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Liang M, Si L, Yu Z, Ding H, Wang L, Chen X, Chen B, Zhang J, Cao J. Intermittent hypoxia induces myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix production of MRC5s via HIF-1α-TGF-β/Smad pathway. Sleep Breath 2024; 28:291-300. [PMID: 37698738 DOI: 10.1007/s11325-023-02889-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether or not intermittent hypoxia (IH), the main characteristic of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may affect the myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) production of lung fibroblast through the HIF-1α-TGF-β/Smad pathway and assess the interventional role of a HIF-1α inhibitor, 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME2). METHOD The human lung fibroblast MRC5 cells were exposed to normoxia or IH conditions, and the expression of myofibroblast differentiation marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and ECM protein collagen I were evaluated. To clarify the underlying mechanism, the expression level of HIF-1α, TGF-β, and p-Smads/Smads were measured and the effects of inhibiting HIF-1α with 2-ME2 on the α-SMA expression level and ECM production through the TGF-β/Smad pathway were assessed. Si HIF-1α was applied to genetically inhibit HIF-1α in MRC5 cells, and the related proteins were assessed. RESULTS IH increased the protein and mRNA expression of Collagen I and α-SMA of MRC5 cells in a time-dependent manner. IH activated the protein and mRNA level of HIF-1α and TGF-β and increased the phosphorylation of Smad2/Smad3 of MRC5 cells in a time-dependent manner. 2-ME2 inhibited the activation of HIF-1α induced by IH and decreased overexpression of TGF-β, p-Smad2/Smad2, and p-Smad3/Smad3, which in turn partially reversed the upregulation of α-SMA and Collagen I induced by IH in MRC5 cells. When HIF-1α was successfully silenced by si-HIF-1α, upregulation of TGF-β induced by intermittent hypoxia was partially decreased. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that IH contributes to myofibroblast differentiation and excessive ECM production of MRC5 cells through activation of the HIF-1α-TGF-β/Smad pathway. 2-ME2 partially attenuated myofibroblast differentiation induced by IH by inhibiting the HIF-1α-TGF-β/Smad pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoli Liang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, Guizhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Si
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi Yu
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Ding
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Wang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Baoyuan Chen
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jie Cao
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
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Hua Q, Ren L. The SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway mediates the anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect of liquiritigenin. Chin Med 2024; 19:12. [PMID: 38238857 PMCID: PMC10795230 DOI: 10.1186/s13020-024-00886-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At present, the treatment options available for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are both limited and often come with severe side effects, emphasizing the pressing requirement for innovative therapeutic alternatives. Myofibroblasts, which hold a central role in pulmonary fibrosis, have a close association with the Smad signaling pathway induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and the transformation of myofibroblasts driven by oxidative stress. Liquiritigenin, an active compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb licorice, boasts a wide array of biomedical properties, such as anti-fibrosis and anti-oxidation. The primary objective of this study was to examine the impact of liquiritigenin on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS The anti-pulmonary fibrosis and anti-oxidant effects of liquiritigenin in vivo were tested by HE staining, Masson staining, DHE staining and bio-chemical methods. In vitro, primary mouse lung fibroblasts were treated with TGF-β1 with or without liquiritigenin, the effects of liquiritigenin in inhibiting differentiation of myofibroblasts and facilitating the translocation of Nrf2 were valued using Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR), western blotting and immunofluorescence. Nrf2 siRNA and SIRT1 siRNA were used to investigate the mechanism underlies liquiritigenin's effect in inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation. RESULTS Liquiritigenin displayed a dose-dependent reduction effect in bleomycin-induced fibrosis. In laboratory experiments, it was evident that liquiritigenin possessed the ability to enhance and activate sirtuin1 (SIRT1), thereby facilitating the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and mitigating the oxidative stress-induced differentiation of primary mouse myofibroblasts. Moreover, our investigation unveiled that SIRT1 not only regulated myofibroblast differentiation via Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses against oxidative stress but also revealed liquiritigenin's activation of SIRT1, enabling direct binding to Smad. This led to decreased phosphorylation of the Smad complex, constrained nuclear translocation, and suppressed acetylation of the Smad complex, ultimately curtailing the transcription of fibrotic factors. Validation in live subjects provided substantial evidence for the anti-fibrotic efficacy of liquiritigenin through the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS Our findings imply that targeting myofibroblast differentiation via the SIRT1/Nrf2 signaling pathway may constitute a pivotal strategy for liquiritigenin-based therapy against pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingzhong Hua
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University (People's Hospital of Shenzhen Baoan District), Shenzhen, 518101, Guangdong, China
| | - Lu Ren
- Clinical Nursing Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
- Department of Dermatology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, China.
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Cappitti A, Palmieri F, Garella R, Tani A, Chellini F, Salzano De Luna M, Parmeggiani C, Squecco R, Martella D, Sassoli C. Development of accessible platforms to promote myofibroblast differentiation by playing on hydrogel scaffold composition. Biomater Adv 2023; 155:213674. [PMID: 37922662 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Mechanomimetic materials are particularly attractive for modeling in vitro fibroblast to myofibroblast (Myof) transition, a key process in the physiological repair of damaged tissue, and recognized as the core cellular mechanism of pathological fibrosis in different organs. In vivo, mechanical stimuli from the extracellular matrix (ECM) are crucial, together with cell-cell contacts and the pro-fibrotic transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, in promoting fibroblast differentiation. Here, we explore the impact of hydrogels made by polyacrylamide with different composition on fibroblast behavior. By appropriate modulation of the hydrogel composition (e.g. adjusting the crosslinker content), we produce and fully characterize three kinds of scaffolds with different Young modulus (E). We observe that soft hydrogels (E < 1 kPa) induced fibroblast differentiation better than stiffer ones, also in the absence of TGF-β1. This study provides a readily accessible biomaterial platform to promote Myof generation. The easy approach used and the commercial availability of the monomers make these hydrogels suitable to a wide range of biomedical applications combined with high reproducibility and simple preparation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cappitti
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Francesco Palmieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Rachele Garella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Flaminia Chellini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Martina Salzano De Luna
- Department of chemical, materials and industrial production engineering, University of Naples Federico II, 80125 Napoli, Italy
| | - Camilla Parmeggiani
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Roberta Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
| | - Daniele Martella
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), 10135 Torino, Italy.
