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Peng B, Wang L, Pan S, Kang J, Wei L, Li B, Cheng Y. Metformin Attenuates Partial Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Salivary Gland Inflammation via PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail Signaling Axis. Inflammation 2024:10.1007/s10753-024-02142-y. [PMID: 39269669 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-024-02142-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
Chronic inflammation in the salivary glands (SG) often triggers epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), leading to the loss of acinar function and promoting fibrosis. This study explores the role of Metformin in mitigating partial EMT in SG inflammation. In vitro, human salivary gland epithelial cells (hSGECs) were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Metformin. EMT markers and the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling axis were assessed using RNA-seq and Western blot analysis. In vivo, a Wharton's duct ligation rat model was employed to mimic chronic sialadenitis (CS). Nine Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: Control, Ligation and Ligation + Metformin groups, with three rats per group. After ductal ligation, the Ligation + Metformin group received 100 mg/kg of Metformin via intragastric administration, while the Control and Ligation groups received an equivalent saline every 24 h. Histological analysis, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining were conducted to evaluate acinar morphology, EMT, and the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling axis. The results showed that in CS tissues, atrophied acinar cells underwent partial EMT. In vitro, Metformin reversed LPS-induced EMT in hSGECs. RNA-seq and Western blot revealed that Metformin achieved this effect by targeting the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling axis (P < 0.01). In ductal ligation models, Metformin treatment restored ligation-induced acinar damage and functional loss (P < 0.01). Further histological evidence supported that Metformin mitigated EMT by inhibiting inflammatory activation of PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling axis (P < 0.01). In conclusion, Metformin alleviates partial EMT in SG inflammation by targeting the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β/Snail signaling axis, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic strategy for SG inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyuan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China
| | - Lianhao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China
| | - Shijiao Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China
| | - Jialing Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China
| | - Lili Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China
- Department of Oral Radiology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Bo Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China.
- Department of Oral Radiology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
| | - Yong Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Stomatology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, NO.237, Luo Yu Road, Hongshan District, Wuhan City, 430079, China.
- Department of Oral Radiology, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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Tang Q, Wu S, Zhao B, Li Z, Zhou Q, Yu Y, Yang X, Wang R, Wang X, Wu W, Wang S. Reprogramming of glucose metabolism: The hallmark of malignant transformation and target for advanced diagnostics and treatments. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 178:117257. [PMID: 39137648 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 07/30/2024] [Accepted: 08/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of cancer metabolism has become increasingly concerned over the last decade, particularly the reprogramming of glucose metabolism, also known as the "Warburg effect". The reprogramming of glucose metabolism is considered a novel hallmark of human cancers. A growing number of studies have shown that reprogramming of glucose metabolism can regulate many biological processes of cancers, including carcinogenesis, progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. In this review, we summarize the major biological functions, clinical significance, potential targets and signaling pathways of glucose metabolic reprogramming in human cancers. Moreover, the applications of natural products and small molecule inhibitors targeting glucose metabolic reprogramming are analyzed, some clinical agents targeting glucose metabolic reprogramming and trial statuses are summarized, as well as the pros and cons of targeting glucose metabolic reprogramming for cancer therapy are analyzed. Overall, the reprogramming of glucose metabolism plays an important role in the prediction, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. Glucose metabolic reprogramming-related targets have great potential to serve as biomarkers for improving individual outcomes and prognosis in cancer patients. The clinical innovations related to targeting the reprogramming of glucose metabolism will be a hotspot for cancer therapy research in the future. We suggest that more high-quality clinical trials with more abundant drug formulations and toxicology experiments would be beneficial for the development and clinical application of drugs targeting reprogramming of glucose metabolism.This review will provide the researchers with the broader perspective and comprehensive understanding about the important significance of glucose metabolic reprogramming in human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Clinical and Basic Research Team of TCM Prevention and Treatment of NSCLC, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China.
| | - Siqi Wu
- The First Clinical School of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine;Department of Oncology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,Guangzhou 510000, China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, SIMM, CAS, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Baiming Zhao
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510630, P.R. China
| | - Zhanyang Li
- School of Biosciences and Biopharmaceutics, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Biotechnology Drug Candidates, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qichun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Clinical and Basic Research Team of TCM Prevention and Treatment of NSCLC, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China
| | - Yaya Yu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China
| | - Xiaobing Yang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Clinical and Basic Research Team of TCM Prevention and Treatment of NSCLC, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China
| | - Xi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Clinical and Basic Research Team of TCM Prevention and Treatment of NSCLC, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China
| | - Wanyin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Clinical and Basic Research Team of TCM Prevention and Treatment of NSCLC, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China.
| | - Sumei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Clinical and Basic Research Team of TCM Prevention and Treatment of NSCLC, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine; State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; The Second Clinical Medical College, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510120, P. R. China; Department of Oncology, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510120, P. R. China.
