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Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition in Fibroblasts of Human Normal Lungs and Interstitial Lung Diseases. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030378. [PMID: 33806618 PMCID: PMC8000192 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
In passages above ten and growing very actively, we observed that some human lung fibroblasts cultured under standard conditions were transformed into a lineage of epithelial-like cells (ELC). To systematically evaluate the possible mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) occurrence, fibroblasts were obtained from normal lungs and also from lungs affected by idiopathic interstitial diseases. When an unusual epithelial-like phenotypic change was observed, cultured cells were characterized by confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, cytofluorometry, gelatin zymography, RT-qPCR, and hybridization in a whole-transcript human microarray. Additionally, microvesicles fraction (MVs) from ELC and fibroblasts were used to induce MET, while the microRNAs (miRNAs) contained in the MVs were identified. Pattern-gene expression of the original fibroblasts and the derived ELC revealed profound changes, upregulating characteristic epithelial-cell genes and downregulating mesenchymal genes, with a marked increase of E-cadherin, cytokeratin, and ZO-1, and the loss of expression of α-SMA, collagen type I, and Thy-1 cell surface antigen (CD90). Fibroblasts, exposed to culture media or MVs from the ELC, acquired ELC phenotype. The miRNAs in MVs shown six expressed exclusively in fibroblasts, and three only in ELC; moreover, twelve miRNAs were differentially expressed between fibroblasts and ELC, all of them but one was overexpressed in fibroblasts. These findings suggest that the MET-like process can occur in human lung fibroblasts, either from normal or diseased lungs. However, the biological implication is unclear.
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Li F, Xu X, Geng J, Wan X, Dai H. The autocrine CXCR4/CXCL12 axis contributes to lung fibrosis through modulation of lung fibroblast activity. Exp Ther Med 2020; 19:1844-1854. [PMID: 32104240 PMCID: PMC7027131 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4/C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCR4/CXCL12) axis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. However, the mechanisms governing this remain to be determined. The current study demonstrated that human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) exhibit high CXCL12 expression and also exhibit high expression of its corresponding receptor CXCR4. Exogenous CXCL12 was revealed to significantly promote the migration and proliferation of HLFs, and potentiate CXCR4 expression. These effects were demonstrated to be inhibited by AMD3100, which is an antagonist of CXCR4. Lung and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid CXCR4 and CXCL12 expression was upregulated by in vivo bleomycin administration, which was partially inhibited by pre-treatment with AMD3100. AMD3100 also reduced lung collagen content in the bleomycin model. Inhibiting CXCR4 was indicated to ameliorate the lung compliance and resistance of pulmonary fibrosis. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that autocrine CXCR4/CXCL12 axis is an important mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and may serve as a potential therapeutic target that can be used in the treatment of pulmonary disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Li
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing An-Zhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing An-Zhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Jing Geng
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
| | - Xuan Wan
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Huaping Dai
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center of Respiratory Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases, Beijing 100029, P.R. China
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Komatsu Y, Ibi M, Chosa N, Kyakumoto S, Kamo M, Shibata T, Sugiyama Y, Ishisaki A. Zoledronic acid suppresses transforming growth factor-β-induced fibrogenesis by human gingival fibroblasts. Int J Mol Med 2016; 38:139-47. [PMID: 27176567 PMCID: PMC4899021 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2016.2582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Bisphosphonates (BPs) are analogues of pyro-phosphate that are known to prevent bone resorption by inhibiting osteoclast activity. Nitrogen-containing BPs, such as zoledronic acid (ZA), are widely used in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone metastasis. However, despite having benefits, ZA has been reported to induce BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) in cancer patients. The molecular pathological mechanisms responsible for the development of BRONJ, including necrotic bone exposure after tooth extraction, remain to be elucidated. In this study, we examined the effects of ZA