| | - Chiara Sassoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, Imaging Platform, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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Hwang P, Shin CM, Sherwood JA, Kim D, Vijayan VM, Josyula KC, Millican RC, Ho D, Brott BC, Thomas V, Choi CH, Oh SH, Kim DW, Jun HW. A multi-targeting bionanomatrix coating to reduce capsular contracture development on silicone implants. Biomater Res 2023; 27:34. [PMID: 37087537 PMCID: PMC10122329 DOI: 10.1186/s40824-023-00378-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Capsular contracture is a critical complication of silicone implantation caused by fibrotic tissue formation from excessive foreign body responses. Various approaches have been applied, but targeting the mechanisms of capsule formation has not been completely solved. Myofibroblast differentiation through the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/p-SMADs signaling is one of the key factors for capsular contracture development. In addition, biofilm formation on implants may result chronic inflammation promoting capsular fibrosis formation with subsequent contraction. To date, there have been no approaches targeting multi-facted mechanisms of capsular contracture development. METHODS In this study, we developed a multi-targeting nitric oxide (NO) releasing bionanomatrix coating to reduce capsular contracture formation by targeting myofibroblast differentiation, inflammatory responses, and infections. First, we characterized the bionanomatrix coating on silicon implants by conducting rheology test, scanning electron microcsopy analysis, nanoindentation analysis, and NO release kinetics evaluation. In addition, differentiated monocyte adhesion and S. epidermidis biofilm formation on bionanomatrix coated silicone implants were evaluated in vitro. Bionanomatrix coated silicone and uncoated silicone groups were subcutaneously implanted into a mouse model for evaluation of capsular contracture development for a month. Fibrosis formation, capsule thickness, TGF-β/SMAD 2/3 signaling cascade, NO production, and inflammatory cytokine production were evaluated using histology, immunofluorescent imaging analysis, and gene and protein expression assays. RESULTS The bionanomatrix coating maintained a uniform and smooth surface on the silicone even after mechanical stress conditions. In addition, the bionanomatrix coating showed sustained NO release for at least one month and reduction of differentiated monocyte adhesion and S. epidermidis biofilm formation on the silicone implants in vitro. In in vivo implantation studies, the bionanomatrix coated groups demonstrated significant reduction of capsule thickness surrounding the implants. This result was due to a decrease of myofibroblast differentiation and fibrous extracellular matrix production through inhibition of the TGF-β/p-SMADs signaling. Also, the bionanomatrix coated groups reduced gene expression of M1 macrophage markers and promoted M2 macrophage markers which indicated the bionanomatrix could reduce inflammation but promote healing process. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the bionanomatrix coating significantly reduced capsular contracture formation and promoted healing process on silicone implants by reducing myfibroblast differentiation, fibrotic tissue formation, and inflammation. A multi-targeting nitric oxide releasing bionanomatrix coating for silicone implant can reduce capsular contracture and improve healing process. The bionanomatrix coating reduces capsule thickness, α-smooth muscle actin and collagen synthesis, and myofibroblast differentiation through inhibition of TGF-β/SMADs signaling cascades in the subcutaneous mouse models for a month.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Hwang
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 806 Shelby, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Chung Min Shin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | | | - DongHo Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Vineeth M Vijayan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL, 36104, USA
| | - Krishna C Josyula
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 806 Shelby, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | | | - Donald Ho
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Brigitta C Brott
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, USA
- Department of Medicine and Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA
| | - Vinoy Thomas
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Chul Hee Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Ha Oh
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Woon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Brain Research Institute, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University College of Medicine, Daejeon, 35015, Republic of Korea.
| | - Ho-Wook Jun
- Endomimetics, LLC, Birmingham, AL, 35242, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 806 Shelby, 1825 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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Siedlar AM, Seredenina T, Faivre A, Cambet Y, Stasia MJ, André-Lévigne D, Bochaton-Piallat ML, Pittet-Cuénod B, de Seigneux S, Krause KH, Modarressi A, Jaquet V. NADPH oxidase 4 is dispensable for skin myofibroblast differentiation and wound healing. Redox Biol 2023; 60:102609. [PMID: 36708644 PMCID: PMC9950659 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2023.102609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts is governed by the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) through a mechanism involving redox signaling and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Myofibroblasts synthesize proteins of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and display a contractile phenotype. Myofibroblasts are predominant contributors of wound healing and several pathological states, including fibrotic diseases and cancer. Inhibition of the ROS-generating enzyme NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) has been proposed to mitigate fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation and to offer a therapeutic option for the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In this study, we addressed the role of NOX4 in physiological wound healing and in TGF-β-induced myofibroblast differentiation. We explored the phenotypic changes induced by TGF-β in primary skin fibroblasts isolated from Nox4-deficient mice by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and RNA sequencing. Mice deficient for Cyba, the gene coding for p22phox, a key subunit of NOX4 were used for confirmatory experiments as well as human primary skin fibroblasts. In vivo, the wound healing was similar in wild-type and Nox4-deficient mice. In vitro, despite a strong upregulation following TGF-β treatment, Nox4 did not influence skin myofibroblast differentiation although a putative NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831 and a flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene iodonium mitigated this mechanism. Transcriptomic analysis revealed upregulation of the mitochondrial protein Ucp2 and the stress-response protein Hddc3 in Nox4-deficient fibroblasts, which had however no impact on fibroblast bioenergetics. Altogether, we provide extensive evidence that NOX4 is dispensable for wound healing and skin fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation, and suggest that another H2O2-generating flavoprotein drives this mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Malgorzata Siedlar
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Seredenina
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Anna Faivre
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yves Cambet
- READS Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marie-José Stasia
- Université Grenoble Alpes, CEA, CNRS, IBS, F-38044, Grenoble, France
| | - Dominik André-Lévigne
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Brigitte Pittet-Cuénod
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sophie de Seigneux
- Department of Cell Physiology and Metabolism, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland,Service and Laboratory of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine Specialties and of Physiology and Metabolism, University and University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Karl-Heinz Krause
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ali Modarressi
- Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Jaquet
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland; READS Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
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Tripathi R, Sinha NR, Kempuraj D, Balne PK, Landreneau JR, Juneja A, Webel AD, Mohan RR. Evaluation of CRISPR/Cas9 mediated TGIF gene editing to inhibit corneal fibrosis in vitro. Exp Eye Res 2022;:109113. [PMID: 35588782 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Corneal wound healing is influenced by many factors including transcriptional co-repressors and co-activators. Interactions of co-activators and co-repressors with Smads influence mechanistic loop facilitating transcription of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a key profibrotic gene, in corneal repair. The role of a transcriptional repressor, 5'TG3'-interacting factor (TGIF), in the regulation of α-SMA and myofibroblast formation in the cornea was shown previously by our group. This study tested a hypothesis if TGIF1 gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 can ease myofibroblast formation in the cornea using an in vitro model. Primary human corneal stromal fibroblasts (hCSFs) generated from donor corneas received gene-editing plasmid facilitating loss (CRISPR/Cas9 knockout) or gain (CRISPR activation) of TGIF function by UltraCruz transfection reagent. Phase-contrast microscopy, immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were used to measure levels of myofibroblast profibrotic genes (α-SMA, fibronectin, Collagen-I, and Collagen-IV) in hCSFs lacking or overexpressing TGIF1 after growing them in± transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) under serum-free conditions. The CRISPR-assisted TGIF1 activation (gain of function) in hCSFs demonstrated significantly decreased myofibroblast formation and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels of profibrotic genes. Conversely, CRISPR/Cas9-assisted TGIF knockdown (loss of function) in hCSFs demonstrated no significant change in the levels of myofibroblast formation or profibrotic genes under similar conditions. These results suggest that TGIF gene-editing approach can be employed to modulate the transcriptional activity of α-SMA in controlling pathological and promoting physiological wound healing in an injured cornea.
