scholarly journals Microcurrent Stimulation Triggers MAPK Signaling and TGF-β1 Release in Fibroblast and Osteoblast-Like Cell Lines

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 1924
Author(s):  
Evangelia Konstantinou ◽  
Zoi Zagoriti ◽  
Anastasia Pyriochou ◽  
Konstantinos Poulas

Wound healing constitutes an essential process for all organisms and involves a sequence of three phases. The disruption or elongation of any of these phases can lead to a chronic or non-healing wound. Electrical stimulation accelerates wound healing by mimicking the current that is generated in the skin after any injury. Here, we sought to identify the molecular mechanisms involved in the healing process following in vitro microcurrent stimulation—a type of electrotherapy. Our results concluded that microcurrents promote cell proliferation and migration in an ERK 1/2- or p38-dependent way. Furthermore, microcurrents induce the secretion of transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) in fibroblasts and osteoblast-like cells. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis uncovered that microcurrents enhance the transcriptional activation of genes implicated in Hedgehog, TGF-β1 and MAPK signaling pathways. Overall, our results demonstrate that microcurrents may enhance wound closure through a combination of signal transductions, via MAPK’s phosphorylation, and the transcriptional activation of specific genes involved in the healing process. These mechanisms should be further examined in vivo, in order to verify the beneficial effects of microcurrents in wound or fracture healing.

Cancers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Zhang ◽  
Xiaonan Hou ◽  
Bradley Evans ◽  
Jamison VanBlaricom ◽  
Saravut Weroha ◽  
...  

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling has pleiotropic functions regulating cancer initiation, development, and metastasis, and also plays important roles in the interaction between stromal and cancer cells, making the pathway a potential therapeutic target. LY2157299 monohydrate (LY), an inhibitor of TGF-β receptor I (TGFBRI), was examined for its ability to inhibit ovarian cancer (OC) growth both in high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) cell lines and xenograft models. Immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were performed to study the effect of LY treatment on expression of cancer- and fibroblast-derived genes. Results showed that exposure to TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of SMAD2 and SMAD3 in all tested OC cell lines, but this induction was suppressed by pretreatment with LY. LY alone inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HGSOC cells in vitro. TGF-β1-induced fibroblast activation was blocked by LY. LY also delayed tumor growth and suppressed ascites formation in vivo. In addition, independent of tumor inhibition, LY reduces ascites formation in vivo. Using OVCAR8 xenograft specimens we confirmed the inhibitory effect of LY on TGF-β signaling and tumor stromal expression of collagen type XI chain 1 (COL11A1) and versican (VCAN). These observations suggest a role for anti-TGF-β signaling-directed therapy in ovarian cancer.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1928-1938 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mian Cheng ◽  
Gang Wu ◽  
Yue Song ◽  
Lin Wang ◽  
Ling Tu ◽  
...  

Backgroud: Myocardial fibrosis results in myocardial remodelling and dysfunction. Celastrol, a traditional oriental medicine, has been suggested to have cardioprotective effects. However, its underlying mechanism is unknown. This study investigated the ability of celastrol to prevent cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Animal and cell models of cardiac fibrosis were used in this study. Myocardial fibrosis was induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in mice. Cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis were evaluated based on histological and biochemical measurements. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. The levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), extracellular signal regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signalling were measured using Western blotting, while the expression of miR-21was analyzed by real-time qRT-PCR in vitro and in vivo. In vitro studies, cultured cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were treated with TGF-β1 and transfected with microRNA-21(miR21). Results: Celastrol treatment reduced the increased collagen deposition and down-regulated α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), beta-myosin heavy chain (β-MHC), miR-21 and p-ERK/ERK. Cardiac dysfunction was significantly attenuated by celastrol treatment in the TAC mice model. Celastrol treatment reduced myocardial fibroblast viability and collagen content and down-regulated α-SMA in cultured CFs in vitro. Celastrol also inhibited the miR-21/ERK signalling pathway. Celastrol attenuated miR-21 up-regulation by TGF-β1 and decreased elevated p-ERK/ERK levels in CFs transfected with miR-21. Conclusion: MiR-21/ERK signalling could be a potential therapeutic pathway for the prevention of myocardial fibrosis. Celastrol ameliorates myocardial fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction, these probably related to miR-21/ERK signaling pathways in vitro and in vivo.


Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 107 (4) ◽  
pp. 1445-1453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonhard X. Heinz ◽  
Barbara Platzer ◽  
Peter M. Reisner ◽  
Almut Jörgl ◽  
Sabine Taschner ◽  
...  

Langerhans cells (LCs) are highly abundant dendritic cells (DCs) in epidermal and mucosal tissues. The transcription factors PU.1 and Id2 have been implicated as positive regulators of LC development from hematopoietic progenitor cells. LC differentiation from progenitors is absolutely dependent on transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in vitro as well as in vivo; however, downstream mechanisms are poorly defined. We found that both PU.1 and Id2 are induced by TGF-β1 in human CD34+ monocyte/LC (M/LC) progenitor cells, and that neither ectopic PU.1 or Id2 alone, nor both together, could replace TGF-β1 in its instructive function on LC commitment. However, both factors critically contributed to LC differentiation by acting at 2 distinct intersection points. Ectopic PU.1 strongly enhanced TGF-β1-dependent LC development. Additionally, Notch-induced generation of interstitial-type DCs was associated with PU.1 up-regulation. Thus, PU.1 is generally increased during myeloid DC development. Ectopic Id2 inhibits the acquisition of early monocytic characteristics by cells generated in the absence of TGF-β1 and also inhibits monocyte induction by alternative stimuli. Since TGF-β1 represses a default monocyte pathway of common progenitor cells, PU.1 and Id2 seem to modulate lineage options of M/LC precursors, downstream of TGF-β1.


Author(s):  
Priyanka Grover ◽  
Sritama Nath ◽  
Mukulika Bose ◽  
Alexa J. Sanders ◽  
Cory Brouwer ◽  
...  

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is one of the most lethal human cancers. Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGF-β) is a cytokine that switches from a tumor-suppressor to a tumor promoter throughout tumor development, by a yet unknown mechanism. Tumor associated MUC1 (tMUC1) is aberrantly glycosylated and overexpressed in >80% of PDAs and is associated with poor prognosis. The cytoplasmic tail of MUC1 (MUC1-CT) interacts with other oncogenic proteins promoting tumor progression and metastasis. We hypothesize that tMUC1 levels regulate TGF-β functions in PDA in vitro and in vivo. We report that high-tMUC1 expression positively correlates to TGF-βRII and negatively to TGF-βRI receptors. In response to TGF-β1, high tMUC1 expressing PDA cells undergo c-Src phosphorylation, and activation of the Erk/MAPK pathway; while low tMUC1 expressing cells activate the Smad2/3 pathway, enhancing cell death. Correspondingly, mice bearing tMUC1-high tumors responded to TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody in vivo showing significantly retarded tumor growth. Analysis of clinical data from TCGA revealed significant alterations in gene-gene correlations in the TGF-β pathway in tMUC1 high versus tMUC1 low samples. This study deepens our understanding of tMUC1-regulated TGF-β’s paradoxical function in PDA and establishes tMUC1 as a potential biomarker to predict response to TGF-β-targeted therapies.


2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (4) ◽  
pp. C931-C943 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Ni Kung ◽  
Mei-Jun Yang ◽  
Chi-Fen Chang ◽  
Yat-Pang Chau ◽  
Kuo-Shyan Lu

