Article
Oncology
Jung Eun Baik, Hyeung Ju Park, Raghu P. Kataru, Ira L. Savetsky, Catherine L. Ly, Jinyeon Shin, Elizabeth M. Encarnacion, Michele R. Cavali, Mark G. Klang, Elyn Riedel, Michelle Coriddi, Joseph H. Dayan, Babak J. Mehrara
Summary: TGF-beta 1 is an essential regulator of extracellular matrix deposition in secondary lymphedema, and inhibition of this response is a promising means of treating lymphedema.
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yuzhan Zhang, Ke Li, Yan Li, Weihao Zhao, Li Wang, Zhao Chen, Xiaotao Ma, Tian Yao, Jinhua Wang, Wei Dong, Xiancheng Li, Xuefei Tian, Rongguo Fu
Summary: This study found increased expression of DPP8 and DPP9 in renal proximal tubule epithelial cells of CKD patients, and using a DPP8/DPP9 inhibitor significantly attenuated tubulointerstitial injury and improved renal function.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Meng Wang, Lingchen Wang, Yuan Zhou, Xiaoxuan Feng, Chaoyang Ye, Chen Wang
Summary: Research findings show that icariin can alleviate kidney injury and fibrosis, while inhibiting the release of inflammatory cytokine IL-1 beta. The study suggests that the anti-fibrotic effects of icariin are associated with the inhibition of renal fibroblast activation caused by IL-1 beta/TGF-beta signaling pathway.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yangyang Wang, Fangwei Yu, Ao Li, Zijia He, Caiyan Qu, Caiying He, Xiao Ma, Huakui Zhan
Summary: Renal fibrosis is a key pathological change in the progression of chronic kidney diseases, and natural components in R. ribes have the potential to intervene and provide therapeutic effects. The mechanisms and therapeutic targets of renal fibrosis are influenced by the natural ingredients, offering new ideas for the development of anti-kidney fibrosis drugs.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Shu Yang, Guangyan Yang, Xinyu Wang, Jiaqing Xiang, Lin Kang, Zhen Liang
Summary: This study demonstrates the anti-fibrotic role of SIRT2 in renal tubules and hepatocytes. SIRT2 inhibits fibrotic gene expression by reducing the activation of the TGF-beta signaling pathway. It interacts with and deacetylates SMAD2 and SMAD3 to promote their degradation and decrease the activation of SMAD3.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alexandra Laine, Ossama Labiad, Hector Hernandez-Vargas, Sebastien This, Amelien Sanlaville, Sophie Leon, Stephane Dalle, Dean Sheppard, Mark A. Travis, Helena Paidassi, Julien C. Marie
Summary: The presence of TGF beta in the tumor microenvironment is a significant cancer immune-escape mechanism. This study shows that regulatory T cells work in concert with cancer cells to produce bioactive TGF beta, creating an immunosuppressive micro-environment. The activation of TGF beta by Treg cells through the expression of avb8 integrin’s b8 chain is necessary for tumor growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Margherita Sisto, Sabrina Lisi
Summary: Fibrosis, which can develop spontaneously or as a result of underlying diseases, is characterized by immune cells infiltration and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules. Defects in the abilities of non-immune cells to regulate immune responses may contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. However, the precise cellular mechanisms involved in this process have not been fully elucidated.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Min Yang, Jia Wei Liu, Yu Ting Zhang, Gang Wu
Summary: M2 macrophages, AIM and TGF-beta 1 play important roles in the progression of IgAN fibrosis, and they are interrelated. Their expression levels are positively correlated with serum creatinine, 24-hour proteinuria, and fibrotic area, while negatively correlated with eGFR.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xianyan Qin, Yingying Xu, Xu Zhou, Tao Gong, Zhi-Rong Zhang, Yao Fu