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Su P, Qiao Q, Ji G, Zhang Z. CircAMD1 regulates proliferation and collagen synthesis via sponging miR-27a-3p in P63-mutant human dermal fibroblasts. Differentiation 2021; 119:10-18. [PMID: 33991897 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2021.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factor p63 has critical functions in epidermal, hindgut/anorectal, and limb development. Human mutations in P63 correlate with congenital syndromes affecting the skin, anorectal, and limbs. Nevertheless, less are detected regarding networks and functions controlled by P63 mutations in dermal fibroblasts, which are closely related to skin physiology. To screen for new targets, we employed microarray technology to investigate the R226Q P63 mutation with regards to the resulting circular RNA (circRNA) profiles from P63 point mutations in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). In this study, we show that P63-mutant HDFs display reduced proliferation, collagen synthesis, and myofibroblast differentiation; circAMD1 was also downregulated in P63-mutant HDFs compared with wild-type HDFs. Furthermore, overexpressing circAMD1 rescued the functional and phenotypic alterations of p63-mutant HDFs. We as well determined that miR-27a-3p was circAMD1 target involved in effects of circAMD1 in P63-mutant HDFs. Collectively, our data show that circAMD1 functions as a miR-27a-3p sponge that inhibits the functional and phenotypical alteration of P63-mutant HDFs and may be a critical marker in pathogenesis regarding P63-associated traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjun Su
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
| | - Qi Qiao
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Gengfeng Ji
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Zhibo Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, China
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Han X, Cai C, Huang J, Li Q, Huang L, Xuan Q, Yang J. The intervention effect of nicotine on cervical fibroblast- myofibroblast differentiation in lipopolysaccharide-induced preterm birth model through activating the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 134:111135. [PMID: 33352448 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, the clinical treatment of preterm birth, mainly using uterine contraction inhibitors, does not fundamentally reduce the incidence of premature birth (PTB). Premature cervical ripening is an important factor in PTB. We previously found that nicotine-treated pregnant murine had significant cervical resistance to stretch and higher collagen cross-links compared to the control animals, and nicotine prolonged gestation and inhibited cervical ripening. However, the regulatory effects of nicotine on premature cervical ripening and its role in PTB remain unclear. To investigate the effects of nicotine on cervical TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway and fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation regulated by this pathway in PTB-like models. Intraperitoneal injection with 15 μg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 200 μl PBS into pregnant mice was used to induce the PTB-like model. Mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, LPS-treated group, LPS + Nicotine co-treated group and LPS + Nicotine+α-BGT co-treated group. Pregnancy outcomes were monitored. The collagen content was assessed by Picrosirius red staining. Expressions of genes and proteins in the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway were detected by double immunofluorescence staining and quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). myofibroblast differentiation were investigated by double immunofluorescence staining and qRT-PCR. Ultrastructures were analyzed by conventional transmission electron microscopy. The rate of PTB and neonatal mortality at birth was significantly higher in the LPS-treated group than in the control group; collagen content also decreased remarkably; the expression of TGF-β1 in macrophages and p-Smad3 in fibroblasts were reduced; the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, markers for activated fibroblasts) was down-regulated while the expression of calponin and smoothelin (markers for fibroblasts at rest) was up-regulated. Nicotine improved pregnancy outcomes and inhibited collagen degradation, activated the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway and promoted cervical fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation in PTB-like mice; such effects could be reversed by α-bungarotoxin (α-BGT). Nicotine inhibited premature cervical ripening in PTB-like models in relation with up-regulating the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway and promoting fibroblast to differentiate into myofibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjia Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Chunfang Cai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Jiezhen Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Qiufen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China
| | - Liu Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China.
| | - Qingshan Xuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China.
| | - Jinying Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, China.
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Migneault F, Hébert MJ. Autophagy, tissue repair, and fibrosis: a delicate balance. Matrix Biol 2021; 100-101:182-196. [PMID: 33454422 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2021.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tissue repair and fibrosis, an abnormal form of repair, occur in most human organs in response to injury or inflammation. Fibroblasts play a major role in the normal repair process by differentiating into myofibroblasts that synthesize extracellular matrix (ECM) components and favor tissue remodeling to reestablish normal function and integrity. However, their persistent accumulation at the site of injury is a hallmark of fibrosis. Autophagy is a catabolic process that occurs in eukaryotic cells as a stress response to allow cell survival and maintenance of cellular homeostasis by degrading and recycling intracellular components. Recent advances identify autophagy as an important regulator of myofibroblast differentiation, tissue remodeling, and fibrogenesis. In this mini-review, we provide an overview of the interactions between autophagy, ECM, and fibrosis, and emphasize the molecular mechanisms involved in myofibroblast differentiation. We also describe the emerging concept of secretory autophagy as a new avenue for intercellular communication at the site of tissue injury and repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Migneault
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) and Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Hébert
- Centre de recherche, Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CRCHUM) and Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada; Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada; Département de médecine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 1J4, Canada.
