Abstract 100: Discovery of Cardiac Fibroblast Enriched microRNAs and Their Pivotal Roles in the Regulation of Cardiac Remodeling and Fibrosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 119 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue Zhou ◽  
Arthur M Richards ◽  
Peipei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblast ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Functional Study ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Artery Ligation ◽  
Rat Cardiomyocytes

Cardiac fibroblast (cFB) responses to cardiac injury or overload directly contribute to deterioration of cardiac function in heart failure. MicroRNAs (miR) target multiple genes in cell signaling networks and are likely to have pivotal regulatory roles with respect to cFB function. To date cFB enriched miRs have not been reported. We have identified cFB enriched miRs which we hypothesize direct cFB proliferation and differentiation. Neonatal and adult rat cardiomyocytes (CM) and cFBs were isolated and cultured. In vivo and in vitro cardiac ischemic models comprised coronary artery ligation induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats and cultured cFB exposed to hypoxia. RNA and protein were extracted for miR microarray, qPCR and Western Blot. Adult cFB transfected with miR mimics were tested for CCK-8 proliferation assay. Fifteen dysregulated miRs were selected from array profiles and qPCR validation. Among them miR-31, -199a, -214 and -222 were highly expressed in adult cFBs 10-90 folds vs. CM. CM specific miR-208a and 133a were undetectable in cFB. Neonatal cells showed directionally concordant but less pronounced differences. In early MI, cardiac miR-31 was up-regulated >30 fold vs. Sham (infarct), others increased 6-12 folds. All changes were ranked infarct>border>remote area. As a control, non-cFB enriched miR-125a remained unchanged. Hypoxia treatment of cFB in vitro up-regulated miR-31 but not the other miRs. Functional study by mimic transfection revealed differential roles of the miRs. MiR-31 increased cFB proliferation in CCK8 assay. MiR-199a and -222 had opposite effects. MiR-199a, but not miR-222, reversed the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β. MiR-199a reduced mRNA and protein expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a myoFB differentiation marker and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a predicted target (miRDB). Conversely miR-31 increased α-SMA and CTGF. We provide the first report of 4 cFB enriched miRs and demonstrated their pro- vs. anti-fibrotic roles in vitro (miR-31 vs. miR-199 and -222 respectively). In early MI, the increase of pro-fibrotic miR-31 was predominant, whilst other miR dysregulation was secondary to cFB proliferation. cFB enriched miRs determine cFB fate and progression of cardiac fibrosis/remodeling.

scholarly journals The Functional Role of Zinc Finger E Box-Binding Homeobox 2 (Zeb2) in Promoting Cardiac Fibroblast Activation

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahmida Jahan ◽  
Natalie Landry ◽  
Sunil Rattan ◽  
Ian Dixon ◽  
Jeffrey Wigle
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Zinc Finger ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblast ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Fibroblast Activation ◽  
E Box

Following cardiac injury, fibroblasts are activated and are termed as myofibroblasts, and these cells are key players in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and fibrosis, itself a primary contributor to heart failure. Nutraceuticals have been shown to blunt cardiac fibrosis in both in-vitro and in-vivo studies. However, nutraceuticals have had conflicting results in clinical trials, and there are no effective therapies currently available to specifically target cardiac fibrosis. We have previously shown that expression of the zinc finger E box-binding homeobox 2 (Zeb2) transcription factor increases as fibroblasts are activated. We now show that Zeb2 plays a critical role in fibroblast activation. Zeb2 overexpression in primary rat cardiac fibroblasts is associated with significantly increased expression of embryonic smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMemb), ED-A fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). We found that Zeb2 was highly expressed in activated myofibroblast nuclei but not in the nuclei of inactive fibroblasts. Moreover, ectopic Zeb2 expression in myofibroblasts resulted in a significantly less migratory phenotype with elevated contractility, which are characteristics of mature myofibroblasts. Knockdown of Zeb2 with siRNA in primary myofibroblasts did not alter the expression of myofibroblast markers, which may indicate that Zeb2 is functionally redundant with other profibrotic transcription factors. These findings add to our understanding of the contribution of Zeb2 to the mechanisms controlling cardiac fibroblast activation.

