scholarly journals Baicalein Alleviates Fibrosis and Inflammation in Scleroderma Through Regulating B Cell Abnormalities

Author(s):  
Bo Peng ◽  
Qin Hu ◽  
Rong He ◽  
Hongping Hou ◽  
Ying Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Scleroderma (Systemic sclerosis, SSc) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by multisystem extensive fibrosis, vascular changes and immunological dysregulation. B cell abnormalities play an essential role in the fibrotic pathogenesis of scleroderma by promoting autoantibodies and cytokines release as well as modulating the inflammatory processes. Baicalein, a phenolic flavonoid derived from the Chinese herb Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been used in the treatment of the pathological processes of various fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of baicalein on the major pathological characteristics of SSc both in vitro and in vivo, including fibrosis, B cell abnormalities and inflammation. Methods The effect of baicalein on collagen accumulation and expression of fibrogenic markers in human dermal fibroblasts were analyzed. The antifibrotic features of baicalein and its mechanisms were investigated in the bleomycin (BLM)-induced dermal fibrosis mice model by histologic examination, hydroxyproline assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry. Results 5-120 µM baicalein significantly abrogated total collagen deposition, decreased soluble collagen secretion, and inhibited the expression of various fibrogenesis molecules, including collagen(COL)1A1, COL1A2, COL3A1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), fibronectin, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in both TGF β1- and PDGF-induced human CCC-ESF-1 dermal fibroblasts. In BLM-induced dermal fibrosis mice model, 25-100 mg/kg baicalein markedly attenuated dermal thickness and collagen accumulation in dose-dependent manners. Baicalein reduced the proportion of B220+ B cells, while increased the percentage of CD27+ memory B cells in the spleen of BLM-induced mice. Consistent with reversing B cell abnormalities, baicalein treatment potently attenuated serum levels of cytokines(IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL6, IL-17A, TNF-α), chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1β) and autoantibodies (anti-Scl-70, anti-PM-Scl, anti-centromeres and anti-dsDNA). Conclusions Baicalein inhibits TGF-β1 and PDGF- mediated ECM accumulation in human dermal fibroblasts and alleviates the development of experimental dermal fibrosis by reversing B cell abnormalities, reducing autoantibody production and ameliorating inflammation. Baicalein may have the potential to be further developed as a therapeutic candidate against SSc.

1988 ◽  
Vol 85 (6) ◽  
pp. 1897-1901 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Ledbetter ◽  
P. S. Rabinovitch ◽  
C. H. June ◽  
C. W. Song ◽  
E. A. Clark ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 185 (12) ◽  
pp. 2121-2131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robbert van der Voort ◽  
Taher E.I. Taher ◽  
Robert M.J. Keehnen ◽  
Lia Smit ◽  
Martijn Groenink ◽  
...  

T cell–dependent humoral immune responses are initiated by the activation of naive B cells in the T cell areas of the secondary lymphoid tissues. This primary B cell activation leads to migration of germinal center (GC) cell precursors into B cell follicles where they engage follicular dendritic cells (FDC) and T cells, and differentiate into memory B cells or plasma cells. Both B cell migration and interaction with FDC critically depend on integrin-mediated adhesion. To date, the physiological regulators of this adhesion were unkown. In the present report, we have identified the c-met–encoded receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, the growth and motility factor hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF), as a novel paracrine signaling pathway regulating B cell adhesion. We observed that c-Met is predominantly expressed on CD38+CD77+ tonsillar B cells localized in the dark zone of the GC (centroblasts). On tonsil B cells, ligation of CD40 by CD40-ligand, induces a transient strong upregulation of expression of the c-Met tyrosine kinase. Stimulation of c-Met with HGF/SF leads to receptor phosphorylation and, in addition, to enhanced integrin-mediated adhesion of B cells to both VCAM-1 and fibronectin. Importantly, the c-Met ligand HGF/SF is produced at high levels by tonsillar stromal cells thus providing signals for the regulation of adhesion and migration within the lymphoid microenvironment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 287 (27) ◽  
pp. 23184-23195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gang Chen ◽  
Paritosh Ghosh ◽  
Thomas O'Farrell ◽  
Rachel Munk ◽  
Louis J. Rezanka ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 200-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan M Giles ◽  
Timothy T Underwood ◽  
Karim A Benhadji ◽  
Diana K S Nelson ◽  
Lisa M Grobeck ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)–signaling pathway has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for many disease states including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Because of the pleiotropic effects of this pathway, patient selection and monitoring may be important. TGF-β1 is the most prevalent isoform, and an assay to measure plasma levels of TGF-β1 would provide a rational biomarker to assist with patient selection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analytically validate a colorimetric ELISA for the quantification of TGF-β1 in human plasma. Methods A colorimetric sandwich ELISA for TGF-β1 was analytically validated per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute protocols by assessment of precision, linearity, interfering substances, and stability. A reference range for plasma TGF-β1 was established for apparently healthy individuals and potential applicability was demonstrated in HCC patients. Results Precision was assessed for samples ranging from 633 to 10822 pg/mL, with total variance ranging from 28.4% to 7.2%. The assay was linear across the entire measuring range, and no interference of common blood components or similar molecules was observed. For apparently healthy individuals, the average TGF-β1 level was 1985 ± 1488 pg/mL compared to 4243 ± 2003 pg/mL for HCC patients. Additionally, the TGF-β1 level in plasma samples was demonstrated to be stable across all conditions tested, including multiple freeze–thaw cycles. Conclusions The ELISA described in this report is suitable for the quantification of TGF-β1 in human plasma and for investigational use in an approved clinical study.