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Huang Y, Xie Y, Abel PW, Wei P, Plowman J, Toews ML, Strah H, Siddique A, Bailey KL, Tu Y. TGF-β1-induced miR-424 promotes pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation by targeting Slit2 protein expression. Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 180:114172. [PMID: 32712053 PMCID: PMC8742596 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.114172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating interstitial lung disease with irreversible loss of lung tissue and function. Myofibroblasts in the lung are key cellular mediators of IPF progression. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a major profibrogenic cytokine, induces pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation, and emerging evidence has established the importance of microRNAs (miRs) in the development of IPF. The objective of this study was to define the pro-fibrotic roles and mechanisms of miRs in TGF-β1-induced pulmonary myofibroblast differentiation. Using RNA sequencing, we identified miR-424 as an important TGF-β1-induced miR in human lung fibroblasts (HLFs). Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that miR-424 expression was increased by 2.6-fold in HLFs in response to TGF-β1 and was 1.7-fold higher in human fibrotic lung tissues as compared to non-fibrotic lung tissues. TGF-β1-induced upregulation of miR-424 was blocked by the Smad3 inhibitor SIS3, suggesting the involvement of this canonical TGF-β1 signaling pathway. Transfection of a miR-424 hairpin inhibitor into HLFs reduced TGF-β1-induced expression of classic myofibroblast differentiation markers including ɑ-smooth muscle actin (ɑ-SMA) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), whereas a miR-424 mimic significantly enhanced TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. In addition, TGF-β1 induced Smad3 phosphorylation in HLFs, and this response was reduced by the miR-424 inhibitor. In silico analysis identified Slit2, a protein that inhibits TGF-β1 profibrogenic signaling, as a putative target of regulation by miR-424. Slit2 is less highly expressed in human fibrotic lung tissues than in non-fibrotic lung tissues, and knockdown of Slit2 by its siRNA enhanced TGF-β1-induced HLF differentiation. Overexpression of a miR-424 mimic down-regulated expression of Slit2 but not the Slit2 major receptor ROBO1 in HLFs. Luciferase reporter assays showed that the miR-424 mimic represses Slit2 3' untranslated region (3'-UTR) reporter activity, and mutations at the seeding regions in the 3'-UTR of Slit2 abolish this inhibition. Together, these data demonstrate a pro-fibrotic role of miR-424 in TGF-β1-induced HLF differentiation. It functions as a positive feed-back regulator of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway by reducing expression of the negative regulator Slit2. Thus, targeting miR-424 may provide a new therapeutic strategy to prevent myofibroblast differentiation and IPF progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yapei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Yan Xie
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Peter W Abel
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Peng Wei
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Jocelyn Plowman
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Myron L Toews
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Heather Strah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Aleem Siddique
- Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Kristina L Bailey
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pulmonary Critical Care, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care Center, Omaha, NE 68105, USA.
| | - Yaping Tu
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA.
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11
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Sari E, Oztay F, Tasci AE. Vitamin D modulates E-cadherin turnover by regulating TGF-β and Wnt signalings during EMT-mediated myofibroblast differentiation in A459 cells. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 202:105723. [PMID: 32603782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 06/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Vitamin D (VitD) has an anti-fibrotic effect on fibrotic lungs. It reduces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) on tumors. We aimed to investigate target proteins of VitD for the regression of EMT-mediated myofibroblast differentiation. A group of A549 cells were treated with 5 % cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and 5 %CSE + TGF-β (5 ng/ml) to induce EMT. The others were treated with 50 nM VitD 30 min before %5CSE and TGF-β treatments. All cells were collected at 24, 48 and 72 h following 5 %CSE and TGF-β administrations. The expression of p120ctn and NEDD9 proteins acted on E-cadherin turnover in addition to activations of TGF-β and Wnt pathways were examined in these cells and fibrotic human lungs. CSE and TGF-β induced EMT by reducing E-cadherin, p-VDR, SMAD7 and DKK1, increasing α-SMA, p120ctn, Kaiso, NEDD9 and stimulating TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signalings in A549 cells. VitD administration reversed these alterations and regressed EMT. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed p-VDR interaction with β-catenin and Kaiso in fibrotic and non-fibrotic human lungs. VitD pre-treatments reduced TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin signalings by increasing p-VDR, protected from E-cadherin degradation and led to the regression of EMT in A549 cells treated with CSE and TGF-β. Finally, VitD supplementation combined with anti-fibrotic therapeutics can be suggested for treatment of pulmonary fibrosis, which may be developed by smoking, in cases of VitD deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ezgi Sari
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Fusun Oztay
- Istanbul University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, 34134, Vezneciler, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Ahmet Erdal Tasci
- Lung Transplantation Center, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Kartal Kosuyolu High Speciality Educational and Research Hospital, Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey.
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12
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Wang C, Cao H, Gu S, Shi C, Chen X, Han X. Expression analysis of microRNAs and mRNAs in myofibroblast differentiation of lung resident mesenchymal stem cells. Differentiation 2019; 112:10-16. [PMID: 31838455 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious lung disease that involved the myofibroblast differentiation of lung resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs). However, the specific molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs still remain a mystery. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of miRNAs and mRNAs changes in LR-MSCs treated with TGF-β1 was performed. Through computational approaches, the pivotal roles of differentially expressed miRNAs that were associated with tight junction, pathways in cancer, focal adhesion, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction were shown. Kruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) and inhibitor of growth family, member 5 (Ing5) may be the targets for the therapy of pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs and EMT. Collectively, a molecular paradigm for understanding myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs in IPF was provided by the integrated miRNA/mRNA analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Wang
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Diseases, Center of New Drug Discovery, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tong Jia Xiang, Nanjing, 210009, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Honghui Cao
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Shen Gu
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Chaowen Shi
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210093, China.
