scholarly journals The Role of Cytokines TGF-β1 and FGF-1 in the Expression of Characteristic Markers of Rat Liver Myofibroblasts Cultured in Three-Dimensional Collagen Gel

2016 ◽  
pp. 661-672 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. PETEROVÁ ◽  
A. MRKVICOVÁ ◽  
L. PODMOLÍKOVÁ ◽  
M. ŘEZÁČOVÁ ◽  
J. KANTA

Rat liver myofibroblasts (MFB) are the key cells involved in the deposition of extracellular matrix in fibrotic liver. They were isolated by repeated passaging of non-parenchymal cell fraction and cultured in 3-dimensional (3D) collagen gel mimicking tissue. The transfer of MFB from plastic dishes to collagen resulted in the change in their shape from large and spread to slender with long extensions. The expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and of MFB markers, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and cellular fibronectin (EDA-FN), on protein level was significantly decreased in collagen gel. The gel did not change the expression of metalloproteinase MMP-2 but activated the proenzyme. The experiments with inhibitors of metabolic pathways showed that EDA-FN and α-SMA were differently regulated. The expression of EDA-FN required functional TGF-β1 receptors and was also dependent on the activity of protein kinases MEK1 and MEK2. α-SMA expression was primarily determined by the 3D environment. Fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) in combination with heparin decreased the expression of α-SMA and increased the expression of EDA-FN in the cells on plastic. The cellular environment may influence the cells per se and may modify the action of other agents.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Jin ◽  
Shinsaku Togo ◽  
Kotaro Kadoya ◽  
Miniwan Tulafu ◽  
Yukiko Namba ◽  
...  

AbstractPirfenidone, an antifibrotic agent used for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), functions by inhibiting myofibroblast differentiation, which is involved in transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced IPF pathogenesis. However, unlike normal lung fibroblasts, the relationship between pirfenidone responses of TGF-β1-induced human fibrotic lung fibroblasts and lung fibrosis is unknown. Here, we investigated the effect of pirfenidone on the functions of two new targets, collagen triple helix repeat containing protein 1 (CTHRC1) and four-and-a-half LIM domain protein 2 (FHL2), which included fibroblast activity, collagen gel contraction, and migration toward fibronectin. Compared to control lung fibroblasts, pirfenidone restored TGF-β1-stimulated fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction, migration, and CTHRC1 release in lung fibrotic fibroblasts. Furthermore, pirfenidone attenuated TGF-β1- and CTHRC1-induced fibroblast activity, bone morphogenic protein-4/Gremlin1 upregulation, and α-smooth muscle actin, fibronectin, and FHL2 downregulation, similar to that observed post-CTHRC1 inhibition. In contrast, FHL2 inhibition suppressed migration and fibronectin expression but did not downregulate CTHRC1. Overall, pirfenidone suppressed fibrotic fibroblast-mediated fibrotic processes via inverse regulation of CTHRC1-induced lung fibroblast activity. Thus, CTHRC1 can be used for predicting pirfenidone response and developing new therapeutic target for lung fibrosis.Summary statementPirfenidone suppressed TGF-β1-mediated fibrotic processes in fibrotic lung fibroblasts by attenuating CTHRC1 expression, suggesting that CTHRC1 may be a novel therapeutic target for treating patients with lung fibrosis.


Pharmacology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Liu ◽  
Tan Deng ◽  
Yaxin Wang ◽  
Mengmeng Zhang ◽  
Guannan Zhu ◽  
...  

Background: Intestinal fibrosis is the major complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). There are no other good treatments for CD except surgery and remains a refractory disease. Calycosin (CA), the active component of astragalus membranaceus, has been reported the potential effect on lung fibrosis and renal fibrosis. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of CA on intestinal fibrosis in vitro and the possible signal pathway. Methods: The antifibrotic effect of CA is investigated in human intestinal fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). MTT method was used to screen the concentration of CA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and TGF-β/Smad pathway. Results: The results showed that the concentration of CA was 12.5, 25, 50 μmol/L. CA could inhibit the expression of α-SMA and collagen I. In addition, CA regulated the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CA could inhibit the activation of CCD-18Co cells and reduce the expression of extracellular matrix. Our study highlighted that CA-inhibited TGF-β/Smad pathway through inhibiting the expression of p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad4, and TGF-β1 and raised the Smad7 expression. Therefore, CA might inhibit intestinal fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad pathway.


2016 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 124-132
Author(s):  
Eva Peterová ◽  
Lucie Podmolíková ◽  
Martina Řezáčová ◽  
Alena Mrkvicová

Myofibroblast expansion is a critical event in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC) to myofibroblast (MFB) results in the enhanced production of extracellular matrix (ECM). In this study, we explored the effect of acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-1) treatment on a transforming growth factor (TGF-β1) induced MFB conversion. We used HSC-T6 cell line, which represents well-established model of activated HSC. These cells strongly expressed α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN-EDA) after stimulation with TGF-β1, which is a stimulus for MFB differentiation and ECM production. FGF-1 reduced proteins expression to levels comparable with untreated cells. Mild repression of secreted gelatinases was seen in culture media after FGF-1 treatment. The exposure of cells to collagen gel leads to changes in cell morphology and in expression of MFB markers. Lack of α-SMA in cells embedded to collagen gel was detected. When stimulated with TGF-β1, the cells increased expression of FN-EDA, but not α-SMA. Although the cells on plastic and in collagen gel show different properties, FGF-1 reduced expression of FN-EDA in both conditions. Disrupting TGF-β1 signalling pathway represents a potential strategy for the treatment of fibrosis. We showed that FGF-1 could antagonize signals initiated by TGF-β1.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenxuan Jiao ◽  
Man Bai ◽  
Hanwei Yin ◽  
Jiayi Liu ◽  
Jing Sun ◽  
...  