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Freedman P, Schock B, O’Reilly S. The Novel Cytokine Interleukin-41/Meteorin-like Is Reduced in Diffuse Systemic Sclerosis. Cells 2024; 13:1205. [PMID: 39056787 PMCID: PMC11274529 DOI: 10.3390/cells13141205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease with a triad of features that include vascular abnormalities, inflammation and skin and lung fibrosis. At the core of the disease is the activation of myofibroblasts from quiescent fibroblasts and this can be modified by various cytokines. IL-41 is a recently described cytokine that was initially characterised as an adipokine as it was highly expressed in adipocytes and adipose tissue. However, it has recently been identified as being widely expressed and has immunomodulatory functions. This study examined the circulating levels of IL-41 and its expression in skin biopsies. We demonstrated significantly reduced levels of IL-41 in diffuse SSc that was also mirrored in the skin of SSc patients. AMPK has been proposed as a downstream target of IL-41, so we also measure mammalian target of rapamycin in skin and found that this is elevated in SSc patients. We speculate that IL-41 maybe an antifibrotic cytokine and its reduction may facilitate the activation of fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Freedman
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Bettina Schock
- The Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine, Queens University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK
| | - Steven O’Reilly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
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4
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O'Reilly S. Emerging therapeutic targets in systemic sclerosis. J Mol Med (Berl) 2024; 102:465-478. [PMID: 38386070 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-024-02424-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune connective tissue disease which is characterised by vascular perturbations, inflammation, and fibrosis. Although huge progress recently into the underlying molecular pathways that are perturbed in the disease, currently no therapy exists that targets the fibrosis element of the disease and consequently there is a huge unmet medical need. Emerging studies reveal new dimensions of complexity, and multiple aberrant pathways have been uncovered that have shed light on disturbed signalling in the disease, primarily in inflammatory pathways that can be targeted with repurposed drugs. Pre-clinical animal models using these inhibitors have yielded proof of concept for targeting these signalling systems and progressing to clinical trials. This review will examine the recent evidence of new perturbed pathways in SSc and how these can be targeted with new or repurposed drugs to target a currently intractable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven O'Reilly
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK.
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Lv S, Cao M, Luo J, Fu K, Yuan W. Search progress of pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in organ fibrosis. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:389. [PMID: 38446272 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-09307-w] [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: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Fibrosis is characterized by abnormal deposition of the extracellular matrix (ECM), leading to organ structural remodeling and loss of function. The principal cellular effector in fibrosis is activated myofibroblasts, which serve as the main source of matrix proteins. Metabolic reprogramming, transitioning from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis, is widely observed in rapidly dividing cells such as tumor cells and activated myofibroblasts and is increasingly recognized as a fundamental pathogenic basis in organ fibrosis. Targeting metabolism represents a promising strategy to mitigate fibrosis. PKM2, a key enzyme in glycolysis, plays a pivotal role in metabolic reprogramming through allosteric regulation, impacting both metabolic and non-metabolic pathways. Therefore, metabolic reprogramming induced by PKM2 activation is involved in the occurrence and development of fibrosis in various organs. A comprehensive understanding of the role of PKM2 in fibrotic diseases is crucial for seeking new anti-fibrotic therapeutic targets. In this context, we summarize PKM2's role in glycolysis, mediating the intricate mechanisms underlying fibrosis in multiple organs, and discuss the potential value of PKM2 inhibitors and allosteric activators in future clinical treatments, aiming to identify novel therapeutic targets for proliferative fibrotic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shumei Lv
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Mengfei Cao
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Jie Luo
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Kewei Fu
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China
| | - Wei Yuan
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212000, China.
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Qiu ZK, Yang E, Yu NZ, Zhang MZ, Zhang WC, Si LB, Wang XJ. The biomarkers associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human keloids. Burns 2024; 50:474-487. [PMID: 37980270 DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2023.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A keloid is a type of benign fibrotic disease with similar features to malignancies, including anti-apoptosis, over-proliferation, and invasion. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial mechanism that regulates the metastatic behavior of tumors. Thus, identifying EMT biomarkers is paramount in comprehensively understanding keloid pathogenesis. METHODS To identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) GSE92566 dataset, with 3 normal skin and 4 keloid tissues, was downloaded from GEO databases to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Further, EMT-related genes were downloaded from dbEMT 2.0 databases and intersected with GSE92566 DEGs to identify EMT-related-DEGs (ERDEGs). Subsequently, the ERDEGs were used for GO, KEGG, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), protein-protein interaction (PPI), and miRNAs-mRNAs network analysis. To predict small molecules for EMT inhibition, the ERDEGs were imported to cMAP databases, whereas hub genes were imported to DGidb databases. Finally, we carried out qRT-PCR and in vitro experiments to validate our findings. RESULTS A total of 122 ERDEGs were identified, including 59 upregulated and 63 down-regulated genes. Moreover, enrichment analysis revealed that focal adhesion, AMPK signal pathway, Wnt signal pathway, and EMT biological process were significantly enriched. STRING databases and Cytoscape software were used to construct the PPI network and EMT-related hub genes. Further, 3 modules were explored from the PPI network using the Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin. In the Cytohubba plugin, 10 hub genes were explored, including FN1, EGF, SOX9, CDH2, PROM1, EPCAM, KRT19, ITGB1, CD24, and KRT18. These genes were then enriched for the focal adhesion pathway. We constructed a microRNA (miRNA)-mRNA network, which predicted hsa-miR-155-5p (8 edges), hsa-miR-124-3p (7 edges), hsa-miR-145-5p (5 edges), hsa-miR-20a-5p (5 edges) and hsa-let-7b-5p (4 edges) as the most connected miRNAs regulating EMT. Based on the ERDEGs and 10 hub genes mentioned above, ribavirin demonstrated high drug-targeting relevance. Subsequently, qRT-PCR confirmed that the expression of FN1, ITGB1, CDH2, and EPCAM corroborated with previous findings. qRT-PCR also showed that the expression levels of hsa-miR-124-3p and hsa-miR-145-5p were significantly lower in keloids and hsa-miR-155-5p was upregulated in keloids. Finally, by treating human keloid fibroblasts (HKFs) with ribavirin in vitro, we confirmed that ribavirin could inhibit HKFs proliferation and EMT. CONCLUSION In summary, this work provides novel EMT biomarkers in keloids and predicts new small target molecules for keloid therapy. Our findings improve the understanding of keloid pathogenesis, providing new treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Kai Qiu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Elan Yang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Nan-Ze Yu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Ming-Zi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Wen-Chao Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Lou-Bin Si
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China.