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13
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Weng J, Tu M, Wang P, Zhou X, Wang C, Wan X, Zhou Z, Wang L, Zheng X, Li J, Wang Z, Wang Z, Chen C. Amiodarone induces cell proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation via ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling in fibroblasts. Biomed Pharmacother 2019; 115:108889. [PMID: 31071512 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.108889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 04/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Amiodarone is a potent antidysrhythmic agent that can cause potentially life-threatening pulmonary fibrosis. Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that myofibroblast differentiation is related to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In the present study, we treated human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs) with amiodarone, and investigated the relative molecular mechanism of amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis and pathway determinants PD98059 (extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor) and SB203580 (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor). Cell proliferation was assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The secretion of collagen Ⅰ was detected by ELISA. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2), ERK1/2, phosphorylated p38 MAPK (p-p38), and p38 MAPK were investigated using Western blot analysis. The levels of α-SMA and vimentin were also determined by immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR. We report that amiodarone promoted cell proliferation and collagen Ⅰ secretion, induced α-SMA and vimentin protein and mRNA expression accompanied by increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, and furthermore, PD98059 and SB203580 remarkably reduced the proliferative response of HELFs compared with amiodarone group and greatly attenuated α-SMA, vimentin and collagen Ⅰ protein production induced by amiodarone. Taken together, our study suggests that amiodarone regulates cell proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation in HELFs through modulating ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways, and these signal pathways may therefore represent an attractive treatment modality in amiodarone-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Weng
- Department of Emergency Medicine and General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Mengyun Tu
- Department of Medical laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine and General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Xiaoming Zhou
- Department of Emergency Medicine and General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Chuanyi Wang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Xinlong Wan
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Zhiliang Zhou
- Department of Emergency Medicine and General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Liang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA
| | - Xiaoqun Zheng
- Department of Medical laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, 325027, China
| | - Junjian Li
- Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Zhibin Wang
- Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Zhiyi Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine and General Practice, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China; Institute of Bioscaffold Transplantation and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Chan Chen
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
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14
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Hou J, Shi J, Chen L, Lv Z, Chen X, Cao H, Xiang Z, Han X. M2 macrophages promote myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs and are associated with pulmonary fibrogenesis. Cell Commun Signal 2018; 16:89. [PMID: 30470231 PMCID: PMC6260991 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-018-0300-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating disease characterized by the histopathological pattern of usual interstitial pneumonia and is associated with a high mortality rate. Recently, lung resident mesenchymal stem cells (LR-MSCs) have been identified as an important contributor to myofibroblast activation in pulmonary fibrosis. Macrophages are also believed to play a critical role in pulmonary fibrosis. However, the underlying connections between LR-MSCs and macrophages in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis are still elusive. Methods In this study, we investigated the interaction between LR-MSCs and macrophages using a bleomycin-induced mouse pulmonary fibrosis model and a coculture system. Results Here, we show that blocking pulmonary macrophage infiltration attenuated bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In addition, as determined by flow cytometry, we discovered that the recruited macrophages in fibrotic lungs of bleomycin-treated mice were mainly M2 macrophages. In particular, we found that M2, rather than M1 macrophages, promoted myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs. Moreover, we demonstrated that suppression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway could attenuate myofibroblast differentiation of LR-MSCs induced by M2 macrophages and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Tissue samples from IPF patients confirmed the infiltration of M2 macrophages and activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusion In summary, this study furthered our understanding of the pulmonary fibrosis pathogenesis and highlighted M2 macrophages as a critical target for treating pulmonary fibrosis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12964-018-0300-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwei Hou
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Jingyan Shi
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zhongyang Lv
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Honghui Cao
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China
| | - Zou Xiang
- Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaodong Han
- Immunology and Reproduction Biology Laboratory & State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, Medical School, Nanjing University, Hankou Road 22, Nanjing, 210093, China. .,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
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15
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Zhang N, Wei WY, Liao HH, Yang Z, Hu C, Wang SS, Deng W, Tang QZ. AdipoRon, an adiponectin receptor agonist, attenuates cardiac remodeling induced by pressure overload. J Mol Med (Berl) 2018; 96:1345-1357. [PMID: 30341569 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-018-1696-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 09/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
AdipoRon, a small-molecule adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) agonist, has been reported to be implicated in cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in pressure-overload-induced cardiac remodeling is still elusive. To elucidate the role of AdipoRon in the pathogenesis of cardiac remodeling in vivo and vitro, in the left ventricle of human end-stage heart failure, the expression of AdipoR2 is upregulated. Meanwhile, increased expression of AdipoR2 was also observed in mice failing hearts. Oral administration of AdipoRon alleviated cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by pressure overload, as evidenced by the beneficial change of cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, heart weight-to-body weight ratio, gene expression of hypertrophic markers, ventricle collagen ratio, and cardiac function. The AMPKα activation mediated by AdipoRon significantly inhibited AngII-induced TGF-β1 expression and cardiac fibroblast differentiation, and these inhibitory effects were abrogated by treatment with the AMPK inhibitor Compound C. Consistent with the above results, AdipoRon abolished the ability to retard AngII-induced TGF-β1 expression in AMPKα2-/- cardiac fibroblasts. In AMPKα2-/- mice subjected to aortic banding, AdipoRon abolished the protective effect, as indicated by increased cross-sectional area, cardiac collagen ratio, and cardiac dysfunction. Our results demonstrated that AdipoR2 expression was markedly increased in the failing hearts. AdipoRon inhibited TGF-β1 expression and myofibroblast differentiation in AMPKα-dependent manner in vitro. In line with the vitro results, AMPKα2-/- mice markedly abrogated the inhibitory effects of AdipoRon in cardiac remodeling. These results indicated AdipoRon may hold promise of an effective therapy against pressure-overload-induced cardiac remodeling. KEY MESSAGES: • The increased expression of AdipoR2 is observed in human and mice failing hearts, the changeable expression of AdipoR suggests the possible role of AdipoR in cardiac remodeling. • Oral administration of AdipoRon alleviates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis induced by pressure overload, and AMPKα activation mediated by AdipoRon significantly inhibited AngII-induced TGF-β1 expression and cardiac fibroblast differentiation. • These findings provide new mechanistic insight and open new therapeutic pathways for heart failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Ying Wei
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hai-Han Liao
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zheng Yang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Can Hu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Sha-Sha Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Deng
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
| | - Qi-Zhu Tang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Jiefang Road 238, Wuhan, 430060, People's Republic of China.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Wuhan, China.
