CYTOTECHNOLOGY
·
2025
·Vol. 77
·期 2
·1-18
·
IF 1.7
Zhou Yi,Luan Fengwu,Feng Xiaonan,Yu Min,Li Lu,Guo Xiaoyan,Yin Xiaolong
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often progresses to renal fibrosis, which is characterized by excessive extracellular matrix deposition and is also linked to ferroptosis. The present study investigated how TGF-β1 induces ferroptosis and thereby contributes to renal tubular epithelial cell fibrosis. Bioinformatics was employed to identify the differentially expressed genes relevant to renal fibrosis. An in vitro TGF-β1-induced fibrosis model of HK-2 cells was established, and the cell shape index was calculated. Fer-1, NAC, and PD98059 were utilized for targeted intervention, and their mechanisms were verified by transducing cells with WISP1-targeting shRNA lentivirus. Cell morphology was examined under a microscope, and cells were collected to determine the levels of ferroptosis-related factors (Fe 2+ , MDA, GSH, and LPO). Western blotting was performed to measure the levels of ERK1/2, WISP1, and ferroptosis indicators (GPX4 and hyperoxidized PRDX4). Flow cytometry was performed to determine the ROS levels and the rate of cell ferroptosis. TGF-β1 induced the transformation of HK-2 cells into fibroblast-like cells, leading to increased ROS levels, activation of the ERK1/2-WISP1 signaling pathway, and upregulation of ferroptosis and fibrosis-related factors. However, these effects could be effectively inhibited through pretreatment with Fer-1, NAC, and PD98059 individually, which further validated the involvement of the ERK1/2-WISP1 signaling pathway. In addition, WISP1 knockdown suppressed the cell transformation into fibroblast-like cells as well as the ferroptosis process, thereby reducing the expression levels of ferroptosis and fibrosis-related factors. The present study substantiated the process through which TGF-β1 elicits the production of ROS and triggers ferroptosis via the ERK1/2-WISP1 signaling pathway to facilitate the development of renal tubular epithelial cell fibrosis.
研究领域:
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
·
医学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
·
2022
·Vol. 24
·期 1
·1-11
·
IF 2.751
Lianjie Xu,Yurong Zhang,Nengbo Ji,Yan Du,Tao Jia,Shanshan Wei,Wei Wang,Shan Zhang,Wenhui Chen
Tanshinone IIA (TIIA) is a major component extracted from the traditional herbal medicine Salvia miltiorrhiza and has been indicated to play a role in the treatment of organ fibrosis. However, the evidence supporting its antifibrotic effect is insufficient and the underlying mechanism is unclear. To investigate the therapeutic effect of TIIA on non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis‑related fibrosis (NASH‑F), the present study used a methionine choline deficiency diet to induce NASH‑F in rats, and explored the effect of TIIA on the transforming growth factor‑β1 (TGF‑β1)/Smad signaling pathway. Wistar rats were randomly divided into control, NASH‑F and TIIA groups. After 8 weeks of treatment, the levels of serum markers associated with liver function and fibrosis were measured, liver fat vacuoles and inflammation were assessed by haematoxylin and eosin staining, and liver fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining. TGF‑β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad7 and α‑smooth muscle actin (α‑SMA) mRNA expression, and TGF‑β1, Smad2/3, phosphorylated (p)‑Smad2/3, Smad7 and α‑SMA protein levels were determined. The results revealed that TIIA could remarkably ameliorate liver fat vacuoles and inflammation in NASH‑F rats, and could decrease the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, total bile acid, hyaluronic acid, type Ⅳ collagen, laminin and type III collagen, while increasing the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides; however, this was not statistically significance. TIIA markedly suppressed the increased TGF‑β1, Smad2, Smad3 and α‑SMA mRNA expression levels observed in the liver of NASH‑F rats, while it increased the mRNA expression level of Smad7. Similarly, TIIA suppressed the increased TGF‑β1, p‑Smad2/3 and α‑SMA protein levels observed in the liver of NASH‑F rats, while it increased the protein expression level of Smad7 in vitro and in vivo. TIIA had no significant cytotoxic effect at 10, 20, 40 and 80 µmol/l on human LX‑2 cell. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that TIIA alleviated NASH‑F by regulating the TGF‑β1/Smad signaling pathway. TIIA may be a useful tool in the prevention and treatment of NASH‑F.
