Myofibroblasts Research Articles

PDGF-BB induces conversion, proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis of oral mucosal fibroblasts through PDGFR-β/PI3K/ AKT signaling pathway.

To explore the pathogenesis of oral submucosal fibrosis (OSF) by analyzing the impact of Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)-BB on oral mucosal fibroblasts (FB) and PDGFR-β/Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) signaling pathway. The isolated and purified oral mucosal fibroblasts were divided into four groups: the control group (CON, 10% FBS DMEM), the PDGF-BB group (40 ng/ml PDGF-BB), the PDGF-BB+IMA group (40 ng/ml PDGF-BB and 60 μmol/L IMA), and the PDGF-BB+LY294002 group (40 ng/ml PDGF-BB and 48 μmol/L LY294002). Primary human FB cells were isolated and cultured for detecting the effects of PDGF-BB on α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) by indirect immunofluorescence. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide, Thiazolyl Blue Tetrazolium Bromide (MTT) method and scratch test were used to detect the proliferation and migration of FB. Western blots were used to detect the synthesis of type I collagen (Col I) and the expression of PDGFR-β/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related proteins. The effects of PDGFR-β inhibitor and PI3K inhibitor were observed. Compared with group CON, group IMA, and group LY294002, α-SMA was upregulated in group PDGF-BB (p< 0.05), with higher OD490 nm value (p< 0.05), narrower average scratch width, and higher relative cell migration rate (p< 0.05). The expression levels of Col I, p-PDGFR-β, p-PI3K, and p-AKT were higher in group PDGF-BB (p< 0.05). PDGF-BB induces FB to transform into myofibroblasts (MFB) through the PDGFR-β/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and promotes the proliferation, migration, and collagen synthesis.

Suppression of transforming growth factor-β by mesenchymal stem-cells accelerates liver regeneration in liver fibrosis animal model

IntroductionLiver fibrosis (LF) results from the unregulated chronic wound healing process in liver tissue. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is the major contributing cytokine of LF promotion through activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts (MFs) and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition such as collagen leading to scar tissue development. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have an immunomodulatory capability that could be used as a new treatment for repairing and regenerating LF through suppression of TGF-β. This study aimed to examine the role of MSCs in liver fibrosis animal models through suppression of TGF-β levels without scar formation particularly in the proliferation phase.MethodsIn this study, a completely randomized design was used with sample size of 24. Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), twice weekly, for eight weeks to induce LF. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: negative control, CCl4 group, and CCL4 + MSC-treated groups T1 and T2, at doses of 1 x 106 and 2x106 cells, respectively. TGF-β levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way ANOVA and a least significant difference (LSD) was used to analyse the data. ResultsThe TGF levels of LF rat models decreased on day 7 after MSC administration. The levels of TGF-β in both MSC groups T1 and T2 decreased significantly compared with the control group (p&lt;0.05). The TGF-β suppression capability of T2 was optimal and more significant than that of T1.ConclusionMSCs can suppress TGF levels in liver fibrosis induced rats.

AMPK\u03b11 deletion in myofibroblasts exacerbates post-myocardial infarction fibrosis by a connexin 43 mechanism

We have previously demonstrated that systemic AMP-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) invalidation enhanced adverse LV remodelling by increasing fibroblast proliferation, while myodifferentiation and scar maturation were impaired. We thus hypothesised that fibroblastic AMPKα1 was a key signalling element in regulating fibrosis in the infarcted myocardium and an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. The present study investigates the effects of myofibroblast (MF)-specific deletion of AMPKα1 on left ventricular (LV) adaptation following myocardial infarction (MI), and the underlying molecular mechanisms. MF-restricted AMPKα1 conditional knockout (cKO) mice were subjected to permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. cKO hearts exhibit exacerbated post-MI adverse LV remodelling and are characterised by exaggerated fibrotic response, compared to wild-type (WT) hearts. Cardiac fibroblast proliferation and MF content significantly increase in cKO infarcted hearts, coincident with a significant reduction of connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in MFs. Mechanistically, AMPKα1 influences Cx43 expression by both a transcriptional and a post-transcriptional mechanism involving miR-125b-5p. Collectively, our data demonstrate that MF-AMPKα1 functions as a master regulator of cardiac fibrosis and remodelling and might constitute a novel potential target for pharmacological anti-fibrotic applications.

