scholarly journals Inhibiting aerobic glycolysis suppresses renal interstitial fibroblast activation and renal fibrosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 313 (3) ◽  
pp. F561-F575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao Ding ◽  
Lei Jiang ◽  
Jing Xu ◽  
Feng Bai ◽  
Yang Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Aerobic Glycolysis ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Lactate Production ◽  
Mechanistic Study ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
Glycolysis Inhibitors ◽  
Tgf Β1

Chronic kidney diseases generally lead to renal fibrosis. Despite great progress having been made in identifying molecular mediators of fibrosis, the mechanism that governs renal fibrosis remains unclear, and so far no effective therapeutic antifibrosis strategy is available. Here we demonstrated that a switch of metabolism from oxidative phosphorylation to aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect) in renal fibroblasts was the primary feature of fibroblast activation during renal fibrosis and that suppressing renal fibroblast aerobic glycolysis could significantly reduce renal fibrosis. Both gene and protein assay showed that the expression of glycolysis enzymes was upregulated in mouse kidneys with unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) surgery or in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-treated renal interstitial fibroblasts. Aerobic glycolysis flux, indicated by glucose uptake and lactate production, was increased in mouse kidney with UUO nephropathy or TGF-β1-treated renal interstitial fibroblasts and positively correlated with fibrosis process. In line with this, we found that increasing aerobic glycolysis can remarkably induce myofibroblast activation while aerobic glycolysis inhibitors shikonin and 2-deoxyglucose attenuate UUO-induced mouse renal fibrosis and TGF-β1-stimulated myofibroblast activation. Furthermore, mechanistic study indicated that shikonin inhibits renal aerobic glycolysis via reducing phosphorylation of pyruvate kinase type M2, a rate-limiting glycolytic enzyme associated with cell reliance on aerobic glycolysis. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate the critical role of aerobic glycolysis in renal fibrosis and support treatment with aerobic glycolysis inhibitors as a potential antifibrotic strategy.

Apigenin Alleviates Renal Fibroblast Activation through AMPK and ERK Signaling Pathways In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 1107-1118
Author(s):  
Ningning Li ◽  
Zhan Wang ◽  
Tao Sun ◽  
Yanfei Lei ◽  
Xianghua Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Fibroblast Proliferation ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
And Function ◽  
Activated Fibroblasts ◽  
Tgf Β1

Objective: Renal fibrosis is a common pathway leading to the progression of chronic kidney disease. Activated fibroblasts contribute remarkably to the development of renal fibrosis. Although apigenin has been demonstrated to play a protective role from fibrotic diseases, its pharmacological effect on renal fibroblast activation remains largely unknown. Materials and Methods: Here, we examined the functional role of apigenin in the activation of renal fibroblasts response to transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and its potential mechanisms. Cultured renal fibroblasts (NRK-49F) were exposed to apigenin (1, 5, 10 and 20 μM), followed by the stimulation of TGF-β1 (2 ng/mL) for 24 h. The markers of fibroblast activation were determined. In order to confirm the anti-fibrosis effect of apigenin, the expression of fibrosis-associated genes in renal fibroblasts was assessed. As a consequence, apigenin alleviated fibroblast proliferation and fibroblastmyofibroblast differentiation induced by TGF-β1. Result: Notably, apigenin significantly inhibited the fibrosis-associated genes expression in renal fibroblasts. Moreover, apigenin treatment significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Apigenin treatment also obviously reduced TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not Smad2/3, p38 and JNK MAPK in renal fibroblasts. Conclusion: In a summary, these results indicate that apigenin inhibits renal fibroblast proliferation, differentiation and function by AMPK activation and reduced ERK1/2 phosphorylation, suggesting it could be an attractive therapeutic potential for the treatment of renal fibrosis.

Role of the TGF-β/BMP-7/Smad pathways in renal diseases

2012 ◽  
Vol 124 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Ming Meng ◽  
Arthur C. K. Chung ◽  
Hui Y. Lan
Keyword(s):  
Renal Injury ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Renal Diseases ◽  
Ubiquitin E3 Ligase ◽  
Tgf Β1

TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β) and BMP-7 (bone morphogenetic protein-7), two key members in the TGF-β superfamily, play important but diverse roles in CKDs (chronic kidney diseases). Both TGF-β and BMP-7 share similar downstream Smad signalling pathways, but counter-regulate each other to maintain the balance of their biological activities. During renal injury in CKDs, this balance is significantly altered because TGF-β signalling is up-regulated by inducing TGF-β1 and activating Smad3, whereas BMP-7 and its downstream Smad1/5/8 are down-regulated. In the context of renal fibrosis, Smad3 is pathogenic, whereas Smad2 and Smad7 are renoprotective. However, this counter-balancing mechanism is also altered because TGF-β1 induces Smurf2, a ubiquitin E3-ligase, to target Smad7 as well as Smad2 for degradation. Thus overexpression of renal Smad7 restores the balance of TGF-β/Smad signalling and has therapeutic effect on CKDs. Recent studies also found that Smad3 mediated renal fibrosis by up-regulating miR-21 (where miR represents microRNA) and miR-192, but down-regulating miR-29 and miR-200 families. Therefore restoring miR-29/miR-200 or suppressing miR-21/miR-192 is able to treat progressive renal fibrosis. Furthermore, activation of TGF-β/Smad signalling inhibits renal BMP-7 expression and BMP/Smad signalling. On the other hand, overexpression of renal BMP-7 is capable of inhibiting TGF-β/Smad3 signalling and protects the kidney from TGF-β-mediated renal injury. This counter-regulation not only expands our understanding of the causes of renal injury, but also suggests the therapeutic potential by targeting TGF-β/Smad signalling or restoring BMP-7 in CKDs. Taken together, the current understanding of the distinct roles and mechanisms of TGF-β and BMP-7 in CKDs implies that targeting the TGF-β/Smad pathway or restoring BMP-7 signalling may represent novel and effective therapies for CKDs.

scholarly journals Exogenous Transforming Growth Factor-β in Brain-Induced Symptoms of Central Fatigue and Suppressed Dopamine Production in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 2580
Author(s):  
Won Kil Lee ◽  
Yeongyeong Kim ◽  
Heejin Jang ◽  
Joo Hye Sim ◽  
Hye Jin Choi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Central Fatigue ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
Human Neuroblastoma Cell ◽  
Human Neuroblastoma ◽  
Intracranial Injection ◽  
Tgf Β1

Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is one of the most refractory diseases in humans and is characterized by severe central fatigue accompanied with various symptoms that affect daily life, such as impaired memory, depression, and somatic pain. However, the etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms of CFS remain unknown. To investigate the pathophysiological role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, we injected a cytokine into the lateral ventricle of a C57BL/6 mouse. The intracranial injection of TGF-β1 increased the immobility duration in a forced swimming test (FST) and time spent at the closed arm in elevated plus maze (EPM) analysis. The mice injected with TGF-β1 into their brain showed increased sensitivity to pain in a von Frey test, and had a decreased retention time on rotarod and latency time in a bright box in a passive avoidance test. In addition, the serum levels of muscle fatigue biomarkers, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), were significantly increased after administration of TGF-β1. Intracranial injection of TGF-β1 significantly reduced the production of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the ventral tegmental area, accompanied by a decreased level of dopamine in the striatum. The suppression of TH expression by TGF-β1 was confirmed in the human neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y. These results, which show that TGF-β1 induced fatigue-like behaviors by suppressing dopamine production, suggest that TGF-β1 plays a critical role in the development of central fatigue and is, therefore, a potential therapeutic target of the disease.

scholarly journals Expression and function of Smad7 in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiping Hu ◽  
Juan He ◽  
Lianhua He ◽  
Bihua Xu ◽  
Qingwen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Negative Regulator ◽  
Signaling Mechanism ◽  
And Function

AbstractTransforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a critical role in the pathological processes of various diseases. However, the signaling mechanism of TGF-β in the pathological response remains largely unclear. In this review, we discuss advances in research of Smad7, a member of the I-Smads family and a negative regulator of TGF-β signaling, and mainly review the expression and its function in diseases. Smad7 inhibits the activation of the NF-κB and TGF-β signaling pathways and plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Specifically, Smad7 can not only attenuate growth inhibition, fibrosis, apoptosis, inflammation, and inflammatory T cell differentiation, but also promotes epithelial cells migration or disease development. In this review, we aim to summarize the various biological functions of Smad7 in autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, cancers, and kidney diseases, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of Smad7.

scholarly journals Identification of a microRNA signature in renal fibrosis: role of miR-21

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. F793-F801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abolfazl Zarjou ◽  
Shanzhong Yang ◽  
Edward Abraham ◽  
Anupam Agarwal ◽  
Gang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Tubular Epithelial Cells ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Tgf Β1

