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Cao J, Ma Y, Zhao W, Feng C. Age at menarche and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a two-sample mendelian randomization study. BMC Pulm Med 2024; 24:117. [PMID: 38448907 PMCID: PMC10916238 DOI: 10.1186/s12890-024-02936-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex difference in the incidence rate of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) indicates that estrogen has a certain protective effect on the disease. Nevertheless, there is a dearth of study investigating the association between factors pertaining to endogenous estrogen exposure level, such as age at menarche (AAM) in women, and IPF. Our study intended to employ Mendelian randomization (MR) method to elucidate the causal association between AAM and IPF. METHODS Our study utilized AAM as a measure of endogenous estrogen exposure and investigated its causal effect on the risk of IPF through MR. We employed the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method to assess the causal relationship between AAM and IPF risk, with supplementary analyses conducted using the weighted median estimator (WME) and MR-Egger method. Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the dependability of MR estimates. RESULTS A total of 9 selected single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with AAM were selected as instrumental variables. The IVW method showed that genetically later AAM was associated with an increased risk of IPF (odds ratio [OR] = 1.0014, 95%confidence interval [CI] = 1.0005-1.0023, p = 0.001). The median weighting method and the MR-Egger method obtained similar estimates, and no heterogeneity or pleiotropy was found, indicating that the results were robust. CONCLUSIONS Our MR study suggested a causal relationship between a later onset of menarche and a heightened susceptibility to IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Cao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yazhou Ma
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunlai Feng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
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Wang M, Zhang X, Guo J, Yang S, Yang F, Chen X. TRPC6 Deletion Enhances eNOS Expression and Reduces LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16756. [PMID: 38069081 PMCID: PMC10706254 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute lung injury (ALI) is characterized by endothelial barrier disruption and associated inflammatory responses, and transient receptor potential cation channel 6 (TRPC6)-mediated Ca2+ influx is critical for endothelial hyperpermeability. In this study, we investigated the role of TRPC6 in LPS-induced ALI, analyzed gene expression in WT and TRPC6-/- lungs using RNA sequencing, and explored the effects of TRPC6 in the LPS-induced hyperpermeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Intratracheal instillation of LPS caused edema in the mouse lungs. Deletion of TRPC6 reduced LPS-induced lung edema and decreased cell infiltration. RNA sequencing analysis suggested that downregulated cell adhesion molecules in TRPC6-/- lungs may be responsible for their resistance to LPS-induced injury. In addition, downregulation of TRPC6 significantly alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in eNOS expression in lung tissue as well as in HUVECs. Moreover, inhibition of TRPC6 with the channel antagonist larixyl led to a decrease in LPS-induced hyperpermeability and ROS production in HUVECs, which could be reversed by blocking eNOS. Our findings suggest that inhibition of TRPC6 ameliorates LPS-induced ALI, which may be achieved by acting on the cell adhesion molecule signaling pathway and participating in the regulation of eNOS levels in endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Wang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (M.W.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810001, China; (X.Z.)
| | - Xingfang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810001, China; (X.Z.)
| | - Juan Guo
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (M.W.)
| | - Shangze Yang
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (M.W.)
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Qinghai University, Xining 810001, China; (X.Z.)
| | - Xingjuan Chen
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an 710072, China; (M.W.)
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Lazo JS, Colunga-Biancatelli RML, Solopov PA, Catravas JD. An acute respiratory distress syndrome drug development collaboration stimulated by the Virginia Drug Discovery Consortium. SLAS DISCOVERY : ADVANCING LIFE SCIENCES R & D 2023; 28:249-254. [PMID: 36796645 PMCID: PMC9930264 DOI: 10.1016/j.slasd.2023.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The genesis of most older medicinal agents has generally been empirical. During the past one and a half centuries, at least in the Western countries, discovering and developing drugs has been primarily the domain of pharmaceutical companies largely built upon concepts emerging from organic chemistry. Public sector funding for the discovery of new therapeutics has more recently stimulated local, national, and international groups to band together and focus on new human disease targets and novel treatment approaches. This Perspective describes one contemporary example of a newly formed collaboration that was simulated by a regional drug discovery consortium. University of Virginia, Old Dominion University, and a university spinout company, KeViRx, Inc., partnered under a NIH Small Business Innovation Research grant, to produce potential therapeutics for acute respiratory distress syndrome resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Lazo
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Virginia, School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA.
