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Cisterna B, Costanzo M, Lacavalla MA, Galiè M, Angelini O, Tabaracci G, Malatesta M. Low Ozone Concentrations Differentially Affect the Structural and Functional Features of Non-Activated and Activated Fibroblasts In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10133. [PMID: 34576295 PMCID: PMC8466365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxygen-ozone (O2-O3) therapy is increasingly applied as a complementary/adjuvant treatment for several diseases; however, the biological mechanisms accounting for the efficacy of low O3 concentrations need further investigations to understand the possibly multiple effects on the different cell types. In this work, we focused our attention on fibroblasts as ubiquitous connective cells playing roles in the body architecture, in the homeostasis of tissue-resident cells, and in many physiological and pathological processes. Using an established human fibroblast cell line as an in vitro model, we adopted a multimodal approach to explore a panel of cell structural and functional features, combining light and electron microscopy, Western blot analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and multiplex assays for cytokines. The administration of O2-O3 gas mixtures induced multiple effects on fibroblasts, depending on their activation state: in non-activated fibroblasts, O3 stimulated proliferation, formation of cell surface protrusions, antioxidant response, and IL-6 and TGF-β1 secretion, while in LPS-activated fibroblasts, O3 stimulated only antioxidant response and cytokines secretion. Therefore, the low O3 concentrations used in this study induced activation-like responses in non-activated fibroblasts, whereas in already activated fibroblasts, the cell protective capability was potentiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Cisterna
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy; (B.C.); (M.C.); (M.A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Manuela Costanzo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy; (B.C.); (M.C.); (M.A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Maria Assunta Lacavalla
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy; (B.C.); (M.C.); (M.A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Mirco Galiè
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy; (B.C.); (M.C.); (M.A.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Osvaldo Angelini
- San Rocco Clinic, Via Monsignor G.V. Moreni 95, I-25018 Montichari, Italy; (O.A.); (G.T.)
| | - Gabriele Tabaracci
- San Rocco Clinic, Via Monsignor G.V. Moreni 95, I-25018 Montichari, Italy; (O.A.); (G.T.)
| | - Manuela Malatesta
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Anatomy and Histology Section, University of Verona, Strada Le Grazie 8, I-37134 Verona, Italy; (B.C.); (M.C.); (M.A.L.); (M.G.)
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Squecco R, Chellini F, Idrizaj E, Tani A, Garella R, Pancani S, Pavan P, Bambi F, Zecchi-Orlandini S, Sassoli C. Platelet-Rich Plasma Modulates Gap Junction Functionality and Connexin 43 and 26 Expression During TGF-β1-Induced Fibroblast to Myofibroblast Transition: Clues for Counteracting Fibrosis. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051199. [PMID: 32408529 PMCID: PMC7290305 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle repair/regeneration may benefit by Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment owing to PRP pro-myogenic and anti-fibrotic effects. However, PRP anti-fibrotic action remains controversial. Here, we extended our previous researches on the inhibitory effects of PRP on in vitro transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced differentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, the effector cells of fibrosis, focusing on gap junction (GJ) intercellular communication. The myofibroblastic phenotype was evaluated by cell shape analysis, confocal fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting analyses of α-smooth muscle actin and type-1 collagen expression, and electrophysiological recordings of resting membrane potential, resistance, and capacitance. PRP negatively regulated myofibroblast differentiation by modifying all the assessed parameters. Notably, myofibroblast pairs showed an increase of voltage-dependent GJ functionality paralleled by connexin (Cx) 43 expression increase. TGF-β1-treated cells, when exposed to a GJ blocker, or silenced for Cx43 expression, failed to differentiate towards myofibroblasts. Although a minority, myofibroblast pairs also showed not-voltage-dependent GJ currents and coherently Cx26 expression. PRP abolished the TGF-β1-induced voltage-dependent GJ current appearance while preventing Cx43 increase and promoting Cx26 expression. This study adds insights into molecular and functional mechanisms regulating fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and supports the anti-fibrotic potential of PRP, demonstrating the ability of this product to hamper myofibroblast generation targeting GJs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Squecco
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.S.); (E.I.); (R.G.)
| | - Flaminia Chellini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (S.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Eglantina Idrizaj
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.S.); (E.I.); (R.G.)
| | - Alessia Tani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (S.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Rachele Garella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Physiological Sciences, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (R.S.); (E.I.); (R.G.)
