Abstract

Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). GGPPS is implicated in many disorders, but its role in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of GGPPS in IPF. We established bleomycin-induced lung injury in a lung-specific GGPPS-deficient mouse (GGPPS-/-) and detected GGPPS expression in lung tissues by Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. We found that GGPPS expression increased during lung injury and fibrosis in mice induced by bleomycin, and GGPPS deficiency augmented lung fibrosis. GGPPS deficiency activated lung fibroblast by facilitating transforming growth factor β1 while antagonizing bone morphogenetic protein 4 signaling. Notably, the supplementation of exogenous GGPP mitigated lung fibrosis in GGPPS-/- mice induced by bleomycin. In conclusion, our findings suggest that GGPPS provides protection against pulmonary fibrosis and that the restoration of protein geranylgeranylation may benefit statin-induced lung injury.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.