| | | | - Pavel A Solopov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - John D Catravas
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
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Zhou R, Jin C, Jiao L, Zhang S, Tian M, Liu J, Yang S, Yao W, Zhou F. Geranylgeranylacetone, an inducer of heat shock protein 70, attenuates pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting NF-κB/NOX4/ROS signalling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 382:110603. [PMID: 37307957 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating and progressive pulmonary disease which is characterized by epithelial cell damage and extracellular collagen deposition. To date, the therapeutic options for IPF are still very limited, so the relevant mechanisms need to be explored. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), which has protective versus antitumor effects on cells under stress, is a member of the heat shock protein family. In the current study, qRT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and migration assays were used to explore the Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process in BEAS-2B cells. Moreover, the role of GGA in the process of pulmonary fibrosis was detected by HE, Masson staining, pulmonary function test and immunohistochemistry in C57BL/6 mice. Our results indicated that GGA, as an inducer of HSP70, enhanced the transformation of BEAS-2B cells from epithelial to mesenchymal cells through the NF-κB/NOX4/ROS (reactive oxygen species) signalling pathway and could significantly reduce apoptosis of BEAS-2B cells induced by TGF-β1(Transforming growth factor β1) in vitro. In vivo studies demonstrated that HSP70-inducing drugs, such as GGA, attenuated pulmonary fibrosis progression induced by bleomycin (BLM). Collectively, these results suggested that overexpression of HSP70 attenuated pulmonary fibrosis induced by BLM in C57BL/6 mice and EMT process induced by TGF-β1 through NF-κB/NOX4/ROS pathway in vitro. Thus, HSP70 might be a potential therapeutic strategy for human lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Chaomei Jin
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Linlin Jiao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Siyu Zhang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Jiamin Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Songtai Yang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Wu Yao
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
| | - Fang Zhou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan province, China.
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Li Y, Qin W, Liang Q, Zeng J, Yang Q, Chen Y, Wang J, Lu W. Bufei huoxue capsule alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023:116733. [PMID: 37277082 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Bufei huoxue (BFHX) is a Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation that consists of Astragalus Exscapus L, Paeonia Lactiflora Pall, and Psoralea Aphylla L. It can ameliorate collagen deposition and inhibit EMT. However, it remains unknown whether and how BFHX alleviates IPF. AIM OF THE STUDY Our work aimed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of BFHX on IPF and dissect the mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS A mouse model of IPF was induced by bleomycin. BFHX was administered on the first day of modeling and maintained for 21 days. Pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation were evaluated by micro-CT, lung histopathology, pulmonary function assessment, and cytokines in BALF. In addition, we examined the signaling molecules involved in EMT and ECM by immunofluorescence, western Blot, EdU, and MMP (Δψm) assays. RESULTS BFHX alleviated lung parenchyma fibrosis as evidenced by Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome staining, and micro-CT, and it improved lung function. In addition, BFHX treatment not only decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), but also upregulated E-cadherin (E-Cad) and downregulated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen Ӏ (Col Ӏ), vimentin, and fibronectin (FN). Mechanistically, BFHX repressed TGF-β1-driven Smad2/3 phosphorylation, which, in turn, suppressed EMT and transition of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in vivo and in vitro. CONCLUSION BFHX effectively reduces the occurrence of EMT and inhibits the production of ECM by inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway, which provides a potential novel therapeutic strategy for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenguang Qin
- Department of Periodontics, Affiliated Stomatology Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangdong Engineering Research Center of Oral Restoration and Reconstruction, Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Basic and Applied Research of Oral Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qiuling Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jiamin Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Qiong Yang
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission for the Diagnosis & Treatment of COPD, Inner Mongolia People's Hospital, Hohhot, China.
