scholarly journals Targeting TGF-β Signaling in Kidney Fibrosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 2532 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Isaka
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Cell Interaction ◽  
Common Pathway ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis ◽  
Fibrotic Diseases

Renal fibrosis is the final common pathway of numerous progressive kidney diseases, and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has an important role in tissue fibrosis by up-regulating matrix protein synthesis, inhibiting matrix degradation, and altering cell-cell interaction. Many strategies targeting TGF-β, including inhibition of production, activation, binding to the receptor, and intracellular signaling, have been developed. Some of them were examined in clinical studies against kidney fibrosis, and some are applied to other fibrotic diseases or cancer. Here, I review the approaches targeting TGF-β signaling in kidney 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 A Tight Control of Non-Canonical TGF-β Pathways and MicroRNAs Downregulates Nephronectin in Podocytes

Cells ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Nina Sopel ◽  
Alexandra Ohs ◽  
Mario Schiffer ◽  
Janina Müller-Deile
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Fine Tuning ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Protein ◽  
Glomerular Filtration Barrier ◽  
Glomerular Diseases ◽  
Filtration Barrier ◽  
Canonical Pathways

Nephronectin (NPNT) is an extracellular matrix protein in the glomerular basement membrane that is produced by podocytes and is important for the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. Upregulated transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and altered NPNT are seen in different glomerular diseases. TGF-β downregulates NPNT and upregulates NPNT-targeting microRNAs (miRs). However, the pathways involved were previously unknown. By using selective inhibitors of the canonical, SMAD-dependent, and non-canonical TGF-β pathways, we investigated NPNT transcription, translation, secretion, and regulation through miRs in podocytes. TGF-β decreased NPNT mRNA and protein in cultured human podocytes. TGF-β-dependent regulation of NPNT was meditated through intracellular signaling pathways. Under baseline conditions, non-canonical pathways predominantly regulated NPNT post-transcriptionally. Podocyte NPNT secretion, however, was not dependent on canonical or non-canonical TGF-β pathways. The canonical TGF-β pathway was also dispensable for NPNT regulation after TGF-β stimulation, as TGF-β was still able to downregulate NPNT in the presence of SMAD inhibitors. In contrast, in the presence of different non-canonical pathway inhibitors, TGF-β stimulation did not further decrease NPNT expression. Moreover, distinct non-canonical TGF-β pathways mediated TGF-β-induced upregulation of NPNT-targeting miR-378a-3p. Thus, we conclude that post-transcriptional fine-tuning of NPNT expression in podocytes is mediated predominantly through non-canonical TGF-β pathways.

scholarly journals Transforming Growth Factor-β and Long Non-coding RNA in Renal Inflammation and Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue-Yu Gu ◽  
Jing-Yun Dou ◽  
Xiao-Ru Huang ◽  
Xu-Sheng Liu ◽  
Hui-Yao Lan
Keyword(s):  
Growth Factor ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Targets ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Renal Inflammation ◽  
Rna Transcripts ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Potential Applications

Renal fibrosis is one of the most characterized pathological features in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Progressive fibrosis eventually leads to renal failure, leaving dialysis or allograft transplantation the only clinical option for CKD patients. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is the key mediator in renal fibrosis and is an essential regulator for renal inflammation. Therefore, the general blockade of the pro-fibrotic TGF-β may reduce fibrosis but may risk promoting renal inflammation and other side effects due to the diverse role of TGF-β in kidney diseases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNA transcripts with more than 200 nucleotides and have been regarded as promising therapeutic targets for many diseases. This review focuses on the importance of TGF-β and lncRNAs in renal inflammation, fibrogenesis, and the potential applications of TGF-β and lncRNAs as the therapeutic targets and biomarkers in renal fibrosis and CKD are highlighted.

scholarly journals Klotho and activin A in kidney injury: plasma Klotho is maintained in unilateral obstruction despite no upregulation of Klotho biosynthesis in the contralateral kidney

2018 ◽  
Vol 314 (5) ◽  
pp. F753-F762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anders Nordholm ◽  
Maria L. Mace ◽  
Eva Gravesen ◽  
Jacob Hofman-Bang ◽  
Marya Morevati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Activin A ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Vascular Effects ◽  
Mineral And Bone Disorder ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis ◽  
Contralateral Kidney

