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Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton,... 2021The drug discovery pipeline, from discovery of therapeutic targets through preclinical and clinical development phases, to an approved product by health authorities, is...
The drug discovery pipeline, from discovery of therapeutic targets through preclinical and clinical development phases, to an approved product by health authorities, is a time-consuming and costly process, where a lead candidates' success at reaching the final stage is rare. Although the time from discovery to final approval has been reduced over the last decade, there is still potential to further optimize and streamline the evaluation process of each candidate as it moves through the different development phases. In this book chapter, we describe our preclinical strategies and overall decision-making process designed to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of therapeutic candidates suitable for patients diagnosed with fibrotic lung disease. We also describe the benefits of conducting preliminary discovery trials, to aid in the selection of suitable primary and secondary outcomes to be further evaluated and assessed in subsequent internal and external validation studies. We outline all relevant research methodologies and protocols routinely performed by our research group and hope that these strategies and protocols will be a useful guide for biomedical and translational researchers aiming to develop safe and beneficial therapies for patients with fibrotic lung disease.
Topics: Animals; Bleomycin; Computational Biology; Decision Making; Disease Models, Animal; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Gene Expression Regulation; Gene Regulatory Networks; Humans; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 34028751
DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1382-5_21 -
Experimental & Molecular Medicine Jul 2023To date, pulmonary fibrosis remains an unmet medical need. In this study, we evaluated the potency of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) secretome components to prevent...
To date, pulmonary fibrosis remains an unmet medical need. In this study, we evaluated the potency of mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) secretome components to prevent pulmonary fibrosis development and facilitate fibrosis resolution. Surprisingly, the intratracheal application of extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) or the vesicle-depleted secretome fraction (MSC-SF) was not able to prevent lung fibrosis when applied immediately after the injury caused by bleomycin instillation in mice. However, MSC-EV administration induced the resolution of established pulmonary fibrosis, whereas the vesicle-depleted fraction did not. The application of MSC-EVs caused a decrease in the numbers of myofibroblasts and FAPa progenitors without affecting their apoptosis. Such a decrease likely occurred due to their dedifferentiation caused by microRNA (miR) transfer by MSC-EVs. Using a murine model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis, we confirmed the contribution of specific miRs (miR-29c and miR-129) to the antifibrotic effect of MSC-EVs. Our study provides novel insights into possible antifibrotic therapy based on the use of the vesicle-enriched fraction of the MSC secretome.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Pulmonary Fibrosis; MicroRNAs; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Bleomycin; Apoptosis; Extracellular Vesicles
PubMed: 37394579
DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01017-w -
Journal of Biochemical and Molecular... Nov 2023Sesamol, a lignan obtained from roasted seeds of Sesamum indicum, has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we have investigated the effect of...
Sesamol, a lignan obtained from roasted seeds of Sesamum indicum, has high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we have investigated the effect of sesamol on Bleomycin (BLM) induced pulmonary toxicity as well as fibrosis in Wistar rats. Lung toxicity was induced by administration of BLM, 0.015 U/g ip, twice weekly for 28 days whereas lung fibrosis was induced by BLM, 0.015 U/g ip, every 5th day for 49 days. Sesamol administration was started 7 days before first dose of BLM in both the models. It was observed that sesamol 50 mg/kg most effectively attenuated pulmonary toxicity by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. This dose was further evaluated for its anti-fibrotic effect. It was observed that there was a significant reduction in fibrosis. Lung collagen content was markedly reduced. Furthermore, expression of pro-fibrotic proteins, TGF-β/SMAD and α-SMA, was reduced and that of anti-fibrotic protein, AMPK, was markedly increased. Even though the combination of sesamol with pirfenidone exhibited no additional protection than either drug alone, it is evident from our study that our test drug, sesamol is comparable in efficacy to pirfenidone. Thus, sesamol has promising therapeutic potential in treatment of pulmonary toxicity and fibrosis.
