scholarly journals YAP/TAZ: Key Players for Rheumatoid Arthritis Severity by Driving Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes Phenotype and Fibro-Inflammatory Response

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin Caire ◽  
Estelle Audoux ◽  
Guillaume Courbon ◽  
Eva Michaud ◽  
Claudie Petit ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe role of YAP/TAZ, two transcriptional co-activators involved in several cancers, was investigated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsFibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) from patients with RA or osteoarthritis were cultured in 2D or into 3D synovial organoids. Arthritis rat model (n=28) and colitis mouse model (n=21) were used. YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity was inhibited by verteporfin (VP). Multiple techniques were used to assess gene and/or protein expression and/or localization, cell phenotype (invasion, proliferation, apoptosis), bone erosion, and synovial stiffness.ResultsYAP/TAZ were transcriptionally active in arthritis (19-fold increase for CTGF expression, a YAP target gene, in RA vs. OA organoids; p<0.05). Stiff support of culture or pro-inflammatory cytokines further enhanced YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity in RA FLS. Inhibiting YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity with VP restored a common phenotype in RA FLS with a decrease in apoptosis resistance, proliferation, invasion, and inflammatory response. Consequently, VP blunted hyperplasic lining layer formation in RA synovial organoids. In vivo, VP treatment strongly reduced arthritis severity (mean arthritic index at 3.1 in arthritic group vs. 2.0 in VP treated group; p<0.01) by restoring synovial homeostasis and decreasing systemic inflammation. YAP/TAZ transcriptional activity also enhanced synovial membrane stiffening in vivo, thus creating a vicious loop with the maintenance of YAP/TAZ activation over time in FLS. YAP/TAZ inhibition was also effective in another inflammatory model of mouse colitis.ConclusionOur work reveals that YAP/TAZ were critical factors during arthritis. Thus, their transcriptional inhibition could be relevant to treat inflammatory related diseases.

2018 ◽  
Vol 77 (10) ◽  
pp. 1480-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joo Youn Lee ◽  
Min Jueng Kang ◽  
Ji Yong Choi ◽  
Ji Soo Park ◽  
Jin Kyun Park ◽  
...  

ObjectiveImmune cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) express more enolase-1 (ENO1) on their surface than those from healthy subjects, and they elicit an enhanced inflammatory response. This study is aimed to identify the ligands of ENO1 that could promote inflammatory loops in vitro and enhance the arthritis severity in vivo.MethodsENO1-binding proteins in RA synovial fluid were identified by mass spectromety, and affinity to ENO1 was evaluated by means of a ligand blotting and binding assay, surface plasmon resonance and confocal microscopy. Proinflammatory response by the interaction between ENO1 and apolipoprotein B (apoB) was tested in vitro and in vivo using peripheral blood mononuclear cells and a K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model and low-density lipoproteins receptor (LDLR) knockout mice.ResultsApoB in the synovid fluid of patients with RA was identified as a specific ligand to ENO1 with a higher affinity than plasminogen, a known ENO1 ligand. ApoB binding to ENO1 on monocytes elicited the production of tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukins (IL)-1β and IL-6 through both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and NF-κB pathways. In the K/BxN serum transfer arthritis model, administration of apoB increased the production of proinflammatory cytokines and exaggerated arthritis severity. The severity of K/BxN serum transfer arthritis in LDLR knockout mice was comparable with wild-type mice.ConclusionsA key component of atherogenic lipids, apoB, aggravated arthritis by potentiating the inflammatory response via its interaction with ENO1 expressed on the surface of immune cells. This suggests a novel mechanism by which lipid metabolism regulates chronic inflammation in RA.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Lu ◽  
Chongbo Hao ◽  
Shanshan Yu ◽  
Zuan Ma ◽  
Xuelian Fu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Abnormal proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) in the synovial lining layer is the primary cause of synovial hyperplasia and joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Currently, the relationship between metabolic abnormalities and FLS proliferation is a new focus of investigation. However, little is known regarding the relationship between amino acid metabolism and RA. Methods: The concentrations of amino acids and cytokines in the synovial fluid of RA (n=9) and osteoarthritis (OA,n=9) were detected by LC-MS/MS and CBA assay, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression of CAT-1 were determined in FLSs isolated from RA and OA patients by real-time PCR and western blotting. MTT assay, cell cycle, apoptosis, invasion and cytokine secretion were determined in FLSs knocked down of CAT-1 using siRNA or treated with D-arginine under normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. A mouse collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model was applied to test the therapeutic potential of blocking the uptake of L-arginine in vivo.Results: L-arginine was upregulated in the synovial fluid of RA patients and was positively correlated with elevation of the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8. Further examination demonstrated that cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1) was the primary transporter for L-arginine and was overexpressed on RA FLSs compared to OA FLSs. Moreover, knockdown of CAT-1 using siRNA or inhibition of L-arginine uptake using D-arginine significantly suppressed L-arginine metabolism, cell proliferation, migration and cytokine secretion in RA FLSs under normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions in vitro but increased cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, in vivo assays revealed that an L-arginine-free diet or blocking the uptake of L-arginine using D-arginine suppressed arthritis progression in CIA mice. Conclusion: CAT-1 is upregulated and promotes FLS proliferation by taking up L-arginine, thereby promoting RA progression.