Impaired wound healing is a serious problem for diabetic patients. Wound healing is a complex process that requires the cooperation of many cell types, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages. β-Lapachone, a natural compound extracted from the bark of the lapacho tree ( Tabebuia avellanedae), is well known for its antitumor, antiinflammatory, and antineoplastic effects at different concentrations and conditions, but its effects on wound healing have not been studied. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of β-lapachone on wound healing and its underlying mechanism. In the present study, we demonstrated that a low dose of β-lapachone enhanced the proliferation in several cells, facilitated the migration of mouse 3T3 fibroblasts and human endothelial EAhy926 cells through different MAPK signaling pathways, and accelerated scrape-wound healing in vitro. Application of ointment with or without β-lapachone to a punched wound in normal and diabetic ( db/ db) mice showed that the healing process was faster in β-lapachone-treated animals than in those treated with vehicle only. In addition, β-lapachone induced macrophages to release VEGF and EGF, which are beneficial for growth of many cells. Our results showed that β-lapachone can increase cell proliferation, including keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, and migration of fibroblasts and endothelial cells and thus accelerate wound healing. Therefore, we suggest that β-lapachone may have potential for therapeutic use for wound healing.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 819
Author(s):  
Garam Choi ◽  
Hyeongjin Na ◽  
Da-Sol Kuen ◽  
Byung-Seok Kim ◽  
Yeonseok Chung

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is an immunosuppresive cytokine that plays an essential role in immune homeostasis. It is well known that regulatory T (Treg) cells express TGF-β1; however, the role of autocrine TGF-β1 in the development, function, and stability of Treg cells remains poorly understood. We found that Treg cell-derived TGF-β1 was not required for the development of thymic Treg cells in mice, but played a role in the expression of latency-associated peptide and optimal suppression of naïve T cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, the frequency of Treg cells was significantly reduced in the mesenteric lymph nodes of the Treg cell-specific TGF-β1-deficient mice, which was associated with increased frequency of IFN-γ-producers among Treg cells. TGF-β1-deficient Treg cells were more prone to express IFN-γ than TGF-β1-sufficient Treg cells in a dendritic cell-mediated stimulation in vitro as well as in an adoptive transfer study in vivo. Mechanistically, TGF-β1-deficient Treg cells expressed higher levels of Il12rb2 and were more sensitive to IL-12-induced conversion into IFN-γ-producing Treg cells or IFN-γ-producing exTreg cells than TGF-β1-sufficient Treg cells. Our findings demonstrate that autocrine TGF-β1 plays a critical role in the optimal suppressive activity and stability of Treg cells by downregulating IL-12R on Treg cells.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (15) ◽  
pp. 3722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yin Gao ◽  
Yao Sun ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Pengyu Qiu ◽  
Zhongcheng Cong ◽  
...  

Recent knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cutaneous wound healing has advanced the development of medical products. However, patients still suffer from the failure of current treatments, due to the complexity of healing process and thus novel therapeutic approaches are urgently needed. Previously, our laboratories produced a range of low molecular weight hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA) fragments, where a proportion of the glucosamine moieties were chemically N-acyl substituted. Specifically, N-butyrylation results in anti-inflammatory properties in a macrophage system, and we demonstrate the importance of N-acyl substituents in modulating the inflammatory response of LMW-HA. We have set up an inter-institutional collaborative program to examine the biomedical applications of the N-butyrylated LMW-HA (BHA). In this study, the potentials of BHA for dermal healing are assessed in vitro and in vivo. Consequently, BHA significantly promotes dermal healing relative to a commercial wound care product. By contrast, the “parent” partially de-acetylated LMW-HA (DHA) and the re-acetylated DHA (AHA) significantly delays wound closure, demonstrating the specificity of this N-acylation of LMW-HA in wound healing. Mechanistic studies reveal that the BHA-mediated therapeutic effect is achieved by targeting three phases of wound healing (i.e., inflammation, proliferation and maturation), demonstrating the significant potential of BHA for clinical translation in cutaneous wound healing.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 3068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-Chun Yu ◽  
Ren-Yeong Huang ◽  
Tz-Chong Chou

