scholarly journals Bleomycin induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via bFGF/PI3K/ESRP1 signaling in pulmonary fibrosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Mei Weng ◽  
Qing Li ◽  
Kui-Jun Chen ◽  
Cheng-Xiong Xu ◽  
Meng-Sheng Deng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Akt Signaling ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tgf Β1

Abstract Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal and chronic disease with a high rate of infection and mortality; however, its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear. Studies have revealed that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial cellular event in IPF. Here, we identified that the pulmonary fibrosis inducer bleomycin simultaneously increased the expression of bFGF and TGF-β1 and inhibited epithelial-specific regulatory protein (ESRP1) expression in vivo and in vitro. In addition, in vitro experiments showed that bFGF and TGF-β1 down-regulated the expression of ESRP1 and that silencing ESRP1 promoted EMT in A549 cells. Notably, we determined that bFGF activates PI3K/Akt signaling, and treatment with the PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002 inhibited bleomycin-induced cell morphology changes and EMT. In addition, the effects of LY294002 on bleomycin-induced EMT were inhibited by ESRP1 silencing in A549 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that bleomycin induced EMT through down-regulating ESRP1 by simultaneously increasing bFGF and TGF-β1 in pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, our findings indicated that bFGF inhibits ESRP1 by activating PI3K/Akt signaling.

scholarly journals Pterostilbene Alleviates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Regulating ASIC2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfang Peng ◽  
Yingwen Zhang ◽  
Yabing Zhang ◽  
Xiuping Wang ◽  
Yukun Xia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
High Throughput ◽  
Protein Level ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tgf Β1

Abstract Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a serious chronic disease of the respiratory system, and its current treatment have certain shortcomings and adverse effects. In this study, we evaluate the anti-fibrotic activity of pterostilbene (PTE) using an IPF model induced by TGF-β1 in vitro.Methods: A549 and AEC cells were incubated with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 to induce lung fibroblast activation. 30 μmol/L PTE was used to treat the cells. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and autophagy of cells were suggested by western blot. The apoptosis was proved by flow cytometry analysis and western blot. Transcriptome high-throughput sequencing on A549 cells incubated with TGF-β1 alone or TGF-β1 and PTE (TGF-β1+PTE) was performed, and differentially expressed genes caused by PTE were identified. The ASIC2 overexpression plasmid was used to rescue the protein level of ASIC2 in A549 and AEC cells.Results: TGF-β1 caused the EMT and accumulation of ECM, and blocked the autophagy and apoptosis of A549 and AEC cells. Most importantly, 30 μmol/L PTE inhibited the pulmonary fibrosis induced by TGF-β1. Compared with cells treated with TGF-β1, PTE treatment inhibited the EMT and accumulation of ECM, and rescued cell apoptosis and autophagy. The results of transcriptome high-throughput sequencing performed that PTE greatly reduced the protein level of ASIC2. In addition, compared with the TGF-β1+PTE group, the transfection of ASIC2 overexpression plasmid stimulated the EMT and accumulation of ECM, and inhibited apoptosis and autophagy, suggesting that PTE inhibited pulmonary fibrosis by down-regulating ASIC2. Conclusions: In conclusion, our study suggests that PTE and ASIC2 inhibitors may benefit future IPF treatments.

scholarly journals Network Pharmacology and Experimental Assessment to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanism of Qimai Feiluoping Decoction Against Pulmonary Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yingying Yang ◽  
Lu Ding ◽  
Tingting Bao ◽  
Yaxin Li ◽  
Jing Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Network Pharmacology ◽  
Active Components ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Pharmacological Mechanism ◽  
Ecm Degradation ◽  
Tgf Β1

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is one of the pathologic changes in COVID-19 patients in convalescence, and it is also a potential long-term sequela in severe COVID-19 patients. Qimai Feiluoping decoction (QM) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula recommended in the Chinese national medical program for COVID-19 convalescent patients, and PF is one of its indications. Through clinical observation, QM was found to improve the clinical symptoms and pulmonary function and reduce the degree of PF of COVID-19 convalescent patients. To further explore the pharmacological mechanisms and possible active components of QM in anti-PF effect, UHPLC/Q-TOF-MS was used to analyze the composition of the QM extract and the active components that can be absorbed into the blood, leading to the identification of 56 chemical compounds and 10 active components. Then, network pharmacology was used to predict the potential mechanisms and targets of QM; it predicted that QM exerts its anti-PF effects via the regulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and TGF-β signaling pathway. Finally, TGF-β1–induced A549 cells were used to verify and explore the pharmacological effects of QM and found that QM could inhibit the proliferation of TGF-β1–induced A549 cells, attenuate EMT, and promote ECM degradation by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway.