研究领域:
药理学
·
肝病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
MOLECULES
·
2018
·Vol. 23
·期 1
·215
·
IF 3.098
Xinyan Peng,Chongshan Dai,Quanwen Liu,Junke Li,Jingru Qiu
This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury in a mouse model, and to explain the underlying mechanism. Curcumin at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day were administered orally once daily for seven days prior to CCl4exposure. At 24 h, curcumin-attenuated CCl4induced elevated serum transaminase activities and histopathological damage in the mouse’s liver. Curcumin pre-treatment at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly ameliorated CCl4-induced oxidative stress, characterized by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) formations, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities and glutathione (GSH) content, followed by a decrease in caspase-9 and -3 activities. Curcumin pre-treatment significantly decreased CCl4-induced inflammation. Furthermore, curcumin pre-treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNAs (bothp< 0.01), and up-regulated the expression of nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and HO-1 mRNA (bothp< 0.01) in the liver. Inhibition of HO-1 attenuated the protective effect of curcumin on CCl4-induced acute liver injury. Given these outcomes, curcumin could protect against CCl4-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation, which may partly involve the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 and inhibition of TGF-β1/Smad3 pathways.Keywords:curcumin;acute liver injury;Nrf2/HO-1 pathway;oxidative stress;TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway
研究领域:
药理学
·
肝病学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Nano Materials Science
·
2024
·
IF 12.6
Ming Deng,Geliang Hu,Fan Liang,Qi Liao,Wanjun Ding,Bin He,Jianghua Ming,Hui Huang,Junqi Liu,Zhaohong Kong,Ping Xie
Objective To investigate the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats using 3D bioprinted decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) hydrogel, neural stem cells (NSCs), and TGF-β1 monoclonal antibody. Methods The spinal cord-derived dECM hydrogel (SC-dECM-gel) was optimized for 3D printing. Rheological tests established a 3 % concentration as optimal. In vitro tests assessed the effects of TGF-β1 monoclonal antibody on NSC viability and differentiation. A rat SCI model was treated with the printed gel, and recovery was monitored using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan test and evoked potentials. Results The 3 % SC-dECM-gel showed superior rheological properties. TGF-β1 monoclonal antibody enhanced NSC survival and differentiation in vitro. In vivo, the 3D bioprinted gel significantly improved motor function and promoted neuronal regeneration. Conclusion 3D bioprinted SC-dECM-gel loaded with NSCs and TGF-β1 monoclonal antibody effectively restores motor function and promotes regeneration in SCI rats, offering a promising approach for SCI treatment.
研究领域:
再生医学
·
神经科学
·
生物材料学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Nature Communications
·
2023
·Vol. 14
·期 1
·1-19
·
IF 16.6
Da Xingwen,Li Ziyan,Huang Xiaofan,He Zuhan,Yu Yubing,Tian Tongtong,Xu Chengqi,Yao Yufeng,Wang Qing K.
Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a localized or diffuse dilatation of the thoracic aortas, and causes many sudden deaths each year worldwide. However, there is no effective pharmacologic therapy. Here, we show that AGGF1 effectively blocks TAA-associated arterial inflammation and remodeling in three different mouse models (mice with transverse aortic constriction, Fbn1 C1041G/+ mice, and β-aminopropionitrile-treated mice). AGGF1 expression is reduced in the ascending aortas from the three models and human TAA patients. Aggf1 +/- mice and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-specific Aggf1 smcKO knockout mice show aggravated TAA phenotypes. Mechanistically, AGGF1 enhances the interaction between its receptor integrin α7 and latency-associated peptide (LAP)-TGF-β1, blocks the cleavage of LAP-TGF-β1 to form mature TGF-β1, and inhibits Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in VSMCs. Pirfenidone, a treatment agent for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, inhibits TAA-associated vascular inflammation and remodeling in wild type mice, but not in Aggf1 +/- mice. In conclusion, we identify an innovative AGGF1 protein therapeutic strategy to block TAA-associated vascular inflammation and remodeling, and show that efficacy of TGF-β inhibition therapies require AGGF1.