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Zhong Y, Zhang Y, Lu B, Deng Z, Zhang Z, Wang Q, Zhang J. Hydrogel Loaded with Components for Therapeutic Applications in Hypertrophic Scars and Keloids. Int J Nanomedicine 2024; 19:883-899. [PMID: 38293605 PMCID: PMC10824614 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s448667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Hypertrophic scars and keloids are common fibroproliferative diseases following injury. Patients with pathologic scars suffer from impaired quality of life and psychological health due to appearance disfiguration, itch, pain, and movement disorders. Recently, the advancement of hydrogels in biomedical fields has brought a variety of novel materials, methods and therapeutic targets for treating hypertrophic scars and keloids, which exhibit broad prospects. This review has summarized current research on hydrogels and loaded components used in preventing and treating hypertrophic scars and keloids. These hydrogels attenuate keloid and hypertrophic scar formation and progression by loading organic chemicals, drugs, or bioactive molecules (such as growth factors, genes, proteins/peptides, and stem cells/exosomes). Among them, smart hydrogels (a very promising method for loading many types of bioactive components) are currently favoured by researchers. In addition, combining hydrogels and current therapy (such as laser or radiation therapy, etc.) could improve the treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids. Then, the difficulties and limitations of the current research and possible suggestions for improvement are listed. Moreover, we also propose novel strategies for facilitating the construction of target multifunctional hydrogels in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixiu Zhong
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Youfan Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Beibei Lu
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhenjun Deng
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jianglin Zhang
- Department of Dermatology, Shenzhen People’s Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University; The First Affiliated Hospital, Southern University of Science and Technology), Shenzhen, Guangdong, People’s Republic of China
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Cho M, Woo YR, Cho SH, Lee JD, Kim HS. Metformin: A Potential Treatment for Acne, Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Rosacea. Acta Derm Venereol 2023; 103:adv18392. [PMID: 38078688 PMCID: PMC10726377 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v103.18392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metformin is a widely used drug for treatment of diabetes mellitus, due to its safety and efficacy. In addition to its role as an antidiabetic drug, numerous beneficial effects of metformin have enabled its use in various diseases. Considering the anti-androgenic, anti-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic and antioxidant properties of metformin, it may have the potential to improve chronic inflammatory skin diseases. However, further evidence is needed to confirm the efficacy of metformin in dermatological conditions, This review focuses on exploring the therapeutic targets of metformin in acne vulgaris, hidradenitis suppurativa and rosacea, by studying their pathogeneses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minah Cho
- Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yu Ri Woo
- Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang Hyun Cho
- Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jeong Deuk Lee
- Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hei Sung Kim
- Department of Dermatology, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Zhang M, Chen H, Qian H, Wang C. Characterization of the skin keloid microenvironment. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:207. [PMID: 37587491 PMCID: PMC10428592 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01214-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Keloids are a fibroproliferative skin disorder that develops in people of all ages. Keloids exhibit some cancer-like behaviors, with similar genetic and epigenetic modifications in the keloid microenvironment. The keloid microenvironment is composed of keratinocytes, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, vascular endothelial cells, immune cells, stem cells and collagen fibers. Recent advances in the study of keloids have led to novel insights into cellular communication among components of the keloid microenvironment as well as potential therapeutic targets for treating keloids. In this review, we summarized the nature of genetic and epigenetic regulation in keloid-derived fibroblasts, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of keratinocytes, immune cell infiltration into keloids, the differentiation of keloid-derived stem cells, endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition of vascular endothelial cells, extracellular matrix synthesis and remodeling, and uncontrolled angiogenesis in keloids with the aim of identifying new targets for therapeutic benefit. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Zhang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Hailong Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Huan Qian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Chen Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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Tai Y, Zheng L, Liao J, Wang Z, Zhang L. Roles of the HIF-1α pathway in the development and progression of keloids. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18651. [PMID: 37636362 PMCID: PMC10448433 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Keloids, a pathological scar that is induced by the consequence of aberrant wound healing, is still a major global health concern for its unsatisfactory treatment outcomes. HIF-1α, a main regulator of hypoxia, mainly acts through some proteins or signaling pathways and plays important roles in a variety of biological processes. Accumulating evidence has shown that HIF-1α played a crucial role in the process of keloid formation. In this review, we attempted to summarize the current knowledge on the association between HIF-1α expression and the development and progression of keloids. Through a comprehensive analysis, the molecular mechanisms underlying HIF-1α in keloids were shown to be correlated to the proliferation of fibroblasts, angiogenesis, and collagen deposits. The affected proteins and the signaling pathways were multiple. For instance, HIF-1α was reported to promote keloids formation by enhancing angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and collagen deposition through the activation of periostin PI3K/Akt, TGF-β/Smad and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. However, the specific effects of HIF-1α on keloids keloid illnesses in clinical practice is are entirely unclear, and further studies in clinical trials are still warranted. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the biological mechanisms of HIF-1α in keloid formation is significant to develop promising therapeutic targets for the treatment of keloids in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuncheng Tai
