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Yombo DJK, Ghandikota S, Vemulapalli CP, Singh P, Jegga AG, Hardie WD, Madala SK. SEMA3B inhibits TGFβ-induced extracellular matrix protein production and its reduced levels are associated with a decline in lung function in IPF. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2024; 326:C1659-C1668. [PMID: 38646784 PMCID: PMC11371361 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00681.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is marked by the activation of fibroblasts, leading to excessive production and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the lung parenchyma. Despite the pivotal role of ECM overexpression in IPF, potential negative regulators of ECM production in fibroblasts have yet to be identified. Semaphorin class 3B (SEMA3B), a secreted protein highly expressed in lung tissues, has established roles in axonal guidance and tumor suppression. However, the role of SEMA3B in ECM production by fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of IPF remains unexplored. Here, we show the downregulation of SEMA3B and its cognate binding receptor, neuropilin 1 (NRP1), in IPF lungs compared with healthy controls. Notably, the reduced expression of SEMA3B and NRP1 is associated with a decline in lung function in IPF. The downregulation of SEMA3B and NRP1 transcripts was validated in the lung tissues of patients with IPF, and two alternative mouse models of pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, we show that transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) functions as a negative regulator of SEMA3B and NRP1 expression in lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, we demonstrate the antifibrotic effects of SEMA3B against TGFβ-induced ECM production in IPF lung fibroblasts. Overall, our findings uncovered a novel role of SEMA3B in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and provided novel insights into modulating the SEMA3B-NRP1 axis to attenuate pulmonary fibrosis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The excessive production and secretion of collagens and other extracellular matrix proteins by fibroblasts lead to the scarring of the lung in severe fibrotic lung diseases. This study unveils an antifibrotic role for semaphorin class 3B (SEMA3B) in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. SEMA3B functions as an inhibitor of transforming growth factor-β-driven fibroblast activation and reduced levels of SEMA3B and its receptor, neuropilin 1, are associated with decreased lung function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan J K Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Sudhir Ghandikota
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Chanukya P Vemulapalli
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Priyanka Singh
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
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2
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Ediga HH, Hester P, Yepuri A, Reddy GB, Madala SK. Nε-Carboxymethyl-Lysine Modification of Extracellular Matrix Proteins Augments Fibroblast Activation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15811. [PMID: 37958795 PMCID: PMC10650592 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115811] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a dynamic complex protein network that provides structural integrity and plays an active role in shaping fibroblast behavior both in health and disease. Despite its essential functions, the impact of age-associated post-translational modifications on ECM-driven fibroblast activities such as proliferation, survival, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT), and extracellular matrix production remains largely unknown. Nε-carboxymethyl-lysine (CML) is one of the well-characterized advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) that can occur on lysine residues within ECM proteins through non-enzymatic glycation. In this study, we determined the accumulation and the effects of the CML-modified ECM (CML-ECM) on fibroblast activation. Immunostainings and immunoblot analysis demonstrated significant increases in CML-AGE content in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) compared to age-matched healthy lungs. Gene expression analysis and fibroblast activation assays collectively implicate the ECM as a negative regulator of fibroblast activation. Notably, the CML modification of the ECM resulted in a significant decrease in its anti-fibrotic effects including proliferation, FMT, apoptosis, and ECM production. Together, the results of this study revealed an unexplored pathological role played by the CML-ECM on fibroblast activation, which has wide implications in IPF and other fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshavardhana H. Ediga
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
- Department of Biochemistry, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad 500007, India;
| | - Patrick Hester
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
| | - Adithi Yepuri
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
| | | | - Satish K. Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA (P.H.)
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3
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Tommasini D, Fox R, Ngo KJ, Hinman JD, Fogel BL. Alterations in oligodendrocyte transcriptional networks reveal region-specific vulnerabilities to neurological disease. iScience 2023; 26:106358. [PMID: 36994077 PMCID: PMC10040735 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.106358] [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: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurological disease is characterized the by dysfunction of specific neuroanatomical regions. To determine whether region-specific vulnerabilities have a transcriptional basis at cell-type-specific resolution, we analyzed gene expression in mouse oligodendrocytes across various brain regions. Oligodendrocyte transcriptomes cluster in an anatomical arrangement along the rostrocaudal axis. Moreover, regional oligodendrocyte populations preferentially regulate genes implicated in diseases that target their region of origin. Systems-level analyses identify five region-specific co-expression networks representing distinct molecular pathways in oligodendrocytes. The cortical network exhibits alterations in mouse models of intellectual disability and epilepsy, the cerebellar network in ataxia, and the spinal network in multiple sclerosis. Bioinformatic analyses reveal potential molecular regulators of these networks, which were confirmed to modulate network expression in vitro in human oligodendroglioma cells, including reversal of the disease-associated transcriptional effects of a pathogenic Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 allele. These findings identify targetable region-specific vulnerabilities to neurological disease mediated by oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dario Tommasini
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachel Fox
- Department of Human Genetics, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kathie J. Ngo
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jason D. Hinman
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Brent L. Fogel
- Department of Neurology, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Human Genetics, UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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4
