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Trends in Molecular Medicine Jun 2024Cellular senescence is a key hallmark of aging. It has now emerged as a key mediator in normal tissue turnover and is associated with a variety of age-related diseases,... (Review)
Review
Cellular senescence is a key hallmark of aging. It has now emerged as a key mediator in normal tissue turnover and is associated with a variety of age-related diseases, including organ-specific fibrosis and systemic sclerosis (SSc). This review discusses the recent evidence of the role of senescence in tissue fibrosis, with an emphasis on SSc, a systemic autoimmune rheumatic disease. We discuss the physiological role of these cells, their role in fibrosis, and that targeting these cells specifically could be a new therapeutic avenue in fibrotic disease. We argue that targeting senescent cells, with senolytics or senomorphs, is a viable therapeutic target in fibrotic diseases which remain largely intractable.
PubMed: 38890028
DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.05.012 -
Redox Biology Jun 2024Myofibroblasts are key cellular effectors of corneal wound healing from trauma, surgery, or infection. However, their persistent deposition of disorganized extracellular...
Myofibroblasts are key cellular effectors of corneal wound healing from trauma, surgery, or infection. However, their persistent deposition of disorganized extracellular matrix can also cause corneal fibrosis and visual impairment. Recent work showed that the PPARγ agonist Troglitazone can mitigate established corneal fibrosis, and parallel in vitro data suggested this occurred through inhibition of the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) rather than PPARγ. In addition to oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos), pyruvate and other mitochondrial metabolites provide carbon for the synthesis of biological macromolecules. However, it is currently unclear how these roles selectively impact fibrosis. Here, we performed bioenergetic, metabolomic, and epigenetic analyses of corneal fibroblasts treated with TGF-β1 to stimulate myofibroblast trans-differentiation, with further addition of Troglitazone or the MPC inhibitor UK5099, to identify MPC-dependencies that may facilitate remodeling and loss of the myofibroblast phenotype. Our results show that a shift in energy metabolism is associated with, but not sufficient to drive cellular remodeling. Metabolites whose abundances were sensitive to MPC inhibition suggest that sustained carbon influx into the Krebs' cycle is prioritized over proline synthesis to fuel collagen deposition. Furthermore, increased abundance of acetyl-CoA and increased histone H3 acetylation suggest that epigenetic mechanisms downstream of metabolic remodeling may reinforce cellular phenotypes. Overall, our results highlight a novel molecular target and metabolic vulnerability that affects myofibroblast persistence in the context of corneal wounding.
PubMed: 38889622
DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2024.103235 -
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine... Jun 2024Hepatic fibrosis develops as a response to chronic liver injury, resulting in the formation of fibrous scars. This process is initiated and driven by collagen-producing...
PURPOSE
Hepatic fibrosis develops as a response to chronic liver injury, resulting in the formation of fibrous scars. This process is initiated and driven by collagen-producing activated myofibroblasts which reportedly express high levels of platelet derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ). We therefore regard PDGFRβ as an anchor for diagnosis and therapy. The Fibrobody® SP02SP26-ABD is a biparatopic VHH-construct targeting PDGFRβ. Here, we explore its potential as a theranostic vector for liver fibrosis.
METHODS
Specificity, cross-species binding, and cellular uptake of SP02SP26-ABD was assessed using human, mouse and rat PDGFRβ ectodomains and PDGFRβ-expressing cells. Cellular uptake by PDGFRβ-expressing cells was also evaluated by equipping the Fibrobody® with auristatinF and reading out in vitro cytotoxicity. The validity of PDGFRβ as a marker for active fibrosis was confirmed in human liver samples and 3 mouse models of liver fibrosis (DDC, CCl, CDA-HFD) through immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. After radiolabeling of DFO*-SP02SP26-ABD with Zr, its in vivo targeting ability was assessed in healthy mice and mice with liver fibrosis by PET-CT imaging, ex vivo biodistribution and autoradiography.