- Department of Burn Surgery, Taizhou Central Hospital (Taizhou University Hospital), Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liying Zheng
- Postgraduate Department, First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical College, Ganzhou, China
| | - Jiao Liao
- Department of Nephrology, Jiaxing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jiaxing, 314000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zixiong Wang
- Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Xinjiang Military General Hospital, Urumqi, 830063, Xinjiang, China
| | - Lai Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Municipal Hospital, Taizhou, 318000, Zhejiang, China
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11
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Zhang W, Li D, Li B, Chu X, Kong B. STAT3 as a therapeutic target in the metformin-related treatment. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 116:109770. [PMID: 36746021 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling plays an important role in mediating tumor progression, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and other pathological processes.In recent years, STAT3 as a therapeutic target has received extensive attention. It is well known that metformin can play the role of hypoglycemia by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) through inhibition of mitochondrial ATP production.However, AMPK is not required for metformin activity.Although the application of STAT3 as a therapeutic target of metformin is still in the initial research stage, the importance of STAT3 in the mechanism of metformin is gradually being recognizedand further studies are needed to demonstrate the important role of the STAT3 regulatory network in the regulation of diseases by metformin. Here, we reviewed in detail that metformin inhibits the progression of various diseases like tumors, autoimmune diseases and hormone-related diseases by regulating multiple signaling pathways such as JAK/STAT3 and mTOR/STAT3 signaling centered on STAT3. We also summarized recent advances of STAT3 inhibitors combined with metformin in the treatment of diseases.We emphasized that STAT3 signaling, as an AMPK-independent signaling pathway, may be an important target for metformin in clinical therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiran Zhang
- Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China.
| | - Daisong Li
- Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China.
| | - Bing Li
- Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China.
| | - Xianming Chu
- the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 59 Haier Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China.
| | - Bin Kong
- the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 59 Haier Road, Qingdao, Shandong 266100, China.
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12
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Li J, Yin Y, Zhang E, Gui M, Chen L, Li J. Peptide deregulated in hypertrophic scar-1 alleviates hypertrophic scar fibrosis by targeting focal adhesion kinase and pyruvate kinase M2 and remodeling the metabolic landscape. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 235:123809. [PMID: 36828096 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.123809] [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: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Hypertrophic scarring is a fibrotic skin disease characterized by excessive deposition of collagens. Emerging evidence has suggested important roles for peptides in fibrosis-related diseases. Here, we demonstrate that a skin-derived endogenous peptide, peptide deregulated in hypertrophic scar-1 (PDHS1), with the sequence IATTTASAATAAAIGATPRAK, inhibits cell proliferation, promotes apoptosis, decreases the proportion of cells in S phase, and decreases collagen synthesis in hypertrophic scar fibroblasts. Additionally, treatment with PDHPS1 alleviates hypertrophic scarring in a rabbit ear model. PDHPS1 was found to bind to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and to decrease its activity. PDHPS1 was also shown to bind to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and to decreased its expression. Smad2 phosphorylation is also inhibited by treatment with PDHPS1. Overexpression of FAK rescues the decreased expression of COL3A1 induced by PDHPS1 treatment. Targeted metabolomics revealed that PDHPS1 reprogramed metabolism that related to amino acid synthesis, leading to decreases of the key glycolysis intermediates glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate. These results demonstrated that the endogenous peptide PDHPS1 alleviates hypertrophic scar fibrosis in vitro and in vivo by targeting FAK and PKM2 and remodeling the metabolic landscape. Overall, treatment with PDHPS1 is a potential therapeutic strategy for hypertrophic scarring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyun Li
- Nanjing Maternal and Child Health Medical Institute, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), 123rd Tianfei Street, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, China.
| | - Yiliang Yin
- Department of Plastic&Cosmetic Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), 123rd Tianfei Street, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Enyuan Zhang
- Department of Plastic&Cosmetic Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), 123rd Tianfei Street, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Mang Gui
- Yangzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University), Yangzhou, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Department of Plastic&Cosmetic Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), 123rd Tianfei Street, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, China
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Plastic&Cosmetic Surgery, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital), 123rd Tianfei Street, Mochou Road, Nanjing 210004, China.