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Gajjala PR, Singh P, Odayar V, Ediga HH, McCormack FX, Madala SK. Wilms Tumor 1-Driven Fibroblast Activation and Subpleural Thickening in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2850. [PMID: 36769178 PMCID: PMC9918078 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032850] [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: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive fibrotic lung disease that is often fatal due to the formation of irreversible scar tissue in the distal areas of the lung. Although the pathological and radiological features of IPF lungs are well defined, the lack of insight into the fibrogenic role of fibroblasts that accumulate in distinct anatomical regions of the lungs is a critical knowledge gap. Fibrotic lesions have been shown to originate in the subpleural areas and extend into the lung parenchyma through processes of dysregulated fibroproliferation, migration, fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix production. Identifying the molecular targets underlying subpleural thickening at the early and late stages of fibrosis could facilitate the development of new therapies to attenuate fibroblast activation and improve the survival of patients with IPF. Here, we discuss the key cellular and molecular events that contribute to (myo)fibroblast activation and subpleural thickening in IPF. In particular, we highlight the transcriptional programs involved in mesothelial to mesenchymal transformation and fibroblast dysfunction that can be targeted to alter the course of the progressive expansion of fibrotic lesions in the distal areas of IPF lungs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Satish K. Madala
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0564, USA
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5
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Luo J, Tugade T, Sun E, Pena Diaz AM, O’Gorman DB. Sustained AWT1 expression by Dupuytren's disease myofibroblasts promotes a proinflammatory milieu. J Cell Commun Signal 2022; 16:677-690. [PMID: 35414143 PMCID: PMC9733761 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-022-00677-z] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Palmar fibromatosis, also known as Dupuytren's disease (DD), is a common and heritable fibrosis of the hand. It is characterized by the formation of myofibroblastic nodules that can progress to palmar-digital contractures and permanent loss of dexterity. The presence of inflammatory cell infiltrate within these nodules has been interpreted to suggest a pathogenesis mediated by a proinflammatory microenvironment. However, the molecular mechanisms driving the formation of pro-fibrotic microenvironments in this and other fibroses remain unclear. To gain insights into this process, we have assessed the contributions of an alternatively spliced, multi-functional transcription factor, Wilms Tumor 1 (WT1), previously shown to be upregulated in primary myofibroblasts derived from DD tissues. Proinflammatory cytokine stimuli of DD myofibroblasts enhanced the expression of several distinct WT1 variants, the most sustained being a 5' truncated version of WT1, alternative WT1 (AWT1). Constitutive adenoviral expression of AWT1 in myofibroblasts derived from phenotypically non-fibrotic palmar fascia significantly induced the expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including some with potential as novel therapeutic targets. In summary, these data implicate roles for sustained AWT1 expression in DD as a transcriptional driver of a proinflammatory fascial milieu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnny Luo
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Trisiah Tugade
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Emmy Sun
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada
| | - Ana Maria Pena Diaz
- grid.415847.b0000 0001 0556 2414Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 Canada
| | - David B. O’Gorman
- grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.39381.300000 0004 1936 8884Department of Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, ON Canada ,grid.415847.b0000 0001 0556 2414Lawson Health Research Institute, 268 Grosvenor Street, London, ON N6A 4V2 Canada
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6
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Guo Z, Geng M, Huang Y, Han G, Jing R, Lin C, Zhang X, Zhang M, Fan G, Wang F, Yin H. Upregulation of Wilms' Tumor 1 in epicardial cells increases cardiac fibrosis in dystrophic mice. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1928-1940. [PMID: 35306537 PMCID: PMC9525265 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00979-0] [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: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiomyopathy is a primary cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Mechanistic understanding of cardiac fibrosis holds the key to effective DMD cardiomyopathy treatments. Here we demonstrate that upregulation of Wilms' tumor 1 (Wt1) gene in epicardial cells increased cardiac fibrosis and impaired cardiac function in 8-month old mdx mice lacking the RNA component of telomerase (mdx/mTR-/-). Levels of phosphorylated IƙBα and p65 significantly rose in mdx/mTR-/- dystrophic hearts and Wt1 expression declined in the epicardium of mdx/mTR-/- mice when nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and inflammation were inhibited by metformin. This demonstrates that Wt1 expression in epicardial cells is dependent on inflammation-triggered NF-κB activation. Metformin effectively prevented cardiac fibrosis and improved cardiac function in mdx/mTR-/- mice. Our study demonstrates that upregulation of Wt1 in epicardial cells contributes to fibrosis in dystrophic hearts and metformin-mediated inhibition of NF-κB can ameliorate the pathology, and thus showing clinical potential for dystrophic cardiomyopathy. Translational Perspective: Cardiomyopathy is a major cause of mortality in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Promising exon-skipping treatments are moving to the clinic, but getting sufficient dystrophin expression in the heart has proven challenging. The present study shows that Wilms' Tumor 1 (Wt1) upregulation in epicardial cells is primarily responsible for cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction of dystrophic mice and likely of DMD patients. Metformin effectively prevents cardiac fibrosis and improves cardiac function in dystrophic mice, thus representing a treatment option for DMD patients on top of existing therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenglong Guo
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & School of Medical Technology & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin, 300203, China
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial Key laboratory of Genetic Diseases and Functional Genomics, National Health Commission Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Mengyuan Geng
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & School of Medical Technology & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Yuting Huang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changling Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Gang Han
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & School of Medical Technology & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Renwei Jing
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & School of Medical Technology & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Caorui Lin
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & School of Medical Technology & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin, 300203, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Miaomiao Zhang
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Guanwei Fan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changling Road, Xiqing District, Tianjin, 300193, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Department of Genetics, Tianjin Medical University, Qixiangtai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - HaiFang Yin
- The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics & Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cellular Homeostasis and Human Diseases & School of Medical Technology & Department of Cell Biology, Tianjin Medical University, Guangdong Road, Tianjin, 300203, China.
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, 300052, China.