Abstract 866: Secreted Frizzled Related Protein 2 Modulates Post Myocardial Infarct Remodeling by Inhibiting Collagen Maturation through the Inhibition of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 1 Activity

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei He ◽  
Lunan Zhang ◽  
Richard E Pratt ◽  
Victor J Dzau
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Myocardial Infarct ◽  
Primary Cultures ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
Related Protein ◽  
Artery Ligation

Myocardial infarction and post-infarction remodeling with heart failure are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. We recently reported that intracardiac implantation of genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) overexpressing the Akt gene dramatically reduced the infarct size and restored cardiac functions in rodent hearts after coronary artery ligation. Further, we identified Secreted Frizzled Related Protein 2 (sfrp2) as a key factor released by Akt-MSC mediating myocardial survival and repair. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Bone Morphogenetic Protein1 (BMP1)/Tolloid (TLD)-like metalloproteinases belong to a subgroup of astacin family and play key roles in the regulation of extracelluar matrix (ECM) formation and cardiac fibrosis. These proteases have procollagen C-proteinase (PCP) activities which are responsible for the cleavage of C-propeptides from procollagen precursors to produce mature collagen fibrils. In this report, we showed that three days following myocardial infarction in rats, both BMP1 protein expression and activity were upregulated in the infarcted left ventricle. Interestingly, we found recombinant sfrp2 could inhibit BMP1 activity in MI tissue samples as measured by an in vitro PCP activity assay. Furthermore, using purified recombinant proteins, we demonstrated that sfrp2, but not sfrp1 or sfrp3, inhibited BMP-1 activity in vitro. Moreover, purified sfrp2 could physically interact with BMP1 protein as shown by the co-immunoprecipitation assay. To provide further evidence that sfrp2 can interfere with collagen processing, we demonstrated that exogenously added sfrp2 interfered with procollagen processing in primary cultures of cardiac fibroblast culture medium. Similar results were obtained when these cells were transiently transfected with sfrp2 expressing plasmids. In summary, our data suggest that one of the molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective and repair effects of sfrp2 protein on myocardial infarction is through the inhibition of BMP-1 activity. Therefore, sfrp2 has the potential clinical application as a novel anti-fibrotic reagent for the modulation of cardiac remodeling after acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract P107: Hypertension Enhances the Differentiation of Cardiac Fibroblasts Into Myofibroblasts After TGF-beta1 Treatment

Hypertension ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluca L Perrucci ◽  
Maria Corlian!ò ◽  
Delfina Tosi ◽  
Patrizia Nigro ◽  
Gaetano Bulfamante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Pcr Analysis ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
Gene And Protein Expression

Objectives: In cardiac fibrosis associated with hypertension, TGF-beta1 plays a key role by acting on differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CF) into alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)-positive myofibroblasts. In this study, we tested the effect of TGF-beta1 during the myofibroblast differentiation process of CF from normotensive and hypertensive rats. Methods: CF were obtained by enzymatic digestion of hearts isolated from Spontaneously Hypertensive (hCF) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto (nCF) rats (n=5 rat/group). Gene and protein expression in CF was evaluated by Western blot and qRT-PCR analyses, respectively. Immunohistochemistry analysis for integrin alpha-v beta-5 was performed on rat cardiac tissue (n=5 rat/group). Results: Cultured hCF showed an enhanced SMAD2/3 activation and alpha-SMA protein expression after treatment with TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) in comparison with nCF. Alpha-SMA up-regulation was further confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis that showed a significant increase in alpha-SMA gene expression in hCF after TGF-beta1 treatment (2.78±0.25 vs 2.01±0.21 fold increase, p <0.05). Moreover, immunostaining on cardiac tissues revealed a higher expression of integrin alpha-v beta-5 in hypertensive vs normotensive rat hearts (345.3±170.0 vs 48.2±22.3 mm 2 of integrin-positive area, p <0.05). This result was also confirmed in vitro ; indeed, integrin alpha-v beta-5 gene expression in hCF increased 2.8-fold in basal condition and 5.12-fold after TGF-beta1 treatment when compared to untreated nCF. Conclusions: Taken together, these results suggest that hCF are more prone to upregulate integrin alpha-v beta-5 and consequently differentiate into myofibroblasts in vitro under TGF-beta1 treatment. Thus, targeting alpha-v beta-5 might open a novel prospective for the treatment of fibrosis in hypertensive hearts likely reducing integrin-mediated TGF-beta1 activation.