scholarly journals Atractylodin Suppresses TGF-β-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Alveolar Epithelial Cells and Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (20) ◽  
pp. 11152
Author(s):  
Kai-Wei Chang ◽  
Xiang Zhang ◽  
Shih-Chao Lin ◽  
Yu-Chao Lin ◽  
Chia-Hsiang Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Lung Injury ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Collagen Deposition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Tgf Β1

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by fibrotic change in alveolar epithelial cells and leads to the irreversible deterioration of pulmonary function. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in type 2 lung epithelial cells contributes to excessive collagen deposition and plays an important role in IPF. Atractylodin (ATL) is a kind of herbal medicine that has been proven to protect intestinal inflammation and attenuate acute lung injury. Our study aimed to determine whether EMT played a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and whether EMT can be utilized as a therapeutic target by ATL treatment to mitigate IPF. To address this topic, we took two steps to investigate: 1. Utilization of anin vitro EMT model by treating alveolar epithelial cells (A549 cells) with TGF-β1 followed by ATL treatment for elucidating the underlying pathways, including Smad2/3 hyperphosphorylation, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway overexpression, Snail and Slug upregulation, and loss of E-cadherin. Utilization of an in vivo lung injury model by treating bleomycin on mice followed by ATL treatment to demonstrate the therapeutic effectiveness, such as, less collagen deposition and lower E-cadherin expression. In conclusion, ATL attenuates TGF-β1-induced EMT in A549 cells and bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

scholarly journals Arctigenin Suppressed Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Through Wnt3a/β-Catenin Pathway in PQ-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei Gao ◽  
Yun Zhang ◽  
Zhizhou Yang ◽  
Mengmeng Wang ◽  
Zhiyi Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Lung Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Alveolar Type ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Arctigenin (ATG), a major bioactive substance of Fructus Arctii, counters renal fibrosis; however, whether it protects against paraquat (PQ)-induced lung fibrosis remains unknown. The present study was to determine the effect of ATG on PQ-induced lung fibrosis in a mouse model and the underlying mechanism. Firstly, we found that ATG suppressed PQ-induced pulmonary fibrosis by blocking the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). ATG reduced the expressions of Vimentin and α-SMA (lung fibrosis markers) induced by PQ and restored the expressions of E-cadherin and Occludin (two epithelial markers) in vivo and in vitro. Besides, the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway was significantly activated in PQ induced pulmonary fibrosis. Further analysis showed that pretreatment of ATG profoundly abrogated PQ-induced EMT-like phenotypes and behaviors in A549 cells. The Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway was repressed by ATG treatment. The overexpression of Wnt3a could weaken the therapeutic effect of ATG in A549 cells. These findings suggested that ATG could serve as a new therapeutic candidate to inhibit or even reverse EMT-like changes in alveolar type II cells during PQ-induced lung fibrosis, and unraveled that the Wnt3a/β-catenin pathway might be a mechanistic tool for ATG to control pulmonary fibrosis.

scholarly journals Pretreatment with valproic acid alleviates pulmonary fibrosis through epithelial–mesenchymal transition inhibition in vitro and in vivo

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Chen ◽  
Azeem Alam ◽  
Aurelie Pac-Soo ◽  
Qian Chen ◽  
You Shang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Valproic Acid ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tgf Β1 ◽  
E Cadherin

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a crucial role in the development of pulmonary fibrosis. This study aims to investigate the effects of valproic acid (VPA) on EMT in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, EMT was induced by the administration of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in a human alveolar epithelial cell line (A549). The dose effects of VPA (0.1–3 mM) on EMT were subsequently evaluated at different timepoints. VPA (1 mM) was applied prior to the administration of TGF-β1 and the expression of E-cadherin, vimentin, p-Smad2/3 and p-Akt was assessed. In addition, the effects of a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor (A8301) and PI3K-Akt inhibitor (LY294002) on EMT were evaluated. In vivo, the effects of VPA on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis were evaluated by assessing variables such as survival rate, body weight and histopathological changes, whilst the expression of E-cadherin and vimentin in lung tissue was also evaluated. A8301 and LY294002 were used to ascertain the cellular signaling pathways involved in this model. The administration of VPA prior to TGF-β1 in A549 cells prevented EMT in both a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with VPA downregulated the expression of both p-Smad2/3 and p-Akt. A8301 administration increased the expression of E-cadherin and reduced the expression of vimentin. LY294002 inhibited Akt phosphorylation induced by TGF-β1 but failed to prevent EMT. Pretreatment with VPA both increased the survival rate and prevented the loss of body weight in mice with pulmonary fibrosis. Interestingly, both VPA and A8301 prevented EMT and facilitated an improvement in lung structure. Overall, pretreatment with VPA attenuated the development of pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting EMT in mice, which was associated with Smad2/3 deactivation but without Akt cellular signal involvement.