Nuclear Receptor Nur77 Controls Cardiac Fibrosis through Distinct Actions on Fibroblasts and Cardiomyocytes.

Fibrosis is a hallmark of adverse cardiac remodeling, which promotes heart failure, but it is also an essential repair mechanism to prevent cardiac rupture, signifying the importance of appropriate regulation of this process. In the remodeling heart, cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) differentiate into myofibroblasts (MyoFB), which are the key mediators of the fibrotic response. Additionally, cardiomyocytes are involved by providing pro-fibrotic cues. Nuclear receptor Nur77 is known to reduce cardiac hypertrophy and associated fibrosis; however, the exact function of Nur77 in the fibrotic response is yet unknown. Here, we show that Nur77-deficient mice exhibit severe myocardial wall thinning, rupture and reduced collagen fiber density after myocardial infarction and chronic isoproterenol (ISO) infusion. Upon Nur77 knockdown in cultured rat CFs, expression of MyoFB markers and extracellular matrix proteins is reduced after stimulation with ISO or transforming growth factor–β (TGF-β). Accordingly, Nur77-depleted CFs produce less collagen and exhibit diminished proliferation and wound closure capacity. Interestingly, Nur77 knockdown in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes results in increased paracrine induction of MyoFB differentiation, which was blocked by TGF-β receptor antagonism. Taken together, Nur77-mediated regulation involves CF-intrinsic promotion of CF-to-MyoFB transition and inhibition of cardiomyocyte-driven paracrine TGF-β-mediated MyoFB differentiation. As such, Nur77 provides distinct, cell-specific regulation of cardiac fibrosis.

Multiple cell types contribute to the atherosclerotic lesion fibrous cap by PDGFRβ and bioenergetic mechanisms.

Stable atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by a thick extracellular matrix (ECM)-rich fibrous cap populated by protective ACTA2+ myofibroblast (MF)-like cells, assumed to be almost exclusively derived from smooth muscle cells (SMC). Herein, we show that in murine and human lesions, 20 to 40% of ACTA2+ fibrous caps cells, respectively, are derived from non-SMC sources, including endothelial cells (EC) or macrophages that have undergone Endothelial-to-Mesenchymal (EndoMT) or Macrophage-to-Mesenchymal (MMT) transitions. In addition, we show that SMC-specific knockout of the platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB) in Apoe−/− mice fed a Western diet (WD) for 18 weeks resulted in brachiocephalic artery (BCA) lesions nearly devoid of SMC but with no changes in lesion size, remodeling, or indices of stability including percent of ACTA2+ fibrous cap cells. However, prolonged WD feeding of SMC-PDGFRB knockout mice resulted in reduced indices of stability, indicating that EndoMT and MMT-derived MFs cannot compensate indefinitely for loss of SMC-derived MFs. Using single cell and bulk RNA-seq analyses of the BCA region and in vitro models, we provide evidence that SMC to MF transitions (SMC-MFT) are induced by PDGF and TFGβ and dependent on aerobic glycolysis, while EndoMT is induced by IL1β and TGFβ. Together, we provide evidence that the ACTA2+ fibrous cap originates from a tapestry of cell types, which transition to an MF state through distinct signaling pathways that are either dependent on or associated with extensive metabolic reprogramming.

Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 7 Promotes Vascular Adventitial Fibroblasts Phenotypic Transformation and Inflammatory Reaction Induced by Mechanical Stretching Stress via p38 MAPK/JNK Pathway

Remodeling of the arteries is one of the pathological bases of hypertension. We have previously shown that transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) aggravates the vascular adventitial remodeling caused by pressure overload in the transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model. In this study, we sought to explore the functional expression and downstream signaling of TRPM7 in vascular adventitial fibroblasts (AFs) stimulated by mechanical stretching stress (MSS). The expression of TRPM7 was upregulated with a concomitant translocation to the cytoplasm in the AFs stimulated with 20% MSS. Meanwhile, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of transformation from AFs to myofibroblasts (MFs) was also increased. Moreover, AF-conditioned medium caused a significant migration of macrophages after treatment with MSS and contained high levels of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Pharmacological and RNA interference approaches using the TRPM7 inhibitor 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB) and specific anti-TRPM7 small interfering RNA (si­RNA-TRPM7) abrogated these changes significantly. Further exploration uncloaked that inhibition of TRPM7 reduced the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase (p38MAPK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in the AFs stimulated with MSS. Furthermore, inhibition of the phosphorylation of p38MAPK or JNK could also alleviate the MSS-induced expression of α-SMA and secretion of inflammatory factors. These observations indicate that activated TRPM7 participates in the phenotypic transformation and inflammatory action of AFs in response to MSS through the p38MAPK/JNK pathway and suggest that TRPM7 may be a potential therapeutic target for vascular remodeling caused by hemodynamic changes in hypertension.

The effect of TGFβRI inhibition on fibroblast heterogeneity in hypertrophic scar 2D in vitro models

In burn patients, wound healing is often accompanied by hypertrophic scarring (HTS), resulting in both functional and aesthetic problems. HTSs are characterized by abundant presence of myofibroblasts (MFs) residing in the dermis. HTS development and MF persistence is primarily regulated by TGF-β signalling. A promising method to target the transforming growth factor receptor I (TGFβRI; also known as activin-like kinase 5 (ALK5)) is by making use of exon skipping through antisense oligonucleotides. In HTS the distinguishing border between the papillary dermis and the reticular dermis is completely abrogated, thus exhibiting a one layered dermis containing a heterogenous fibroblast population, consisting of papillary fibroblasts (PFs), reticular fibroblasts (RFs) and MFs. It has been proposed that PFs, as opposed to RFs, exhibit anti-fibrotic properties. Currently, it is still unclear which fibroblast subtype is most affected by exon skipping treatment.Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TGFβRI inhibition by exon skipping in PF, RF and HTS fibroblast monocultures.Morphological analyses revealed the presence of a PF-like population after exon skipping in the different fibroblast cultures. This observation was further confirmed by the expression of genes specific for PFs, demonstrated by qPCR analyses. Further investigations on mRNA and protein level revealed that indeed MFs and to a lesser extent RFs are targeted by exon skipping. Furthermore, collagen gel contraction analysis showed that ALK5 exon skipping reduced TGF-β- induced contraction together with decreased alpha-smooth muscle actin expression levels.In conclusion, we show for the first time that exon skipping primarily targets pro-fibrotic fibroblasts. This could be a promising step towards reduced HTS development of burn tissue.

PDGFR\u03b1 mediated survival of myofibroblasts inhibit satellite cell proliferation during aberrant regeneration of lacerated skeletal muscle

Aberrant regeneration or fibrosis in muscle is the denouement of deregulated cellular and molecular events that alter original tissue architecture due to accumulation of excessive extracellular matrix. The severity of the insult to the skeletal muscle determines the nature of regeneration. Numerous attempts at deciphering the mechanism underlying fibrosis and the subsequent strategies of drug therapies have yielded temporary solutions. Our intent is to understand the interaction between the myofibroblasts (MFs) and the satellite cells (SCs), during skeletal muscle regeneration. We hypothesize that MFs contribute to the impairment of SCs function by exhibiting an antagonistic influence on their proliferation. A modified laceration based skeletal muscle injury model in mouse was utilized to evaluate the dynamics between the SCs and MFs during wound healing. We show that the decline in MFs’ number through inhibition of PDGFRα signaling consequently promotes proliferation of the SCs and exhibits improved skeletal muscle remodeling. We further conclude that in situ administration of PDGFRα inhibitor prior to onset of fibrosis may attenuate aberrant regeneration. This opens new possibility for the early treatment of muscle fibrosis by specific targeting of MFs rather than transplantation of SCs.