Topics: Rats; Animals; Bleomycin; Rats, Wistar; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Lung; Fibrosis
PubMed: 37462223
DOI: 10.1002/jbt.23472 -
Molecular Biology Reports Dec 2022Pulmonary fibrosis is the key feature of majority of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) as well as many patients with post-COVID-19. The pathogenesis of pulmonary... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary fibrosis is the key feature of majority of idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs) as well as many patients with post-COVID-19. The pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis is a complex molecular process that involves myriad of cells, proteins, genes, and regulatory elements. The non-coding RNA mainly miRNA, circRNA, and lncRNA are among the key regulators of many protein coding genes and pathways that are involved in pulmonary fibrosis. Identification and molecular mechanisms, by which these non-coding RNA molecules work, are crucial to understand the molecular basis of the disease. Additionally, elucidation of molecular mechanism could also help in deciphering a potential diagnostic/prognostic marker as well as therapeutic targets for IIPs and post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we have provided the latest findings and discussed the role of these regulatory elements in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis associated with Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia and Covid-19.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias; Pulmonary Fibrosis; RNA, Untranslated
PubMed: 36097114
DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07820-4 -
Pharmacology & Therapeutics Jul 2023Pulmonary fibrotic diseases are characterized by proliferation of lung fibroblasts and myofibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins.... (Review)
Review
Pulmonary fibrotic diseases are characterized by proliferation of lung fibroblasts and myofibroblasts and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Depending on the specific form of lung fibrosis, there can be progressive scarring of the lung, leading in some cases to respiratory failure and/or death. Recent and ongoing research has demonstrated that resolution of inflammation is an active process regulated by families of small bioactive lipid mediators termed "specialized pro-resolving mediators." While there are many reports of beneficial effects of SPMs in animal and cell culture models of acute and chronic inflammatory and immune diseases, there have been fewer reports investigating SPMs and fibrosis, especially pulmonary fibrosis. Here, we will review evidence that resolution pathways are impaired in interstitial lung disease, and that SPMs and other similar bioactive lipid mediators can inhibit fibroblast proliferation, myofibroblast differentiation, and accumulation of excess extracellular matrix in cell culture and animal models of pulmonary fibrosis, and we will consider future therapeutic implications of SPMs in fibrosis.
Topics: Animals; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Lung; Fibrosis; Cell Differentiation; Inflammation; Lipids; Inflammation Mediators
PubMed: 37244406
DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108460 -
Aging Oct 2023G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) is involved in TGF-β1-induced activation of lung fibroblasts, which could give rise to the pathogenesis of pulmonary...
G protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 (GRK2) is involved in TGF-β1-induced activation of lung fibroblasts, which could give rise to the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Paroxetine (PRXT) serves as a selective GRK2 inhibitor which is widely used to treat anxiety and depression for several decades. However, whether PRXT could inhibit TGF-β1-induced activation of lung fibroblasts and combat bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of PRXT on pulmonary fibrosis in C57/BL6 caused by bleomycin as well as on the activation of murine primary lung fibroblasts stimulated with TGF-β1. The results demonstrated that PRXT markedly improved the pulmonary function and 21-day survival in bleomycin-induced mice. Meanwhile, PRXT significantly decreased collagen deposition, inflammation, and oxidative stress in lung tissues from bleomycin-induced mice. Furthermore, we found that PRXT could inhibit the protein and mRNA expression of GRK2 and Smad3 in lung tissues from bleomycin-induced mice. experiments also PRXT could inhibit cell activation and collagen synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner in TGF-β1-induced lung fibroblasts. In addition, we found that Smad3 overexpression by adenovirus transfection could offset anti-fibrotic and antioxidative effects from PRXT in TGF-β1-induced lung fibroblasts, which showed no effects on the protein expression of GRK2. In conclusion, PRXT mediates the inhibition of GRK2, which further blocks the transcription of Smad3 in TGF-β1-induced lung fibroblasts, providing an attractive therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Bleomycin; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Paroxetine; Lung; Fibroblasts; Collagen; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 37815883
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205092 -
Chemico-biological Interactions Dec 2023Elevated levels of respirable particulate matter (PM) have been strongly linked to disease incidence and mortality in population-based epidemiological studies. Berberine...