Renal fibrosis is a final stage of many forms of kidney disease and leads to impairment of kidney function. The molecular pathogenesis of renal fibrosis is currently not well-understood. microRNAs (miRNAs) are important players in initiation and progression of many pathologic processes including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. However, the role of miRNAs in kidney injury and repair is not well-characterized. In the present study, we found a unique miRNA signature associated with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis. We found altered expression in UUO kidneys of miRNAs that have been shown to be responsive to stimulation by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 or TNF-α. Among these miRNAs, miR-21 demonstrated the greatest increase in UUO kidneys. The enhanced expression of miR-21 was located mainly in distal tubular epithelial cells. miR-21 expression was upregulated in response to treatment with TGF-β1 or TNF-α in human renal tubular epithelial cells in vitro. Furthermore, we found that blocking miR-21 in vivo attenuated UUO-induced renal fibrosis, presumably through diminishing the expression of profibrotic proteins and reducing infiltration of inflammatory macrophages in UUO kidneys. Our data suggest that targeting specific miRNAs could be a novel therapeutic approach to treat renal fibrosis.

scholarly journals Semaphorin 7A plays a critical role in TGF-β1–induced pulmonary fibrosis

2007 ◽  
Vol 204 (5) ◽  
pp. 1083-1093 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye-Ryun Kang ◽  
Chun Geun Lee ◽  
Robert J. Homer ◽  
Jack A. Elias
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Matrix Proteins ◽  
Ccn Proteins ◽  
Phosphatidylinositol 3 Kinase ◽  
Smad 3 ◽  
Dependent Pathway ◽  
Tgf Β1

Semaphorin (SEMA) 7A regulates neuronal and immune function. In these studies, we tested the hypothesis that SEMA 7A is also a critical regulator of tissue remodeling. These studies demonstrate that SEMA 7A and its receptors, plexin C1 and β1 integrins, are stimulated by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in the murine lung. They also demonstrate that SEMA 7A plays a critical role in TGF-β1–induced fibrosis, myofibroblast hyperplasia, alveolar remodeling, and apoptosis. TGF-β1 stimulated SEMA 7A via a largely Smad 3–independent mechanism and stimulated SEMA 7A receptors, matrix proteins, CCN proteins, fibroblast growth factor 2, interleukin 13 receptor components, proteases, antiprotease, and apoptosis regulators via Smad 2/3–independent and SEMA 7A–dependent mechanisms. SEMA 7A also played an important role in the pathogenesis of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. TGF-β1 and bleomycin also activated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (PKB)/AKT via SEMA 7A–dependent mechanisms, and PKB/AKT inhibition diminished TGF-β1–induced fibrosis. These observations demonstrate that SEMA 7A and its receptors are induced by TGF-β1 and that SEMA 7A plays a central role in a PI3K/PKB/AKT-dependent pathway that contributes to TGF-β1–induced fibrosis and remodeling. They also demonstrate that the effects of SEMA 7A are not specific for transgenic TGF-β1, highlighting the importance of these findings for other fibrotic stimuli.

MKP2 inhibits TGF-β1-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in renal tubular epithelial cells through a JNK-dependent pathway

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (21) ◽  
pp. 2339-2355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenzhen Li ◽  
Xianghua Liu ◽  
Fengyan Tian ◽  
Ji Li ◽  
Qingwei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽  
Jnk Signaling ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Amino Terminal ◽  
Ureter Obstruction ◽  
Tgf Β1

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a phenotypic conversion that plays a crucial role in renal fibrosis leading to chronic renal failure. Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 2 (MKP2) is a member of the dual-specificity MKPs that regulate the MAP kinase pathway involved in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced EMT. However, the function of MKP2 in the regulation of EMT and the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In the present study, we detected the expression of MKP2 in an animal model of renal fibrosis and evaluated the potential role of MKP2 in tubular EMT induced by TGF-β1. We found that the expression of MKP2 was up-regulated in the tubular epithelial of unilateral ureter obstruction rats. Meanwhile, we also demonstrated that TGF-β1 up-regulated MKP2 expression in NRK-52E cells during their EMT phenotype acquisition. Importantly, overexpression of MKP2 inhibited c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) signaling and partially reversed EMT induced by TGF-β1. Moreover, reducing MKP2 expression enhanced JNK phosphorylation, promoted the E-cadherin suppression and induced α-SMA expression and fibronectin secretion in response to TGF-β1, which could be rescued by a JNK inhibitor. These results provide the first evidence that MKP2 is a negative feedback molecule induced by TGF-β1, and MKP2 overexpression inhibits TGF-β1-induced EMT through the JNK signaling pathway. MKP2 could be a promising target to be used in gene therapy for renal fibrosis.

scholarly journals Transplantation of Telocytes Attenuates Unilateral Ureter Obstruction-Induced Renal Fibrosis in Rats

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 2056-2071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Zheng ◽  
Long Li ◽  
Guisheng Qi ◽  
Mushuang Hu ◽  
Chao Hu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Protective Effect ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Tissue ◽  
Collagen I ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Tgf Β1