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16
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Li Y, Tang CB, Kilian KA. Matrix Mechanics Influence Fibroblast-Myofibroblast Transition by Directing the Localization of Histone Deacetylase 4. Cell Mol Bioeng 2017; 10:405-415. [PMID: 31719870 PMCID: PMC6816600 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-017-0493-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The propagation of mechanochemical signals from the extracellular matrix to the cell nucleus has emerged as a central feature in regulating cellular differentiation and de-differentiation. This process of outside-in signaling and the associated mechanotransduction pathways have been well described in numerous developmental and pathological contexts. However, it remains less clear how mechanotransduction influences the activity of chromatin modifying enzymes that direct gene expression programs. OBJECTIVES The primary objective of this study was to explore how matrix mechanics and geometric confinement influence histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity in fibroblast culture. METHODS Polyacrylamide hydrogels were formed and functionalized with fibronectin patterns using soft lithography. Primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) were cultured on the islands until confluent, fixed, and immunolabeled for microscopy. RESULTS After 24 h MEFs cultured on soft hydrogels (0.5 kPa) show increased expression of class I HDACs relative to MEFs cultured on stiff hydrogels (100 kPa). A member of the class II family, HDAC4 shows a similar trend; however, there is a pronounced cytoplasmic localization on soft hydrogels suggesting a role in outside-in cytoplasmic signaling. Pharmacological inhibitor studies suggest that the opposing activities of extracellular related kinase 1/2 (ERK) and protein phosphatase 2a (PP2a) influence the localization of HDAC4. MEFs cultured on the soft hydrogels show enhanced expression of markers associated with a fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (Paxillin, αSMA). CONCLUSIONS We show that the phosphorylation state and cellular localization of HDAC4 is influenced by matrix mechanics, with evidence for a role in mechanotransduction and the regulation of gene expression associated with fibroblast-myofibroblast transitions. This work establishes a link between outside-in signaling and epigenetic regulation, which will assist efforts aimed at controlling gene regulation in engineered extracellular matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanfen Li
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Claire B. Tang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Kristopher A. Kilian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
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17
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Faust I, Donhauser E, Fischer B, Ibold B, Kuhn J, Knabbe C, Hendig D. Characterization of dermal myofibroblast differentiation in pseudoxanthoma elasticum. Exp Cell Res 2017; 360:153-162. [PMID: 28882457 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2017.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare hereditary disorder which is caused by ABCC6 (ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 6) gene mutations. Characteristic hallmarks of PXE are progressive calcification and degradation of the elastic fibers in skin, cardiovascular system and ocular fundus. Since the underlying pathomechanisms of PXE remain unidentified, the aim of this study was to get new insights into PXE pathophysiology by characterizing dermal myofibroblast differentiation. Fibroblasts are the key cells of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and, therefore, participate not only in physiological processes, such as calcification or wound healing, but also in pathologic events, such as fibrotization. We revealed that human dermal PXE fibroblasts possess exaggerated migration capability in wound healing and attenuated myofibroblast contractility in comparison to controls. Subsequent analyses reinforced these observations and indicated a diminished induction of the myofibroblast differentiation markers α-smooth muscle actin and xylosyltransferase-I as well as poor transforming growth factor-β1 responsiveness in PXE fibroblasts. In summary, we describe pathological deviations of dermal myofibroblast differentiation in PXE which might be mediated by aberrant supramolecular ECM organization. These results not only improve our insights into cellular PXE pathophysiology, but might also qualify us to interfere with ECM remodeling in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Faust
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany.
| | - Elfi Donhauser
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Bastian Fischer
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Bettina Ibold
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Joachim Kuhn
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Cornelius Knabbe
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
| | - Doris Hendig
- Institut für Laboratoriums- und Transfusionsmedizin, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Universitätsklinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Georgstraße 11, 32545 Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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18
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Sasaki N, Itakura Y, Toyoda M. Sialylation regulates myofibroblast differentiation of human skin fibroblasts. Stem Cell Res Ther 2017; 8:81. [PMID: 28420408 PMCID: PMC5395757 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0534-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Revised: 02/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fibroblasts are key players in maintaining skin homeostasis and in orchestrating physiological tissue repair and skin regeneration. Dysfunctions in fibroblasts that occur with aging and the senescent process lead to the delayed healing observed in elderly people. The molecular mechanisms leading to fibroblast dysfunction during aging and the senescent process have not yet been clarified. Previously, changes in patterns of glycosylation were observed in fibroblasts in aging and the senescent process, but the effect of these changes on the function of fibroblasts has not been well documented. Here, we investigated whether changes in glycosylation during the process to senescence may have functional effects on fibroblasts. Methods The changes in cell surface glycans on skin fibroblasts during the process to senescence were examined in early-passage (EP) and late-passage (LP) skin fibroblasts by fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis using lectins. The contributors to the changes in cell surface glycans were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction or Western blot analysis. The effects of changes in glycosylation on proliferation, migration, induction of cellular senescence, and myofibroblast differentiation induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 stimulation were examined in EP fibroblasts. The changes in glycosylation were performed by GalNAc-α-O-benzyl or sialidase treatment. Results A decrease in sialylation of glycoproteins and an increase in sialidase NEU1 were observed in LP fibroblasts. The reduction of sialylation did not have any effect on proliferation, migration, or induction of cellular senescence. On the other hand, myofibroblast differentiation was inhibited by the reduction of sialylation, indicating that sialylation is important for myofibroblast differentiation. The localization of CD44 in lipid rafts, which is required for myofibroblast differentiation, was inhibited by the reduction of sialylation. Furthermore, reduced myofibroblast differentiation in LP fibroblasts was restored by a sialidase inhibitor. Conclusions Desialylation of CD44 with increased sialidase during the process to senescence reduced the localization of CD44 in lipid rafts after TGF-β1 stimulation, leading to the inhibition of myofibroblast differentiation. Thus, regulation of sialylation may be an attractive strategy for the prevention and regenerative therapy of age-related skin diseases, cosmetic skin alterations, and chronic wounds caused by delayed healing in elderly people. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-017-0534-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norihiko Sasaki
