scholarly journals Characterization of human PDGFR-β-positive pericytes from IPF and non-IPF lungs

2018 ◽  
Vol 315 (6) ◽  
pp. L991-L1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carole L. Wilson ◽  
Sarah E. Stephenson ◽  
Jean Paul Higuero ◽  
Carol Feghali-Bostwick ◽  
Chi F. Hung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Lung Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Marker Profile ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Pericytes are key regulators of the microvasculature through their close interactions with the endothelium. However, pericytes play additional roles in tissue homeostasis and repair, in part by transitioning into myofibroblasts. Accumulation of myofibroblasts is a hallmark of fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). To understand the contribution and role of pericytes in human lung fibrosis, we isolated these cells from non-IPF control and IPF lung tissues based on expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFR-β), a common marker of pericytes. When cultured in a specialized growth medium, PDGFR-β+ cells retain the morphology and marker profile typical of pericytes. We found that IPF pericytes migrated more rapidly and invaded a basement membrane matrix more readily than control pericytes. Exposure of cells to transforming growth factor-β, a major fibrosis-inducing cytokine, increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix genes in both control and IPF pericytes. Given that pericytes are uniquely positioned in vivo to respond to danger signals of both systemic and tissue origin, we stimulated human lung pericytes with agonists having pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Both control and IPF lung pericytes increased expression of proinflammatory chemokines in response to specific PAMPs and DAMPs released from necrotic cells. Our results suggest that control and IPF lung pericytes are poised to react to tissue damage, as well as microbial and fibrotic stimuli. However, IPF pericytes are primed for migration and matrix invasion, features that may contribute to the function of these cells in lung fibrosis.

scholarly journals The Anti-Cancer Effects of a Zotarolimus and 5-Fluorouracil Combination Treatment on A549 Cell-Derived Tumors in BALB/c Nude Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4562
Author(s):  
Ching-Feng Wu ◽  
Ching-Yang Wu ◽  
Robin Y.-Y. Chiou ◽  
Wei-Cheng Yang ◽  
Chuen-Fu Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Lung Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Nude Mice ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Human Lung Adenocarcinoma

Zotarolimus is a semi-synthetic derivative of rapamycin and a novel immunosuppressive agent used to prevent graft rejection. The pharmacological pathway of zotarolimus restricts the kinase activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which potentially leads to reductions in cell division, cell growth, cell proliferation, and inflammation. These pathways have a critical influence on tumorigenesis. This study aims to examine the anti-tumor effect of zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell line implanted in BALB/c nude mice by estimating tumor growth, apoptosis expression, inflammation, and metastasis. We established A549 xenografts in nude mice, following which we randomly divided the mice into four groups: control, 5-FU (100 mg/kg/week), zotarolimus (2 mg/kg/day), and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU. Compared the results with those for control mice, we found that mice treated with zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU retarded tumor growth; increased tumor apoptosis through the enhanced expression of cleaved caspase 3 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation; decreased inflammation cytokines levels (e.g., IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6); reduced inflammation-related factors such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) mRNA; enhanced anti-inflammation-related factors including IL-10 and inhibitor of NF-κB kinase α (IκBα) mRNA; and inhibited metastasis-related factors such as transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), CD44, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Notably, mice treated with zotarolimus combined with 5-FU had significantly retarded tumor growth, reduced tumor size, and increased tumor inhibition compared with the groups of mice treated with 5-FU or zotarolimus alone. The in vivo study confirmed that zotarolimus or zotarolimus combined with 5-FU could retard lung adenocarcinoma growth and inhibit tumorigenesis. Zotarolimus and 5-FU were found to have an obvious synergistic tumor-inhibiting effect on lung adenocarcinoma. Therefore, both zotarolimus alone and zotarolimus combined with 5-FU may be potential anti-tumor agents for treatment of human lung adenocarcinoma.

scholarly journals Pharmacological inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA attenuates hyperuricemic nephropathy

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (21) ◽  
pp. 2299-2322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinfang Bao ◽  
Yingfeng Shi ◽  
Min Tao ◽  
Na Liu ◽  
Shougang Zhuang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Renal Tissue ◽  
Tgf Β1

Autophagy has been identified as a cellular process of bulk degradation of cytoplasmic components and its persistent activation is critically involved in the renal damage induced by ureteral obstruction. However, the role and underlying mechanisms of autophagy in hyperuricemic nephropathy (HN) remain unknown. In the present study, we observed that inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) abolished uric acid-induced differentiation of renal fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and activation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and Wnt signaling pathways in cultured renal interstitial fibroblasts. Treatment with 3-MA also abrogated the development of HN in vivo as evidenced by improving renal function, preserving renal tissue architecture, reducing the number of autophagic vacuoles, and decreasing microalbuminuria. Moreover, 3-MA was effective in attenuating renal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and reducing renal epithelial cells arrested at the G2/M phase of cell cycle. Injury to the kidney resulted in increased expression of TGF-β1 and TGFβ receptor I, phosphorylation of Smad3 and TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), and activation of multiple cell signaling pathways associated with renal fibrogenesis, including Wnt, Notch, EGFR, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). 3-MA treatment remarkably inhibited all these responses. In addition, 3-MA effectively suppressed infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes as well as release of multiple profibrogenic cytokines/chemokines in the injured kidney. Collectively, these findings indicate that hyperuricemia-induced autophagy is critically involved in the activation of renal fibroblasts and development of renal fibrosis and suggest that inhibition of autophagy may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for HN.