2002 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 86-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise A. Kaminski ◽  
John J. Letterio ◽  
Peter D. Burrows

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) can inhibit thein vitroproliferation, survival and differentiation of B cell progenitors, mature B lymphocytes and plasma cells. Here we demonstrate unexpected, age-dependent reductions in the bone marrow (BM) B cell progenitors and immature B cells in TGFβ1-/-mice. To evaluate TGFβ responsiveness during normal B lineage development, cells were cultured in interleukin 7 (IL7)±TGFβ. Picomolar doses of TGFβ1 reduced pro-B cell recoveries at every timepoint. By contrast, the pre-B cells were initially reduced in number, but subsequently increased compared to IL7 alone, resulting in a 4-fold increase in the growth rate for the pre-B cell population. Analysis of purified BM sub-populations indicated that pro-B cells and the earliest BP1-pre-B cells were sensitive to the inhibitory effects of TGFβ1. However, the large BP1+pre-B cells, although initially reduced, were increased in number at days 5 and 7 of culture. These results indicate that TGFβ1 is important for normal B cell developmentin vivo, and that B cell progenitors are differentially affected by the cytokine according to their stage of differentiation.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0244158
Author(s):  
WeiYu Lin ◽  
Wei-Ching Liang ◽  
Trung Nguy ◽  
Mauricio Maia ◽  
Tulika Tyagi ◽  
...  

The proactive generation of anti-idiotypic antibodies (anti-IDs) against therapeutic antibodies with desirable properties is an important step in pre-clinical and clinical assay development supporting their bioanalytical programs. Here, we describe a robust platform to generate anti-IDs using rabbit single B cell sorting-culture and cloning technology by immunizing rabbits with therapeutic drug Fab fragment and sorting complementarity determining regions (CDRs) specific B cells using designed framework control as a negative gate to exclude non-CDRs-specific B cells. The supernatants of cultured B cells were subsequently screened for binding to drug-molecule by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the positive hits of B cell lysates were selected for cloning of their immunoglobulin G (IgG) variable regions. The recombinant monoclonal anti-IDs generated with this method have high affinity and specificity with broad epitope coverage and different types. The recombinant anti-IDs were available for assay development to support pharmacokinetic (PK) and immunogenicity studies within 12 weeks from the start of rabbit immunization. Using this novel rapid and efficient in-house approach we have generated a large panel of anti-IDs against a series of 11 therapeutic antibody drugs and successfully applied them to the clinical assay development.


2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 954-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Kieb ◽  
Frank Sander ◽  
Cornelia Prinz ◽  
Stefanie Adam ◽  
Anett Mau-Möller ◽  
...  