- Research Team for Geriatric Medicine (Vascular Medicine), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Sakaecho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Yoko Itakura
- Research Team for Geriatric Medicine (Vascular Medicine), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Sakaecho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
| | - Masashi Toyoda
- Research Team for Geriatric Medicine (Vascular Medicine), Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Sakaecho 35-2, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
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19
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Hofmann K, Fiedler S, Vierkotten S, Weber J, Klee S, Jia J, Zwickenpflug W, Flockerzi V, Storch U, Yildirim AÖ, Gudermann T, Königshoff M, Dietrich A. Classical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) channels support myofibroblast differentiation and development of experimental pulmonary fibrosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1863:560-8. [PMID: 27932059 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 12/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive lung disease without effective medical treatment options leading to respiratory failure and death within 3-5years of diagnosis. The pathological process of PF is driven by aberrant wound-healing involving fibroblasts and myofibroblasts differentiated by secreted profibrotic transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1). Classical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6), a Na+- and Ca2+-permeable cation channel, is able to promote myofibroblast conversion of primary rat cardiac and human dermal fibroblasts and TRPC6-deficiency impaired wound healing after injury. To study a potential role of TRPC6 in the development of PF we analyzed lung function, gene and protein expression in wild-type (WT) and TRPC6-deficient (TRPC6-/-) lungs utilizing a bleomycin-induced PF-model. Fibrotic WT-mice showed a significant higher death rate while bleomycin-treated TRPC6-deficient mice were partly protected from fibrosis as a consequence of a lower production of collagen and an almost normal function of the respiratory system (reduced resistance and elastance compared to fibrotic WT-mice). On a molecular level TGF-β1 induced TRPC6 up-regulation, increased Ca2+ influx and nuclear NFAT localization in WT primary murine lung fibroblasts (PMLFs) resulting in higher stress fiber formation and accelerated contraction rates as compared to treated TRPC6-deficient fibroblasts. Therefore, we conclude that TRPC6 is an important determinant for TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation during fibrosis and specific channel inhibitors might be beneficial in a future treatment of PF.
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20
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Guan R, Zhao X, Wang X, Song N, Guo Y, Yan X, Jiang L, Cheng W, Shen L. Emodin alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Toxicol Lett 2016; 262:161-72. [PMID: 27717887 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 09/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease with few treatment options and poor prognosis. Emodin, extracted from Chinese rhubarb, was found to be able to alleviate bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. This study aimed to further investigate the effects of emodin on the inflammation and fibrosis of BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis and the mechanism involved in rats. Our results showed that emodin improved pulmonary function, reduced weight loss and prevented death in BLM-treated rats. Emodin significantly relieved lung edema and fibrotic changes, decreased collagen deposition, and suppressed the infiltration of myofibroblasts [characterized by expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)] and inflammatory cells (mainly macrophages and lymphocytes). Moreover, emodin reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-6, TGF-β1 and heat shock protein (HSP)-47 in the lungs of BLM-treated rats. In vitro, emodin profoundly inhibited TGF-β1-induced α-SMA, collagen IV and fibronectin expression in human embryo lung fibroblasts (HELFs). Emodin also inhibited TGF-β1-induced Smad2/3 and STAT3 activation, indicating that Smad2/3 and STAT3 inactivation mediates emodin-induced effects on TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation. These results suggest that emodin can exert its anti-fibrotic effect via suppression of TGF-β1 signaling and subsequently inhibition of inflammation, HSP-47 expression, myofibroblast differentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition.
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21
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Wu D, Lei H, Wang JY, Zhang CL, Feng H, Fu FY, Li L, Wu LL. CTRP3 attenuates post-infarct cardiac fibrosis by targeting Smad3 activation and inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation. J Mol Med (Berl) 2015; 93:1311-25. [PMID: 26138247 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-015-1309-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein-3 (CTRP3) is a novel adipokine with modulation effects on metabolism, inflammation, and cardiovascular system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of CTRP3 on cardiac fibrosis and its underlying mechanism. The myocardial expression of CTRP3 was significantly decreased after myocardial infarction (MI). Adenovirus-delivered CTRP3 supplement attenuated myocardial hypertrophy, improved cardiac function, inhibited interstitial fibrosis, and decreased the number of myofibroblasts post-MI. In cultured adult rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), CTRP3 attenuated cell proliferation; migration; and the expression of connective tissue growth factor, collagen I, and collagen III induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Moreover, CTRP3 inhibited whereas CTRP3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) facilitated the expression of α-SMA and profibrotic molecules induced by TGF-β1. CTRP3 also attenuated TGF-β1-induced Smad3 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and interaction with p300. CTRP3 increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt in both rat hearts and CFs. Adenine 9-β-D-arabinofuranoside (AraA), an AMPK inhibitor, abolished the protective effect of CTRP3 against TGF-β1-induced profibrotic response and Smad3 activation. Taken together, CTRP3 attenuates cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation and the subsequent extracellular matrix production. AMPK is required for the anti-fibrotic effect of CTRP3 through targeting Smad3 activation and inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation. KEY MESSAGE CTRP3 alleviates cardiac fibrosis in a rat post-MI model and in cardiac fibroblasts. CTRP3 inhibits fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. CTRP3 exerts anti-fibrotic effect through targeting Smad3 activation. AMPK mediates the anti-fibrotic effect of CTRP3 by inhibition of Smad3 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hong Lei
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jin-Yu Wang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Cheng-Lin Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Han Feng
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Feng-Ying Fu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Li-Ling Wu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Peking University Health Science Center, and Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Receptors Research, Beijing, 100191, China.