Disruption of myofibroblastic Notch signaling attenuates liver fibrosis by modulating fibrosis progression and regression.

The phenotypic transformation of hepatic myofibroblasts (MFs) is involved in the whole process of the progression and regression of liver fibrosis. Notch signaling has been demonstrated to modulate the fibrosis. In this study, we found that Notch signaling in MFs was overactivated and suppressed with the progression and regression of hepatic fibrosis respectively, by detecting Notch signaling readouts in MFs. Moreover, we inactivated Notch signaling specifically in MFs with Sm22αCreER-RBPjflox/flox mice (RBPjMF-KO), and identified that MFs-specific down-regulation of Notch signaling significantly alleviated CCl4-induced liver fibrosis during the progression and regression. During the progression of liver fibrosis, MFs-specific blockade of Notch signaling inhibited the activation of HSCs to MFs and increases the expression of MMPs to reduce the deposition of ECM. During the regression of fibrosis, blocking Notch signaling in MFs increased the expression of HGF to promote proliferation in hepatocytes and up-regulated the expression of pro-apoptotic factors, Ngfr and Septin4, to induce apoptosis of MFs, thereby accelerating the reversal of fibrosis. Collectively, the MFs-specific disruption of Notch signaling attenuates liver fibrosis by modulating fibrosis progression and regression, which suggests a promising therapeutic strategy for liver fibrosis.

Tumor-Suppressing STF cDNA 3 Overexpression Suppresses Renal Fibrosis by Alleviating Anoikis Resistance and Inhibiting the PI3K/Akt Pathway

Background: Myofibroblast (MF) activation is the key event of irreversible renal interstitial fibrosis. Anoikis resistance is the hallmark of active MFs, which is conferred by continuous activation of the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway. Our previous study found that tumor-suppressing STF cDNA 3 (TSSC3) enhances the sensitivity of cells to anoikis via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Therefore, we hypothesized that TSSC3 might suppress renal interstitial fibrosis by inducing anoikis via the PI3K/Akt pathway. Methods: Cell anoikis was induced by the exogenous addition of RGD-containing peptides or by culturing cells in suspension. MFs were established by stimulating HK-2 renal tubular epithelial cells with transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1). Lentivirus vectors were to construct a TSSC3 overexpression cell model. The effects of TSSC3 on the anoikis, growth, migration, invasion, and contraction of MFs were determined using annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate assays, cell counting kit-8 assays, wound healing migration assays, matrigel invasion assays, and collagen-based contraction assays. Results: The results demonstrated that TGF-β1, simultaneous with the induction of MF differentiation, confers significant protection against anoikis-induced cell death, which could be partly reversed by treatment with the PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor, LY294002. Moreover, overexpression of TSSC3 obviously impaired cell growth, cell migration, cell invasion, contraction, and anoikis resistance of MFs, and decreased the activity of the PI3K/Akt pathway and the production of extracellular matrix molecules, all of which could be attenuated by treatment with the PI3K/Akt pathway activator, 740Y-P. Taken together, this study suggested that TSSC3 attenuates the anoikis resistance and profibrogenic ability of TGF-β1-induced MF by regulating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Conclusion: These findings provide a biological basis for further exploration of the therapeutic significance of targeting MF via TSSC3 in renal interstitial fibrosis.

Immunohistochemical evaluation of myofibroblasts in odontogenic keratocyst, dentigerous cyst and different clinical variants of ameloblastoma