In a new paradigm of etiology related to chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD), kidney injury may cause induction of factors in the injured kidney that are released into the circulation and thereby initiate and maintain renal fibrosis and CKD-MBD. Klotho is believed to ameliorate renal fibrosis and CKD-MBD, while activin A might have detrimental effects. The unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) model is used here to examine this concept by investigating early changes related to renal fibrosis in the obstructed kidney, untouched contralateral kidney, and vasculature which might be affected by secreted factors from the obstructed kidney, and comparing with unilateral nephrectomized controls (UNX). Obstructed kidneys showed early Klotho gene and protein depletion, whereas plasma Klotho increased in both UUO and UNX rats, indicating an altered metabolism of Klotho. Contralateral kidneys had no compensatory upregulation of Klotho and maintained normal expression of the examined fibrosis-related genes, as did remnant UNX kidneys. UUO caused upregulation of transforming growth factor-β and induction of periostin and activin A in obstructed kidneys without changes in the contralateral kidneys. Plasma activin A doubled in UUO rats after 10 days while no changes were seen in UNX rats, suggesting secretion of activin A from the obstructed kidney with potentially systemic effects on CKD-MBD. As such, increased aortic sclerostin was observed in UUO rats compared with UNX and normal controls. The present results are in line with the new paradigm and show very early vascular effects of unilateral kidney fibrosis, supporting the existence of a new kidney-vasculature axis.

scholarly journals TGF-β signaling in the kidney: profibrotic and protective effects

2016 ◽  
Vol 310 (7) ◽  
pp. F596-F606 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angara Sureshbabu ◽  
Saif A. Muhsin ◽  
Mary E. Choi
Keyword(s):  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Successful Therapy ◽  
Protective Response ◽  
Pharmacological Blockade ◽  
Fibrotic Diseases

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is generally considered as a central mediator of fibrotic diseases. Indeed, much focus has been placed on inhibiting TGF-β and its downstream targets as ideal therapeutic strategies. However, pharmacological blockade of TGF-β has not yet translated into successful therapy for humans, which may be due to pleiotropic effects of TGF-β signaling. Equally, TGF-β signaling as a protective response in kidney injury has been relatively underexplored. An emerging body of evidence from experimental kidney disease models indicates multifunctionality of TGF-β capable of inducing profibrotic and protective effects. This review discusses recent advances highlighting the diverse roles of TGF-β in promoting not only renal fibrosis but also protective responses of TGF-β signaling. We review, in particular, growing evidence that supports protective effects of TGF-β by mechanisms which include inhibiting inflammation and induction of autophagy. Additional detailed studies are required to fully understand the diverse mechanisms of TGF-β actions in renal fibrosis and inflammation that will likely direct toward effective antifibrotic therapies.

scholarly journals Elastin imaging enables noninvasive staging and treatment monitoring of kidney fibrosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (486) ◽  
pp. eaat4865 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qinxue Sun ◽  
Maike Baues ◽  
Barbara M. Klinkhammer ◽  
Josef Ehling ◽  
Sonja Djudjaj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Matrix Protein ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Extracellular Matrix Protein ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Chronic Kidney Diseases ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis ◽  
Common Endpoint ◽  
Routine Assessment

Fibrosis is the common endpoint and currently the best predictor of progression of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Despite several drawbacks, biopsies remain the only available means to specifically assess the extent of renal fibrosis. Here, we show that molecular imaging of the extracellular matrix protein elastin allows for noninvasive staging and longitudinal monitoring of renal fibrosis. Elastin was hardly expressed in healthy mouse, rat, and human kidneys, whereas it was highly up-regulated in cortical, medullar, and perivascular regions in progressive CKD. Compared to a clinically relevant control contrast agent, the elastin-specific magnetic resonance imaging agent ESMA specifically detected elastin expression in multiple mouse models of renal fibrosis and also in fibrotic human kidneys. Elastin imaging allowed for repetitive and reproducible assessment of renal fibrosis, and it enabled longitudinal monitoring of therapeutic interventions, accurately capturing anti-fibrotic therapy effects. Last, in a model of reversible renal injury, elastin imaging detected ensuing fibrosis not identifiable via routine assessment of kidney function. Elastin imaging thus has the potential to become a noninvasive, specific imaging method to assess renal fibrosis.

