Wenfang Xiong , Shuhua Chen , Hong Xiang , Shaoli Zhao , Jie Xiao , Jialing Li , Yulan Liu , Zhihao Shu , Jie Ouyang , Jing Zhang , Huiqin Liu , Xuewen Wang , Hang Zou , Ying Chen , Alex Chen , Hongwei Lu
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic fatal disease of unknown etiology. Its pathological manifestations include excessive proliferation and activation of fibroblasts and deposition of extracellular matrix. Endothelial cell-mesenchymal transformation (EndMT), a novel mechanism that generates fibroblast during IPF, is responsible for fibroblast-like phenotypic changes and activation of fibroblasts into hypersecretory cells. However, the exact mechanism behind EndMT-derived fibroblasts and activation is uncertain. Here, we investigated the role of sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) in EndMT-driven pulmonary fibrosis.
Methods
We treated C57BL/6 mice with bleomycin (BLM) in vivo and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells with TGF-β1 in vitro. Western blot, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of S1PR1 in endothelial cells. To evaluate the effect of S1PR1 on EndMT and endothelial barrier and its role in lung fibrosis and related signaling pathways, S1PR1 agonist and antagonist were used in vitro and in vivo.
Results
Endothelial S1PR1 protein expression was downregulated in both in vitro and in vivo models of pulmonary fibrosis induced by TGF-β1 and BLM, respectively. Downregulation of S1PR1 resulted in EndMT, indicated by decreased expression of endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin, increased expression of mesenchymal markers α-SMA and nuclear transcription factor Snail, and disruption of the endothelial barrier. Further mechanistic studies found that stimulation of S1PR1 inhibited TGF-β1-mediated activation of the Smad2/3 and RhoA/ROCK1 pathways. Moreover, stimulation of S1PR1 attenuated Smad2/3 and RhoA/ROCK1 pathway-mediated damage to endothelial barrier function.
Conclusions
Endothelial S1PR1 provides protection against pulmonary fibrosis by inhibiting EndMT and attenuating endothelial barrier damage. Accordingly, S1PR1 may be a potential therapeutic target in progressive IPF.
期刊介绍:
Pulmonary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (formerly Pulmonary Pharmacology) is concerned with lung pharmacology from molecular to clinical aspects. The subject matter encompasses the major diseases of the lung including asthma, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary circulation, ARDS, carcinoma, bronchitis, emphysema and drug delivery. Laboratory and clinical research on man and animals will be considered including studies related to chemotherapy of cancer, tuberculosis and infection. In addition to original research papers the journal will include review articles and book reviews.
Research Areas Include:
• All major diseases of the lung
• Physiology
• Pathology
• Drug delivery
• Metabolism
• Pulmonary Toxicology.