| | - Yuqin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenju Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Vascular Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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6
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Wang Q, Li W, Hu H, Lu X, Qin S. Monomeric compounds from traditional Chinese medicine: New hopes for drug discovery in pulmonary fibrosis. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 159:114226. [PMID: 36657302 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114226] [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: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and irreversible pulmonary disease, and can lead to decreased lung function, respiratory failure and even death. The pathogenesis research and treatment strategy of PF significantly lag behind the medical progress and clinical needs. The treatment of this disease remains a thorny clinical problem, and the effective therapeutic drugs are still limited. Monomeric compounds from traditional Chinese medicine own various biological activities and high safety. They play a broad part in treating diseases and is also a candidate drug for preventing and treating PF. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanism of action and potential value of various anti-PF monomeric compounds from traditional Chinese medicine. These monomeric compounds can attenuate inflammatory response, oxidative stress, epithelial mesenchymal transformation and other processes of lung through many signaling pathways, and inhibit the activation and differentiation of fibroblasts, thus contributing to the treatment of PF. This review can provide new ideas for the development of anti-PF drugs in high efficiency with low toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Wenjun Li
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Haibo Hu
- Qingdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Qingdao Hiser Hospital), Qingdao 266033, China
| | - Xuechao Lu
- Qingdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Qingdao Hiser Hospital), Qingdao 266033, China.
| | - Song Qin
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ji'nan 250355, China; Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China.
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7
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Jin F, Li Y, Wang X, Yang X, Li T, Xu H, Wei Z, Liu H. Effect of Sex Differences in Silicotic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214203. [PMID: 36430681 PMCID: PMC9697950 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms of silicosis, caused by the inhalation of silica are still unclear, and the effect of sex on silicosis has rarely been reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sex affects the silicotic lesions and the progressive fibrotic responses in silicosis. Our study showed that sex had no significant effect on the area of silicon nodules and the collagen deposition after a one-time bronchial perfusion of silica. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD68 and the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were positive in male and female silicotic mice. In addition, the western blot results showed that the fibrosis-related factors type I collagen (COL I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, TGF-β1, p-SMAD2/3, inflammatory-related factors interleukin 6 (IL 6), interleukin 1β (IL 1β), and senescence-related factors p16 and p21 were up-regulated in silicotic mice and there was no difference between female or male mice exposed to silica. The expression of TGF-β1, p-SMAD2/3, p16, and p21 were downregulated in the early stage of female silicotic mice, compared to the males. Thus, despite differences in the expression of certain factors, there was no overall difference in the progressive fibrosis between female and male mice in silicosis. These results thus provide a new perspective for studying the pathological development of silicosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Zhongqiu Wei
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (H.L.); Tel.: +86-0315-8816236 (Z.W.); +86-139-3349-9300 (H.L.)
| | - Heliang Liu
- Correspondence: (Z.W.); (H.L.); Tel.: +86-0315-8816236 (Z.W.); +86-139-3349-9300 (H.L.)
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8
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Pilling D, Sahlberg K, Chen W, Gomer RH. Changes in lung sialidases in male and female mice after bleomycin aspiration. Exp Lung Res 2022; 48:291-304. [PMID: 36382835 PMCID: PMC10084762 DOI: 10.1080/01902148.2022.2144548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aim of the study: Sialidases, also called neuraminidases, are enzymes that cleave terminal sialic acids from glycoconjugates. In humans and mice, lung fibrosis is associated with desialylation of glycoconjugates and upregulation of sialidases. There are four mammalian sialidases, and it is unclear when the four mammalian sialidases are elevated over the course of inflammatory and fibrotic responses, whether tissue resident and inflammatory cells express different sialidases, and if sialidases are differentially expressed in male and females. Materials and Methods: To determine the time course of sialidase expression and the identity of sialidase expressing cells, we used the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis in mice to examine levels of sialidases during inflammation (days 3 - 10) and fibrosis (days 10 - 21). Results: Bleomycin aspiration increased sialidase NEU1 at days 14 and 21 in male mice and day 10 in female mice. NEU2 levels increased at day 7 in male and day 10 in female mice. NEU3 appears to have a biphasic response in male mice with increased levels at day 7 and then at days 14 and 21, whereas in female mice NEU3 levels increased over 21 days. In control mice, the sialidases were mainly expressed by EpCAM positive epithelial cells, but after bleomycin, epithelial cells, CD45 positive immune cells, and alveolar cells expressed NEU1, NEU2, and NEU3. Sialidase expression was higher in male compared to female mice. There was little expression of NEU4 in murine lung tissue. Conclusions: These results suggest that sialidases are dynamically expressed following bleomycin, that sialidases are differentially expressed in male and females, and that of the four sialidases only NEU3 upregulation is associated with fibrosis in both male and female mice.