1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Delaunay ◽  
F Pakdel ◽  
Y Valotaire

ABSTRACT In order to perform later studies on the transcriptional regulation of hormone-dependent genes in fish liver, we firstly examined the potential of trout liver nuclear extracts in a cell-free transcription system. As reporter genes, we used DNA sequences without G (G-free cassettes) under the control of three promoters derived from the 5′ flanking sequence of the Xenopus vitellogenin B1 gene; two of them were responsive to the oestrogen receptor (ER) through oestrogen responsive elements (ERE). Maximal transcriptional activity was obtained within a range of 40–130 μg protein per extract depending on the extract preparation. Transcription was maximal in reactions carried out at 25 °C. Similar transcriptional activities for the three promoters were observed when transcription was performed in extracts from untreated male trout. In contrast, we observed a 4·5- to 6-fold increase in the transcription with ERE-containing promoters in comparison with that with the minimal promoter bearing only a TATA box when extracts from oestradiol-treated male trout were used. This effect was correlated with the increase in the nuclear ER concentration induced by in vivo hormonal treatment. This enhanced transcription was specifically inhibited by the addition of a 25- to 100-fold excess of ERE oligonucleotide competitor. These data demonstrated, therefore, that transcription was ERE-dependent in this system and suggest strongly that it was mediated by the trout ER. Addition of oestradiol or the anti-oestrogens hydroxytamoxifen or ICI 164384 had no effect on the transcriptional activity of the two ERE-containing promoters, indicating that transcription was hormone-independent in trout liver nuclear extracts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Feng Li ◽  
Sha Wu ◽  
Qi Yan ◽  
Yuan-Yuan Wu ◽  
He Chen ◽  
...  

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by a tumor-like expansion of the synovium and subsequent destruction of adjacent articular cartilage and bone. In our previous work we showed that phosphatase and tension homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) contributes to the activation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA), but the underlying mechanism is not unknown. In this study, we show that PTEN is downregulated while DNA methyltransferase (DNMT)1 is upregulated in FLS from RA patients and a rat model of AIA. DNA methylation of PTEN was increased by administration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in FLS of RA patients, as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation and methylation-specific PCR. Treatment with the methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine suppressed cytokine and chemokine release and FLS activation in vitro and alleviated paw swelling in vivo. PTEN overexpression reduced inflammation and activation of FLS via protein kinase B (AKT) signaling in RA, and intra-articular injection of PTEN-expressing adenovirus into the knee of AIA rats markedly reduced inflammation and paw swelling. Thus, PTEN methylation promotes the inflammation and activation of FLS in the pathogenesis of RA. These findings provide insight into the molecular basis of articular cartilage destruction in RA, and indicate that therapeutic strategies that prevent PTEN methylation may an effective treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanshan Yang ◽  
Wei Yin ◽  
Yan Ding ◽  
Fan Liu

Abstract Backgrounds: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a frequent autoimmune disease. Emerging evidence indicated that ZNFX1 antisense RNA1 (ZFAS1) participates in the physiological and pathological processes in RA. However, knowledge of ZFAS1 in RA is limited, the potential work pathway of ZFAS1 needs to be further investigated. Methods: Levels of ZFAS1, microRNA (miR)-2682-5p, and ADAM metallopeptidase with thrombospondin type 1 motif 9 (ADAMTS9) were estimated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted to explore the ability of cell proliferation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS-RA). Cell apoptosis was measured via flow cytometry. Also, levels of ADAMTS9, apoptosis-related proteins, cleaved-caspase-3 (active large subunit), and autophagy-related proteins were identified adopting Western blot. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to determine the productions of inflammatory cytokines. Beside, the interrelation between miR-2682-5p and ZFAS1 or ADAMTS9 was verified utilizing dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: High levels of ZFAS1 and ADAMTS9, and a low level of miR-2682-5p were observed in RA synovial tissues and FLS-RA. Knockdown of ZFAS1 led to the curbs of cell proliferation, inflammation, autophagy, and boost apoptosis in FLS-RA, while these effects were abolished via regaining miR-2682-5p inhibition. Additionally, the influence of miR-2682-5p on cell phenotypes and inflammatory response were eliminated by ADAMTS9 up-regulation in FLS-RA. Mechanically, ZFAS1 exerted its role through miR-2682-5p/ADAMTS9 axis in RA. Conclusion: ZFAS1/miR-2682-5p/ADAMTS9 axis could modulate the cell behaviors, inflammatory response in FLS-RA, might provide a potential therapeutic target for RA treatment.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ditte Køster ◽  
Johanne Hovgaard Egedal ◽  
Søren Lomholt ◽  
Malene Hvid ◽  
Martin R. Jakobsen ◽  
...  

AbstractFibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play an important pathological role in persistent inflammatory joint diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). These cells have primarily been characterized in the RA synovial membrane. Here we aim to phenotypically and functionally characterize cultured synovial fluid-derived FLS (sfRA-FLS). Paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and sfRA-FLS from patients with RA were obtained and monocultures of sfRA-FLS and autologous co-cultures of sfRA-FLS and PBMC were established. The in situ activated sfRA-FLS were CD34-, CD45-, Podoplanin+, Thymocyte differentiation antigen-1+. SfRA-FLS expressed uniform levels of NFкB-related pathway proteins and secreted several pro-inflammatory cytokines dominated by IL-6 and MCP-1. In a co-culture model with autologous PBMC, the ICAM-1 and HLA-DR expression on sfRA-FLS and secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1 increased. In vivo, human sfRA-FLS were cartilage invasive both at ipsilateral and contralateral implantation site. We conclude that, sfRA-FLS closely resemble the pathological sublining layer FLS subset in terms of surface protein expression, cytokine production and leukocyte cross-talk potential. Further, sfRA-FLS are comparable to tissue-derived FLS in their capabilities to invade cartilage at implantation sites but also spread tissue destruction to a distant site. Collectively, sfRA-FLS can serve as a an easy-to-obtain source of pathological sublining FLS in RA.


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