RESULTS
SP02SP26-ABD shows similar nanomolar affinity for human, mouse and rat PDGFRβ. Cellular uptake and hence subnanomolar cytotoxic potency of auristatinF-conjugated SP02SP26-ABD was observed in PDGFRβ-expressing cell lines. Immunohistochemistry of mouse and human fibrotic livers confirmed co-localization of PDGFRβ with markers of active fibrosis. In all three liver fibrosis models, PET-CT imaging and biodistribution analysis of [Zr]Zr-SP02SP26-ABD revealed increased PDGFRβ-specific uptake in fibrotic livers. In the DDC model, liver uptake was 12.15 ± 0.45, 15.07 ± 0.90, 20.23 ± 1.34, and 20.93 ± 4.35%ID/g after 1,2,3 and 4 weeks of fibrogenesis, respectively, compared to 7.56 ± 0.85%ID/g in healthy mice. Autoradiography revealed preferential uptake in the fibrotic (PDGFRβ-expressing) periportal areas.
CONCLUSION
The anti-PDGFRβ Fibrobody® SP02SP26-ABD shows selective and high-degree targeting of activated myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis, and qualifies as a vector for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
PubMed: 38888612
DOI: 10.1007/s00259-024-06785-9 -
Biochemistry. Biokhimiia May 2024Extensive skin damage requires specialized therapy that stimulates regeneration processes without scarring. The possibility of using combination of a collagen gel...
Extensive skin damage requires specialized therapy that stimulates regeneration processes without scarring. The possibility of using combination of a collagen gel application as a wound dressing and fibroblast attractant with verteporfin as an antifibrotic agent was examined in vivo and in vitro. In vitro effects of verteporfin on viability and myofibroblast markers expression were evaluated using fibroblasts isolated from human scar tissue. In vivo the collagen gel and verteporfin (individually and in combination) were applied into the wound to investigate scarring during skin regeneration: deviations in skin layer thickness, collagen synthesis, and extracellular matrix fibers were characterized. The results indicate that verteporfin reduces fibrotic phenotype by suppressing expression of the contractile protein Sm22α without inducing cell death. However, administration of verteporfin in combination with the collagen gel disrupts its ability to direct wound healing in a scarless manner, which may be related to incompatibility of the mechanisms by which collagen and verteporfin control regeneration.
Topics: Verteporfin; Humans; Collagen; Fibroblasts; Animals; Wound Healing; Antifibrotic Agents; Cells, Cultured; Tissue Scaffolds; Cicatrix; Male; Fibrosis; Skin
PubMed: 38880654
DOI: 10.1134/S0006297924050146 -
Journal of Pharmacological Sciences Aug 2024The atrophic myocardium resulting from mechanical unloading and nutritional deprivation is considered crucial as maladaptive remodeling directly associated with heart...
The atrophic myocardium resulting from mechanical unloading and nutritional deprivation is considered crucial as maladaptive remodeling directly associated with heart failure, as well as interstitial fibrosis. Conversely, myocardial hypertrophy resulting from hemodynamic loading is perceived as compensatory stress adaptation. We previously reported the abundant presence of highly redox-active polysulfide molecules, termed supersulfide, with two or more sulfur atoms catenated in normal hearts, and the supersulfide catabolism in pathologic hearts after myocardial infarction correlated with worsened prognosis of heart failure. However, the impact of supersulfide on myocardial remodeling remains unclear. Here, we investigated the involvement of supersulfide metabolism in cardiomyocyte remodeling, using a model of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) receptor-stimulated atrophy and endothelin-1 receptor-stimulated hypertrophy in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Results revealed contrasting changes in intracellular supersulfide and its catabolite, hydrogen sulfide (HS), between cardiomyocyte atrophy and hypertrophy. Stimulation of cardiomyocytes with ATP decreased supersulfide activity, while HS accumulation itself did not affect cardiomyocyte atrophy. This supersulfide catabolism was also involved in myofibroblast formation of neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts. Thus, unraveling supersulfide metabolism during myocardial remodeling may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies to improve heart failure.
Topics: Animals; Myocytes, Cardiac; Sulfides; Hydrogen Sulfide; Cells, Cultured; Ventricular Remodeling; Adenosine Triphosphate; Rats; Atrophy; Cardiomegaly; Heart Failure; Animals, Newborn; Rats, Sprague-Dawley
PubMed: 38880546
DOI: 10.1016/j.jphs.2024.05.002 -
Modern Pathology : An Official Journal... Jun 2024EGFR aberrations are reported in a subset of myofibroblastic lesions with kinase domain duplication (EGFR-KDD) and exon 20 mutations being assigned to infantile...