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Lamichhane R, Patial S, Saini Y. Higher susceptibility of males to bleomycin-induced pulmonary inflammation is associated with sex-specific transcriptomic differences in myeloid cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2022; 454:116228. [PMID: 36087614 PMCID: PMC9793441 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2022.116228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a condition with likely genetic and environmental etiology, is relatively more prevalent with poor prognosis in human males. However, the underlying mechanisms for these gender-associated differences in the severity of fibrosis remain unknown. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the transcriptomic repertoire of myeloid cells determines the higher susceptibility of male mice to bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis. Adult mice were oropharyngeally challenged with saline or BLM. Lung injury, inflammation, and fibrosis outcomes were assessed, and airspace myeloid-cells were subjected to RNA-sequencing. As compared with the female mice, the male mice manifested significantly increased lung injury, inflammation, proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-7, and IP-10), and fibrosis in response to BLM challenge. Interestingly, several pro-inflammatory and extracellular matrix-associated genes were significantly up-regulated in male myeloid-cells compared to female myeloid-cells in the saline-control group. Similarly, BLM challenge resulted in greater pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic transcriptomic changes in male compared to female myeloid cells. On the other hand, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokine, Il10 and Ifng respectively, were uniquely upregulated in BLM-challenged female but not in male myeloid cells when compared to their respective saline-control groups. Further, cross-sex bone marrow transplantation experiments revealed that male hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) increased the granulocytic infiltration in female mice while female HPCs decreased the granulocytic infiltration in male mice post-BLM challenge. These findings suggest that there are inherent transcriptomic differences between the male and female lung myeloid cells and that the pro-inflammatory nature of male myeloid cells is sufficient to increase the susceptibility of female mice to BLM-induced inflammation.
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10
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The Heat Shock Protein 90 Inhibitor, AT13387, Protects the Alveolo-Capillary Barrier and Prevents HCl-Induced Chronic Lung Injury and Pulmonary Fibrosis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11061046. [PMID: 35326496 PMCID: PMC8946990 DOI: 10.3390/cells11061046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) exposure causes asthma-like conditions, reactive airways dysfunction syndrome, and pulmonary fibrosis. Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone that regulates multiple cellular processes. HSP90 inhibitors are undergoing clinical trials for cancer and are also being studied in various pre-clinical settings for their anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. Here we investigated the ability of the heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor AT13387 to prevent chronic lung injury induced by exposure to HCl in vivo and its protective role in the endothelial barrier in vitro. We instilled C57Bl/6J mice with 0.1N HCl (2 µL/g body weight, intratracheally) and after 24 h began treatment with vehicle or AT13387 (10 or 15 mg/kg, SC), administered 3×/week; we analyzed histological, functional, and molecular markers 30 days after HCl. In addition, we monitored transendothelial electrical resistance (TER) and protein expression in a monolayer of human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC) exposed to HCl (0.02 N) and treated with vehicle or AT13387 (2 µM). HCl provoked persistent alveolar inflammation; activation of profibrotic pathways (MAPK/ERK, HSP90); increased deposition of collagen, fibronectin and elastin; histological evidence of fibrosis; and a decline in lung function reflected in a downward shift in pressure–volume curves, increased respiratory system resistance (Rrs), elastance (Ers), tissue damping (G), and hyperresponsiveness to methacholine. Treatment with 15 mg/kg AT13387reduced alveolar inflammation, fibrosis, and NLRP3 staining; blocked activation of ERK and HSP90; and attenuated the deposition of collagen and the development of chronic lung injury and airway hyperreactivity. In vitro, AT13387 prevented HCl-induced loss of barrier function and AKT, ERK, and ROCK1 activation, and restored HSP70 and cofilin expression. The HSP90 inhibitor, AT13387, represents a promising drug candidate for chronic lung injury that can be administered subcutaneously in the field, and at low, non-toxic doses.