Background: Odontogenic cysts and tumors exhibit varying degrees of aggressiveness in their biological behavior. Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC), dentigerous cyst (DC), ameloblastoma are most common odontogenic cysts and tumors to occur in the oral cavity. Myofibroblasts (MFs) in the connective tissue stroma participate in the matrix degradation process by secreting matrix metalloproteinase 2, transforming growth factor beta1 and may contribute to variation in their biological behavior. Its activity is identified by alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) marker. With this background, the present study aims to evaluate the frequency of MFs using α-SMA to determine the biological behavior of OKC, DC, and different clinical variants of ameloblastoma. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out with total of 60 samples which include 10 cases each of OKC, DC, 30 cases of different clinical variants of ameloblastomas and 10 normal mucosa taken as controls. All are stained immunohistochemically using α-SMA and were analyzed for the same. Comparison between more than 2 groups done by one way analysis of variance test with the level of significance of P ≤ 0.0001, i.e., &lt;0.05. Results: Statistically significant difference in the mean number of MFs observed between certain groups, with higher mean number in solid ameloblastoma (SA) (32.45) followed by OKC (28.79), unicystic ameloblastoma (24.53), desmoplastic ameloblastoma (7.44), and DC (1.72). Conclusion: Higher frequency of MFs noticed in SA, OKC which are key cells for connective tissue remodeling by interacting with epithelial cells and other connective tissue cells to facilitate progression of cysts and tumors thereby contributing to their biological behavior.

Long-term myofibroblast persistence in the capsular bag contributes to the late spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens dislocation

Late spontaneous in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) dislocation is a complication presenting 6 months or later after cataract surgery. We aimed to characterize the cells in the lens capsules (LCs) of 18 patients with spontaneous late in-the-bag IOL dislocation. Patients' average age was 82.6 ± 1.5 years (range 72–98), and most of them had pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). Cells from the LCs were positive for myofibroblast (αSMA), proliferation (Ki-67, PCNA), early lens development/lens progenitor (SOX2, PAX6), chemokine receptor (CXCR4), and transmembrane (N-cadherin) markers, while negative for epithelial (E-cadherin) marker. Moreover, the cells produced abundant fibronectin, type I and type V collagen in the nearby extracellular matrix (ECM). During ex vivo cultivation of dislocated IOL-LCs in toto, the cells proliferated and likely migrated onto the IOL’s anterior side. EdU proliferation assay confirmed the proliferation potential of the myofibroblasts (MFBs) in dislocated IOL-LCs. Primary cultured lens epithelial cells/MFBs isolated from the LC of dislocated IOLs could induce collagen matrix contraction and continuously proliferated, migrated, and induced ECM remodeling. Taken together, this indicates that long-lived MFBs of dislocated IOLs might contribute to the pathogenic mechanisms in late in-the-bag IOL dislocation.

Role of myofibroblasts and collagen quality in elaboration of debatable nature of odontogenic keratocyst

Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is one of the debatable odontogenic lesions. The need for more researches in order to determine the true nature of this lesion was one of the WHO’s recommendations in 2016. Stromal reactions to epithelial neoplasms are marked by the appearance of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) positive myofibroblasts (MFs). Stromal collagen has a vital role in pathogenesis of odontogenic lesions. Objectives: to compare the count of α-SMA positive MFs, collagen quality and packing in OKC, in relation to dentigerous cyst and ameloblastoma. Material and methods: α-SMA immunohistochemically positive MFs count, as well as the fraction of yellow-green fibers to detect the collagen quality and packing using picrosirius red staining with polarized light microscope, were compared in 11 samples of each of ameloblastoma, OKC and dentigerous cyst. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: the average number of MFs were 53.7, 41.9 and 11.3 in ameloblastoma, OKC and dentigerous cysts respectively with statistically significant differences (P-value

Si-SNHG5-FOXF2 inhibits TGF-\u03b21-induced fibrosis in human primary endometrial stromal cells by the Wnt/\u03b2-catenin signalling pathway