| | - Sofia Pancani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (S.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Paola Pavan
- Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy Unit, "A. Meyer" University Children’s Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (P.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Franco Bambi
- Transfusion Medicine and Cell Therapy Unit, "A. Meyer" University Children’s Hospital, 50134 Florence, Italy; (P.P.); (F.B.)
| | - Sandra Zecchi-Orlandini
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (S.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
| | - Chiara Sassoli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Anatomy and Histology, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy; (F.C.); (A.T.); (S.P.); (S.Z.-O.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0552-7580-63
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Li N, Wang Z, Gao F, Lei Y, Li Z. Melatonin ameliorates renal fibroblast-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and renal fibrosis through miR-21-5p regulation. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:5615-5628. [PMID: 32243691 PMCID: PMC7214152 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [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: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast‐myofibroblast transdifferentiation (FMT) is widely recognized as the major pathological feature of renal fibrosis. Although melatonin has exerted antifibrogenic activity in many diseases, its role in renal FMT remains unclear. In the present study, the aim was to explore the effect of melatonin on renal FMT and the underlying mechanisms. We established the transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β1 stimulated rat renal fibroblast cells (NRK‐49F) model in vitro and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice model in vivo. We assessed levels of α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), col1a1 and fibronectin, STAT3 and AP‐1, as well as miR‐21‐5p and its target genes (Spry1, PTEN, Smurf2 and PDCD4). We found that melatonin reduced the expression of α‐SMA, col1a1 and fibronectin, as well as the formation of α‐SMA filament in TGF‐β1‐treated NRK‐49F cells. Meanwhile, melatonin inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation, down‐regulated miR‐21‐5p expression, and up‐regulated Spry1 and PTEN expression. Moreover, miR‐21‐5p mimics partially antagonized the anti‐fibrotic effect of melatonin. For animal experiments, the results revealed that melatonin remarkably ameliorated UUO‐induced renal fibrosis, attenuated the expression of miR‐21‐5p and pro‐fibrotic proteins and elevated Spry1 and PTEN expression. Nevertheless, agomir of miR‐21‐5p blocked the renoprotective effect of melatonin in UUO mice. These results indicated that melatonin could alleviate TGF‐β1‐induced renal FMT and UUO‐induced renal fibrosis through down‐regulation of miR‐21‐5p. Regulation of miR‐21‐5p/PTEN and/or miR‐21‐5p/Spry1 signal might be involved in the anti‐fibrotic effect of melatonin in the kidneys of UUO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Li
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhan Wang
- Department of Surgery, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fenglan Gao
- Department of Pathology, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yanfei Lei
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan Medical College, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenzhen Li
- Medical Research Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Ma Y, Shi J, Wang F, Li S, Wang J, Zhu C, Li L, Lu H, Li C, Yan J, Zhang X, Jiang H. MiR-130b increases fibrosis of HMC cells by regulating the TGF-β1 pathway in diabetic nephropathy. J Cell Biochem 2018; 120:4044-4056. [PMID: 30260005 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [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: 02/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Basement membrane thickening, glomerular hypertrophy, and deposition of multiple extracellular matrix characterize the pathological basis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), a condition which ultimately leads to glomerular and renal interstitial fibrosis. Here, we identified a novel microRNA, miR-130b, and investigated its role and therapeutic efficacy in alleviating DN. Introduction of miR-130b dramatically increased cell growth and fibrosis in DN cells. We found that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 was a functional target of miR-130b in human glomerular mesangial cells (HMCs) and overexpression of miR-130b increased expressions of the downstream signaling molecules of TGF-β1, t-Smad2/3, p-Smad2/3, and SMAD4. An ectopic application of miR-130b increased messenger RNA and protein expressions of collagen type I (colI), colIV, and fibronectin, whose expression levels were correlated with the expression of miR-130b. Taken together, the findings of this study reveal that miR-130b in HMC cells plays an important role in fibrosis regulation and may thus be involved with the pathogenesis of DN. Therefore, miR-130b may serve as a novel therapeutic target for the prevention and the treatment of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujin Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Jingxia Shi
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Medical College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, Jiaozuo People's Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Shipeng Li
- Department of General Surgery, Jiaozuo People's Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Chaoxia Zhu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Liping Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Haibo Lu
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Chun Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Junqiang Yan
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, Medical College, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, China