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7
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Sun X, Perl AK, Li R, Bell SM, Sajti E, Kalinichenko VV, Kalin TV, Misra RS, Deshmukh H, Clair G, Kyle J, Crotty Alexander LE, Masso-Silva JA, Kitzmiller JA, Wikenheiser-Brokamp KA, Deutsch G, Guo M, Du Y, Morley MP, Valdez MJ, Yu HV, Jin K, Bardes EE, Zepp JA, Neithamer T, Basil MC, Zacharias WJ, Verheyden J, Young R, Bandyopadhyay G, Lin S, Ansong C, Adkins J, Salomonis N, Aronow BJ, Xu Y, Pryhuber G, Whitsett J, Morrisey EE. A census of the lung: CellCards from LungMAP. Dev Cell 2022; 57:112-145.e2. [PMID: 34936882 PMCID: PMC9202574 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2021.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The human lung plays vital roles in respiration, host defense, and basic physiology. Recent technological advancements such as single-cell RNA sequencing and genetic lineage tracing have revealed novel cell types and enriched functional properties of existing cell types in lung. The time has come to take a new census. Initiated by members of the NHLBI-funded LungMAP Consortium and aided by experts in the lung biology community, we synthesized current data into a comprehensive and practical cellular census of the lung. Identities of cell types in the normal lung are captured in individual cell cards with delineation of function, markers, developmental lineages, heterogeneity, regenerative potential, disease links, and key experimental tools. This publication will serve as the starting point of a live, up-to-date guide for lung research at https://www.lungmap.net/cell-cards/. We hope that Lung CellCards will promote the community-wide effort to establish, maintain, and restore respiratory health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Anne-Karina Perl
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Rongbo Li
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Sheila M Bell
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Eniko Sajti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Vladimir V Kalinichenko
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Center for Lung Regenerative Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Tanya V Kalin
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Ravi S Misra
- Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology, The University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Hitesh Deshmukh
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Geremy Clair
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Jennifer Kyle
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Laura E Crotty Alexander
- Deparment of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Jorge A Masso-Silva
- Deparment of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joseph A Kitzmiller
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kathryn A Wikenheiser-Brokamp
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Gail Deutsch
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital, OC.8.720, 4800 Sand Point Way Northeast, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Minzhe Guo
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Yina Du
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Michael P Morley
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michael J Valdez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Haoze V Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kang Jin
- Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Developmental Biology, and Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Eric E Bardes
- Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Developmental Biology, and Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jarod A Zepp
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Terren Neithamer
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Maria C Basil
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - William J Zacharias
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Jamie Verheyden
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Randee Young
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Gautam Bandyopadhyay
- Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology, The University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Sara Lin
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Charles Ansong
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Joshua Adkins
- Biological Science Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Nathan Salomonis
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA; Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Bruce J Aronow
- Departments of Biomedical Informatics, Developmental Biology, and Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Yan Xu
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Gloria Pryhuber
- Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology, The University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Jeff Whitsett
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Edward E Morrisey
- Penn-CHOP Lung Biology Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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8
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Gajjala PR, Kasam RK, Soundararajan D, Sinner D, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Dysregulated overexpression of Sox9 induces fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2021; 6:e152503. [PMID: 34520400 PMCID: PMC8564901 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.152503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal fibrotic lung disease associated with unremitting fibroblast activation including fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT), migration, resistance to apoptotic clearance, and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the distal lung parenchyma. Aberrant activation of lung-developmental pathways is associated with severe fibrotic lung disease; however, the mechanisms through which these pathways activate fibroblasts in IPF remain unclear. Sry-box transcription factor 9 (Sox9) is a member of the high-mobility group box family of DNA-binding transcription factors that are selectively expressed by epithelial cell progenitors to modulate branching morphogenesis during lung development. We demonstrate that Sox9 is upregulated via MAPK/PI3K-dependent signaling and by the transcription factor Wilms' tumor 1 in distal lung-resident fibroblasts in IPF. Mechanistically, using fibroblast activation assays, we demonstrate that Sox9 functions as a positive regulator of FMT, migration, survival, and ECM production. Importantly, our in vivo studies demonstrate that fibroblast-specific deletion of Sox9 is sufficient to attenuate collagen deposition and improve lung function during TGF-α-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Using a mouse model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we show that myofibroblast-specific Sox9 overexpression augments fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, Sox9 functions as a profibrotic transcription factor in activating fibroblasts, illustrating the potential utility of targeting Sox9 in IPF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prathibha R Gajjala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Divyalakshmi Soundararajan
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
| | - Debora Sinner
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Divisions of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine and
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9
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Ishikawa G, Liu A, Herzog EL. Evolving Perspectives on Innate Immune Mechanisms of IPF. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:676569. [PMID: 34434962 PMCID: PMC8381017 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.676569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
While epithelial-fibroblast interactions are viewed as the primary drivers of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), evidence gleaned from animal modeling and human studies implicates innate immunity as well. To provide perspective on this topic, this review synthesizes the available data regarding the complex role of innate immunity in IPF. The role of substances present in the fibrotic microenvironment including pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) derived from invading or commensal microbes, and danger associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) derived from injured cells and tissues will be discussed along with the proposed contribution of innate immune populations such as macrophages, neutrophils, fibrocytes, myeloid suppressor cells, and innate lymphoid cells. Each component will be considered in the context of its relationship to environmental and genetic factors, disease outcomes, and potential therapies. We conclude with discussion of unanswered questions and opportunities for future study in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Genta Ishikawa
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Angela Liu
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Erica L. Herzog
- Section of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,Department of Pathology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States,*Correspondence: Erica L. Herzog,
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10