Elevated levels of respirable particulate matter (PM) have been strongly linked to disease incidence and mortality in population-based epidemiological studies. Berberine hydrochloride (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid found in Coptis chinensis, exhibits antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, the protective effects and underlying mechanism of BBR against pulmonary fibrosis remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of BBR on lung tissue damage using a mouse model of PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis. SPF grade C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups, each consisting of 10 mice. The mice were pretreated with BBR (50 mg/kg) by gavage for 45 consecutive days. A tracheal drip of PM2.5 suspension (8 mg/kg) was administered once every three days for a total of 15 times to induce lung fibrosis. Moreover, the results demonstrated that PM2.5 was found to inhibit the PPARγ signaling pathway, increase ROS expression, upregulate protein levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, as well as regulation of gene expression of STAT3 and SOCS3. Importantly, PM2.5 induced lung fibrosis by promoting collagen deposition, upregulating gene expression of fibrosis markers (TGF-β1, FN, α-SMA, COL-1, and COL-3), and downregulating E-cadherin expression. Remarkably, our findings suggest that these injuries could be reversed by BBR pretreatment. BBR acts as a PPARγ agonist in PM2.5-induced pulmonary fibrosis, activating the PPARγ signaling pathway to mitigate oxidative and inflammatory factor-mediated lung injury. This study provides valuable insights for the future prevention and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Berberine; Air Pollutants; PPAR gamma; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oxidative Stress; Particulate Matter
PubMed: 37839514
DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2023.110731 -
Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine May 2017While many pharmacologic therapies for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been evaluated via randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials (RCTs)... (Review)
Review
While many pharmacologic therapies for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been evaluated via randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials (RCTs) conducted over the past two decades, most therapies have been shown to be ineffective or even potentially harmful. However, a number of recently completed RCTs have shown significant efficacy for pirfenidone and nintedanib for the treatment of IPF. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews recent advances in the management of IPF and other forms of fibrosing interstitial lung disease (ILD) with an emphasis on IPF. The material upon which this discussion is based was obtained from various published texts and manuscripts identified via literature searching (e.g. PubMed). Expert commentary: Anti-fibrotic drugs are now available for clinical use and perceived as standard-of-care therapies that have the potential to blunt disease progression for many patients with IPF. However, these agents do not necessarily stop disease progression or have a significant impact on mortality, and more effective pharmacologic therapies are needed for patients with IPF. Additionally, whether anti-fibrotic agents can be effective therapies for other forms of pulmonary fibrosis, which often have radiologic and histopathologic manifestations that mimic IPF, is being evaluated in a number of RCTs.
Topics: Humans; Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 28345369
DOI: 10.1080/17476348.2017.1312347 -
Cytokine Jul 2015Organ fibrosis, the result of exaggerated, persistent, and often irreversible accumulation of extracellular matrix, complicates numerous diseases in all organs and... (Review)
Review
Organ fibrosis, the result of exaggerated, persistent, and often irreversible accumulation of extracellular matrix, complicates numerous diseases in all organs and tissues and has particularly serious consequences in the lungs. Abnormally accumulating scar tissue both replaces normally functioning parenchyma and distorts the architecture of unaffected tissue. In the lungs, the fibrotic process often leads to rapid and severe abnormalities in respiratory mechanics and gas exchange properties. There is no confirmed cure, and better therapies are required for treating fibrosis. The development of therapeutic strategies compels a better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of fibrosis, which are diverse, complex, and redundant. Epithelial injury, oxidative stress, coagulation disturbances, and inflammation are engaged in a complex interplay leading to augmented transformation of several cell types into myofibroblasts and prolonged survival of these extracellular matrix-producing cells. Cytokines are centrally engaged in the homeostatic and pathophysiologic regulation of connective tissue. Furthermore, it appears that identical cytokines are utilized by inflammation, profibrotic mechanisms, and the fibrotic process itself, suggesting that specific targeting or utilization of these cytokines holds therapeutic promise. In this article, we review the wealth of recent knowledge on major cytokines involved in the fibrotic process.
Topics: Animals; Cytokines; Extracellular Matrix; Humans; Inflammation; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Pulmonary Fibrosis
PubMed: 25543535
DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2014.11.008 -
Internal and Emergency Medicine Sep 2023The lack of a highly sensitive method to evaluate paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis and predict disease progression remains an unresolved clinic issue. Fibroblast...
The lack of a highly sensitive method to evaluate paraquat (PQ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis and predict disease progression remains an unresolved clinic issue. Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the role of FAP in the PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis and the utility of fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis. In our study, two cases of PQ poisoning were presented and FAPI PET/CT was performed as a novel imaging technique. The uptake of FAPI increased in both cases of PQ poisoning. Animal experiments were then performed to validate the findings in the patients. Physiological FAPI lung uptake was higher in mice of the PQ group than in the control group. The results of histological analysis and Western blot were consistent with the findings of PET/CT imaging. The pulmonary fibrosis animal model was developed by intragastric gavage of PQ. PET/CT imaging was performed after injection of FAPI. Lung tissues of mice were collected for fibrosis assessment after imaging. Immunohistochemistry for FAP, histology and Western blot for collagen were performed to further validate the imaging findings. In conclusion, FAPI was involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosis induced by PQ, and PET/CT with FAPI could detect lung fibrogenesis, making it a promising tool to assess early disease activity and predict disease progression.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Pulmonary Fibrosis; Paraquat; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Disease Progression
PubMed: 37284931
DOI: 10.1007/s11739-023-03327-3