| | - Hongwei Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital and Clinical Medicine College of Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, Henan, China.,Diabetic Nephropathy Academician Workstation of Henan Province, Luoyang, Henan, China
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Sassoli C, Chellini F, Squecco R, Tani A, Idrizaj E, Nosi D, Giannelli M, Zecchi-Orlandini S. Low intensity 635 nm diode laser irradiation inhibits fibroblast-myofibroblast transition reducing TRPC1 channel expression/activity: New perspectives for tissue fibrosis treatment. Lasers Surg Med 2015; 48:318-32. [PMID: 26660509 DOI: 10.1002/lsm.22441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation therapy is emerging as a promising new therapeutic option for fibrosis in different damaged and/or diseased organs. However, the anti-fibrotic potential of this treatment needs to be elucidated and the cellular and molecular targets of the laser clarified. Here, we investigated the effects of a low intensity 635 ± 5 nm diode laser irradiation on fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, a key event in the onset of fibrosis, and elucidated some of the underlying molecular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were cultured in a low serum medium in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and irradiated with a 635 ± 5 nm diode laser (continuous wave, 89 mW, 0.3 J/cm(2) ). Fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation was assayed by morphological, biochemical, and electrophysiological approaches. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and of Tissue inhibitor of MMPs, namely TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, after laser exposure was also evaluated by confocal immunofluorescence analyses. Moreover, the effect of the diode laser on transient receptor potential canonical channel (TRPC) 1/stretch-activated channel (SAC) expression and activity and on TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling was investigated. RESULTS Diode laser treatment inhibited TGF-β1-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transition as judged by reduction of stress fibers formation, α-smooth muscle actin (sma) and type-1 collagen expression and by changes in electrophysiological properties such as resting membrane potential, cell capacitance and inwardly rectifying K(+) currents. In addition, the irradiation up-regulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and downregulated that of TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in TGF-β1-treated cells. This laser effect was shown to involve TRPC1/SAC channel functionality. Finally, diode laser stimulation and TRPC1 functionality negatively affected fibroblast-myofibroblast transition by interfering with TGF-β1 signaling, namely reducing the expression of Smad3, the TGF-β1 downstream signaling molecule. CONCLUSION Low intensity irradiation with 635 ± 5 nm diode laser inhibited TGF-β1/Smad3-mediated fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and this effect involved the modulation of TRPC1 ion channels. These data contribute to support the potential anti-fibrotic effect of LLLT and may offer further informations for considering this therapy as a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of tissue fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Sassoli
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Flaminia Chellini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Squecco
- Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessia Tani
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Eglantina Idrizaj
- Section of Physiological Sciences, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 63, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniele Nosi
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Giannelli
- Odontostomatologic Laser Therapy Center, Via dell' Olivuzzo 162, 50143, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Zecchi-Orlandini
- Section of Anatomy and Histology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
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McClelland AD, Herman-Edelstein M, Komers R, Jha JC, Winbanks CE, Hagiwara S, Gregorevic P, Kantharidis P, Cooper ME. miR-21 promotes renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by targeting PTEN and SMAD7. Clin Sci (Lond) 2015; 129:1237-49. [PMID: 26415649 DOI: 10.1042/CS20150427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 164] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 plays a central role in diabetic nephropathy (DN) with data implicating the miRNA (miR) miR-21 as a key modulator of its prosclerotic actions. In the present study, we demonstrate data indicating that miR-21 up-regulation positively correlates with the severity of fibrosis and rate of decline in renal function in human DN. Furthermore, concomitant analyses of various models of fibrotic renal disease and experimental DN, confirm tubular miR-21 up-regulation. The fibrotic changes associated with increased miR-21 levels are proposed to include the regulation of TGF-β1-mediated mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (SMAD3)- and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-dependent signalling pathways via co-ordinated repression of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7) and phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) respectively. This represents a previously uncharacterized interaction axis between miR-21 and PTEN-SMAD7. Targeting of these proteins by miR-21 resulted in de-repression of the respective pathways as reflected by increases in SMAD3 and V-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT) phosphorylation. Many of the changes typically induced by TGF-β1, including phosphorylation of signalling mediators, were further enhanced by miR-21. Collectively, these data present a unified model for a key role for miR-21 in the regulation of renal tubular extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and accumulation and provide important insights into the molecular pathways implicated in the progression of DN.
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