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Ebrahimpour A, Wang M, Li L, Jegga AG, Bonnen MD, Eissa NT, Raghu G, Jyothula S, Kheradmand F, Hanania NA, Rosas IO, Ghebre YT. Esomeprazole attenuates inflammatory and fibrotic response in lung cells through the MAPK/Nrf2/HO1 pathway. JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION-LONDON 2021; 18:17. [PMID: 34011367 PMCID: PMC8136131 DOI: 10.1186/s12950-021-00284-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an orphan disease characterized by progressive loss of lung function resulting in shortness of breath and often death within 3–4 years of diagnosis. Repetitive lung injury in susceptible individuals is believed to promote chronic oxidative stress, inflammation, and uncontrolled collagen deposition. Several preclinical and retrospective clinical studies in IPF have reported beneficial outcomes associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole. Accordingly, we sought to investigate molecular mechanism(s) by which PPIs favorably regulate the disease process. Methods We stimulated oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory and profibrotic phenotypes in primary human lung epithelial cells and fibroblasts upon treatment with bleomycin or transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and assessed the effect of a prototype PPI, esomeprazole, in regulating these processes. Results Our study shows that esomeprazole controls pro-inflammatory and profibrotic molecules through nuclear translocation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-like 2 (Nrf2) and induction of the cytoprotective molecule heme oxygenase 1 (HO1). Genetic deletion of Nrf2 or pharmacological inhibition of HO1 impaired esomeprazole-mediated regulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic molecules. Additional studies indicate that activation of Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway is involved in the process. Our experimental data was corroborated by bioinformatics studies of an NIH chemical library which hosts gene expression profiles of IPF lung fibroblasts treated with over 20,000 compounds including esomeprazole. Intriguingly, we found 45 genes that are upregulated in IPF but downregulated by esomeprazole. Pathway analysis showed that these genes are enriched for profibrotic processes. Unbiased high throughput RNA-seq study supported antifibrotic effect of esomeprazole and revealed several novel targets. Conclusions Taken together, PPIs may play antifibrotic role in IPF through direct regulation of the MAPK/Nrf2/HO1 pathway to favorably influence the disease process in IPF. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12950-021-00284-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Ebrahimpour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Li Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Mark D Bonnen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - N Tony Eissa
- Department of Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ganesh Raghu
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, 98195, USA
| | - Soma Jyothula
- Department of Internal Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Farrah Kheradmand
- Department of Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nicola A Hanania
- Department of Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ivan O Rosas
- Department of Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Yohannes T Ghebre
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Medicine, Section on Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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11
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Yombo DJK, Odayar V, Gupta N, Jegga AG, Madala SK. The Protective Effects of IL-31RA Deficiency During Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:645717. [PMID: 33815402 PMCID: PMC8017338 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.645717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is a severe fibrotic lung disease characterized by excessive collagen deposition and progressive decline in lung function. Th2 T cell-derived cytokines including IL-4 and IL-13 have been shown to contribute to inflammation and fibrotic remodeling in multiple tissues. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a newly identified cytokine that is predominantly produced by CD4 Th2 T cells, but its signaling receptor IL-31RA is primarily expressed by non-hematopoietic cells. However, the potential role of the IL-31-IL31RA axis in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis has remained largely unknown. To determine the role of IL-31RA deficiency in pulmonary fibrosis, wildtype, and IL-31RA knockout mice were treated with bleomycin and measured changes in collagen deposition and lung function. Notably, the loss of IL-31 signaling attenuated collagen deposition and lung function decline during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The total lung transcriptome analysis showed a significant reduction in fibrosis-associated gene transcripts including extracellular matrix and epithelial cell-associated gene networks. Furthermore, the lungs of human IPF showed an elevated expression of IL-31 when compared to healthy subjects. In support, the percentage of IL-31 producing CD4+ T cells was greater in the lungs and PBMCs from IPF patients compared to healthy controls. Our findings suggest a pathogenic role for IL-31/IL-31RA signaling during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Thus, therapeutic targeting the IL-31-IL-31RA axis may prevent collagen deposition, improve lung function, and have therapeutic potential in pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan J K Yombo
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Varshini Odayar
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Nishant Gupta
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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12
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Kaur G, Singh K, Maremanda KP, Li D, Chand HS, Rahman I. Differential plasma exosomal long non-coding RNAs expression profiles and their emerging role in E-cigarette users, cigarette, waterpipe, and dual smokers. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0243065. [PMID: 33290406 PMCID: PMC7723270 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are the varied set of transcripts that play a critical role in biological processes like gene regulation, transcription, post-transcriptional modification, and chromatin remodeling. Recent studies have reported the presence of lncRNAs in the exosomes that are involved in regulating cell-to-cell communication in lung pathologies including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). In this study, we compared the lncRNA profiles in the plasma-derived exosomes amongst non-smokers (NS), cigarette smokers (CS), E-cig users (E-cig), waterpipe smokers (WP) and dual smokers (CSWP) using GeneChip™ WT Pico kit for transcriptional profiling. We found alterations in a distinct set of lncRNAs among subjects exposed to E-cig vapor, cigarette smoke, waterpipe smoke and dual smoke with some overlaps. Gene enrichment analyses of the differentially expressed lncRNAs demonstrated enrichment in the lncRNAs involved in crucial biological processes including steroid metabolism, cell differentiation and proliferation. Thus, the characterized lncRNA profiles of the plasma-derived exosomes from smokers, vapers, waterpipe users, and dual smokers will help identify the biomarkers relevant to chronic lung diseases such as COPD, asthma or IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gagandeep Kaur
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Kameshwar Singh
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Krishna P. Maremanda
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Dongmei Li
- Department of Clinical & Translational Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Hitendra S. Chand
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States of America
| | - Irfan Rahman
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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13
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Riccetti M, Gokey JJ, Aronow B, Perl AKT. The elephant in the lung: Integrating lineage-tracing, molecular markers, and single cell sequencing data to identify distinct fibroblast populations during lung development and regeneration. Matrix Biol 2020; 91-92:51-74. [PMID: 32442602 PMCID: PMC7434667 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2020.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
During lung development, the mesenchyme and epithelium are dependent on each other for instructive morphogenic cues that direct proliferation, cellular differentiation and organogenesis. Specification of epithelial and mesenchymal cell lineages occurs in parallel, forming cellular subtypes that guide the formation of both transitional developmental structures and the permanent architecture of the adult lung. While epithelial cell types and lineages have been relatively well-defined in recent years, the definition of mesenchymal cell types and lineage relationships has been more challenging. Transgenic mouse lines with permanent and inducible lineage tracers have been instrumental in identifying lineage relationships among epithelial progenitor cells and their differentiation into distinct airway and alveolar epithelial cells. Lineage tracing experiments with reporter mice used to identify fibroblast progenitors and their lineage trajectories have been limited by the number of cell specific genes and the developmental timepoint when the lineage trace was activated. In this review, we discuss major developmental mesenchymal lineages, focusing on time of origin, major cell type, and other lineage derivatives, as well as the transgenic tools used to find and define them. We describe lung fibroblasts using function, location, and molecular markers in order to compare and contrast cells with similar functions. The temporal and cell-type specific expression of fourteen "fibroblast lineage" genes were identified in single-cell RNA-sequencing data from LungMAP in the LGEA database. Using these lineage signature genes as guides, we clustered murine lung fibroblast populations from embryonic day 16.5 to postnatal day 28 (E16.5-PN28) and generated heatmaps to illustrate expression of transcription factors, signaling receptors and ligands in a temporal and population specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Riccetti
- The Perinatal Institute and Section of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Jason J Gokey
- The Perinatal Institute and Section of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Bruce Aronow
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Anne-Karina T Perl
- The Perinatal Institute and Section of Neonatology, Perinatal and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Molecular and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States; Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati School of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States.