scholarly journals Inactivation of Smad-Transforming Growth Factor β Signaling by Ca2+-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (21) ◽  
pp. 8103-8111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Wicks ◽  
Stephen Lui ◽  
Nadia Abdel-Wahab ◽  
Roger M. Mason ◽  
Andrew Chantry
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Cam Kinase Ii ◽  
Cam Kinase ◽  
Dependent Protein Kinase ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Β Receptor

ABSTRACT Members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family transduce signals through Smad proteins. Smad signaling can be regulated by the Ras/Erk/mitogen-activated protein pathway in response to receptor tyrosine kinase activation and the gamma interferon pathway and also by the functional interaction of Smad2 with Ca2+-calmodulin. Here we report that Smad–TGF-β-dependent transcriptional responses are prevented by expression of a constitutively activated Ca2+-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (Cam kinase II). Smad2 is a target substrate for Cam kinase II in vitro at serine-110, -240, and -260. Cam kinase II induces in vivo phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad4 and, to a lesser extent, Smad3. A phosphopeptide antiserum raised against Smad2 phosphoserine-240 reacted with Smad2 in vivo when coexpressed with Cam kinase II and by activation of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor, the epidermal growth factor receptor, HER2 (c-erbB2), and the TGF-β receptor. Furthermore, Cam kinase II blocked nuclear accumulation of a Smad2 and induced Smad2-Smad4 hetero-oligomerization independently of TGF-β receptor activation, while preventing TGF-β-dependent Smad2-Smad3 interactions. These findings provide a novel cross-talk mechanism by which Ca2+-dependent kinases activated downstream of multiple growth factor receptors antagonize cell responses to TGF-β.

Expression of glutaredoxin is highly cell specific in human lung and is decreased by transforming growth factor-β in vitro and in interstitial lung diseases in vivo

2004 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1000-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mirva Peltoniemi ◽  
Riitta Kaarteenaho-Wiik ◽  
Marjaana Säily ◽  
Raija Sormunen ◽  
Paavo Pääkkö ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Lung Diseases ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Human Lung ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Interstitial Lung Diseases

Increased expression of epimorphin in a peritoneal fibrosis mouse model

2021 ◽  
pp. 089686082110515
Author(s):  
Muneharu Yamada ◽  
Yohei Hirai ◽  
Dan Inoue ◽  
Shuhei Komatsu ◽  
Takahiro Uchida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Peritoneal Fibrosis ◽  
Compact Zone

Background: Long-term peritoneal dialysis results in functional and histopathological alterations of the peritoneal membrane, leading to peritoneal fibrosis (PF). The mechanism of PF has not been fully elucidated, and at present there is no effective therapy for PF. Epimorphin is a mesenchymal protein that not only regulates morphogenesis in organ development but is implicated in tissue repair. However, the role of epimorphin in PF has not yet been clarified. Methods: PF was induced in C57/Bl6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG-injected mice) three times a week for 3 weeks. The parietal peritoneum was subsequently dissected and assessed by Masson’s trichrome staining, and epimorphin expression was analysed by immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, epimorphin-positive regions were analysed by multiple immunofluorescence staining using fibrosis-associated markers. In addition, normal rat fibroblast cells (NRK-49F) were treated with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the presence or absence of epimorphin. The expression of fibrosis-associated markers was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Results: In CG-injected mice, Masson’s trichrome staining showed marked thickening of the submesothelial compact zone. Weak epimorphin expression was observed in the narrow submesothelial compact zone beneath the mesothelial cells in control mice; however, epimorphin expression was stronger in the submesothelial compact zone in CG-injected mice. Epimorphin expression was observed mainly in α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. Epimorphin suppressed the TGF-β-induced upregulation of α-SMA and platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β in cultured cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that epimorphin may be a therapeutic target for fibrotic diseases of the peritoneum.

Overexpression of angiotensin type 2 receptor ameliorates glomerular injury in a mouse remnant kidney model

2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (3) ◽  
pp. F516-F525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Hashimoto ◽  
Yohei Maeshima ◽  
Minoru Satoh ◽  
Masahiro Odawara ◽  
Hitoshi Sugiyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Glomerular Injury ◽  
Wild Mice ◽  
Angiotensin Type 2 Receptor ◽  
Glomerular Size ◽  
Nitric Oxide Metabolites

Angiotensin II mediates the progression of renal disease through the type 1 receptor (AT1R). Recent studies have suggested that type 2 receptor (AT2R)-mediated signaling inhibits cell proliferation by counteracting the actions of AT1R. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of AT2R overexpression on glomerular injury induced by ⅚ nephrectomy (⅚Nx). AT2R transgenic mice (AT2-Tg), overexpressing AT2R under the control of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) promoter, and control wild-type mice (Wild) were subjected to ⅚Nx. In AT2-Tg mice, the glomerular expression of AT2R was upregulated after ⅚Nx. Urinary albumin excretion at 12 wk after ⅚Nx was decreased by 33.7% in AT2-Tg compared with Wild mice. Glomerular size in AT2-Tg mice was significantly smaller than in Wild mice after ⅚Nx (93.1 ± 3.0 vs. 103.3 ± 1.8 μm; P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry revealed significant decreases in glomerular expression of platelet-derived growth factor-BB chain (PDGF-BB) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in AT2-Tg with ⅚Nx compared with Wild mice. Urinary excretion of nitric oxide metabolites was increased 2.5-fold in AT2-Tg compared with Wild mice. EMSA showed that activation of early growth response gene-1, which induces the transcription of PDGF-BB and TGF-β1, was decreased in AT2-Tg mice. These changes in AT2-Tg mice at 12 wk after ⅚Nx were blocked by the AT2R antagonist PD-123319. Taken together, our findings suggest that AT2R-mediated signaling may protect from glomerular injuries induced by ⅚Nx and that overexpression of AT2R may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for glomerular disorders.

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