Long noncoding RNAlnc-TSIinhibits renal fibrogenesis by negatively regulating the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (462) ◽  
pp. eaat2039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Wang ◽  
Man-Li Luo ◽  
Erwei Song ◽  
Zhanmei Zhou ◽  
Tongtong Ma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Long Noncoding Rna ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Noncoding Rna ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Smad3 Phosphorylation ◽  
Β Receptor ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Renal Fibrogenesis

Transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β) is a well-established central mediator of renal fibrosis, a common outcome of almost all progressive chronic kidney diseases. Here, we identified a poorly conserved and kidney-enriched long noncoding RNA in TGF-β1–stimulated human tubular epithelial cells and fibrotic kidneys, which we termed TGF-β/Smad3-interacting long noncoding RNA (lnc-TSI).Lnc-TSIwas transcriptionally regulated by Smad3 and specifically inhibited TGF-β–induced Smad3 phosphorylation and downstream profibrotic gene expression.Lnc-TSIacted by binding with the MH2 domain of Smad3, blocking the interaction of Smad3 with TGF-β receptor I independent of Smad7. Delivery of humanlnc-TSIinto unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mice, a well-established model of renal fibrosis, inhibited phosphorylation of Smad3 in the kidney and attenuated renal fibrosis. In a cohort of 58 patients with biopsy-confirmed IgA nephropathy (IgAN),lnc-TSIrenal expression negatively correlated with the renal fibrosis index (r= −0.56,P< 0.001) after adjusting for cofounders. In a longitudinal study, 32 IgAN patients with low expression of renallnc-TSIat initial biopsy had more pronounced increases in their renal fibrosis index and experienced stronger declines in renal function at repeat biopsy at a mean of 48 months of follow-up. These data suggest thatlnc-TSIreduced renal fibrogenesis through negative regulation of the TGF-β/Smad pathway.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Involvement of Ras GTPases in Kidney Fibrosis

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 800
Author(s):  
José M. Munoz-Felix ◽  
Carlos Martínez-Salgado
Keyword(s):  
Intracellular Signaling ◽  
Renal Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β1 ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis ◽  
Ras Gtpases ◽  
Tgf Β1

Many different regulatory mechanisms of renal fibrosis are known to date, and those related to transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-induced signaling have been studied in greater depth. However, in recent years, other signaling pathways have been identified, which contribute to the regulation of these pathological processes. Several studies by our team and others have revealed the involvement of small Ras GTPases in the regulation of the cellular processes that occur in renal fibrosis, such as the activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts or the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Intracellular signaling mediated by TGF-β1 and Ras GTPases are closely related, and this interaction also occurs during the development of renal fibrosis. In this review, we update the available in vitro and in vivo knowledge on the role of Ras and its main effectors, such as Erk and Akt, in the cellular mechanisms that occur during the regulation of kidney fibrosis (ECM synthesis, accumulation and activation of myofibroblasts, apoptosis and survival of tubular epithelial cells), as well as the therapeutic strategies for targeting the Ras pathway to intervene on the development of renal fibrosis.

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 Noncoding RNAs as Promising Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Intestinal Fibrosis of Crohn’s Disease: The Path From Bench to Bedside

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long-Yuan Zhou ◽  
Si-Nan Lin ◽  
Florian Rieder ◽  
Min-Hu Chen ◽  
Sheng-Hong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Noncoding Rnas ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor Β ◽  
Circular Rnas ◽  
Diagnostic Biomarkers ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Intestinal Fibrosis ◽  
Fibrotic Diseases ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Fibrosis is a major pathway to organ injury and failure, accounting for more than one-third of deaths worldwide. Intestinal fibrosis causes irreversible and serious clinical complications, such as strictures and obstruction, secondary to a complex pathogenesis. Under the stimulation of profibrotic soluble factors, excessive activation of mesenchymal cells causes extracellular matrix deposition via canonical transforming growth factor-β/Smads signaling or other pathways (eg, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition) in intestinal fibrogenesis. In recent studies, the importance of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) stands out in fibrotic diseases in that ncRNAs exhibit a remarkable variety of biological functions in modulating the aforementioned fibrogenic responses. In this review, we summarize the role of ncRNAs, including the emerging long ncRNAs and circular RNAs, in intestinal fibrogenesis. Notably, the translational potential of ncRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the management of intestinal fibrosis is discussed based on clinical trials from fibrotic diseases in other organs. The main points of this review include the following: • Characteristics of ncRNAs and mechanisms of intestinal fibrogenesis • Wide participation of ncRNAs (especially the emerging long ncRNAs and circular RNAs) in intestinal fibrosis, including transforming growth factor-β signaling, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition/endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix remodeling • Translational potential of ncRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal fibrosis based on clinical trials from fibrotic diseases in other organs

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