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Zheng KX, Yuan SL, Dong M, Zhang HL, Jiang XX, Yan CL, Ye RC, Zhou HQ, Chen L, Jiang R, Cheng ZY, Zhang Z, Wang Q, Jin WZ, Xie W. Dihydroergotamine ameliorates liver fibrosis by targeting transforming growth factor β type II receptor. World J Gastroenterol 2023; 29:3103-3118. [PMID: 37346154 PMCID: PMC10280794 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i20.3103] [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] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in the development of liver fibrosis by activating TGFβ type II receptor (TGFβR2), followed by the recruitment of TGFβR1 finally triggering downstream signaling pathway.
AIM To find drugs targeting TGFβR2 that inhibit TGFβR1/TGFβR2 complex formation, theoretically inhibit TGFβ signaling pathway, and thereby ameliorate liver fibrosis.
METHODS Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs were screened for binding affinity with TGFβR2 by virtual molecular docking. We identified 6 candidates and further explored their potential by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) cell cytotoxic experiment to validate toxicity and titrated the best cellular working concentrations. Next, we further demonstrated the detailed molecular working mechanisms using mutagenesis analysis. Finally, we used a mouse model to investigate its potential anti-liver fibrosis effect.
RESULTS We identified 6 drug candidates. Among these 6 drugs, dihydroergotamine (DHE) shows great ability in reducing fibrotic gene expressions such as collagen, p-SMAD3, and α-SMA in TGFβ induced cellular model of liver fibrosis in LX-2 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that DHE binds to TGFβR2. Moreover, mutation of Leu27, Phe30, Thr51, Ser52, Ile53, and Glu55 of TGFβR2 disrupted the binding of TGFβR2 with DHE. In addition, DHE significantly improved liver fibrosis, as evidenced by Masson’s trichrome staining of liver sections. This is further supported by the width and the velocity of the portal vein, and serum markers of liver function. In line with those observations, DHE also decreased macrophages infiltration and extracellular matrix deposition in the liver.
CONCLUSION DHE alleviates liver fibrosis by binding to TGFβR2 thereby suppressing TGFβ signaling pathway. We show here that as far as drug repurposing, DHE has great potential to treat liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke-Xin Zheng
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Shou-Li Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Meng Dong
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Han-Lin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Chun-Long Yan
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, Agriculture College of Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin Province, China
| | - Rong-Cai Ye
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hui-Qiao Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Li Chen
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zi-Yu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Graduate School, University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
| | - Wan-Zhu Jin
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wen Xie
- Center of Liver Diseases, Beijing Ditan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100015, China
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