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13
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Qiu ZK, Zhang MZ, Zhang WC, Li ZJ, Si LB, Long X, Yu NZ, Wang XJ. Role of HIF-1α in pathogenic mechanisms of keloids. J Cosmet Dermatol 2023; 22:1436-1448. [PMID: 36718786 DOI: 10.1111/jocd.15601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUDS AND OBJECTIVE Keloids are defined as overrepairing products that develop after skin lesions. Keloids are characterized by the proliferation of fibroblasts and the overaccumulation of extracellular matrix components (mainly collagen), leading to a locally hypoxic microenvironment. Hence, this article was aimed to review hypoxia in pathogenesis of keloids. METHODS We reviewed and summarized the relevant published studies. RESULTS Hypoxia results in the accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in keloids, contributing to overactivation of the fibrotic signaling pathway, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and changes in metabolism, eventually leading to aggravated fibrosis, infiltrative growth, and radiotherapy resistance. CONCLUSION It is, therefore, essential to understand the role of HIF-1α in the pathogenic mechanisms of keloids in order to develop new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zi-Kai Qiu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ming-Zi Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Chao Zhang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Jin Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lou-Bin Si
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Long
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nan-Ze Yu
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Wang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking Union Medical college Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Guo Y, Li M, Long J, Fan P, Zuo C, Wang Y. LncRNA-ZNF252P-AS1/miR-15b-5p promotes the proliferation of keloid fibroblast by regulating the BTF3-STAT3 signaling pathway. J Dermatol Sci 2022; 108:146-156. [PMID: 36641250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jdermsci.2022.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway plays an important role in keloid formation, but the upstream mechanism of their activation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aims to investigate the possible mechanism of lncRNA-ZNF252P-AS1 in keloid. METHODS The differentially expressed genes in keloid and their upstream regulatory miRNAs and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were analyzed by bioinformatics database, and the targeting relationship was further verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. LncRNA function as competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in keloid was further verified by in keloid fibroblasts (KFs) and in nude mice with subcutaneous keloids. RESULTS BTF3 expression was up-regulated in keloid tissues. The targeting relationship between BTF3 and miR-15b-5p was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. miR-15b-5p overexpression inhibited BTF3, Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, C-myc, Collagen I, MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin, and ZEB2 expressions in KFs, inhibited cell proliferation and migration, while promoted E-cadherin levels. BTF3 overexpression reversed miR-15b-5p effects on KFs. Bioinformatics analysis as well as clinical and cellular experiments confirmed that the lncRNA ZNF252P-AS1 was highly expressed in keloid/KFs. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed the targeting relationship between lncRNA ZNF252P-AS1 and miR-15b-5p. LncRNA ZNF252P-AS1 overexpression inhibited miR-15b-5p and E-cadherin levels, upregulated BTF3, Bcl-2, Cyclin D1, C-myc, Collagen I, MMP2, MMP9, N-cadherin, and ZEB2 expressions, increased cell proliferation and migration, and activated JAK2/STAT3 pathway, while miR-15b-5p overexpression reversed this effect. The in vivo results were consistent with in vitro results. In vivo experiments further confirmed that lncRNA ZNF252P-AS1 reduced keloid volume and weight. CONCLUSION lncRNA ZNF252P-AS1 is a potential target for keloid treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Guo
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Mengjuan Li
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jianhong Long
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pengju Fan
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chenchen Zuo
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yongjie Wang
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
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15
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Regulating the Expression of HIF-1α or lncRNA: Potential Directions for Cancer Therapy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11182811. [PMID: 36139386 PMCID: PMC9496732 DOI: 10.3390/cells11182811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that tumors under a hypoxic environment can induce an important hypoxia-responsive element, hypoxia-induced factor-1α (HIF-1α), which can increase tumor migration, invasion, and metastatic ability by promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumor cells. Currently, with the deeper knowledge of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), more and more functions of lncRNAs have been discovered. HIF-1α can regulate hypoxia-responsive lncRNAs under hypoxic conditions, and changes in the expression level of lncRNAs can regulate the production of EMT transcription factors and signaling pathway transduction, thus promoting EMT progress. In conclusion, this review summarizes the regulation of the EMT process by HIF-1α and lncRNAs and discusses their relationship with tumorigenesis. Since HIF-1α plays an important role in tumor progression, we also summarize the current drugs that inhibit tumor progression by modulating HIF-1α.
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16
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Peritoneal adhesion formation is common after abdominal surgery and results in severe complications. Tissue hypoxia is one of the main drivers of peritoneal adhesions. Thus, we determined the clinical role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling in peritoneal adhesions and investigated whether the biguanide antidiabetic drug metformin shows HIF-inhibitory effects and could be repurposed to prevent adhesion formation. STUDY DESIGN As part of the ReLap study (DRKS00013001), adhesive tissue from patients undergoing relaparotomy was harvested and graded using the adhesion grade score. HIF-1 signaling activity within tissue biopsies was determined and correlated with adhesion severity. The effect of metformin on HIF-1 activity was analyzed by quantification of HIF target gene expression and HIF-1 protein stabilization in human mesothelial cells and murine fibroblast under normoxia and hypoxia. Mice were treated with vehicle or metformin 3 days before and until 7 days after induction of peritoneal adhesions; alternatively, metformin treatment was discontinued 48 hours before induction of peritoneal adhesions. RESULTS HIF-1 signaling activity correlated with adhesion severity in patient biopsies. Metformin significantly mitigated HIF-1 activity in vitro and in vivo. Oral treatment with metformin markedly prevented adhesion formation in mice even when the treatment was discontinued 48 hours before surgery. Although metformin treatment did not alter macrophage polarization, metformin reduced proinflammatory leucocyte infiltration and attenuated hypoxia-induced profibrogenic expression patterns and myofibroblast activation. CONCLUSIONS Metformin mitigates adhesion formation by inhibiting HIF-1-dependent (myo)fibroblast activation, conferring an antiadhesive microenvironment after abdominal surgery. Repurposing the clinically approved drug metformin might be useful to prevent or treat postoperative adhesions.