on the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced myofibroblast (MF) differentiation of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) and the migratory activity of hGFs, which are important for wound closure by fibrous tissue formation. The ZA maximum concentration in serum (Cmax) was found to be approximately 1.47 µM, which clinically, is found after the intravenous administration of 4 mg ZA, and ZA at this dose is considered appropriate for the treatment of cancer bone metastasis or bone diseases, such as Erdheim-Chester disease. At Cmax, ZA significantly suppressed i) the TGF-β-induced promotion of cell viability, ii) the TGF-β-induced expression of MF markers such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen, iii) the TGF-β-induced migratory activity of hGFs and iv) the expression level of TGF-β type I receptor on the surfaces of hGFs, as well as the TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Smad2/3. Thus, ZA suppresses TGF-β-induced fibrous tissue formation by hGFs, possibly through the inhibition of Smad-dependent signal transduction. Our findings partly elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying BRONJ and may prove to be beneficial to the identification of drug targets for the treatment of this symptom at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Komatsu
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 028‑3694, Japan
| | - Miho Ibi
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 028‑3694, Japan
| | - Naoyuki Chosa
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 028‑3694, Japan
| | - Seiko Kyakumoto
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 028‑3694, Japan
| | - Masaharu Kamo
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 028‑3694, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Shibata
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu 501-1194, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sugiyama
- Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Reconstructive Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 020-8505, Japan
| | - Akira Ishisaki
- Division of Cellular Biosignal Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Iwate Medical University, Iwate 028‑3694, Japan
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Deng H, Xu H, Zhang X, Sun Y, Wang R, Brann D, Yang F. Protective effect of Ac-SDKP on alveolar epithelial cells through inhibition of EMT via TGF-β1/ROCK1 pathway in silicosis in rat. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2016; 294:1-10. [PMID: 26785300 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2016.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical stage during the development of silicosis fibrosis. In the current study, we hypothesized that the anti-fibrotic tetrapeptide, N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) may exert its anti-fibrotic effects via activation of the TGF-β1/ROCK1 pathway, leading to inhibition of EMT. To address this hypothesis, we first examined the effect of Ac-SDKP upon EMT using an in vivo rat silicosis model, as well as in an in vitro model of TGF-β1-induced EMT. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to examine colocalization of surfactant protein A (SP-A), fibroblast specific protein-1 (FSP-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in vivo. Western blot analysis was used to examine for changes in the protein levels of E-cadherin (E-cad) and SP-A (epithelial cell markers), vimentin (mesenchymal cell marker), α-SMA (active myofibroblast marker), and collagen I and III in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Secondly, we utilized Western blot analysis and confocal laser scanning microscopy to examine the protein expression of TGF-β1 and ROCK1 in in vivo and in vitro studies. The results revealed that Ac-SDKP treatment prevented increases in the expression of mesenchymal markers as well as TGF-β1, ROCK1, collagen I and III. Furthermore, Ac-SDKP treatment prevented decreases in the expression of epithelial cell markers in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Based on the results, we conclude that Ac-SDKP inhibits the transition of epithelial cell-myofibroblast in silicosis via activation of the TGF-β1/ROCK1 signaling pathway, which may serve as a novel mechanism by which it exerts its anti-fibrosis properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haijing Deng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Medical Research Center, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Xianghong Zhang
- Pathology Department, Hebei Medical University, Shi Jiazhuang, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Medical Research Center, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Ruimin Wang
- Medical Research Center, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China
| | - Darrell Brann
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Fang Yang
- Medical Research Center, International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Geriatric Medicine, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, China.
