visualizing intracellular interactions of CCN2 and Rab14 in fixed cells using a PLA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Hoshijima
- Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School/Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
- Departments of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
| | - Eriko Aoyama
- Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School/Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kamioka
- Departments of Orthodontics, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Masaharu Takigawa
- Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School/Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Takigawa M. CCN Proteins (Cellular Communication Network Factors): Expanding Their Repertoire Toward a New Concept. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2582:1-10. [PMID: 36370338 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2744-0_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
I herein report the general structures and functions of CCN proteins and possible molecular mechanisms involved in the unique biological actions of this family of intercellular signaling regulators, which are considered matricellular proteins and were once referred to as "signal conductors" but have recently been renamed "Cellular Communication Network Factors." Their repertoire of functions beyond their role as matricellular proteins is also described to aid in future studies. Advanced research concerning their relevance to pathology is briefly introduced as well. The information provided in this chapter is expected to be useful for readers of subsequent chapters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaharu Takigawa
- Advanced Research Center for Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, Okayama University Dental School/Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan.
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Tiffany AS, Harley BA. Growing Pains: The Need for Engineered Platforms to Study Growth Plate Biology. Adv Healthc Mater 2022; 11:e2200471. [PMID: 35905390 PMCID: PMC9547842 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202200471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Growth plates, or physis, are highly specialized cartilage tissues responsible for longitudinal bone growth in children and adolescents. Chondrocytes that reside in growth plates are organized into three distinct zones essential for proper function. Modeling key features of growth plates may provide an avenue to develop advanced tissue engineering strategies and perspectives for cartilage and bone regenerative medicine applications and a platform to study processes linked to disease progression. In this review, a brief introduction of the growth plates and their role in skeletal development is first provided. Injuries and diseases of the growth plates as well as physiological and pathological mechanisms associated with remodeling and disease progression are discussed. Growth plate biology, namely, its architecture and extracellular matrix organization, resident cell types, and growth factor signaling are then focused. Next, opportunities and challenges for developing 3D biomaterial models to study aspects of growth plate biology and disease in vitro are discussed. Finally, opportunities for increasingly sophisticated in vitro biomaterial models of the growth plate to study spatiotemporal aspects of growth plate remodeling, to investigate multicellular signaling underlying growth plate biology, and to develop platforms that address key roadblocks to in vivo musculoskeletal tissue engineering applications are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleczandria S. Tiffany
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
| | - Brendan A.C. Harley
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801
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Yang Z, Li W, Song C, Leng H. CTGF as a multifunctional molecule for cartilage and a potential drug for osteoarthritis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1040526. [PMID: 36325449 PMCID: PMC9618584 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1040526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CTGF is a multifunctional protein and plays different roles in different cells and under different conditions. Pamrevlumab, a monoclonal antibody against CTGF, is an FDA approved drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recent studies have shown that CTGF antibodies may potentially serve as a new drug for osteoarthritis (OA). Expression of CTGF is significantly higher in OA joints than in healthy counterparts. Increasing attention has been attracted due to its interesting roles in joint homeostasis. Joint homeostasis relies on normal cellular functions and cell-cell interactions. CTGF is essential for physiological activities of chondrocytes. Abnormal CTGF expression may cause cartilage degeneration. In this review, the physiological functions of CTGF in chondrocytes and related mechanisms are summarized. Changes in the related signaling pathways due to abnormal CTGF are discussed, which are contributing factors to inflammation, cartilage degeneration and synovial fibrosis in OA. The possibility of CTGF as a potential therapeutic target for OA treatment are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zihuan Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weishi Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Engineering Research Center of Bone and Joint Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chunli Song
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Disease Research, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Huijie Leng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huijie Leng,
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Warma A, Lussier JG, Ndiaye K. Tribbles Pseudokinase 2 (TRIB2) Regulates Expression of Binding Partners in Bovine Granulosa Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041533. [PMID: 33546420 PMCID: PMC7913596 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the Tribbles (TRIB) family of pseudokinases are critical components of intracellular signal transduction pathways in physiological and pathological processes. TRIBs, including TRIB2, have been previously shown as signaling mediators and scaffolding proteins regulating numerous cellular events such as proliferation, differentiation and cell death through protein stability and activity. However, the signaling network associated with TRIB2 and its binding partners in granulosa cells during ovarian follicular development is not fully defined. We previously reported that TRIB2 is differentially expressed in growing dominant follicles while downregulated in ovulatory follicles following the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection. In the present study, we used the yeast two-hybrid screening system and in vitro coimmunoprecipitation assays to identify and confirm TRIB2 interactions in granulosa cells (GCs) of dominant ovarian follicles (DFs), which yielded individual candidate binding partners including calmodulin 1 (CALM1), inhibin subunit beta A (INHBA), inositol polyphosphate phosphatase-like 1 (INPPL1), 5'-nucleotidase ecto (NT5E), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), succinate dehydrogenase complex iron sulfur subunit B (SDHB) and Ras-associated protein 14 (RAB14). Further analyses showed that all TRIB2 binding partners are expressed in GCs of dominant follicles but are differentially regulated throughout the different stages of follicular development. CRISPR/Cas9-driven inhibition along with pQE-driven overexpression of TRIB2 showed that TRIB2 differently regulates expression of binding partners, which reveals the importance of TRIB2 in the control of gene expression linked to various biological processes such as proliferation, differentiation, cell migration, apoptosis, calcium signaling and metabolism. These data provide a larger view of potential TRIB2-regulated signal transduction pathways in GCs and provide strong evidence that TRIB2 may act as a regulator of target genes during ovarian follicular development.
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Molecular Processes in Chondrocyte Biology. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114161. [PMID: 32545161 PMCID: PMC7312958 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
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