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17
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Chhipa AS, Patel S. Targeting pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2 (PKM2) in cancer: What do we know so far? Life Sci 2021; 280:119694. [PMID: 34102192 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally. Cancer cell transformation is the result of intricate crosstalk between intracellular components and proteins. A characteristic feature of cancer cells is the ability to reprogram their metabolic pathways to ensure their infinite proliferative potential. Pyruvate kinase muscle isoform 2 (PKM2) is a glycolytic enzyme that plays crucial roles in cancer, apart from carrying out its metabolic roles. PKM2 is involved in all the major events associated with cancer growth. Modulation of PKM2 activity (dimer inhibition or tetramer activation) has been successful in controlling cancer. However, recent studies provide contrary evidences regarding the oncogenic functions of PKM2. Moreover, several studies have highlighted the cancerous roles of PKM1 isoform in certain contexts. The present review aims at providing the current updates regarding PKM2 targeting in cancer. Further, the review discusses the contradictory results that suggest that both the isoforms of PKM can lead to cancer growth. In conclusion, the review emphasizes revisiting the approaches to target cancer metabolism through PKM to find novel and effective targets for anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Snehal Patel
- Department of Pharmacology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
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18
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Romdhoniyyah DF, Harding SP, Cheyne CP, Beare NAV. Metformin, A Potential Role in Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Ophthalmol Ther 2021; 10:245-260. [PMID: 33846958 PMCID: PMC8079568 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-021-00344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, no generally approved medical treatment can delay the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) or slow the progression of degenerative changes. Repurposing drugs with beneficial effects on AMD pathophysiology offers a route to new treatments which is faster, cost-effective, and safer for patients. Recent studies indicate a potential role for metformin in delaying AMD development and progression. In this context, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to look for beneficial associations between metformin and AMD. METHODS We systematically searched Medline and Embase (via Ovid), Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for clinical studies in humans that examined the associations between metformin treatment and AMD published from inception to February 2021. We calculated pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) considering a random effect model in the meta-analysis. RESULTS Five retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. There are no prospective studies that have reported the effect of metformin in AMD. The meta-analysis showed that people taking metformin were less likely to have AMD although statistical significance was not met (pooled adjusted OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.54-1.05, I2 = 98.8%). Subgroup analysis of the association between metformin and early and late AMD could not be performed since the data was not available from the included studies. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of retrospective data suggests a signal that metformin may be associated with decreased risk of any AMD. It should be interpreted with caution because of the failure to meet statistical significance, the small number of studies, and the limitation of routine record data. However prospective studies are warranted in generalizable populations without diabetes, of varied ethnicities, and AMD stages. Clinical trials are needed to determine if metformin has efficacy in treating early and late-stage AMD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dewi Fathin Romdhoniyyah
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.
| | - Simon P Harding
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
- St. Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool, UK
| | - Christopher P Cheyne
- Department of Health Data Science, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Nicholas A V Beare
- Department of Eye and Vision Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
- St. Paul's Eye Unit, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Member of Liverpool Health Partners, Liverpool, UK
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19
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Jeon HB, Roh H, Ahn HM, Lee JH, Yun CO, Roh TS, Lee WJ. Metformin Inhibits Transforming Growth Factor β-Induced Fibrogenic Response of Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Suppresses Fibrosis in Keloid Spheroids. Ann Plast Surg 2021; 86:406-411. [PMID: 33141769 DOI: 10.1097/sap.0000000000002574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) and aberrant transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway function can be potential therapeutic targets for keloid treatment. In this study, we examined the antifibrotic effect of metformin as a suppressor of TGF-β signaling pathways in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and keloid spheroids. Human dermal fibroblasts were stimulated with TGF-β (10 ng/mL) and treated with metformin (10 mM). The mRNA and protein expression of ECM components were evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence assay. In addition, we immunohistochemically examined the expression levels of ECM proteins in keloid spheroids. After addition of metformin (10 mM), collagen types I and III and elastin mRNA levels were significantly decreased in HDFs, and collagen type I protein level was significantly decreased. In addition, the expression levels of collagen types I and III, fibronectin, and elastin were significantly reduced in keloid spheroids after treatment with metformin (100 mM). Collagen types I and III and p-Smad2/3 complex proteins were decreased in metformin-treated keloid spheroids. These findings indicated that metformin inhibits the expression of ECM components in TGF-β-stimulated HDFs and keloid spheroids. Therefore, we suggest the potential of metformin as an effective agent for the treatment of keloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Bae Jeon
- From the Department of Medicine, Yonsei University Graduate School
| | - Hyun Roh
- Institute for Human Tissue Restoration and Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine
| | - Hyo Min Ahn
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University
| | - Ju Hee Lee
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chae Ok Yun
- Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering, Hanyang University
| | - Tai Suk Roh
- Institute for Human Tissue Restoration and Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine
| | - Won Jai Lee