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14
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Kasam RK, Ghandikota S, Soundararajan D, Reddy GB, Huang SK, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Inhibition of Aurora Kinase B attenuates fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12131. [PMID: 32761869 PMCID: PMC7507328 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast activation including proliferation, survival, and ECM production is central to initiation and maintenance of fibrotic lesions in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, druggable molecules that target fibroblast activation remain limited. In this study, we show that multiple pro‐fibrotic growth factors, including TGFα, CTGF, and IGF1, increase aurora kinase B (AURKB) expression and activity in fibroblasts. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) is a key transcription factor that mediates TGFα‐driven AURKB upregulation in fibroblasts. Importantly, we found that inhibition of AURKB expression or activity is sufficient to attenuate fibroblast activation. We show that fibrosis induced by TGFα is highly dependent on AURKB expression and treating TGFα mice with barasertib, an AURKB inhibitor, reverses fibroblast activation, and pulmonary fibrosis. Barasertib similarly attenuated fibrosis in the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis. Together, our preclinical studies provide important proof‐of‐concept that demonstrate barasertib as a possible intervention therapy for IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sudhir Ghandikota
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Steven K Huang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Computer Science, University of Cincinnati College of Engineering, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
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15
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Fibrocyte accumulation in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. J Cyst Fibros 2020; 19:815-822. [PMID: 32593509 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcf.2020.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients develop severe lung disease including chronic airway infections, neutrophilic inflammation, and progressive fibrotic remodeling in airways. However, cellular and molecular processes that regulate excessive collagen deposition in airways in these patients remain unclear. Fibrocytes are bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal cells that express the hematopoietic cell marker CD45, and mesenchymal cell markers and implicated in collagen deposition in several fibrotic diseases. It is unknown whether fibrocytes accumulate in the lungs of CF patients, so the current study evaluates the presence of fibrocytes in the fibrotic lesions of airways in explanted CF lungs compared to non-CF unused donor lungs (control). METHODS We used immunofluorescence staining to determine if fibrocytes accumulate in explanted CF lungs compared to healthy donor lungs. Simultaneously, we evaluated cells collected by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in CF patients using multi-color flow cytometry. Finally, we analyzed transcripts differentially expressed in fibrocytes isolated from the explanted CF lungs compared to control to assess fibrocyte-specific pro-fibrotic gene networks. RESULTS Our findings demonstrate fibrocyte accumulation in CF lungs compared to non-CF lungs. Additionally, fibrocytes were detected in the BAL of all CF children. Transcriptomic analysis of fibrocytes identified dysregulated genes associated with fibrotic remodeling in CF lungs. CONCLUSIONS With significantly increased fibrocytes that show increased expression of pro-fibrotic gene transcripts compared to control, our findings suggest an intervention for fibrotic remodeling as a potential therapeutic target in CF.