Abstract 305: E2F1 Suppresses Cardiac Fibrosis

2013 ◽  
Vol 113 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dauren Biyashev ◽  
Chan Boriboun ◽  
Gangjian Qin
Keyword(s):  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Mouse Heart ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Embryonic Fibroblasts ◽  
Smad 3 ◽  
Regulation Of Cell Cycle

E2F1 transcription factor is best known for regulation of cell cycle; its role in the cardiovascular system is not well understood. In a transcriptome analysis, we detected a significantly elevated level in the expression of collagen I and alpha-smooth muscle actin in the E2F1-null (E2F1-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) as compared to wild-type (WT) MEFs. Levels of Smad 2 and Smad 3 were also significantly higher in E2F1-/- MEFs. In addition, treatment with TGF-beta (10 ng/ml) induced a greater degree of Smad 2 and Smad 3 phosphorylation in E2F1-/- MEFs than in WT MEFs. Interestingly, these in vitro observations were corroborated with our results obtained from mouse heart samples: the basal levels of both total and phosphorylated Smad 2 were significantly higher in the E2F1-/- heart than in the WT heart (n=3). To understand the significance of these findings in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis, we administered Angiotensin II (3 mg/kg/day) to animals for 7 or 14 days with a subcutaneous osmotic minipump. The total area of cardiac fibrosis was significantly greater in the E2F1-/- mice than in WT littermates (E2F1-/- vs. WT: 17+/-3.8% vs. 6+/-2.6%, p<0.05). Thus, we disclose a novel role of E2F1 in the control of Smad signaling that may limit the development of fibrosis in the stressed heart.

Abstract 430: Immature Cardiac Fibroblasts With Upregulated P53 Contributed to Fibrosis in Ikke Deficient Mouse Myocardial Infarction Model

2020 ◽  
Vol 127 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Sook Kim ◽  
Hyang Hee Cho ◽  
Ju Hee Jun ◽  
Dong Im Cho ◽  
Meeyoung Cho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Wound Healing Process ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
Artery Ligation

Background: Inhibitor of NF-κB kinase (IKK), an upstream of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), is a critical modulator for pathophysiological inflammation. IKKε is a non-classical IKK and has been studied in infectious diseases and cancers. However, the role of IKKε in a myocardial infarction (MI) has not been addressed. Methods and Results: In this study, we used IKKε knockout (KO) mice to induce MI by coronary artery ligation. The IKKε KO group showed poor early survival rate, large cardiac fibrosis (14.7±4.8% in KO vs. 31.1±10.2% in WT, p <0.05), and low fractional shortening (13.47±1.21% in KO vs. 16.36±4.46% in WT, p <0.05) compared with WT group. Next, we investigated the inflammatory responses and found that inflammatory markers such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and CD80 were much higher in both cardiac macrophages and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) in the IKKε KO group than in the wild type (WT) group. To explore the responsible mediator, we performed phosphorylated protein array and found phosphorylated p38 was significantly downregulated in the IKKε knockout BMDM. Conversely, both knockdown of p38 by siRNA and inhibition of p38 by SB203580 treatment in RAW264.7 cells upregulated iNOS. More interestingly, IKKε deficient cardiac fibroblasts showed highly accumulated nuclear p53 and exhibited immature differentiation. The levels of myofibroblast markers containing α-smooth muscle actin, periostin, and transforming growth factor-β1 were lower, and functional contractility was substantially impaired in the cardiac fibroblasts isolated from IKKε KO mice. Conclusion: Our data showed excessive inflammation was associated with p38 inactivation in macrophages and pathological fibrosis was resulted from immature myofibroblast phenotype with p53 upregulation. Collectively, IKKε is involved in the control of inflammation resolution and wound healing process in the infarcted myocardium.

scholarly journals LRRK2 Deficiency Protects Hearts from Myocardial Infarction Injury in Mice via the P53/HMGB1 Pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Changgui Chen ◽  
Lu Chen ◽  
Xiaoxin Pei ◽  
Zekai Tao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Neonatal Rat ◽  
Coronary Artery Ligation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Artery Ligation ◽  
Rat Cardiomyocytes ◽  
Ventricular Fibrosis ◽  
Deficient Mice

