BIPHASIC EFFECTS OF SELECTIVE INHIBITION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH FACTOR β1 ACTIVIN RECEPTOR-LIKE KINASE ON LPS-INDUCED LUNG INJURY

Abstract Objective Previously, the protective effect of microRNA (miR)-145-5p has been discovered in acute lung injury (ALI). Thus, this study attempts to further discuss the mechanism of miR-145-5p in ALI through the downstream E26 transformation-specific proto-oncogene 2 (ETS2)/transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad pathway. Methods A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat ALI model was established. Recombinant adenovirus miR-145-5p and/or ETS2 overexpression plasmid was administrated into rats. Afterwards, pathological damage in the lung tissue, wet/dry (W/D) ratio, apoptosis and contents of serum inflammatory factors were observed. miR-145-5p, ETS2, TGF-β1, Smad2/3, phosphorylated Smad2/3 levels were measured in rats. Results miR-145-5p was down-regulated, ETS2 was up-regulated and TGF-β1/Smad pathway was activated in LPS-suffered rats. Overexpression of miR-145-5p inactivated the TGF-β1/Smad pathway and attenuated ALI, as reflected by relived pathological damage, and decreased W/D ratio, apoptosis and inflammatory response. Oppositely, loss of miR-145-5p or enhancement of ETS2 worsened ALI and activated the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. Moreover, elevation of ETS2 decreased miR-145-5p-mediated protection against ALI. Conclusion Evidently, miR-145-5p negatively regulates ETS2 expression and inactivates TGF-β1/Smad pathway to ameliorate ALI in rats.

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Targeting tumour vasculature by inhibiting activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)1 function

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20160093 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

pp. 1142-1149 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Amaya García de Vinuesa ◽

Matteo Bocci ◽

Kristian Pietras ◽

Peter ten Dijke

Keyword(s):

Growth Factor ◽

Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

New Combination ◽

Current Status ◽

Human Antibody ◽

Type I ◽

Activin Receptor ◽

Alternative Pathways ◽

Receptor Like Kinase

Angiogenesis is a hallmark of cancer and is now a validated therapeutic target in the clinical setting. Despite the initial success, anti-angiogenic compounds impinging on the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway display limited survival benefits in patients and resistance often develops due to activation of alternative pathways. Thus, finding and validating new targets is highly warranted. Activin receptor-like kinase (ALK)1 is a transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) type I receptor predominantly expressed in actively proliferating endothelial cells (ECs). ALK1 has been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating angiogenesis by binding to bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)9 and 10. Two main pharmacological inhibitors, an ALK1-Fc fusion protein (Dalantercept/ACE-041) and a fully human antibody against the extracellular domain of ALK1 (PF-03446962) are currently under clinical development. Herein, we briefly recapitulate the role of ALK1 in blood vessel formation and the current status of the preclinical and clinical studies on inhibition of ALK1 signalling as an anti-angiogenic strategy. Future directions in terms of new combination regimens will also be presented.

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