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16
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LeBleu VS, Neilson EG. Origin and functional heterogeneity of fibroblasts. FASEB J 2020; 34:3519-3536. [PMID: 32037627 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201903188r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The inherent plasticity and resiliency of fibroblasts make this cell type a conventional tool for basic research. But where do they come from, are all fibroblasts the same, and how do they function in disease? The first fibroblast lineages in mammalian development emerge from the ooze of primary mesenchyme during gastrulation. They are cells that efficiently create and negotiate the extracellular matrix of the mesoderm in order to migrate and meet their developmental fate. Mature fibroblasts in epithelial tissues live in the interstitial spaces between basement membranes that spatially delimit complex organ structures. While the function of resident fibroblasts in healthy tissues is largely conjecture, the accumulation of fibroblasts in pathologic lesions offers insight into biologic mechanisms that control their function; fibroblasts are poised to coordinate fibrogenesis in tissue injury, neoplasia, and aging. Here, we examine the developmental origin and plasticity of fibroblasts, their molecular and functional definitions, the epigenetic control underlying their identity and activation, and the evolution of their immune regulatory functions. These topics are reviewed through the lens of fate mapping using genetically engineered mouse models and from the perspective of single-cell RNA sequencing. Recent observations suggest dynamic and heterogeneous functions for fibroblasts that underscore their complex molecular signatures and utility in injured tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie S LeBleu
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eric G Neilson
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
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17
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Kasam RK, Reddy GB, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Dysregulation of Mesenchymal Cell Survival Pathways in Severe Fibrotic Lung Disease: The Effect of Nintedanib Therapy. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:532. [PMID: 31156440 PMCID: PMC6533541 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired apoptotic clearance of myofibroblasts can result in the continuous expansion of scar tissue during the persistent injury in the lung. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic clearance of multiple mesenchymal cells including fibrocytes, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in severe fibrotic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remain largely unknown. We analyzed the apoptotic pathways activated in mesenchymal cells of IPF and in a mouse model of TGFα-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We found that fibrocytes and myofibroblasts in fibrotic lung lesions have acquired resistance to Fas-induced apoptosis, and an FDA-approved anti-fibrotic agent, nintedanib, effectively induced apoptotic cell death in both. In support, comparative gene expression analyses suggest that apoptosis-linked gene networks similarly dysregulated in both IPF and a mouse model of TGFα-induced pulmonary fibrosis. TGFα mice treated with nintedanib show increased active caspase 3-positive cells in fibrotic lesions and reduced fibroproliferation and collagen production. Further, the long-term nintedanib therapy attenuated fibrocyte accumulation, collagen deposition, and lung function decline during TGFα-induced pulmonary fibrosis. These results highlight the importance of inhibiting survival pathways and other pro-fibrotic processes in the various types of mesenchymal cells and suggest that the TGFα mouse model is relevant for testing of anti-fibrotic drugs either alone or in combination with nintedanib.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Kasam
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Biomedical Informatics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Satish K Madala
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States.,Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
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18
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Huang X, Li L, Ammar R, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Ravi K, Thompson J, Jarai G. Molecular characterization of a precision-cut rat lung slice model for the evaluation of antifibrotic drugs. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 316:L348-L357. [DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00339.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The translation of novel pulmonary fibrosis therapies from preclinical models into the clinic represents a major challenge demonstrated by the high attrition rate of compounds that showed efficacy in preclinical models but demonstrated no significant beneficial effects in clinical trials. A precision-cut lung tissue slice (PCLS) contains all major cell types of the lung and preserves the original cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts. It represents a promising ex vivo model to study pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, using RNA sequencing, we demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) induced robust fibrotic responses in the rat PCLS model, as it changed the expression of genes functionally related to extracellular matrix remodeling, cell adhesion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and various immune responses. Nintedanib, pirfenidone, and sorafenib each reversed a subset of genes modulated by TGFβ1, and of those genes we identified 229 whose expression was reversed by all three drugs. These genes define a molecular signature characterizing many aspects of pulmonary fibrosis pathology and its attenuation in the rat PCLS fibrosis model. A panel of 12 genes and three secreted biomarkers, including procollagen I, hyaluronic acid, and WNT1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 were validated as efficacy end points for the evaluation of antifibrotic activity of experimental compounds. Finally, we showed that blockade of αV-integrins suppressed TGFβ1-induced fibrotic responses in the rat PCLS fibrosis model. Overall, our results suggest that the TGFβ1-induced rat PCLS fibrosis model may represent a valuable system for target validation and to determine the efficacy of experimental compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinqiang Huang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - Li Li
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - Ron Ammar
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - Yihe Wang
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - Kandasamy Ravi
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - John Thompson
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
| | - Gabor Jarai
- Department of Cardiovascular and Fibrotic Diseases Drug Discovery, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, New Jersey
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19
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Sontake V, Gajjala PR, Kasam RK, Madala SK. New therapeutics based on emerging concepts in pulmonary fibrosis. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2018; 23:69-81. [PMID: 30468628 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1552262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fibrosis is an irreversible pathological endpoint in many chronic diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and often fatal condition characterized by (myo)fibroblast proliferation and transformation in the lung, expansion of the extracellular matrix, and extensive remodeling of the lung parenchyma. Recent evidence indicates that IPF prevalence and mortality rates are growing in the United States and elsewhere. Despite decades of research on the pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis, few therapeutics have succeeded in the clinic, and they have failed to improve IPF patient survival. Areas covered: Based on a literature search and our own results, we discuss the key cellular and molecular responses that contribute to (myo)fibroblast actions and pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis; this includes signaling pathways in various cells that aberrantly and persistently activate (myo)fibroblasts in fibrotic lesions and promote scar tissue formation in the lung. Expert opinion: Lessons learned from recent failures and successes with new therapeutics point toward approaches that can target multiple pro-fibrotic processes in IPF. Advances in preclinical modeling and single-cell genomics will also accelerate novel discoveries for effective treatment of IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Prathibha R Gajjala