Abstract Purpose: LRRK2 is a Ser/Thr kinase with multiple functional domains. Current studies have shown that its mutations are closely related to hereditary Parkinson's disease. However, its role in cardiovascular disease, especially in myocardial infarction, is unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the functional role of LRRK2 in myocardial infarction. Methods: Wild-type and LRRK2 knockout mice were subjected to coronary artery ligation (left anterior descent) to establish a myocardial infarction mouse model. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxia to induce hypoxia injury in vitro. Results: We found increased LRRK2 expression levels in the infarct periphery of mouse hearts and hypoxic cardiomyocytes. LRRK2-deficient mice exhibited a decreased death rate and reduced infarction area compared to the wild-type controls 14 days after infarction. LRRK2-deficient mice showed reduced left ventricular fibrosis and inflammatory response, as well as improved cardiac function. In the in vitro study, LRRK2 silencing decreased the cleaved-caspase3 activity, reduced cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and diminished hypoxia-induced inflammation. However, LRRK2 overexpression enhanced the cleaved-caspase3 activity, increased the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, and caused remarkable hypoxia-induced inflammation. When exploring the related underlying mechanisms, we found that hypoxia induced an increase in HIFα expression, which enhanced LRRK2 expression. LRRK2 induced high expression of HMGB1 via P53. When blocking HMGB1 using the anti-HMGB1 antibody, the deteriorating effects caused by LRRK2 overexpression following hypoxia were inhibited in cardiomyocytes.Conclusions: In summary, LRRK2 deficiency protects hearts from myocardial infarction injury. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon involves the P53-HMGB1 pathway.

Abstract 271: Deletion of Delta-like 1 Homolog Accelerates Fibroblast-myofibroblast Differentiation and Induces Myocardial Fibrosis

2017 ◽  
Vol 121 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luca Troncone ◽  
Patricia Rodriguez ◽  
Yassine Sassi ◽  
Ludovic Benard ◽  
Kiyotake Ishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Transmembrane Protein ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblast ◽  
Myofibroblast Differentiation ◽  
Potential Candidate ◽  
Smad 3

Myocardial fibrosis is associated with profound changes in ventricular architecture and geometry, resulting in diminished cardiac function. Here we uncover that Delta-like homologue 1 (Dlk1), a paternally imprinted gene encoding a transmembrane protein belonging to the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF)-like family, orchestrates the process of cardiac fibroblast to myofibroblast differentiation and controls myocardial fibrosis. We first show that cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts express different Dlk1 mRNA spliced variants and its absence accelerates fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts in vitro. Overexpression of Dlk1 in cardiac fibroblasts resulted in inhibition of fibroblast proliferation and differentiation into myofibroblasts. This process appears to be regulated by TGFβ-1 signaling, since fibroblasts lacking Dlk1 exhibited a higher activation of the TGFβ-1/Smad-3 pathway at baseline, leading to an earlier acquisition of the myofibroblast phenotype. Dlk1-null mice myocardium displayed increased TGFβ-1/Smad3 profibrotic activity, resulting in infiltration/accumulation of myofibroblasts, and induction and deposition of the extracellular matrix fibronectin extra domain A isoform and collagen, supporting a role for Dlk1 in cardiac fibrosis. Furthermore, these profibrotic events were associated with reduced myofibril integrity, myocyte hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction. Interestingly, Dlk1 expression was downregulated in ischemic heart tissue from human patients and in the border and scar-zones of infarcted pigs’ hearts. This phenotype was paralleled by increased expression of the profibrotic markers, collagen I, lysyl oxidase and α-smooth muscle actin. Mechanistically, the inhibitory action of Dlk1 on cardiac fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation is mediated by miR-370 direct targeting of TGFβ-R2/Smad-3 signaling in the myocardium. Given the deleterious effects of continuous activation of this pathway, we propose Dlk1 as a new potential candidate for therapy in cases where aberrant TGFβ signaling leads to chronic fibrosis.

scholarly journals The AP-1 Transcription Factor Fosl-2 Regulates Autophagy in Cardiac Fibroblasts during Myocardial Fibrogenesis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1861
Author(s):  
Jemima Seidenberg ◽  
Mara Stellato ◽  
Amela Hukara ◽  
Burkhard Ludewig ◽  
Karin Klingel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cardiac Fibrosis ◽  
Type I Collagen ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Beclin 1 ◽  
Type I ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin

Background: Pathological activation of cardiac fibroblasts is a key step in development and progression of cardiac fibrosis and heart failure. This process has been associated with enhanced autophagocytosis, but molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Methods and Results: Immunohistochemical analysis of endomyocardial biopsies showed increased activation of autophagy in fibrotic hearts of patients with inflammatory cardiomyopathy. In vitro experiments using mouse and human cardiac fibroblasts confirmed that blockade of autophagy with Bafilomycin A1 inhibited fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. Next, we observed that cardiac fibroblasts obtained from mice overexpressing transcription factor Fos-related antigen 2 (Fosl-2tg) expressed elevated protein levels of autophagy markers: the lipid modified form of microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3B (LC3BII), Beclin-1 and autophagy related 5 (Atg5). In complementary experiments, silencing of Fosl-2 with antisense GapmeR oligonucleotides suppressed production of type I collagen, myofibroblast marker alpha smooth muscle actin and autophagy marker Beclin-1 in cardiac fibroblasts. On the other hand, silencing of either LC3B or Beclin-1 reduced Fosl-2 levels in TGF-β-activated, but not in unstimulated cells. Using a cardiac hypertrophy model induced by continuous infusion of angiotensin II with osmotic minipumps, we confirmed that mice lacking either Fosl-2 (Ccl19CreFosl2flox/flox) or Atg5 (Ccl19CreAtg5flox/flox) in stromal cells were protected from cardiac fibrosis. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that Fosl-2 regulates autophagocytosis and the TGF-β-Fosl-2-autophagy axis controls differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts. These data provide a new insight for the development of pharmaceutical targets in cardiac fibrosis.

Cold Plasma Treatment Promotes Full-thickness Healing of Skin Wounds in Murine Models

2021 ◽  
pp. 153473462110021
Author(s):  
Joon M. Jung ◽  
Hae K. Yoon ◽  
Chang J. Jung ◽  
Soo Y. Jo ◽  
Sang G. Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wound Healing ◽  
Plasma Treatment ◽  
Cold Plasma ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Skin Wound Healing

Cold plasma can be beneficial for promoting skin wound healing and has a high potential of being effectively used in treating various wounds. Our aim was to verify the effect of cold plasma in accelerating wound healing and investigate its underlying mechanism in vitro and in vivo. For the in vivo experiments, 2 full-thickness dermal wounds were created in each mouse (n = 30). While one wound was exposed to 2 daily plasma treatments for 3 min, the other wound served as a control. The wounds were evaluated by imaging and histological analyses at 4, 7, and 11 days post the wound infliction process. Immunohistochemical studies were also performed at the same time points. In vitro proliferation and scratch assay using HaCaT keratinocytes and fibroblasts were performed. The expression levels of wound healing–related genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. On day 7, the wound healing rates were 53.94% and 63.58% for the control group and the plasma-treated group, respectively. On day 11, these rates were 76.05% and 93.44% for the control and plasma-treated groups, respectively, and the difference between them was significant ( P = .039). Histological analysis demonstrated that plasma treatment promotes the formation of epidermal keratin and granular layers. Immunohistochemical studies also revealed that collagen 1, collagen 3, and alpha-smooth muscle actin appeared more abundantly in the plasma-treated group than in the control group. In vitro, the proliferation of keratinocytes was promoted by plasma exposure. Scratch assay showed that fibroblast exposure to plasma increased their migration. The expression levels of collagen 1, collagen 3, and alpha-smooth muscle actin were elevated upon plasma treatment. In conclusion, cold plasma can accelerate skin wound healing and is well tolerated.

scholarly journals Regulation of Cellular Senescence Is Independent from Profibrotic Fibroblast-Deposited ECM

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1628
Author(s):  
Kaj E. C. Blokland ◽  
Habibie Habibie ◽  
Theo Borghuis ◽  
Greta J. Teitsma ◽  
Michael Schuliga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Cellular Senescence ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Alveolar Epithelial Cells ◽  
Lung Fibroblasts ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a devastating lung disease with poor survival. Age is a major risk factor, and both alveolar epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts in this disease exhibit features of cellular senescence, a hallmark of ageing. Accumulation of fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM) is a core feature of IPF and is likely to affect cell function. We hypothesize that aberrant ECM deposition augments fibroblast senescence, creating a perpetuating cycle favouring disease progression. In this study, primary lung fibroblasts were cultured on control and IPF-derived ECM from fibroblasts pretreated with or without profibrotic and prosenescent stimuli, and markers of senescence, fibrosis-associated gene expression and secretion of cytokines were measured. Untreated ECM derived from control or IPF fibroblasts had no effect on the main marker of senescence p16Ink4a and p21Waf1/Cip1. However, the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (ACTA2) and proteoglycan decorin (DCN) increased in response to IPF-derived ECM. Production of the proinflammatory cytokines C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 8 (CXCL8) by lung fibroblasts was upregulated in response to senescent and profibrotic-derived ECM. Finally, the profibrotic cytokines transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were upregulated in response to both senescent- and profibrotic-derived ECM. In summary, ECM deposited by IPF fibroblasts does not induce cellular senescence, while there is upregulation of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines and differentiation into a myofibroblast phenotype in response to senescent- and profibrotic-derived ECM, which may contribute to progression of fibrosis in IPF.

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