Background/Aims: Previous studies imply that telocytes may have a protective effect on fibrosis in various organs, including the liver, colon, and heart. The effect of telocytes on renal fibrosis remains unknown. Herein, this study was designed to investigate the effect of telocytes on renal fibrosis and the potential mechanisms involved. Methods: In a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis model, telocytes were injected via the tail vein every other day for 10 days. The degree of renal damage and fibrosis was determined using histological assessment. The expression of collagen I, fibronectin, epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers, and Smad2/3 phosphorylation was examined by western blot analyses. Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed in vivo to detect the levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and various growth factors. Results: Telocytes attenuated renal fibrosis, as evidenced by reduced interstitial collagen accumulation, decreased expression of fibronectin and collagen I, upregulation of E-cadherin, and downregulation of α-smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, telocytes decreased serum TGF-β1 levels, suppressed Smad2/3 phosphorylation, and increased the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in rat kidney tissue following UUO. Blockage of HGF counteracted the protective effect of telocytes on UUO-treated kidneys. Through the detection of HGF mRNA levels in vitro, we found that telocytes had no effect on HGF expression compared with renal fibroblasts. Conclusion: Telocytes attenuated UUO-induced renal fibrosis in rats, likely through enhancing the expression of HGF in an indirect manner.

scholarly journals TGF-β1 modifies histone acetylation and acetyl-coenzyme A metabolism in renal myofibroblasts

2019 ◽  
Vol 316 (3) ◽  
pp. F517-F529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward R. Smith ◽  
Belinda Wigg ◽  
Stephen G. Holt ◽  
Timothy D. Hewitson
Keyword(s):  
Histone Acetylation ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Aerobic Glycolysis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Metabolic Reprogramming ◽  
Acetyl Coa ◽  
Hdac Activity ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
H3 Acetylation ◽  
Tgf Β1

Histone acetylation is an important modulator of gene expression in fibrosis. This study examined the effect of the pre-eminent fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) on histone 3 (H3) acetylation and its regulatory kinetics in renal myofibroblasts. Fibroblasts propagated from rat kidneys after ureteric obstruction were treated with recombinant TGF-β1 or vehicle for 48 h. TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation was accompanied by a net decrease in total H3 acetylation, although changes in individual marks were variable. This was paralleled by a generalized reduction in histone acetyltransferases (HAT) and divergent changes in histone deacetylase (HDAC) enzymes at both transcript and protein levels. Globally, this was manifest in a reduction in total HAT activity and increase in HDAC activity. TGF-β1 induced a shift in cellular metabolism from oxidative respiration to aerobic glycolysis, resulting in reduced acetyl-CoA. The reduction in total H3 acetylation could be rescued by providing exogenous citrate or alternative sources of acetyl-CoA without ameliorating changes in HAT/HDAC activity. In conclusion, TGF-β1 produces a metabolic reprogramming in renal fibroblasts, with less H3 acetylation through reduced acetylation, increased deacetylation, and changes in carbon availability. Our results suggest that acetyl-CoA availability predominates over HAT and HDAC activity as a key determinant of H3 acetylation in response to TGF-β1.

TGF-β1-Induced Long-Term Changes in Neuronal Excitability in Aplysia Sensory Neurons Depend on MAPK

2006 ◽  
Vol 95 (5) ◽  
pp. 3286-3290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeannie Chin ◽  
Rong-Yu Liu ◽  
Leonard J. Cleary ◽  
Arnold Eskin ◽  
John H. Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Sensory Neuron ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽  
Neuronal Excitability ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Camp Response Element Binding ◽  
Long Term Changes ◽  
Tgf Β1

Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) plays important roles in the early development of the nervous system and has been implicated in neuronal plasticity in adult organisms. It induces long-term increases in sensory neuron excitability in Aplysia as well as a long-term enhancement of synaptic efficacy at sensorimotor synapses. In addition, TGF-β1 acutely regulates synapsin phosphorylation and reduces synaptic depression induced by low-frequency stimuli. Because of the critical role of MAPK in other forms of long-term plasticity in Aplysia, we examined the role of MAPK in TGF-β1-induced long-term changes in neuronal excitability. Prolonged (6 h) exposure to TGF-β1 induced long-term increases in excitability. We confirmed this finding and now report that exposure to TGF-β1 was sufficient to activate MAPK and increase nuclear levels of active MAPK. Moreover, TGF-β1 enhanced phosphorylation of the Aplysia transcriptional activator cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)1, a homologue to vertebrate CREB. Both the TGF-β1-induced long-term changes in neuronal excitability and the phosphorylation of CREB1 were blocked in the presence of an inhibitor of the MAPK cascade, confirming a role for MAPK in long-term modulation of sensory neuron function.

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