BackgroundIntrauterine adhesions (IUAs) are manifestations of endometrial fibrosis characterized by inflammation and fibrinogen aggregation in the extracellular matrix (ECM). The available therapeutic interventions for IUA are insufficiently effective in the clinical setting for postoperative adhesion recurrence and infertility problems. In this study, we investigated whether si-SNHG5-FOXF2 can serve as a molecular mechanism for the inhibition of IUA fibrosis ex vivo.MethodsFOXF2, TGF-β1 and collagen expression levels were measured by microarray sequencing analysis in three normal endometrium groups and six IUA patients. We induced primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) into myofibroblasts (MFs) to develop an IUA cell model with various concentrations of TGF-β1 at various times. Downstream target genes of FOXF2 were screened by chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with whole-genome high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq). We investigated ECM formation, cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway-related proteins in primary HESCs with FOXF2 downregulation by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry, ethylenediurea (EdU) and CCK8 assays. We identified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) SNHG5 as the upstream regulatory gene of FOXF2 through RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), RNA pulldown and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Finally, we examined FOXF2 expression, ECM formation, cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway-related proteins in primary HESCs upon FOXF2 downregulation.ResultsFOXF2 was highly expressed in the endometrium of patients with IUA. Treatment of primary HESCs with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 72 h was found to be most effective for developing an IUA cell model. FOXF2 regulated multiple downstream target genes, including collagen, vimentin (VIM) and cyclin D2/DK4, by ChIP-seq and ChIP-PCR. FOXF2 downregulation inhibited TGF-β1-mediated primary HESC fibrosis, including ECM formation, cell proliferation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway-related protein expression. We identified lncRNA SNHG5 as an upstream gene that directly regulates FOXF2 by RIP-seq, qRT-PCR, WB and FISH. SNHG5 downregulation suppressed FOXF2 expression in the IUA cell model, resulting in synergistic repression of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby altering TGF-β1-mediated ECM aggregation in endometrial stromal cells ex vivo.ConclusionsRegulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and ECM formation by si-SNHG5-FOXF2 effectively inhibited the profibrotic effect of TGF-β1 on primary HESCs. This finding can provide a molecular basis for antagonizing TGF-β1-mediated fibrosis in primary HESCs.

Use of the Reversible Myogenic to Lipogenic Transdifferentiation Switch for the Design of Pre-clinical Drug Screening in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is an end-stage lung disease characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition from activated myofibroblasts (MYFs) and tissue scarring. Eventually leading to stiffening of the lung, capable of assuming only limited gas exchange function. So far two drugs, pirfenidone [acting via TGF-β (transforming growth factor beta) inhibition] and nintedanib (a pan-tyrosine kinase receptor inhibitor) have been approved for IPF patients. They both act on the activated MYF by reducing the expression of fibrotic markers. Unfortunately, these drugs are only slowing down fibrosis formation and as such do not represent a cure for this lethal, devastating disease. We previously reported that activated MYF originate, at least in part, from lung fibroblast resident cells called lipofibroblasts (LIF). During resolution, these activated MYF can transdifferentiate into LIF. We propose that this reversible myogenic/lipogenic transdifferentiation switch paradigm can be used to screen for drugs capable of triggering the lipogenic differentiation of activated MYFs. Ideally, these drugs should also induce the reduction of pro-fibrotic markers alpha smooth muscle actin2 (ACTA2) and collagen 1A1 (COL1A1) in activated MYF and as such would represent important alternatives to the approved drugs. The goal of this review is to summarize the current knowledge and limitations of the current strategies aiming to carry out methodical pre-clinical drug screening in pertinent in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models of IPF. These models include (1) in vitro culture of primary fibroblasts from IPF patients, (2) ex vivo culture of precision cut lung slices from end-stage IPF lungs obtained from transplant patients, and (3) bleomycin-induced fibrosis mouse models in the context of lineage tracing of activated MYF during resolution. For all these assays, we propose the innovative use of lipogenic read outs for the LIFs.