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Geng J, Huang X, Li Y, Xu X, Li S, Jiang D, Liang J, Jiang D, Wang C, Dai H. Down-regulation of USP13 mediates phenotype transformation of fibroblasts in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Respir Res 2015; 16:124. [PMID: 26453058 PMCID: PMC4600336 DOI: 10.1186/s12931-015-0286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal disease characterized by fibroblastic foci and progressive scarring of the pulmonary parenchyma. IPF fibroblasts display increased proliferation and enhanced migration and invasion, analogous to cancer cells. This transformation-like phenotype of fibroblasts plays an important role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis, but the mechanism for this is not well understood. Methods In this study, we compared gene expression profiles in fibrotic lung tissues from IPF patients and normal lung tissues from patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax using a cDNA microarray to examine the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IPF. In a cDNA microarray, we found that USP13 was decreased in lung tissues from patients with IPF, which was further confirmed by results from immunohistochemistry and western blot assays. Then, we used RNA interference in MRC-5 cells to inhibit USP13 and evaluated its effects by western blot, real-time RT-PCR, bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, and transwell assays. We also used co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence staining to identify the correlation between USP13 and PTEN in IPF. Results USP13 expression levels were markedly reduced in fibroblastic foci and primary IPF fibroblast lines. The depletion of USP13 resulted in the transformation of fibroblasts into an aggressive phenotype with enhanced proliferative, migratory, and invasive capacities. Additionally, USP13 interacted with PTEN and mediated PTEN ubiquitination and degradation in lung fibroblasts. Conclusions Down-regulation of USP13 mediates PTEN protein loss and fibroblast phenotypic change, and thereby plays a crucial role in IPF pathogenesis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12931-015-0286-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Geng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Xiaoxi Huang
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Medical Research, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Xuefeng Xu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China. .,National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, 100730, P.R. China.
| | - Shuhong Li
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Dingyuan Jiang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China.
| | - Jiurong Liang
- Department of Medicine Pulmonary Division and Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Dianhua Jiang
- Department of Medicine Pulmonary Division and Women's Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
| | - Chen Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China. .,National Clinical Research Centre for Respiratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital, Beijing, 100730, P.R. China. .,China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, P.R. China.
| | - Huaping Dai
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Beijing Key Laboratory of Respiratory and Pulmonary Circulation Disorders, Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital-Beijing Institute of Respiratory Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, P.R. China. .,China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, P.R. China.
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Rapamycin increases CCN2 expression of lung fibroblasts via phosphoinositide 3-kinase. J Transl Med 2015; 95:846-59. [PMID: 26192087 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2015.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Excessive production of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) and increased motor ability of the activated fibroblast phenotype contribute to the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, molecules and signal pathways regulating CCN2 expression and migration of lung fibroblasts are still elusive. We hypothesize that rapamycin, via binding and blocking mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex (mTORC), affects CCN2 expression and migration of lung fibroblasts in vitro. Primary normal and fibrotic human lung fibroblasts were isolated from lung tissues of three patients with primary spontaneous pneumothorax and three with IPF. Cells were incubated with regular medium, or medium containing rapamycin, human recombinant transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, or both. CCN2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 expression in cells or supernatant was detected. Wound healing and migration assay was used to measure the migratory potential. TGF-β type I receptor (TβRI)/Smad inhibitor, SB431542 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, LY294002 were used to determine rapamycin's mechanism of action. We demonstrated that rapamycin amplified basal or TGF-β1-induced CCN2 mRNA and protein expression in normal or fibrotic fibroblasts by Smad-independent but PI3K-dependent pathway. Additionally, rapamycin also enhanced TIMP-1 expression as indicated by ELISA. However, wound healing and migrating assay showed rapamycin did not affect the mobility of fibroblasts. Collectively, this study implies a significant fibrogenic induction activity of rapamycin by activating AKT and inducing CCN2 expression in vitro and provides the possible mechanisms for the in vivo findings which previously showed no antifibrotic effect of rapamycin on lung fibrosis.
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Liang D, Wang Y, Zhu Z, Yang G, An G, Li X, Niu P, Chen L, Tian L. Increased expression of bone morphogenetic protein-7 and its related pathway provides an anti-fibrotic effect on silica induced fibrosis in vitro. Toxicol Res (Camb) 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5tx00159e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BMP-7 exerts an inhibitory effect on silica induced fibrosis in RLE-6TN cells via suppressing TGF-β signaling and activating BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Liang
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Zhonghui Zhu
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Gengxia Yang
- Oncology Minimally Invasive Interventional Center
- Beijing Youan Hospital
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
| | - Guoliang An
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Xiaoli Li
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Piye Niu
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Li Chen
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
| | - Lin Tian
- School of Public Health
- Capital Medical University
- Beijing 100069
- China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology
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