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used in sports medicine. Available PRP preparations differ in white blood cell, platelet, and growth factor concentrations, making standardized research and clinical application challenging. Purpose: To characterize a newly standardized procedure for pooled PRP that provides defined growth factor concentrations. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: A standardized growth factor preparation (lyophilized PRP powder) was prepared using 12 pooled platelet concentrates (PCs) derived from different donors via apheresis. Blood samples and commercially available PRP (SmartPrep-2) served as controls (n = 5). Baseline blood counts were analyzed. Additionally, single PCs (n = 5) were produced by standard platelet apheresis. The concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), interleukin (IL)–1α, IL-1β, and IL-1 receptor agonist (IL-1RA) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics, mean differences, 95% CIs, and P values (analysis of variance). Results: All growth factor preparation methods showed elevated concentrations of the growth factors VEGF, bFGF, PDGF-AB, and TGF-β1 compared with those of whole blood. Large interindividual differences were found in VEGF and bFGF concentrations. Respective values (mean ± SD in pg/mL) for whole blood, SmartPrep-2, PC, and PRP powder were as follows: VEGF (574 ± 147, 528 ± 233, 1087 ± 535, and 1722), bFGF (198 ± 164, 410 ± 259, 151 ± 99, and 542), PDGF-AB (2394 ± 451, 17,846 ± 3087, 18,461 ± 4455, and 23,023), and TGF-β1 (14,356 ± 4527, 77,533 ± 13,918, 68,582 ± 7388, and 87,495). IGF-1 was found in SmartPrep-2 (1539 ± 348 pg/mL). For PC (2266 ± 485 pg/mL), IGF-1 was measured at the same levels of whole blood (2317 ± 711 pg/mL) but was not detectable in PRP powder. IL-1α was detectable in whole blood (111 ± 35 pg/mL) and SmartPrep-2 (119 ± 44 pg/mL). Conclusion: Problems with PRP such as absent standardization, lack of consistency among studies, and black box dosage could be solved by using characterized PRP powder made by pooling and lyophilizing multiple PCs. The new PRP powder opens up new possibilities for PRP research as well as for the treatment of patients. Clinical Relevance: The preparation of pooled PRP by means of lyophilization may allow physicians to apply a defined amount of growth factors by using a defined amount of PRP powder. Moreover, PRP powder as a dry substance with no need for centrifugation could become ubiquitously available, thus saving time and staff resources in clinical practice. However, before transferring the results of this basic science study to clinical application, regulatory issues have to be cleared.


2016 ◽  
Vol 475 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rong-hui Fan ◽  
Xiu-mei Zhu ◽  
Yao-wen Sun ◽  
Hui-zi Peng ◽  
Hang-li Wu ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 2056-2071 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Zheng ◽  
Long Li ◽  
Guisheng Qi ◽  
Mushuang Hu ◽  
Chao Hu ◽  
...  

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.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina L Papke ◽  
Hariyadarshi Pannu ◽  
Dong-Chuan Guo ◽  
Nili Avidan ◽  
Van Tran-Fadulu ◽  
...  

Aortic aneurysms and dissections are the most common disorders affecting the aorta, and are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (FTAAD) are inherited in an autosomal dominant manner with variable expression and decreased penetrance. The disorder is genetically heterogeneous with four loci and three genes identified. Mutations in either TGFBR2 , encoding the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) type II receptor, or MYH11 , encoding the smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific β-myosin heavy chain, were previously found to cause FTAAD. Recently, positional cloning identified smooth muscle α-actin ( ACTA2 ) mutations as a novel cause in 10% of FTAAD. Mutations in ACTC and MYH7 cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), characterized by myocyte disarray and upregulation of mitotic and trophic factors. Histologic examination of aortic tissue from patients with ACTA2 (n = 6) and MYH11 (n = 2) mutations revealed SMC disarray in the aortic media similar to that seen in HCM. Furthermore, we hypothesized that mutations in ACTA2 and MYH11 cause a similar increase of mitotic and trophic factors in SMCs. The expression of two factors known to be increased in HCM, TGF-β1 and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), were analyzed in patients’ aortic SMCs and dermal myofibroblasts. No changes in TGF-β1 were found; however, both mRNA, as measured by Q-PCR (p<0.05), and protein levels, as assessed by immunostaining, of IGF-1 were markedly increased in MYH11 and two ACTA2 mutant SMCs and aortic tissue compared with control SMCs and tissue. Differentiation of dermal fibroblasts into myofibroblasts was accomplished using TGF-β1 treatment; myofibroblast differentiation was confirmed by assessing α-actin mRNA and protein levels in untreated vs. TGF-β1-treated fibroblasts. Upon differentiation, patients’ myofibroblasts (n = 3) demonstrated increased IGF-1 expression compared with controls (p<0.05), similar to the increased IGF-1 expression by SMCs. In conclusion, IGF-1 secretion is increased in response to defects in SMC contractile proteins in SMCs and myofibroblasts. Future studies will clarify the role of IGF-1 in FTAAD and identify the pathways leading to increased IGF-1 expression.


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