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11
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Wu SM, Tsai JJ, Pan HC, Arbiser JL, Elia L, Sheu ML. Aggravation of pulmonary fibrosis after knocking down the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor in the Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor pathway. Br J Pharmacol 2022; 179:3430-3451. [PMID: 35083738 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease with multiple contributing factors. Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), with a reciprocal function to Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), is known to be involved in the development of airway inflammation. However, the exact relationship between IGF1R and AhR in lung fibrogenesis is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the cascade pathway involving IGF1R and AhR in IPF. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH The AhR and IGF1R expressions were determined in the lungs of IPF patients and in a rodent fibrosis model. Pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated in bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung injury in wild type and AhR knockout (AhR-/- ) mice. The effects of IGF1R inhibition and AhR activation in vitro on TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in Beas2B cells and in vivo on BLM-exposed mice were also examined. KEY RESULTS There were increased IGF1R levels but diminished AhR expression in the lung tissues of IPF patients and BLM-induced mice. Knockout of AhR aggravated lung fibrosis, while the use of IGF1R inhibitor and AhR agonist significantly attenuated such effects and inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT in Beas2B cells. Both TGF-β1 and BLM markedly suppressed AhR expression through endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and consequently, IGF1R activation. The IGF1R inhibitor and specific knockdown of IGF1R reversed the activation of the TGF-β1 signal pathway. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS In the development of IPF, AhR and IGF1R play opposite roles via the TGF-β/Smad/STAT signaling cascade. The AhR/IGF1R axis is a potential target for the treatment of lung injury and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Mao Wu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jaw-Ji Tsai
- Division of Allergy, Immunology & Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asia University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chuan Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Ph.D. program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jack L Arbiser
- Department of Dermatology, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta Veterans Administration Health Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Leonardo Elia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Brescia, Brescia, Lombardia, Italy.,Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, IRCCS, Rozzano, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Meei-Ling Sheu
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Ph.D. program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Solopov P, Colunga Biancatelli RML, Dimitropoulou C, Catravas JD. Dietary Phytoestrogens Ameliorate Hydrochloric Acid-Induced Chronic Lung Injury and Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice. Nutrients 2021; 13:3599. [PMID: 34684599 PMCID: PMC8536981 DOI: 10.3390/nu13103599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that female mice exhibit protection against chemically induced pulmonary fibrosis and suggested a potential role of estrogen. Phytoestrogens act, at least in part, via stimulation of estrogen receptors; furthermore, compared to residents of Western countries, residents of East Asian countries consume higher amounts of phytoestrogens and exhibit lower rates of pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that dietary phytoestrogens ameliorate the severity of experimentally induced pulmonary fibrosis. Male mice placed on either regular soybean diet or phytoestrogen-free diet were instilled with 0.1 N HCl to provoke pulmonary fibrosis. Thirty days later, lung mechanics were measured as indices of lung function and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were analyzed for biomarkers of fibrosis. Mice on phytoestrogen-free diet demonstrated increased mortality and stronger signs of chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis, as reflected in the expression of collagen, extracellular matrix deposition, histology, and lung mechanics, compared to mice on regular diet. We conclude that dietary phytoestrogens play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and suggest that phytoestrogens (e.g., genistein) may be useful as part of a therapeutic regimen against hydrochloric acid-induced lung fibrosis and chronic lung dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Solopov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (R.M.L.C.B.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
| | | | - Christiana Dimitropoulou
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (R.M.L.C.B.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
| | - John D. Catravas
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (R.M.L.C.B.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
- School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA
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Colunga Biancatelli RML, Solopov P, Dimitropoulou C, Catravas JD. Age-Dependent Chronic Lung Injury and Pulmonary Fibrosis following Single Exposure to Hydrochloric Acid. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168833. [PMID: 34445540 PMCID: PMC8396339 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to hydrochloric acid (HCl) represents a threat to public health. Children may inhale higher doses and develop greater injury because of their smaller airways and faster respiratory rate. We have developed a mouse model of pediatric exposure to HCl by intratracheally instilling p24 mice (mice 24 days old; 8-10 g) with 2 µL/g 0.1 N HCl, and compared the profile of lung injury to that in HCl-instilled adults (10 weeks old; 25-30 g) and their age-matched saline controls. After 30 days, alveolar inflammation was observed with increased proteinosis and mononuclear cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in both HCl-instilled groups. Young p24 animals-but not adults-exhibited higher NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome levels. Increased amounts of Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGF-β) mRNA and its intracellular canonical and non-canonical pathways (p-Smad2 and p-ERK) were found in the lungs of both young and adult HCl-instilled mice. Constitutive age-related differences were observed in the levels of heat shock protein family (HSP70 and HSP90). HCl equally provoked the deposition of collagen and fibronectin; however, significant age-dependent differences were observed in the increase in elastin and tenascin C mRNA. HCl induced pulmonary fibrosis with an increased Ashcroft score, which was higher in adults, and a reduction in alveolar Mean Alveolar Linear Intercept (MALI). Young mice developed increased Newtonian resistance (Rn) and lower PV loops, while adults showed a higher respiratory system resistance and elastance. This data indicate that young p24 mice can suffer long-term complications from a single exposure to HCl, and can develop chronic lung injury characterized by a stronger persistent inflammation and lesser fibrotic pattern, mostly in the airways, differently from adults. Further data are required to characterize HCl time- and dose-dependent injury in young animals and to identify new key-molecular targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben M. L. Colunga Biancatelli
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23509, USA; (P.S.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-757-683-2690
| | - Pavel Solopov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23509, USA; (P.S.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
| | - Christiana Dimitropoulou
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23509, USA; (P.S.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
| | - John D. Catravas
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23509, USA; (P.S.); (C.D.); (J.D.C.)
- School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23509, USA
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Colunga Biancatelli RML, Solopov P, Gregory B, Catravas JD. The HSP90 Inhibitor, AUY-922, Protects and Repairs Human Lung Microvascular Endothelial Cells from Hydrochloric Acid-Induced Endothelial Barrier Dysfunction. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061489. [PMID: 34199261 PMCID: PMC8232030 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure to hydrochloric acid (HCl) leads acutely to asthma-like symptoms, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), including compromised alveolo-capillary barrier, and respiratory failure. To better understand the direct effects of HCl on pulmonary endothelial function, we studied the characteristics of HCl-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction in primary cultures of human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVEC), defined the involved molecular pathways, and tested the potentially beneficial effects of Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitors. HCl impaired barrier function in a time- and concentration-dependent manner and was associated with activation of Protein Kinase B (AKT), Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) and myosin light chain 2 (MLC2), as well as loss of plasmalemmal VE-cadherin, rearrangement of cortical actin, and appearance of inter-endothelial gaps. Pre-treatment or post-treatment of HLMVEC with AUY-922, a third-generation HSP90 inhibitor, prevented and restored HCl-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction. AUY-922 increased the expression of HSP70 and inhibited the activation (phosphorylation) of extracellular-signal regulated kinase (ERK) and AKT. AUY-922 also prevented the HCl-induced activation of RhoA and MLC2 and the internalization of plasmalemmal VE-cadherin. We conclude that, by increasing the expression of cytoprotective proteins, interfering with actomyosin contractility, and enhancing the expression of junction proteins, inhibition of HSP90 may represent a useful approach for the management of HCl-induced endothelial dysfunction and acute lung injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben M. L. Colunga Biancatelli
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (P.S.); (B.G.); (J.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Pavel Solopov
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (P.S.); (B.G.); (J.D.C.)
| | - Betsy Gregory
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (P.S.); (B.G.); (J.D.C.)
| | - John D. Catravas
- Frank Reidy Research Center for Bioelectrics, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA; (P.S.); (B.G.); (J.D.C.)
- School of Medical Diagnostic & Translational Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23508, USA
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