EGFR aberrations are reported in a subset of myofibroblastic lesions with kinase domain duplication (EGFR-KDD) and exon 20 mutations being assigned to infantile fibrosarcomas (IFS), mesoblastic nephroma and fibrous hamartoma of infancy (FHI), respectively. In this retrospective study, we correlated molecular findings with histomorphology of 14 myofibroblastic lesions harboring such genetic changes identified by NGS. We additionally performed DNA methylation profiling (DNAmp) and immunohistochemistry. Lesions were from 10 males and 4 females with a mean age of 3 years (range, 0.3 -14) and occurred subcutaneously in the upper limbs (n = 5), lower limbs (n = 3), back/thorax (n = 5), and the nasal cavity (n = 1). Eleven were cured by surgery, including one relapsed case. Two patients were lost to follow-up. One case was very recent, and the patient was biopsied. Histologically, the lesions showed a wide spectrum varying from classic FHI (n=9) to IFS (n=1) or lipofibromatosis-like tumors (LFT-like) (n=2) or dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans-like (DFSP-like) (n=1) to a predominantly-myxoid spindle cell lesion (n=1). Immunohistochemically, all neoplasms stained with CD34, while S100 was positive in 2/14. EGFR expression was observed in 9/10 cases. Molecularly, the IFS and one LFT-like harbored EGFR-KDD, while an exon 20 mutation was identified in all FHI, one LFT-like and in the DFSP-like and predominantly myxoid spindle cell lesion. By DNAmp, all but two cases formed a well-defined cluster, demonstrating that these lesions are also epigenetically related. In conclusion, EGFR kinase domain aberrations found in FHI, IFS, LFT-like, DFSP-like and a spindle cell lesion with a predominant myxoid stroma of children and adolescents show that these neoplasms with a broad morphological spectrum belong to the group of protein kinase-related lesions with a distinct epigenetic signature. Molecular analyses, including DNAmp, help to identify and characterize this emerging category and become mandatory when targeted treatment is considered.
PubMed: 38880352
DOI: 10.1016/j.modpat.2024.100539 -
International Immunopharmacology Jun 2024Renal fibrosis is a representative pathological feature of various chronic kidney diseases, and efficient treatment is needed. Interstitial myofibroblasts are a key...
Targeted delivery of type I TGF-β receptor-mimicking peptide to fibrotic kidney for improving kidney fibrosis therapy via enhancing the inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad and p38 MAPK pathways.
Renal fibrosis is a representative pathological feature of various chronic kidney diseases, and efficient treatment is needed. Interstitial myofibroblasts are a key driver of kidney fibrosis, which is dependent on the binding of TGF-β1 to type I TGF-β receptor (TβRI) and TGF-β1-related signaling pathways. Therefore, attenuating TGF-β1 activity by competing with TGF-β1 in myofibroblasts is an ideal strategy for treating kidney fibrosis. Recently, a novel TβRI-mimicking peptide RIPΔ demonstrated a high affinity for TGF-β1. Thus, it could be speculated that RIPΔ may be used for anti-fibrosis therapy. Platelet-derived growth factor β receptor (PDGFβR) is highly expressed in fibrotic kidney. In this study, we found that target peptide Z-RIPΔ, which is RIPΔ modified with PDGFβR-specific affibody Z, was specifically and highly taken up by TGF-β1-activated NIH3T3 fibroblasts. Moreover, Z-RIPΔ effectively inhibited the myofibroblast proliferation, migration and fibrosis response in vitro. In vivo and ex vivo experiments showed that Z-RIPΔ specifically targeted fibrotic kidney, improved the damaged renal function, and ameliorated kidney histopathology and renal fibrosis in UUO mice. Mechanistic studies showed that Z-RIPΔ hold the stronger inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad and TGF-β1/p38 pathways than unmodified RIPΔ in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, systemic administration of Z-RIPΔ to UUO mice led to minimal toxicity to major organs. Taken together, RIPΔ modified with Z increased its therapeutic efficacy and reduced its systemic toxicity, making it a potential candidate for targeted therapy for kidney fibrosis.
PubMed: 38880023
DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112483 -
Modulation of anti-cardiac fibrosis immune responses by changing M2 macrophages into M1 macrophages.Molecular Medicine (Cambridge, Mass.) Jun 2024Macrophages play a crucial role in the development of cardiac fibrosis (CF). Although our previous studies have shown that glycogen metabolism plays an important role in...
