scholarly journals Inhibition of Yes-Associated Protein by Verteporfin Ameliorates Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction-Induced Renal Tubulointerstitial Inflammation and Fibrosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 8184
Author(s):  
Jixiu Jin ◽  
Tian Wang ◽  
Woong Park ◽  
Wenjia Li ◽  
Won Kim ◽  
...  

Yes-associated protein (YAP) activation after acute ischemic kidney injury might be related to interstitial fibrosis and impaired renal tubular regeneration. Verteporfin (VP) is a photosensitizer used in photodynamic therapy to treat age-related macular degeneration. In cancer cells, VP inhibits TEA domain family member (TEAD)-YAP interactions without light stimulation. The protective role of VP in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis and related mechanisms remains unclear. In this study, we investigate the protective effects of VP on UUO-induced renal tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis and its regulation of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway. We find that VP decreased the UUO-induced increase in tubular injury, inflammation, and extracellular matrix deposition in mice. VP also decreased myofibroblast activation and proliferation in UUO kidneys and NRK-49F cells by modulating Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation. Therefore, YAP inhibition might have beneficial effects on UUO-induced tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis by regulating the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Quan ◽  
Woong Park ◽  
Jixiu Jin ◽  
Won Kim ◽  
Sung Kwang Park ◽  
...  

Renal fibrosis is a common feature of all progressive chronic kidney diseases. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is one of the mitochondrial sirtuins, and plays a role in the regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative stress, fatty acid metabolism, and aging. Recently, honokiol (HKL), as a pharmaceutical SIRT3 activator, has been observed to have a protective effect against pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy by increasing SIRT3 activity. In this study, we investigated whether HKL, as a SIRT3 activator, also has protective effects against unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through SIRT3-dependent regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)/transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway. We found that HKL decreased the UUO-induced increase in tubular injury and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in mice. HKL also decreased myofibroblast activation and proliferation in UUO kidneys and NRK-49F cells. Finally, we showed that HKL treatment decreased UUO-induced mitochondrial fission and promoted mitochondrial fusion through SIRT3-dependent effects. In conclusion, activation of SIRT3 via HKL treatment might have beneficial effects on UUO-induced renal fibrosis through SIRT3-dependent regulation of mitochondrial dynamics and the NF-κB/TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.


2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 1761-1774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jie Zhao ◽  
Li Wang ◽  
Ai-li Cao ◽  
Ming-Qian Jiang ◽  
Xia Chen ◽  
...  

Objective: Traditional Chinese Medicine compound HuangQi decoction is widely used in clinical treatment of chronic kidney disease, but its role on renal interstitial fibrosis and the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of HuangQi decoction on renal interstitial fibrosis and its association with the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway Methods: A total of 120 C57/BL mice were randomly divided into six groups: sham group, sham plus high-dose HuangQi decoction (1.08g/kg) group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model group, and UUO model plus low to high doses of HuangQi decoction (0.12g/kg, 0.36g/kg and 1.08g/kg respectively) groups. Animals were sacrificed 14 days after the administration and ipsilateral kidney tissue was sampled for pathologic examinations. Immunohistochemistry, PCR and western blot were used to detect the expressions of related molecules in the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. TGF-β1 was used in in vitro experiments to induce human kidney proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK2). Results: HuangQi decoction improved ipsilateral kidney fibrosis in UUO mice and downregulated the expressions of TGF-β1, TβRI, TβRII, Smad4, Smad2/3, P-Smad2/3, α-SMA, collagen type I, III and IV in a dose-dependent manner while upregulated the expression of Smad7 in the same fashion. Similar results were found in in vitro studies. Conclusion: The protective effect of HuangQi decoction for unilateral ureteral obstruction kidney damage in mice was mediated by downregulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.


Pharmacology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 104 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 81-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Liu ◽  
Tan Deng ◽  
Yaxin Wang ◽  
Mengmeng Zhang ◽  
Guannan Zhu ◽  
...  

Background: Intestinal fibrosis is the major complication of Crohn’s disease (CD). There are no other good treatments for CD except surgery and remains a refractory disease. Calycosin (CA), the active component of astragalus membranaceus, has been reported the potential effect on lung fibrosis and renal fibrosis. In this study, we aim to explore the effect of CA on intestinal fibrosis in vitro and the possible signal pathway. Methods: The antifibrotic effect of CA is investigated in human intestinal fibroblasts (CCD-18Co) cells induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). MTT method was used to screen the concentration of CA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, and TGF-β/Smad pathway. Results: The results showed that the concentration of CA was 12.5, 25, 50 μmol/L. CA could inhibit the expression of α-SMA and collagen I. In addition, CA regulated the expression of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that CA could inhibit the activation of CCD-18Co cells and reduce the expression of extracellular matrix. Our study highlighted that CA-inhibited TGF-β/Smad pathway through inhibiting the expression of p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad4, and TGF-β1 and raised the Smad7 expression. Therefore, CA might inhibit intestinal fibrosis by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad pathway.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanhong Liu ◽  
Yan Ding ◽  
Yapeng Hou ◽  
Tong Yu ◽  
Hongguang Nie ◽  
...  