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22
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Xiao X, Huang C, Zhao C, Gou X, Senavirathna LK, Hinsdale M, Lloyd P, Liu L. Regulation of myofibroblast differentiation by miR-424 during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 566:49-57. [PMID: 25524739 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2014] [Revised: 11/21/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of the most common and severe interstitial lung diseases. Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process whereby epithelial cells undergo transition to a mesenchymal phenotype. This process has been shown to contribute to IPF. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of 18-24 nucleotides in length which regulate gene expression. Several studies have implicated miRNAs in EMT; however, specific miRNAs that regulate EMT in IPF have not yet been identified. In this study, we identified 6 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated miRNAs in a human lung epithelial cell EMT model using miRNA microarray and real-time PCR. Overexpression of one of these up-regulated miRNAs, miR-424, increased the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, an indicator of myofibroblast differentiation, but had no effects on the epithelial or mesenchymal cell markers. miR-424 enhanced the activity of the TGF-β signaling pathway, as demonstrated by a luciferase reporter assay. Further experiments showed that miR-424 decreased the protein expression of Smurf2, a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling, indicating that miR-424 exerts a forward regulatory loop in the TGF-β signaling pathway. Our results suggest that miR-424 regulates the myofibroblast differentiation during EMT by potentiating the TGF-β signaling pathway, likely through Smurf2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiao
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Chaoqun Huang
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Chunling Zhao
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA; Department of Physiology, Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuxu Gou
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Lakmini K Senavirathna
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Myron Hinsdale
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Pamela Lloyd
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Lin Liu
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.
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Abstract
It has long been considered that fibrosis and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation are irreversible processes. However, recent data obtained indicates that tissue fibrosis and fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation can indeed be reversed, which offers the possibility of a new therapeutic approach for fibrotic disorders. Here, we discuss the origin of the myofibroblasts and different aspects of their differentiation, especially the key mediators and TGFβ-induced signaling pathways. We also report here a few factors involved in myofiroblast dedifferentiation and several compounds which can reverse the established dedifferentiated myofibroblast, as examples that provide the reader a glimpse of the current trends of approach for discovering useful anti-fibrotic drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- XiaoHong Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan Street 30, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan Street 30, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan Street 30, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China
| | - XiaoHong Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Gaotanyan Street 30, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China.
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24
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Scharenberg MA, Pippenger BE, Sack R, Zingg D, Ferralli J, Schenk S, Martin I, Chiquet-Ehrismann R. TGF-β-induced differentiation into myofibroblasts involves specific regulation of two MKL1 isoforms. J Cell Sci 2014; 127:1079-91. [PMID: 24424023 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.142075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular transformation into myofibroblasts is a central physiological process enabling tissue repair. Its deregulation promotes fibrosis and carcinogenesis. TGF-β is the main inducer of the contractile gene program that drives myofibroblast differentiation from various precursor cell types. Crucial regulators of this transcriptional program are serum response factor (SRF) and its cofactor MKL1 (also known as MRTF-A). However, the exact mechanism of the crosstalk between TGF-β signaling and MKL1 remains unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a novel MKL1 variant/isoform, MKL1_S, transcribed from an alternative promoter and uncover a novel translation start for the published human isoform, MKL1_L. Using a human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell differentiation model, we show that TGF-β specifically upregulates MKL1_S during the initial phase of myofibroblast differentiation. We identified a functional N-terminal motif in MKL1_S that allows specific induction of a group of genes including the extracellular matrix (ECM) modifiers MMP16 and SPOCK3/testican-3. We propose that TGF-β-mediated induction of MKL1_S initiates progression to later stages of differentiation towards a stationary myofibroblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias A Scharenberg
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Department of Mechanisms of Cancer, Maulbeerstrasse 66, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland
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Blaauboer ME, Boeijen FR, Emson CL, Turner SM, Zandieh-Doulabi B, Hanemaaijer R, Smit TH, Stoop R, Everts V. Extracellular matrix proteins: a positive feedback loop in lung fibrosis? Matrix Biol 2013; 34:170-8. [PMID: 24291458 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2013.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 11/19/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Lung fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. This not only affects tissue architecture and function, but it also influences fibroblast behavior and thus disease progression. Here we describe the expression of elastin, type V collagen and tenascin C during the development of bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis. We further report in vitro experiments clarifying both the effect of myofibroblast differentiation on this expression and the effect of extracellular elastin on myofibroblast differentiation. Lung fibrosis was induced in female C57Bl/6 mice by bleomycin instillation. Animals were sacrificed at zero to five weeks after fibrosis induction. Collagen synthesized during the week prior to sacrifice was labeled with deuterium. After sacrifice, lung tissue was collected for determination of new collagen formation, microarray analysis, and histology. Human lung fibroblasts were grown on tissue culture plastic or BioFlex culture plates coated with type I collagen or elastin, and stimulated to undergo myofibroblast differentiation by 0-10 ng/ml transforming growth factor (TGF)β1. mRNA expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. New collagen formation during bleomycin-induced fibrosis was highly correlated to gene expression of elastin, type V collagen and tenascin C. At the protein level, elastin, type V collagen and tenascin C were highly expressed in fibrotic areas as seen in histological sections of the lung. Type V collagen and tenascin C were transiently increased. Human lung fibroblasts stimulated with TGFβ1 strongly increased gene expression of elastin, type V collagen and tenascin C. The extracellular presence of elastin increased gene expression of the myofibroblastic markers α smooth muscle actin and type I collagen. The extracellular matrix composition changes dramatically during the development of lung fibrosis. The increased levels of elastin, type V collagen and tenascin C are probably the result of increased expression by fibroblastic cells; reversely, elastin influences myofibroblast differentiation. This suggests a reciprocal interaction between fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix composition that could enhance the development of lung fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein E Blaauboer
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, The Netherlands; TNO Metabolic Health Research, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | - Fee R Boeijen
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Behrouz Zandieh-Doulabi
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Theo H Smit
- Department of Orthopaedics, VU Medical Center, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Reinout Stoop
- TNO Metabolic Health Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Everts
- Department of Oral Cell Biology, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and VU University Amsterdam, MOVE Research Institute Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract
Serum response factor (SRF) is a transcription factor that regulates many genes involved in cellular activities such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Although it has only been known for about two decades, SRF has been studied extensively. To date, over a thousand SRF studies have been published, but it still remains a hot topic. Due to its critical role in mesoderm-derived tissues, most of the SRF studies focused on muscle structure/function, cardiovascular development/maintenance, and smooth muscle generation/repair. Recently, SRF has received more attention in the digestive field and several important discoveries have been made. This review will summarize what we have learned about SRF in the gastrointestinal tract and provide insights into possible future directions in this area.
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