BACKGROUND
Macrophages play a crucial role in the development of cardiac fibrosis (CF). Although our previous studies have shown that glycogen metabolism plays an important role in macrophage inflammatory phenotype, the role and mechanism of modifying macrophage phenotype by regulating glycogen metabolism and thereby improving CF have not been reported.
METHODS
Here, we took glycogen synthetase kinase 3β (GSK3β) as the target and used its inhibitor NaW to enhance macrophage glycogen metabolism, transform M2 phenotype into anti-fibrotic M1 phenotype, inhibit fibroblast activation into myofibroblasts, and ultimately achieve the purpose of CF treatment.
RESULTS
NaW increases the pH of macrophage lysosome through transmembrane protein 175 (TMEM175) and caused the release of Ca through the lysosomal Ca channel mucolipin-2 (Mcoln2). At the same time, the released Ca activates TFEB, which promotes glucose uptake by M2 and further enhances glycogen metabolism. NaW transforms the M2 phenotype into the anti-fibrotic M1 phenotype, inhibits fibroblasts from activating myofibroblasts, and ultimately achieves the purpose of treating CF.
CONCLUSION
Our data indicate the possibility of modifying macrophage phenotype by regulating macrophage glycogen metabolism, suggesting a potential macrophage-based immunotherapy against CF.
Topics: Macrophages; Animals; Fibrosis; Mice; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; Myofibroblasts; Glycogen; Calcium; Lysosomes; Fibroblasts; Humans; Membrane Proteins; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL
PubMed: 38879491
DOI: 10.1186/s10020-024-00858-z -
Stem Cells and Development Jun 2024Prolonged tissue ischemia and inflammation lead to organ deterioration and are often accompanied by microvasculature rarefaction, fibrosis, and elevated systemic Activin...
Prolonged tissue ischemia and inflammation lead to organ deterioration and are often accompanied by microvasculature rarefaction, fibrosis, and elevated systemic Activin A (ActA), the level of which frequently correlates with disease severity. Mesenchymal stromal cells are prevalent in the perivascular niche and are likely involved in tissue homeostasis and pathology. This study investigated the effects of inflammatory cells on modulation of phenotype of adipose stromal cell (ASC) and the role of ActA in this process. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were activated with LPS (aPBMC) and presented to ASC. Expression of smooth muscle/myofibroblast markers and ActA, TGFβ1-3 and CTGF was assessed in ASC. Silencing approaches were used to dissect the signaling cascade of aPBMC-induced acquisition of a myofibroblast phenotype by ASC. ASC co-cultured with aPBMC or exposed to the secretome of aPBMC upregulated smooth muscle cell markers αSMA, SM22α, and Calponin I, increased contractility, and initiated expression of ActA. IL-1β was sufficient to replicate this response, whereas blocking IL-1β eliminated aPBMC effects. ASC-derived ActA stimulated CTGF and αSMA expression in ASC; the latter independent of CTGF. Induction of αSMA in ASC by IL-1β or ActA-enriched media relied on extracellular enzymatic activity. ActA upregulated mRNA levels of several extracellular matrix proteins in ASC, albeit to a lesser degree than TGFβ1, and marginally increased cell contractility. In conclusion, the study suggests that aPBMC induce myofibroblast phenotype with weak fibrotic activity in perivascular progenitors, like ASC, through the IL-1β-ActA signaling axis, which also promotes CTGF secretion and these effects require ActA extracellular enzymatic processing.
PubMed: 38877807
DOI: 10.1089/scd.2024.0092 -
British Journal of Pharmacology Jun 2024Inflammatory signalling via the nod-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology... (Review)
Review
Inflammatory signalling via the nod-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing protein-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has recently been implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the precise role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in various cardiac cell types is poorly understood. Targeting components or products of the inflammasome and preventing their proinflammatory consequences may constitute novel therapeutic treatment strategies for AF. In this review, we summarise the current understanding of the role of the inflammasome in AF pathogenesis. We first review the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway and inflammatory signalling in cardiomyocytes, (myo)fibroblasts and immune cells, such as neutrophils, macrophages and monocytes. Because numerous compounds targeting NLRP3 signalling are currently in preclinical development, or undergoing clinical evaluation for other indications than AF, we subsequently review known therapeutics, such as colchicine and canakinumab, targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome and evaluate their potential for treating AF.
PubMed: 38877789
DOI: 10.1111/bph.16470