研究领域:
心血管疾病
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Nature Aging
·
2025
·
IF 19.4
Liu Liu,Wang Qianyue,Chen Meng,Zhou Haifeng,Li Xu,Yuan Ziqi,Hu Yong,Wang Chaoqun,Zhang Xiaohui,Hu Sheng,Wu Xiaoting,Li Meixin,Li Juanjuan,Chen Aijun,Yan Wei
Lung aging is a multifactorial series of molecular alterations that leads to gradual deterioration of lung function and increased vulnerability to cancer. Tumor communicates with host organs partially through extracellular vesicles; however, the mechanistic drivers and consequences of lung aging in the context of cancer remain unclear. Here we identify cancer cell-secreted dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1) protein induces citrulline accumulation and promotes lung fibrosis and aging. Mechanistically, our single-cell sequencing and genetic knockout mice evidence that citrulline availability elevation inhibits peptidyl arginine deiminase 4-mediated transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) citrullination, thereby inducing the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in lung fibroblasts. Notably, vacuolar protein sorting assists the packaging of DDAH1 into the late endosomes. The administration of DDAH1 inhibitor reduces fibrosis and alleviates lung aging. Conclusively, our findings reveal tumor-derived DDAH1 protein contributes to citrulline accumulation to promote lung aging, shedding light on the treatment and diagnosis of tumors by inhibiting senescent lung fibroblasts.
研究领域:
肿瘤学
·
呼吸系统生物学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞衰老
·
信号转导
·
转化医学
·
肿瘤微环境
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
·
2022
·
IF 4.46
Lin Leilei,Qiu Wenke,Luo Yuyuan,Lin Sihang,Sun Xue,Chen Weiqiang,Ye Lianbao,Wang Ying,Li Yan,Li Ming
Liver fibrosis has the potential to progress into liver cirrhosis , liver failure, and even death. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation play a central role in liver fibrosis, and persistently damaged hepatocytes secrete soluble factors that activate transdifferentiation of HSCs into myofibroblasts. Our previous studies indicated that fine particulate matter (PM2.5) can activate HSCs by stimulating hepatocytes to secrete TGF-β1. However, whether PM2.5 activates HSCs by regulating oxidative stress in hepatocytes remains uncertain. Oleanolic acid (OA) has been widely used in the clinic for hepatoprotection in Chinese medicine. In the present study, OA-loaded nanoparticles (OA-NP) with high solubility were used to attenuate the activation of HSCs induced by PM2.5-treated hepatocytes, and further studies were performed to explore the mechanism in which OA-NP plays a vital part. Our results showed that consistently PM2.5 treatment induced oxidative stress in hepatocytes. Moreover, the activation of HSCs induced by PM2.5-treated hepatocytes was reversed by antioxidant N -acetylcysteine treatment. Hence, PM2.5 may participate in the activation of HSCs by regulating oxidative stress in hepatocytes. Using a co-cultivation system, our results proved pretreatment with OA-NP significantly attenuates the activation of HSCs induced by PM2.5-exposed hepatocytes. In addition, the TGF-β1 expression and oxidative stress in hepatocytes with PM2.5 treated were reduced by the incubation with OA-NP. These observations demonstrated that OA-NP protects against the activation of HSCs by decreasing the TGF-β1 level and oxidative stress in PM2.5-exposed hepatocytes.