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- a Department of Pediatrics , University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine , Cincinnati , OH , USA.,b Division of Pulmonary Medicine , Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center , Cincinnati , OH , USA
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20
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Sontake V, Kasam RK, Sinner D, Korfhagen TR, Reddy GB, White ES, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Wilms' tumor 1 drives fibroproliferation and myofibroblast transformation in severe fibrotic lung disease. JCI Insight 2018; 3:121252. [PMID: 30135315 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.121252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Wilms' tumor 1 (WT1) is a critical transcriptional regulator of mesothelial cells during lung development but is downregulated in postnatal stages and adult lungs. We recently showed that WT1 is upregulated in both mesothelial cells and mesenchymal cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a fatal fibrotic lung disease. Although WT1-positive cell accumulation leading to severe fibrotic lung disease has been studied, the role of WT1 in fibroblast activation and pulmonary fibrosis remains elusive. Here, we show that WT1 functions as a positive regulator of fibroblast activation, including fibroproliferation, myofibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments indicate that WT1 binds directly to the promoter DNA sequence of α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) to induce myofibroblast transformation. In support, the genetic lineage tracing identifies WT1 as a key driver of mesothelial-to-myofibroblast and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation. Importantly, the partial loss of WT1 was sufficient to attenuate myofibroblast accumulation and pulmonary fibrosis in vivo. Further, our coculture studies show that WT1 upregulation leads to non-cell autonomous effects on neighboring cells. Thus, our data uncovered a pathogenic role of WT1 in IPF by promoting fibroblast activation in the peripheral areas of the lung and as a target for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Debora Sinner
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Thomas R Korfhagen
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Eric S White
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anil G Jegga
- Division of Biomedical Informatics Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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21
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Gopalakrishnan S, Ediga HH, Reddy SS, Reddy GB, Ismail A. Procyanidin-B2 enriched fraction of cinnamon acts as a proteasome inhibitor and anti-proliferative agent in human prostate cancer cells. IUBMB Life 2018. [DOI: 10.1002/iub.1735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Srividya Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism; National Institute of Nutrition; Hyderabad Telangana India
| | | | - S. Sreenivasa Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry; National Institute of Nutrition; Hyderabad Telangana India
| | - G. Bhanuprakash Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry; National Institute of Nutrition; Hyderabad Telangana India
| | - Ayesha Ismail
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism; National Institute of Nutrition; Hyderabad Telangana India
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22
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Transcriptomic evidence of immune activation in macroscopically normal-appearing and scarred lung tissues in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Cell Immunol 2018; 325:1-13. [PMID: 29329637 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal lung disease manifested by overtly scarred peripheral and basilar regions and more normal-appearing central lung areas. Lung tissues from macroscopically normal-appearing (IPFn) and scarred (IPFs) areas of explanted IPF lungs were analyzed by RNASeq and compared with healthy control (HC) lung tissues. There were profound transcriptomic changes in IPFn compared with HC tissues, which included elevated expression of numerous immune-, inflammation-, and extracellular matrix-related mRNAs, and these changes were similar to those observed with IPFs compared to HC. Comparing IPFn directly to IPFs, elevated expression of epithelial mucociliary mRNAs was observed in the IPFs tissues. Thus, despite the known geographic tissue heterogeneity in IPF, the entire lung is actively involved in the disease process, and demonstrates pronounced elevated expression of numerous immune-related genes. Differences between normal-appearing and scarred tissues may thus be driven by deranged epithelial homeostasis or possibly non-transcriptomic factors.
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23
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Singh B, Kasam RK, Sontake V, Wynn TA, Madala SK. Repetitive intradermal bleomycin injections evoke T-helper cell 2 cytokine-driven pulmonary fibrosis. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2017; 313:L796-L806. [PMID: 28775096 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00184.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
IL-4 and IL-13 are major T-helper cell (Th) 2 cytokines implicated in the pathogenesis of several lung diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, using a novel repetitive intradermal bleomycin model in which mice develop extensive lung fibrosis and a progressive decline in lung function compared with saline-treated control mice, we investigated profibrotic functions of Th2 cytokines. To determine the role of IL-13 signaling in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, wild-type, IL-13, and IL-4Rα-deficient mice were treated with bleomycin, and lungs were assessed for changes in lung function and pulmonary fibrosis. Histological staining and lung function measurements demonstrated that collagen deposition and lung function decline were attenuated in mice deficient in either IL-13 or IL-4Rα-driven signaling compared with wild-type mice treated with bleomycin. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that IL-13 and IL-4Rα-driven signaling are involved in excessive migration of macrophages and fibroblasts. Notably, our findings demonstrated that IL-13-driven migration involves increased phospho-focal adhesion kinase signaling and F-actin polymerization. Importantly, in vivo findings demonstrated that IL-13 augments matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP9 activity that has also been shown to increase migration and invasiveness of fibroblasts in the lungs during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Together, our findings demonstrate a pathogenic role for Th2-cytokine signaling that includes excessive migration and protease activity involved in severe fibrotic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brijendra Singh
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; and
| | - Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India; and
| | - Thomas A Wynn
- Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio;
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24
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Madala SK, Sontake V, Edukulla R, Davidson CR, Schmidt S, Hardie WD. Unique and Redundant Functions of p70 Ribosomal S6 Kinase Isoforms Regulate Mesenchymal Cell Proliferation and Migration in Pulmonary Fibrosis. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2017; 55:792-803. [PMID: 27438654 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2016-0090oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The p70 ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6K) is a downstream substrate that is phosphorylated and activated by the mammalian target of rapamycin complex and regulates multiple cellular processes associated with pulmonary fibrogenesis. Two isoforms of the p70S6K have been identified (S6K1 and S6K2), but their relative contributions in mediating pulmonary fibrosis are unknown. To interrogate the roles of the p70S6K isoforms, we overexpressed transforming growth factor (TGF)-α in mice deficient for the S6K1 or S6K2 genes and measured changes in lung histology, morphometry, total lung collagen, lung function, and proliferation between wild-type and isoform-deficient mice. Deficiency of S6K1, but not S6K2, had a significant effect on reducing proliferation in subpleural fibrotic lesions during TGF-α-induced fibrosis. Migration was significantly decreased in mesenchymal cells isolated from the lungs of S6K1 knockout mice compared with wild-type or S6K2 knockout mice. Conversely, increases in subpleural thickening were significantly decreased in S6K2-deficient mice compared with wild type. Deficiency of S6K2 significantly reduced phosphorylation of the downstream S6 ribosomal protein in lung homogenates and isolated mesenchymal cells after TGF-α expression. However, deficiency of neither isoform alone significantly altered TGF-α-induced collagen accumulation or lung function decline in vivo. Furthermore, deficiency in neither isoform prevented changes in collagen accumulation or lung compliance decline after administration of intradermal bleomycin. Together, these findings demonstrate that the p70S6K isoforms have unique and redundant functions in mediating fibrogenic processes, including proliferation, migration, and S6 phosphorylation, signifying that both isoforms must be targeted to modulate p70S6K-mediated pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Ramakrishna Edukulla