- Institute for Human Tissue Restoration and Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine
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20
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Tseng CH. Metformin Use Is Associated with a Lower Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. J Crohns Colitis 2021; 15:64-73. [PMID: 32604412 DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjaa136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
AIM Our aim was to compare the risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] between ever users and never users of metformin. METHODS Patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus from 1999 to 2005 were enrolled from Taiwan's National Health Insurance. A total of 340 211 ever users and 24 478 never users who were free from IBD on January 1, 2006 were followed up until December 31, 2011. Hazard ratios were estimated by Cox regression incorporating the inverse probability of treatment weighting using a propensity score. RESULTS New-onset IBD was diagnosed in 6466 ever users and 750 never users. The respective incidence rates were 412.0 and 741.3 per 100 000 person-years and the hazard ratio for ever vs never users was 0.55 [95% confidence interval: 0.51-0.60]. A dose-response pattern was observed while comparing the tertiles of cumulative duration of metformin therapy to never users. The respective hazard ratios for the first [<26.0 months], second [26.0-58.3 months] and third [>58.3 months] tertiles were 1.00 [0.93-1.09], 0.57 [0.52-0.62] and 0.24 [0.22-0.26]. While patients treated with oral antidiabetic drugs [OADs] without metformin were treated as a reference group, the hazard ratios for patients treated with OADs with metformin, with insulin without metformin [with/without other OADs] and with insulin and metformin [with/without other OADs] were 0.52 [0.42-0.66], 0.95 [0.76-1.20] and 0.50 [0.40-0.62], respectively. CONCLUSION A reduced risk of IBD is consistently observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who have been treated with metformin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chin-Hsiao Tseng
- Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Environmental Health and Occupational Medicine of the National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan
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21
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Golshan M, Khaleghi S, Shafiee SM, Valaee S, Ghanei Z, Jamshidizad A, Dashtizad M, Shamsara M. Metformin modulates oncogenic expression of HOTAIR gene via promoter methylation and reverses epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MDA-MB-231 cells. J Cell Biochem 2020; 122:385-393. [PMID: 33164274 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.29867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a biological event, which critically regulates migration and invasion of cancer cells. EMT is regulated by several protein and nonprotein factors (such as noncoding RNAs). HOTAIR is an oncogenic long noncoding RNA that stimulates EMT in cancers. In the current study, we investigated the effect of metformin on EMT behavior and HOTAIR expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. The minimal effective concentrations of metformin (10 and 20 mM) were obtained by the MTT test. Cell migration and invasion in the metformin-containing medium were assayed in the scratch assay and transwell test. Meaningful decreases in both cell migration and invasion were observed in the presence of metformin. Vimentin, snail, β-catenin, and HOTAIR transcripts were quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Reduction in the expression of vimentin, β-catenin, and HOTAIR was detected as the result of metformin treatment, but the snail showed a constant expression. Western blottingrevealed the downregulation of vimentin and β-catenin proteins. HOTAIR promoter methylation pattern was also investigated in metformin-exposed cells using bisulfite sequencing PCR which the result showed differences in the methylation profile of CpG islands between the treated and untreated cells. In conclusion, metformin modulated oncogenic expression of the HOTAIR gene in the MDA-MB-231 cells. This downregulation was associated with the modification of promoter methylation patterns. Since HOTAIR induces EMT in breast cancer, HOTAIR decline might be one of the mechanisms by which metformin reverses EMT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Golshan
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeedeh Khaleghi
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Biochemistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Shiva Valaee
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Ghanei
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Jamshidizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Dashtizad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Shamsara
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran
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22
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Pascale RM, Calvisi DF, Simile MM, Feo CF, Feo F. The Warburg Effect 97 Years after Its Discovery. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2819. [PMID: 33008042 PMCID: PMC7599761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12102819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The deregulation of the oxidative metabolism in cancer, as shown by the increased aerobic glycolysis and impaired oxidative phosphorylation (Warburg effect), is coordinated by genetic changes leading to the activation of oncogenes and the loss of oncosuppressor genes. The understanding of the metabolic deregulation of cancer cells is necessary to prevent and cure cancer. In this review, we illustrate and comment the principal metabolic and molecular variations of cancer cells, involved in their anomalous behavior, that include modifications of oxidative metabolism, the activation of oncogenes that promote glycolysis and a decrease of oxygen consumption in cancer cells, the genetic susceptibility to cancer, the molecular correlations involved in the metabolic deregulation in cancer, the defective cancer mitochondria, the relationships between the Warburg effect and tumor therapy, and recent studies that reevaluate the Warburg effect. Taken together, these observations indicate that the Warburg effect is an epiphenomenon of the transformation process essential for the development of malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Maria Pascale
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Diego Francesco Calvisi
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Maria Maddalena Simile
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Claudio Francesco Feo
- Department of Clinical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Surgery, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Francesco Feo
- Department of Medical, Surgery and Experimental Sciences, Division of Experimental Pathology and Oncology, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.F.C.); (M.M.S.); (F.F.)