Fucoidan extracted from brown algae has multiple beneficial functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of low-molecular-weight fucoidan (oligo-FO) on renal fibrosis under in vitro and in vivo diabetic conditions, and its molecular mechanisms. Advanced glycation product (AGE)-stimulated rat renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) and diabetic mice induced by high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and nicotinamide were used. Oligo-FO treatment significantly inhibited anti-high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1)/RAGE/ anti-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/TGF-β1R/Smad 2/3/fibronectin signaling pathway and HIF-1α activation in AGE-stimulated NRK-52E cells. Conversely, the expression and activity of Sirt-1; the levels of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22), p-AMPK, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1); and Nrf2 activation were remarkably increased by oligo-FO in AGE-stimulated cells. However, the above effects of oligo-FO were greatly diminished by inhibiting Sirt-1, HO-1, or GLP-1R activity. Similar changes of these pro-fibrotic genes in the kidney and a marked attenuation of renal injury and dysfunction were observed in oligo-FO-treated diabetic mice. These findings indicated that the inhibitory effects of the oligo-FO on diabetes-evoked renal fibrosis are mediated by suppressing TGF-β1-activated pro-fibrogenic processes via Sirt-1, HO-1, and GLP-1R dependence. Collectively, fucoidan-containing foods or supplements may be potential agents for ameliorating renal diseases due to excessive fibrosis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Er Nie ◽  
Xin Jin ◽  
Faan Miao ◽  
Tianfu Yu ◽  
Tongle Zhi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Our previous studies have indicated that miR-198 reduces cellular methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) levels to enhance temozolomide sensitivity. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) switches off miR-198 expression by repressing K-homology splicing regulatory protein (KSRP) expression in epidermal keratinocytes. However, the underlying role of TGF-β1 in temozolomide resistance has remained unknown. Methods The distribution of KSRP was detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. Microarray analysis was used to compare the levels of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) between TGF-β1–treated and untreated cells. RNA immunoprecipitation was performed to verify the relationship between RNAs and KSRP. Flow cytometry and orthotopic and subcutaneous xenograft tumor models were used to determine the function of TGF-β1 in temozolomide resistance. Results Overexpression of TGF-β1 contributed to temozolomide resistance in MGMT promoter hypomethylated glioblastoma cells in vitro and in vivo. TGF-β1 treatment reduced cellular MGMT levels through suppressing the expression of miR-198. However, TGF-β1 upregulation did not affect KSRP expression in glioma cells. We identified and characterized 2 lncRNAs (H19 and HOXD-AS2) that were upregulated by TGF-β1 through Smad signaling. H19 and HOXD-AS2 exhibited competitive binding to KSRP and prevented KSRP from binding to primary miR-198, thus decreasing miR-198 expression. HOXD-AS2 or H19 upregulation strongly promoted temozolomide resistance and MGMT expression. Moreover, KSRP depletion abrogated the effects of TGF-β1 and lncRNAs on miR-198 and MGMT. Finally, we found that patients with low levels of TGF-β1 or lncRNA expression benefited from temozolomide therapy. Conclusions Our results reveal an underlying mechanism by which TGF-β1 confers temozolomide resistance. Furthermore, our findings suggest that a novel combination of temozolomide with a TGF-β inhibitor may serve as an effective therapy for glioblastomas.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiara Sassoli ◽  
Silvia Nistri ◽  
Flaminia Chellini ◽  
Daniele Bani

: Relaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2 hormone; RLX-2; serelaxin) had raised expectations as a new medication for fibrotic diseases. A plethora of in vitro and in vivo studies have offered convincing demonstrations that relaxin promotes remodelling of connective tissue extracellular matrix mediated by inhibition of multiple fibrogenic pathways, especially the downstream signalling of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, a major pro-fibrotic cytokine, and the recruitment and activation of myofibroblast, the main fibrosis-generating cells. However, all clinical trials with relaxin in patients with fibrotic diseases gave inconclusive results. In this review, we have summarized the molecular mechanisms of fibrosis, highlighting those which can be effectively targeted by relaxin. Then, we have performed a critical reappraisal of the clinical trials performed to-date with relaxin as anti-fibrotic drug, in order to highlight their key points of strength and weakness and to identify some future opportunities for the therapeutic use of relaxin, or its analogues, in fibrotic diseases and pathologic scarring which, in our opinion, deserve to be investigated.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document