scholarly journals Pro-Fibrotic Phenotype in a Patient with Segmental Stiff Skin Syndrome via TGF-β Signaling Overactivation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (14) ◽  
pp. 5141
Author(s):  
Carmela Fusco ◽  
Grazia Nardella ◽  
Bartolomeo Augello ◽  
Francesca Boccafoschi ◽  
Orazio Palumbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Matrix Composition ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Partial Restoration

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling pathways are ubiquitous and essential for several cellular and physiological processes. The overexpression of TGF-β results in excessive fibrosis in multiple human disorders. Among them, stiff skin syndrome (SSS) is an ultrarare and untreatable condition characterized by the progressive thickening and hardening of the dermis, and acquired joint limitations. SSS is distinct in a widespread form, caused by recurrent germline variants of FBN1 encoding a key molecule of the TGF-β signaling, and a segmental form with unknown molecular basis. Here, we report a 12-year-old female with segmental SSS, affecting the right upper limb with acquired thickening of the dermis evident at the magnetic resonance imaging, and progressive limitation of the elbow and shoulder. To better explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive segmental SSS, several functional studies on patient’s fibroblasts were employed. We hypothesized an impairment of TGF-β signaling and, consequently, a dysregulation of the associated downstream signaling. Lesional fibroblast studies showed a higher phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), increased levels of nuclear factor-kB (NFkB), and a nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated Smad2 via Western blot and microscopy analyses. Quantitative PCR expression analysis of genes encoding key extracellular matrix proteins revealed increased levels of COL1A1, COL3A1, AGT, LTBP and ITGB1, while zymography assay reported a reduced metalloproteinase 2 enzymatic activity. In vitro exposure of patient’s fibroblasts to losartan led to the partial restoration of normal transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) marker protein levels. Taken together, these data demonstrate that in our patient, segmental SSS is characterized by the overactivation of multiple TGF-β signaling pathways, which likely results in altered extracellular matrix composition and fibroblast homeostasis. Our results for the first time reported that aberrant TGF-β signaling may drive the pathogenesis of segmental SSS and might open the way to novel therapeutic approaches.

Phosphorylation of threonine 276 in Smad4 is involved in transforming growth factor-β-induced nuclear accumulation

2003 ◽  
Vol 285 (4) ◽  
pp. C823-C830 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard A. J. Roelen ◽  
Ori S. Cohen ◽  
Malay K. Raychowdhury ◽  
Deborah N. Chadee ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Nuclear Accumulation ◽  
Mutant Protein ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Type Protein ◽  
Wild Type Protein

Smad4, the common Smad, is central for transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily ligand signaling. Smad4 has been shown to be constitutively phosphorylated (Nakao A, Imamura T, Souchelnytskyi S, Kawabata M, Ishisaki A, Oeda E, Tamaki K, Hanai J, Heldin C-H, Miyazono K, and ten Dijke P. EMBO J 16: 5353-5362, 1997), but the site(s) of phosphorylation, the kinase(s) that performs this phosphorylation, and the significance of the phosphorylation of Smad4 are currently unknown. This report describes the identification of a consensus ERK phosphorylation site in the linker region of Smad4 at Thr276. Our data show that ERK can phosphorylate Smad4 in vitro but not Smad4 with mutated Thr276. Flag-tagged Smad4-T276A mutant protein accumulates less efficiently in the nucleus after stimulation by TGF-β and is less efficient in generating a transcriptional response than Smad4 wild-type protein. Tryptic phosphopeptide mapping identified a phosphopeptide in Smad4 wild-type protein that was absent in phosphorylated Smad4-T276A mutant protein. Our results suggest that MAP kinase can phosphorylate Thr276 of Smad4 and that phosphorylation can lead to enhanced TGF-β-induced nuclear accumulation and, as a consequence, enhanced transcriptional activity of Smad4.

Modulation of extracellular matrix using adenovirus vectors

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. Richards ◽  
C. Kerr ◽  
L. Tong ◽  
C. Langdon
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Oncostatin M ◽  
Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Mouse Lung

Metabolism of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex process that becomes disregulated in disease states characterized by chronic inflammation of joints, as is seen in rheumatoid arthritis or fibrosis of the lung. The participation of certain cytokines in this process is generally accepted (transforming growth factor-β induces fibrosis), while the roles of other cytokines are less clear. Oncostatin M (OSM) is a member of the interleukin-6/leukaemia inhibitory factor (or gp130) cytokine family, and its participation in inflammation and the regulation of ECM metabolism is supported by a number of activities identified in vitro, including regulation of matrix metallo-proteinase-1 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1. Local overexpression of transforming growth factor-β has been shown to be fibrogenic in mouse lung, whereas local OSM over-expression via intra-articular administration has been shown to induce a pannus-like inflammatory response in the synovium of mouse knee joints. Here we examine the effects of OSM in the context of those of transforming growth factor-β using an established adenovirus vector that expresses mOSM (AdmOSM). We administered the virus intra-nasally into Balb/C mice to achieve high expression of OSM in the lung, and examined the effects at various time points. AdmOSM resulted in a vigorous inflammatory response by day 7 which was characterized by an elevation of neutrophil and mononuclear cell numbers and a marked increase in collagen deposition. These data support the use of such systems to study the ECM in vivo, and indicate a potential role for OSM in inflammatory responses that can modulate steady-state ECM deposition in Balb/C mice.

scholarly journals Extracellular Matrix and Cytokines: A Functional Unit

2000 ◽  
Vol 7 (2-4) ◽  
pp. 89-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elke Schönherr ◽  
Heinz-JüRgen Hausser
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Matrix ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Heparan Sulfate ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Heparin Binding ◽  
Cytokine Network ◽  
Surface Receptors ◽  
Core Proteins ◽  
The Matrix

The extracellular matrix (ECM) as well as soluble mediators like cytokines can influence the behavior of cells in very distinct as well as cooperative ways. One group of ECM molecules which shows an especially broad cooperativety with cytokines and growth factors are the proteoglycans. Proteoglycans can interact with their core proteins as well as their glycosaminoglycan chains with cytokines. These interactions can modify the binding of cytokines to their cell surface receptors or they can lead to the storage of the soluble factors in the matrix. Proteoglycans themselves may even have cytokine activity. In this review we describe different proteoglycans and their interactions and relationships with cytokines and we discuss in more detail the extracellular regulation of the activity of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) by proteoglycans and other ECM molecules. In the third part the interaction of heparan sulfate chains with fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2, basic FGF) as a prototype example for the interaction of heparin-binding cytokines with heparan sulfate proteoglycans is presented to illustrate the different levels of mutual dependence of the cytokine network and the ECM.

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