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Wei XM, Wumaier G, Zhu N, Dong L, Li CW, Xia JW, Zhang YZ, Zhang P, Zhang XJ, Zhang YY, Li SQ. Protein tyrosine phosphatase L1 represses endothelial-mesenchymal transition by inhibiting IL-1β/NF-κB/Snail signaling. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2020; 41:1102-1110. [PMID: 32152438 PMCID: PMC7470836 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-020-0374-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) plays a pivotal role in various diseases, including pulmonary hypertension (PH), and transcription factors like Snail are key regulators of EnMT. In this study we investigated how these factors were regulated by PH risk factors (e.g. inflammation and hypoxia) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). We showed that treatment with interleukin 1β (IL-1β) induced EnMT of HUVECs via activation of NF-κB/Snail pathway, which was further exacerbated by knockdown of protein tyrosine phosphatase L1 (PTPL1). We demonstrated that PTPL1 inhibited NF-κB/Snail through dephosphorylating and stabilizing IκBα. IL-1β or hypoxia could downregulate PTPL1 expression in HUVECs. The deregulation of PTPL1/NF-κB signaling was validated in a monocrotaline-induced rat PH (MCT-PH) model and clinical PH specimens. Our findings provide novel insights into the regulatory mechanisms of EnMT, and have implications for identifying new therapeutic targets for clinical PH.
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24
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Chen GG, Woo PYM, Ng SCP, Wong GKC, Chan DTM, van Hasselt CA, Tong MCF, Poon WS. Impact of metformin on immunological markers: Implication in its anti-tumor mechanism. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107585. [PMID: 32473961 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Metformin, an anti-hyperglycemic drug, has been known to have antitumor properties for around 15 years. Although there are a number of reports attributing the antitumor function of metformin to its impact on energy homeostasis and oxygen re-distribution in tumor microenvironment, detailed mechanisms remain largely unknown. In the past several years, there is an increasing number of publications indicating that metformin can affect various immunological components including lymphocytes, macrophages, cytokines and several key immunological molecules in both human and animal studies. These interesting results appear to be in line with emerging data that suggest associations between immune responses and energy homeostasis/oxygen re-distribution, which may explain effective impacts of metformin on immunotherapies against autoimmune diseases as well as cancers. This review article is to analyse and discuss recent development in the above areas with aim to justify metformin as a new adjuvant for immunotherapy against human cancers. We hope that our summary will help to optimize the application of metformin for various types of human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- George G Chen
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
| | - Peter Y M Woo
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Stephanie C P Ng
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - George K C Wong
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Danny T M Chan
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Charles A van Hasselt
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Michael C F Tong
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wai Sang Poon
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.
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25
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Satish L, Evdokiou A, Geletu E, Hahn JM, Supp DM. Pirfenidone inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition in keloid keratinocytes. BURNS & TRAUMA 2020; 8:tkz007. [PMID: 32405508 DOI: 10.1093/burnst/tkz007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Background Keloids are benign fibroproliferative skin lesions that are difficult to treat and become a lifetime predicament for patients. Several treatment modalities have been put forth, but as yet no satisfactory approach to the prevention or treatment of keloids has been identified. The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in keloid scarring, as keloid keratinocytes display an EMT-like phenotype. This study investigated the potential of pirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent, to counteract EMT-like alterations in keloid keratinocytes, including gene expression, cell migratory and proliferative functions. Methods Normal and keloid keratinocytes were isolated from discarded normal skin tissues and from resected keloid tissues, respectively. Cells were quiesced for 24 h without epidermal growth factor DS-Qi1MCDigital and were exposed to transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1; 10 ng/mL), with or without pirfenidone (400 μg/mL), for an additional 24 h. The effects of pirfenidone on cytotoxicity, cell migration, cell proliferation, and on expression of genes and proteins involved in EMT were assayed. Statistical significance was determined by two-way ANOVA using Sigma Plot. Results We found that pirfenidone did not elicit any cytotoxic effect at concentrations up to 1000 μg/mL. A statistically significant dose-dependent decrease in basal cell proliferation rate was noted in both normal and keloid keratinocytes when exposed to pirfenidone at concentrations ranging from 200 to 1000 μg/mL. Pirfenidone significantly decreased basal cell migration in both normal and keloid keratinocytes, but a significant decrease in TGF-β1-induced cell migration was seen only in keloid keratinocytes. Significant inhibition of the expression of TGF-β1-induced core EMT genes, namely hyaluronan synthase 2, vimentin, cadherin-11, and wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 5A along with fibronectin-1, was observed in both normal and keloid keratinocytes treated with pirfenidone. In addition, the protein levels of vimentin and fibronectin were significantly reduced by pirfenidone (400 μg/mL) in both normal and keloid keratinocytes. Conclusions For the first time, this study shows the efficacy of pirfenidone in inhibiting the EMT-like phenotype in keratinocytes derived from keloids, suggesting that pirfenidone may counteract a critical contributor of keloid progression and recurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latha Satish
- Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA.,Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA, and
| | - Alexander Evdokiou
- Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Eleni Geletu
- Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Jennifer M Hahn
- Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA
| | - Dorothy M Supp
- Research Department, Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229 USA.,Department of Surgery, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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