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive interstitial lung disease that has a poor prognosis. Abnormal activation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a crucial role in fibroblast differentiation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are currently being considered for the treatment of PF, but the regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood. We co-cultured bone marrow-derived MSCs and mouse lung fibroblasts (MLg) in the presence of TGF-β1, and studied the protein/mRNA expression of fibrosis markers and related signaling pathways. The effects of miR-130a-3p and TGF-β receptor II (TGF-βRII) on the differentiation of MLg induced by TGF-β1 were studied using immunofluorescence assay, Western blot, and quantitative real-time PCR techniques, respectively. Our results showed that MSCs reversed the overexpression of fibrosis markers and TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway proteins and mRNAs after TGF-β1 treatment and increased the level of miR-130a-3p. TGF-βRII was identified as a target of miR-130a-3p and was evaluated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The miR-130a-3p/TGF-βRII axis could suppress the differentiation of lung fibroblasts via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, thereby reducing the process of PF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Chuang Gao ◽  
Xin Cao ◽  
Lili Huang ◽  
Yueqi Bao ◽  
Tao Li ◽  
...  

Background. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays a major role in CNV. However, the mechanism is unclear. This study investigates the effect of Pirfenidone (PFD) on TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway on the development of choroidal neovascular fibrosis in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) mouse model. C57BL/6J male mice (aged from 6 to 8 weeks) received intravitreal injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS)/PFD solution on 14 days after laser injury. Mice were anesthetized by intraperitoneal injection of 4% pentobarbital (0.05 mg/g body weight). Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Fundus Fluorescein angiography (FFA), and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) were used to assess CNV formation. The fibrosis area was monitored by staining the collagen type I (Col-I). Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of TGF-β2, Smad 2/3, phosphorylated Smad 2/3 (p-Smad 2/3), and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Terminal deoxynucleotidy1 transferase dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) assay was performed on cryosections of mouse eyes to detect apoptosis. Our data showed PFD inhibited areas of fibrosis during day 21 to day 28. We also found that the levels of TGF-β2 protein expressions increasingly reached the peak till the 3rd week during the CNV development. The protein levels of Smad 2/3, p-Smad 2/3, and α-SMA also increased significantly in CNV mice, but this response was profoundly suppressed by the TGF-β inhibitor PFD. The results of this study suggest that TGF-β2 represents a target to prevent or treat choroidal neovascular fibrosis, and PFD may provide an alternative to traditional methods for Wet Age-related macular degeneration (wAMD) treatment.


Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (2) ◽  
pp. 727-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Lin Yang ◽  
Yi-Shiuan Liu ◽  
Lea-Yea Chuang ◽  
Jinn-Yuh Guh ◽  
Tao-Chen Lee ◽  
...  

TGF-β is a therapeutic target for renal fibrosis. Scientists have long sought ways to antagonize TGF-β to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy. Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP-2) is a member of the TGF-β superfamily and is highly regulated in the kidney. Thus, the role of BMP-2 was investigated in NRK-49F cells (rat fibroblasts). We showed that TGF-β1 induces an increase in fibronectin. Treatment with exogenous BMP-2 or pCMV-BMP-2 significantly reversed the TGF-β1-induced increase in fibronectin concomitant with a significant decrease in type I TGF-β receptors (TGF-β RI). Moreover, BMP-2 significantly shortened the half-life of TGF-β RI. These results are related to proteosomal activation because MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, abolished BMP-2-mediated degradation of TGF-β RI. This was confirmed because BMP-2 time course dependently enhanced the ubiquitination level of TGF-β RI. In addition, Smads would seem to be involved in the interaction of BMP-2 and TGF-β. We demonstrated that BMP-2 significantly reversed the TGF-β1-induced increase in pSmad2/3 and reversed the TGF-β1-induced decrease in inhibitory Smad7. Most importantly, Smad7 small interfering RNA abolished the BMP-2-induced decrease in TGF-β RI. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of BMP-2 using unilateral ureteral obstruction rats. BMP-2 was administered ip for 7 d. In the unilateral ureteral obstruction kidneys, interstitial fibrosis was prominent. However, treatment with BMP-2 dramatically reduced Masson’s trichrome staining (collagen) in the interstitial and tubular areas of the kidneys concomitantly with a reduction in TGF-β RI. These results suggest that BMP-2 acts as a novel fibrosis antagonizing cytokine partly by down-regulating TGF-β RI and Smads. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 can antagonize TGF-β-inducing cellular fibrosis by intervening post-receptors signaling, thus disclosing an application of therapeutical potential against fibrosis disorders.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document