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Cynthia R Davidson
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Stephanie Schmidt
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
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25
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Habiel DM, Hogaboam CM. Heterogeneity of Fibroblasts and Myofibroblasts in Pulmonary Fibrosis. CURRENT PATHOBIOLOGY REPORTS 2017; 5:101-110. [PMID: 29082111 PMCID: PMC5654579 DOI: 10.1007/s40139-017-0134-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form of interstitial lung diseases of unknown eathiopathogenesis, mean survival of 3-5 years and limited therapeutics. Characterized by a loss of alveolar type II epithelial cells and aberrant activation of stromal cells, considerable effort was undertaken to characterize the origin and activation mechanisms of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in IPF lungs. In this review, the origin and contribution of fibroblast and myofibroblasts in lung fibrosis will be summarized. RECENT FINDINGS Lineage tracing experiments suggested that interstitial lung fibroblasts and lipofibroblasts, pericytes and mesothelial cells differentiate into myofibroblasts. However, epithelial and bone marrow derived cells may give rise to collagen expressing fibroblasts but do not differentiate into myofibroblasts. SUMMARY There is great heterogeneity in fibroblasts and myofibroblasts in fibrotic lungs. Further, there is evidence for the expansion of pericyte derived myofibroblasts and loss of lipofibroblasts and lipofibroblast derived myofibroblasts in IPF.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Habiel
- Department of Medicine and Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
| | - Cory M. Hogaboam
- Department of Medicine and Women’s Guild Lung Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048
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26
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Sontake V, Wang Y, Kasam RK, Sinner D, Reddy GB, Naren AP, McCormack FX, White ES, Jegga AG, Madala SK. Hsp90 regulation of fibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. JCI Insight 2017; 2:e91454. [PMID: 28239659 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe fibrotic lung disease associated with fibroblast activation that includes excessive proliferation, tissue invasiveness, myofibroblast transformation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) production. To identify inhibitors that can attenuate fibroblast activation, we queried IPF gene signatures against a library of small-molecule-induced gene-expression profiles and identified Hsp90 inhibitors as potential therapeutic agents that can suppress fibroblast activation in IPF. Although Hsp90 is a molecular chaperone that regulates multiple processes involved in fibroblast activation, it has not been previously proposed as a molecular target in IPF. Here, we found elevated Hsp90 staining in lung biopsies of patients with IPF. Notably, fibroblasts isolated from fibrotic lesions showed heightened Hsp90 ATPase activity compared with normal fibroblasts. 17-N-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG), a small-molecule inhibitor of Hsp90 ATPase activity, attenuated fibroblast activation and also TGF-β-driven effects on fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation. The loss of the Hsp90AB, but not the Hsp90AA isoform, resulted in reduced fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast transformation, and ECM production. Finally, in vivo therapy with 17-AAG attenuated progression of established and ongoing fibrosis in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, suggesting that targeting Hsp90 represents an effective strategy for the treatment of fibrotic lung disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishwaraj Sontake
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Rajesh K Kasam
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine.,Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Debora Sinner
- Division of Neonatology and Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Geereddy B Reddy
- Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | | | - Francis X McCormack
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio USA
| | - Eric S White
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, AnnArbor, Michigan, USA
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27
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Selman M, López-Otín C, Pardo A. Age-driven developmental drift in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Eur Respir J 2016; 48:538-52. [DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00398-2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and usually lethal disease of unknown aetiology. A growing body of evidence supports that IPF represents an epithelial-driven process characterised by aberrant epithelial cell behaviour, fibroblast/myofibroblast activation and excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix with the subsequent destruction of the lung architecture. The mechanisms involved in the abnormal hyper-activation of the epithelium are unclear, but we propose that recapitulation of pathways and processes critical to embryological development associated with a tissue specific age-related stochastic epigenetic drift may be implicated. These pathways may also contribute to the distinctive behaviour of IPF fibroblasts. Genomic and epigenomic studies have revealed that wingless/Int, sonic hedgehog and other developmental signalling pathways are reactivated and deregulated in IPF. Moreover, some of these pathways cross-talk with transforming growth factor-β activating a profibrotic feedback loop. The expression pattern of microRNAs is also dysregulated in IPF and exhibits a similar expression profile to embryonic lungs. In addition, senescence, a process usually associated with ageing, which occurs early in alveolar epithelial cells of IPF lungs, likely represents a conserved programmed developmental mechanism. Here, we review the major developmental pathways that get twisted in IPF, and discuss the connection with ageing and potential therapeutic approaches.
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28
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Glasser SW, Hagood JS, Wong S, Taype CA, Madala SK, Hardie WD. Mechanisms of Lung Fibrosis Resolution. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 186:1066-77. [PMID: 27021937 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Fibrogenesis involves a dynamic interplay between factors that promote the biosynthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix along with pathways that degrade the extracellular matrix and eliminate the primary effector cells. Opposing the often held perception that fibrotic tissue is permanent, animal studies and clinical data now demonstrate the highly plastic nature of organ fibrosis that can, under certain circumstances, regress. This review describes the current understanding of the mechanisms whereby the lung is known to resolve fibrosis focusing on degradation of the extracellular matrix, removal of myofibroblasts, and the role of inflammatory cells. Although there are significant gaps in understanding lung fibrosis resolution, accelerated improvements in biotechnology and bioinformatics are expected to improve the understanding of these mechanisms and have high potential to lead to novel and effective restorative therapies in the treatment not only of pulmonary fibrosis, but also of a wide-ranging spectrum of chronic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan W Glasser
- Division of Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - James S Hagood
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California; Division of Respiratory Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego, San Diego, California
| | - Simon Wong
- Division of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Carmen A Taype
- Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Satish K Madala
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - William D Hardie
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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