Abstract MP123: The Fate and Role of Pericytes in Repair and Remodeling of the Infarcted Heart

Repair of the infarcted heart is dependent on inflammation-driven activation of myofibroblasts (MFs) and subsequent formation of a scar. Though pericytes have been implicated in injury-associated fibroblast activation in several organs, their potential role in cardiac repair and fibrosis has not been studied. We hypothesized that myocardial infarction (MI) may induce pericyte activation, contributing to repair through pericyte to MF conversion, secretion of fibrogenic mediators, or regulation of angiogenesis. In order to test the hypothesis, we generated pericyte/fibroblast reporter mice (NG2 DsRed ;PDGFRα GFP ). In normal myocardium, NG2 labeled peri-endothelial mural cells that coexpressed PDGFRβ, whereas PDGFRα identified interstitial cells with fibroblast characteristics. Pericytes and fibroblasts had distinct transcriptomic profiles: NG2+/PDGFRα- pericytes expressed αSMA and low amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, whereas PDGFRα+/NG2- fibroblasts synthesized collagens. Pericyte rarefaction was noted in the necrotic core 3 days after non-reperfused MI. 3-7 days post MI, expansion of the NG2+ population in the infarct zone was associated with emergence of non-mural NG2+/αSMA+ cells with MF characteristics. FACS-sorted NG2+/PDGFRα- cells from 7-day infarcts expressed higher levels of ColIα2 (7.2±1.0-fold) and ColIIIα1 (8.9±1.14-fold), when compared to NG2+/PDGFRα- cells from normal hearts. NG2+ cells had high mRNA levels of integrins α1, αV, β1, and β5, and of MMP14, reflecting an activated migratory phenotype. To examine whether expression of ECM genes by infarct pericytes is due to fibroblast conversion, we did lineage tracing studies using NG2CreER TM ;Rosa tdTomato mice bred with the PDGFRα GFP line for reliable fibroblast identification. 7 days post MI, 5.7%±1.04 of PDGFRα+ fibroblasts were derived from NG2+ cells. Also, αSMA staining showed that 10.49%±2.73 of infarct MFs were derived from NG2+ lineage. The majority of mural cells wrapping neovessels were derived from NG2+ cells, suggesting a role for resident pericytes in infarct angiogenesis. In conclusion, upon MI, pericytes become activated and contribute to repair by undergoing conversion to a subset of myofibroblasts and by coating infarct neovessels.

Abstract 435: P53 Temporally Regulates the Myofibroblast Activation Response in Pressure Overload

Heart disease is invariably accompanied by the accumulation of resident cardiac fibroblasts (CF) that secrete extracellular matrix and drive the progression of fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction in heart failure. We recently reported that CF exhibit a unique transcriptional response in physiological and pathological remodeling that may underlie the cardioprotective benefits of exercise, and that p53 targets represent the most dysregulated family between the two. To further investigate the role of p53 in pathological cardiac remodeling, we deleted floxed p53 alleles in adult CF using the tamoxifen-inducible Tcf21 MerCreMer mouse (p53-CFKO). p53-CFKO mice initially retain normal cardiac function through 14 days of pressure overload, but eventually progress to heart failure more rapidly than do p53-CFWT, which show gradual functional decline throughout. CF accumulation and fibrosis at these time points match the functional results closely, with p53-CFKO mice protected from both at 14 days relative to p53-CFWT. Conversely, deletion of p53 in myofibroblasts (MF) using the tamoxifen-inducible Postn MerCreMer mouse (p53-MFKO) resulted in no delay in functional loss nor in CF accumulation and fibrosis, suggesting a distinct temporal window of p53 activity in CF exists in pressure overload. In vitro experimentation confirmed that adenovirally-mediated deletion of p53 could delay, but not reverse, myofibroblast activation - and that this irreversible activation is due to induction of Cdkn2a -mediated cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, unbiased single-cell transcriptomic analysis of CF from pressure-overloaded Tcf21 MerCreMer mice at the 14-day functional inflection point revealed p53-CFKO mice have a unique CF cluster defined primarily by a mitotic signature, and this cluster comes at the direct expense of the myofibroblast population. Clusters representing migrating and quiescent CF were unchanged in response to p53. This work describes an inverse correlation of proliferative capacity and myofibroblast activation that indicates p53 exerts master control of the timing of CF accumulation and pathological fibrosis in heart disease.