scholarly journals Downregulation of S100A2 alleviates pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guichuan Huang ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Gang Qing ◽  
Daishun Liu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Tgf Β1

Abstract Background：Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a progressive and lethal disease with poor prognosis. S100A2 plays an important role in the progression of cancer. However, the role of S100A2 in PF has not been reported yet. In this study, we explored the potential role of S100A2 in PF and its potential molecular mechanisms. Methods: First, we analyzed S100A2 expression of patients with PF by retrieving RNA-sequencing datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Next, we detected the expression of S100A2 in patients with PF using quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, S100A2 expression was determined with or without the treatment of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in A549 cells. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers, including E-cadherin，vimentin, and α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), were identified using qRT-PCR and western blot. Finally, the relevant signalling pathway indicators were detected by western blot. Results: Increased expression of S100A2 was first observed in lung tissues of PF patients. Meanwhile, we found that downregulation of S100A2 inhibited the TGF-β1-induced EMT in A549 cells. Mechanically, TGF-β1 up-regulated β-catenin and phosphorylation of GSK-3β, which was blocked by silencing S100A2 in vitro. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that downregulation of S100A2 alleviate pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting EMT. S100A2 is a promising potential target for further understanding the mechanism and developing strategy for the treatment of PF and other EMT-associated disease.

scholarly journals Mechanically Activated Calcium Channel PIEZO1 Modulates Radiation-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition by Forming a Positive Feedback With TGF-β1

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia-Qi Huang ◽  
Hao Zhang ◽  
Xue-Wei Guo ◽  
Yan Lu ◽  
Si-Nian Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Calcium Channel ◽  
Positive Feedback ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Type Ii ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
Tgf Β1

TGF-β-centered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process involved in radiation-induced pulmonary injury (RIPI) and pulmonary fibrosis. PIEZO1, a mechanosensitive calcium channel, is expressed in myeloid cell and has been found to play an important role in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Whether PIEZO1 is related with radiation-induced EMT remains elusive. Herein, we found that PIEZO1 is functional in rat primary type II epithelial cells and RLE-6TN cells. After irradiation, PIEZO1 expression was increased in rat lung alveolar type II epithelial cells and RLE-6TN cell line, which was accompanied with EMT changes evidenced by increased TGF-β1, N-cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin, and α-SMA expression and decreased E-cadherin expression. Addition of exogenous TGF-β1 further enhanced these phenomena in vitro. Knockdown of PIEZO1 partly reverses radiation-induced EMT in vitro. Mechanistically, we found that activation of PIEZO1 could upregulate TGF-β1 expression and promote EMT through Ca2+/HIF-1α signaling. Knockdown of HIF-1α partly reverses enhanced TGF-β1 expression caused by radiation. Meanwhile, the expression of PIEZO1 was up-regulated after TGF-β1 co-culture, and the mechanism could be traced to the inhibition of transcription factor C/EBPβ expression by TGF-β1. Irradiation also caused a decrease in C/EBPβ expression in RLE-6TN cells. Dual luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) confirmed that C/EBPβ represses PIEZO1 expression by binding to the PIEZO1 promoter. Furthermore, overexpression of C/EBPβ by using the synonymous mutation to C/EBPβ siRNA could reverse siRNA-induced upregulation of PIEZO1. In summary, our research suggests a critical role of PIEZO1 signaling in radiation-induced EMT by forming positive feedback with TGF-β1.

scholarly journals Role of CXCL16 in BLM-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition in human A549 cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenzhen Ma ◽  
Chunyan Ma ◽  
Qingfeng Zhang ◽  
Yang Bai ◽  
Kun Mu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
A549 Cells ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Alveolar Type ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial ◽  
Tgf Β1

AbstractAlveolar epithelial cells play an essential role in the initiation and progression of pulmonary fibrosis, and the occurrence of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be the early events of pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have shown chemokines are involved in the complex process of EMT, and CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16) is also associated with many fibrosis-related diseases. However, whether CXCL16 is dysregulated in alveolar epithelial cells and the role of CXCL16 in modulating EMT in pulmonary fibrosis has not been reported. In this study, we found that CXCL16 and its receptor C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6) were upregulated in bleomycin induced EMT in human alveolar type II-like epithelial A549 cells. Synergistic effect of CXCL16 and bleomycin in promoting EMT occurrence, extracellular matrix (ECM) excretion, as well as the pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic cytokines productions in A549 cells were observed, and those biological functions were impaired by CXCL16 siRNA. We further confirmed that CXCL16 regulated EMT in A549 cells via the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways. These results indicated that CXCL16 could promote pulmonary fibrosis by promoting the process of EMT via the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

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