研究领域:
药理学
·
毒理学
·
细胞生物学
·
环境健康
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
·
2023
·
IF 5.8
Shuanghui Lu,Xiu Chen,Yujia Chen,Yingqiong Zhang,Jun Luo,Huidi Jiang,Luo Fang,Hui Zhou
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular cells promotes renal fibrosis and the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). PDZ domain-containing 1 (PDZK1) is highly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cells; however, its role in TGF-β1-induced EMT remains poorly understood. The present study showed that PDZK1 expression was extremely downregulated in fibrotic mouse kidneys and its negative correlation with TGF-β1 expression and the degree of renal fibrosis. In addition, TGF-β1 downregulated the mRNA expression of PDZK1 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in vitro . The downregulation of PDZK1 exacerbated TGF-β1-induced EMT upon oxidative stress, while the overexpression of PDZK1 had the converse effect. Subsequent investigations demonstrated that TGF-β1 downregulated PDZK1 expression via p38 MAPK or PI3K/AKT signaling in vitro , but independently of ERK/JNK MAPK signaling. Meanwhile, inhibition of the p38/JNK MAPK or PI3K/AKT signaling using chemical inhibitors restored the PDZK1 expression, mitigated renal fibrosis, and elevated renal levels of endogenous antioxidants carnitine and ergothioneine in adenine-induced CKD mice. These findings provide the first evidence suggesting a negative correlation between PDZK1 and renal fibrosis, and identifying PDZK1 as a novel suppressor of renal fibrosis in CKD through ameliorating oxidant stress.
研究领域:
肾病学
·
分子生物学
·
细胞生物学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Bioactive Materials
·
2022
·
IF 16.874
Qiang Wei,Dachuan Liu,Genglei Chu,Qifan Yu,Zhao Liu,Jiaying Li,Qingchen Meng,Weishan Wang,Fengxuan Han,Bin Li
Annulus fibrosus (AF) repair remains a challenge because of its limited self-healing ability. Endogenous repair strategies combining scaffolds and growth factors show great promise in AF repair. Although the unique and beneficial characteristics of decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) in tissue repair have been demonstrated, the poor mechanical property of ECM hydrogels largely hinders their applications in tissue regeneration. In the present study, we combined polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and decellularized annulus fibrosus matrix (DAFM) to develop an injectable, photocurable hydrogel for AF repair. We found that the addition of PEGDA markedly improved the mechanical strength of DAFM hydrogels while maintaining their porous structure. Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was further incorporated into PEGDA/DAFM hydrogels, and it could be continuously released from the hydrogel. The in vitro experiments showed that TGF-β1 facilitated the migration of AF cells. Furthermore, PEGDA/DAFM/TGF-β1 hydrogels supported the adhesion, proliferation, and increased ECM production of AF cells. In vivo repair performance of the hydrogels was assessed using a rat AF defect model. The results showed that the implantation of PEGDA/DAFM/TGF-β1 hydrogels effectively sealed the AF defect, prevented nucleus pulposus atrophy, retained disc height, and partially restored the biomechanical properties of disc. In addition, the implanted hydrogel was infiltrated by cells resembling AF cells and well integrated with adjacent AF tissue. In summary, findings from this study indicate that TGF-β1-supplemented DAFM hydrogels hold promise for AF repair.
研究领域:
生物医学工程
·
组织工程
·
骨科
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Microbiology
·
2022
·
IF 6.064
Gao Haijun,Huo Lele,Mo Xiaojin,Jiang Bin,Luo Yanping,Xu Bin,Li Jingzhong,Ma Xingming,Jing Tao,Feng Zheng,Zhang Ting,Hu Wei
Echinococcus multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis (AE), severely threats human health and livestock farming. The first line of chemotherapeutic drug for AE is albendazole, which limits rapid extension of E. multilocularis metacestodes, but is rarely curative for AE, with severe side effects in long-term use, thus development of new anti-echinococcal drugs is mandated. Pseudolaric acid B (PAB) has long been used to treat fungal-infected dermatosis, and exerted anti-tumor, -fertility, -angiogenesis, -tubulin and antiparasitic activity. However, the effect of PAB against Echinococcus spp. remains unclear. The present study is to understand the effect of PAB against E. multilocularis in vitro and in vivo, and identify potential anti-echinococcal mechanism, as well as its toxicity. After exposure to PAB at 20 μg/ml, significant reduction of the survival rate and substantial ultrastructural destructions in E. multilocularis protoscoleces were observed in vitro. Furthermore, the wet weight of E. multilocularis cysts in the infected mice was significantly decreased after treatment with PAB (40, 20 or 10 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. Meanwhile, significant increase of both protein and mRNA expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) was detected in the serum and liver of the infected mice, whereas PAB administration lowered its expression significantly. The toxicity tests demonstrated that PAB displayed lower cytotoxicity to human liver and kidney cells (HL-7702 and HK-2 cell) with IC50 = 25.29 and 42.94 μg/ml than albendazole with IC50 = 3.71 and 21.22 μg/ml in vitro, and caused lower hepatoxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice than ABZ. Our findings indicated that PAB possesses potent anti-echinococcal effect, with lower toxicity than albendazole, implying a potential chemotherapeutic agent for AE. Additionally, the present study demonstrated that the suppressive effect of PAB on the parasite may involve down-regulation of TGF-β1 signaling.