Liver fibrosis is an important stage in the progression of liver injury into cirrhosis or even liver cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) to produce α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagens in liver fibrosis. Butaselen (BS), which was previously synthesized by our group, is an organic selenium compound that exerts antioxidant and tumor cell apoptosis–promoting effects by inhibiting the thioredoxin (Trx)/thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) system. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of BS on liver fibrosis and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms of its action. Liver fibrosis models were established using male BALB/c mice through intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. BS was administered orally once daily at a dose of 36, 90, or 180 mg/kg. Silymarin (Si), which is a drug used for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, was administered at a dose of 30 mg/kg per day as a control. The action mechanisms of BS against liver fibrosis progression were examined in HSCs. The study revealed that the activity and expression levels of TrxR were elevated in the mouse liver and serum after CCl4-induced liver fibrosis. Oral administration of BS relieved the pathological state of mice with liver fibrosis, showing significant therapeutic effects against liver fibrosis. Moreover, BS not only induced HSC apoptosis but also inhibited the production of α-SMA and collagens by HSCs by downregulating the TGF-β1 expression and blocking the TGF-β1/Smads pathway. The results of the study indicated that BS inhibited liver fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads pathway.


2006 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuki Fukumura ◽  
Toshio Kumasaka ◽  
Keiko Mitani ◽  
Kanae Karita ◽  
Koichi Suda

Abstract Context.—Myofibroblasts are considered to play central roles in pancreatic fibrosis. The potent fibrogenic capacities of transforming growth factor βs (TGF-βs) have been emphasized in vitro and in animal studies. However, the roles of TGF-βs in human chronic pancreatitis have not been fully clarified. Objective.—To investigate whether expressions of TGF-βs are related to myofibroblast distribution in chronic, cancer-associated, obstructive pancreatitis (COP). Design.—Histopathologic studies using hematoxylin-eosin and Elastica-Masson trichrome and immunohistochemical studies using antibodies against α-smooth muscle actin (SMA); CD68; TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3; and TGF-β soluble receptor type II were performed in 19 COP cases and 6 controls. By classifying COP tissues into 3 fibrosis phases by the amount of collagen deposits, immunoreactivities for TGF-βs, histopathologic changes, and myofibroblast distribution were examined for each fibrosis phase. Results.—Six cases were categorized in the early stage of fibrosis, 8 in the intermediate stage, and 5 in the advanced stage. Immunoreactivities for all 3 isoforms of TGF-β were observed in occasional myofibroblasts. In the early and intermediate stages, TGF-β1–expressing macrophages and neutrophils were distributed in the midst of myofibroblasts. TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 expressions were observed in ductal structures, sometimes even in sites where no or few myofibroblasts were seen. TGF-β soluble receptor type II was immunoreactive for myofibroblasts, endothelium, and ductal structures. Conclusions.—All 3 isoforms of TGF-βs may contribute to fibrosis in COP. Macrophages and neutrophils may be sources of fibrogenic TGF-β1. Infiltration of these cells appears to play an important role in the progression of COP fibrosis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (21) ◽  
pp. 2299-2322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinfang Bao ◽  
Yingfeng Shi ◽  
Min Tao ◽  
Na Liu ◽  
Shougang Zhuang ◽  
...  

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.


2004 ◽  
Vol 286 (1) ◽  
pp. L189-L197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emiko Ogawa ◽  
W. Mark Elliott ◽  
Fiona Hughes ◽  
Thomas J. Eichholtz ◽  
James C. Hogg ◽  
...  

Previous studies showed an association between latent adenoviral infection with expression of the adenoviral E1A gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The present study focuses on how the adenoviral E1A gene could alter expression of growth factors by human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells. The data show that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 mRNA and protein expression were upregulated in E1A-positive HBE cells. Upregulation of CTGF in this in vitro model was independent of TGF-β secreted into the growth medium. Comparison of E1A-positive with E1A-negative HBE cells showed that both expressed cytokeratin but only E1A-positive cells expressed the mesenchymal markers vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin. We conclude that latent infection of epithelial cells by adenovirus E1A could contribute to airway remodeling in COPD by the viral E1A gene, inducing TGF-β1 and CTGF expression and shifting cells to a more mesenchymal phenotype.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joo-Hee Park ◽  
Martha Kim ◽  
Bora Yim ◽  
Choul Yong Park

AbstractNitric oxide (NO) has the potential to modulate myofibroblast differentiation. In this study, we investigated the effect of exogenous NO on the myofibroblast differentiation of human keratocytes using sodium nitrite as a NO donor. Myofibroblasts were induced by exposing resting keratocytes to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. N-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) were used as myofibroblast markers. Both resting keratocytes and -stimulated keratocytes were exposed to various concentrations of sodium nitrite (1 μM to 1000 mM) for 24 to 72 h. Exposure to sodium nitrite did not alter keratocytes’ viability up to a 10 mM concentration for 72 h. However, significant cytotoxicity was observed in higher concentrations of sodium nitrite (over 100 mM). The expression of αSMA and N-cadherin was significantly increased in keratocytes by TGF-β1 stimulation after 72 h incubation. The addition of sodium nitrite (1 mM) to TGF-β1-stimulated keratocytes significantly decreased αSMA and N cadherin expression. Smad3 phosphorylation decreased after sodium nitrite (1 mM) exposure in TGF-β1-stimulated keratocytes. The effect of NO was reversed when NO scavenger, 2-4-carboxyphenyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO) was added in the culture medium. Application of sodium nitrite resulted in significant decrease of corneal opacity when measured at 2 weeks after the chemical burn in the mouse. These results verified the potential therapeutic effect of NO to decrease myofibroblast differentiation of human keratocytes and corneal opacity after injury.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document