Expression of ANO1 during cardiac fibroblasts differentiation and its electrophysiological characteristics as calcium-activated chloride channel protein

To investigate the expression and electrophysiological characteristics of calcium-activated chlorine channel anoctamin-1 (ANO1) protein during the differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into myofibroblasts (MFs), and to elucidate the role of ANO1 in myocardial fibrosis. The primary CFs from neonatal rats were isolated and the cells differentiated into MFs by subculture. The Ca2+-activated Cl- current (ICl(Ca)) in CFs and MFs were measured by whole-cell patch clamp, and the expressions of ANO1, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and vimentin in CFs and MFs were detected by immunofluorescence assay and Western blot, respectively. The current density in the early adherent CFs was stronger than that in MFs. ANO1 was expressed preferentially within and around the nuclei, and a small amount of ANO1 was expressed on the cell membrane. Moreover, ANO1 expression was weak in the early adherent CFs and displayed stronger expression in the MFs with proliferation tendency. The expression of ANO1 is closely related to the differentiation of MFs and it may be involved in modulation myocardial fibrosis.

Receptor tyrosine kinase ligands and inflammatory cytokines cooperatively suppress the fibrogenic activity in temporomandibular-joint-derived fibroblast-like synoviocytes via mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase.

Osteoarthritis (OA)-related fibrosis is a possible cause of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stiffness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the fibrogenic activity in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) remain to be clarified. The present study examined the effects of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-1 and epidermal growth factor (EGF), on myofibroblastic differentiation of the FLS cell line FLS1, which is derived from the mouse TMJ. The present study revealed that both FGF-1 and EGF dose-dependently suppressed the expression of the myofibroblast (MF) markers, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen, in FLS1 cells. Additionally, both FGF-1 and EGF activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in FLS1 cells. In addition, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK kinase (MEK) inhibitor U0126 abrogated the FGF-1- and EGF-mediated suppression of MF marker expression. On the other hand, inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, also suppressed the expression of MF markers in FLS1 cells. Importantly, U0126 abrogated the inflammatory cytokine-mediated suppression of MF marker expression. Interestingly, RTK ligands and inflammatory cytokines additively suppressed the expression of type I collagen. These results suggested that RTK ligands and inflammatory cytokines cooperatively inhibited the fibrogenic activity in FLSs derived from the TMJ in a MEK/ERK-dependent manner. The present findings partially clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of OA-related fibrosis in the TMJ and may aid in identifying therapeutic targets for this condition. Additionally, FGF-1 and EGF could be therapeutically utilized to prevent OA-related fibrosis around the inflammatory TMJ.

Effects of Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 on inhibiting cardiac remodeling.

To investigate the effect of Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (Sfrp1) on myocardial fibroblasts through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Rat myocardial fibroblasts were cultured and divided into control group, proliferation group (TGF-β1 group), and Sfrp1 transfection group (TGF-β1 + Ad-Sfrp1 group). The control group received no treatment. The TGF-β1 group was stimulated with TGF-β1 10 ng/mL for 12 h to establish a proliferation model. The TGF-β1 + Ad-Sfrp1 group was first transfected with Ad-Sfrp1 virus. On day 3, TGF-β1 was added at 10 ng/mL to stimulate 12 h. The β-catenin and the marker protein α-SMA of myofibroblast (MyoFB) differentiation were detected by Western blotting method. In addition, we used MTT to test cell proliferation and flow cytometry to test cell cycle. At the same time, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the collagen I and collagen III content of the cell supernatant and used quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) to test the expression of apoptotic factors and Dvl-1 and Cyclin D1. In TGF-β1 group, the β-catenin, and α-SMA protein expressions were all upregulated, the OD value and collagen I and collagen III contents were increased, but the apoptosis rate was decreased. On the contrary, the expression of β-catenin and α-SMA proteins in the TGFβ1 + Ad-Sfrp1 group were all downregulated, the OD value, collagen I and collagen III content, and percentage of S-phase cells were reduced, but the percentage of G0/G1, G2/M-phase cells, and the apoptotic rate increased. Sfrp1 can effectively inhibit myocardial fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, promote fibroblast apoptosis, and inhibit the transformation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.