研究领域:
寄生虫学
·
药理学
·
分子生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
Frontiers in Nutrition
·
2022
·
IF 6.59
Xiaoxiao Xu,Chuang Ma,Hang Wu,Yuanqiao Ma,Zejin Liu,Peijie Zhong,Chaolei Jin,Wenjuan Ning,Xiao Wu,Yijie Zhang,Jichang Han,Junpeng Wang
Fructose is a commonly used food additive and has many adverse effects on human health, but it is unclear whether fructose impacts pulmonary fibrosis. TGF-β1, a potent fibrotic inducer, is produced as latent complexes by various cells, including alveolar epithelial cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts, and must be activated by many factors such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). This study explored the impact of fructose on pulmonary fibrotic phenotype and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) using lung epithelial cells (A549 or BEAS-2B) and the underlying mechanisms. Fructose promoted the cell viability of lung epithelial cells, while N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) inhibited such. Co-treatment of fructose and latent TGF-β1 could induce the fibrosis phenotype and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression, increasing lung epithelial cell migration and invasion. Mechanism analysis shows that fructose dose-dependently promoted the production of total and mitochondrial ROS in A549 cells, while NAC eliminated this promotion. Notably, post-administration with NAC or SB431542 (a potent TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor) inhibited fibrosis phenotype and EMT process of lung epithelial cells co-treated with fructose and latent TGF-β1. Finally, the fibrosis phenotype and EMT-related protein expression of lung epithelial cells were mediated by the ROS-activated latent TGF-β1/Smad3 signal. This study revealed that high fructose promoted the fibrotic phenotype of human lung epithelial cells by up-regulating oxidative stress, which enabled the latent form of TGF-β1 into activated TGF-β1, which provides help and reference for the diet adjustment of healthy people and patients with fibrosis.
研究领域:
肺科学
·
细胞生物学
·
分子生物学
·
药理学
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
·
2024
·
IF 5.7
Kuaitian Wang,Mengqi Jian,Yuhang Chen,Mengdi Du,Zhenhua Wang,Bo Xu,Ning Tang,Yongqiang Cheng,Jing Gan
The aim of this study was to determine the osteogenic activity and mechanism of soybean peptide VVELLKAFEEKF (SOP) and the potential relationship between SOP and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The results show that SOP promotes MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation by altering cell progression. SOP induced cell differentiation and mineralization in a dose-dependent manner at 0.7–7 μM. Moreover, SOP stimulates osteoblast differentiation, which may be achieved through the activation of p38-MAPK and Smad2/3 signaling pathways. Furthermore, treatment with a TβRI inhibitor (SB525334) inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p38 and Smad2/3, which indicates the involvement of TβRI in the process of osteoblast differentiation caused by SOP. Besides, in non-FBS-cultured MC3T3-E1 cells, SOP and TGF-β1 promoted the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, but the effect was lost when SOP was incubated separately, indicating that SOP stimulated osteoblast differentiation by promoting TGF-β1 activity. In vivo, SOP significantly restores bone mineral density loss and behavioral deficits in a model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP) in zebrafish. These results suggest that SOP may have the function of promoting bone remodeling and may be used as a potential active factor for functional food development to prevent osteoporosis.
研究领域:
生物学
·
药理学
·
医学研究
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）