Summary: Localized delivery offers a unique alternative to enhance efficacy and lower dosage by releasing therapeutics specifically to the site of interests, the drug delivery platform developed in this study achieves controlled and prolonged release of therapeutics in the kidney, and shows enhanced efficacy without local or systemic toxicity for the treatment of renal interstitial fibrosis.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Seong-Hye Hwang, Yun-Mi Lee, Yunyeong Choi, Hyung Eun Son, Ji Young Ryu, Ki Young Na, Ho Jun Chin, Noo Li Jeon, Sejoong Kim
Summary: This study developed fibrosis-mimicking models using 3D co-culture devices to evaluate the effects of TGF-beta and TGF-beta inhibitor treatment on renal fibrosis. The expression of fibrosis marker in cells increased upon TGF-beta treatment, while vessel density in the vascular compartment varied with TGF-beta and TGF-beta inhibitor treatment. Multiplex ELISA analysis showed increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in the TGF-beta-stimulating 3D models, mimicking the fibrotic microenvironments of human kidneys. This study may lead to the construction of a human renal fibrosis-mimicking device model beyond traditional culture experiments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jun Li, Ruoshui Li, Izabela Tuleta, Silvia C. Hernandez, Claudio Humeres, Anis Hanna, Bijun Chen, Nikolaos G. Frangogiannis
Summary: The role of macrophage Smad7 in regulating inflammation and repair after myocardial infarction is limited. The anti-inflammatory effects of TGF-beta in macrophages are not restrained by endogenous Smad7 induction.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yicheng Wei, Jialuo Cai, Ruiqiu Zhu, Ke Xu, Hongchang Li, Jianxin Li
Summary: This review focuses on the role of TRPA1 channel in fibroblasts, exploring its interactions with inflammatory factors and its different functions in the fibrosis process in different organs. The aim of this review is to describe the function of TRP channels in controlling fibrosis through fibroblasts in various inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nils Englert, Philipp Burkard, Annemarie Aue, Andreas Rosenwald, Bernhard Nieswandt, Andreas Friebe
Summary: NO-GC deletion enhances the fibrotic and inflammatory response in the lungs, indicating the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties of NO-GC in pulmonary fibrosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tessa Gerrits, Isabella J. Brouwer, Kyra L. Dijkstra, Ron Wolterbeek, Jan A. Bruijn, Marion Scharpfenecker, Hans J. Baelde
Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) involves progressive deterioration of renal function, characterized by glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. Endoglin, expressed in endothelial cells and fibroblasts, may function as a co-receptor of TGF signaling and potentially play a role in the progression of CKD. The study found that endoglin was upregulated in patients with CKD, particularly those with chronic allograft dysfunction and diabetic nephropathy. The overexpression of endoglin in human kidney fibroblasts also resulted in increased mRNA and protein upregulation of ECM components, suggesting its significance as a therapeutic target for the prevention of end-stage renal disease.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Xin Yuan, Ling Zhang, Jianlin Du
Summary: It has been shown that Tbx18-positive cells contribute to the development of the urinary system, particularly renal fibroblasts. Under pathological conditions induced by UUO, Tbx18-positive cells may act as profibrotic progenitors, with TGF-beta potentially playing a role in their differentiation into myofibroblasts in kidney fibrosis.
EXPERIMENTAL CELL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Qiao Jin, Andrea O. Luk, Eric S. H. Lau, Claudia H. T. Tam, Risa Ozaki, Cadmon K. P. Lim, Hongjiang Wu, Guozhi Jiang, Elaine Y. K. Chow, Jack K. Ng, Alice P. S. Kong, Baoqi Fan, Ka Fai Lee, Shing Chung Siu, Grace Hui, Chiu Chi Tsang, Kam Piu Lau, Jenny Y. Leung, Man-wo Tsang, Grace Kam, Ip Tim Lau, June K. Li, Vincent T. Yeung, Emmy Lau, Stanley Lo, Samuel Fung, Yuk Lun Cheng, Chun Chung Chow, Yu Huang, Hui-yao Lan, Cheuk Chun Szeto, Wing Yee So, Juliana C. N. Chan, Ronald C. W. Ma, Hong Kong Diabetes Biobank Study Group Hong Kong Diab Biobank Study Grp
Summary: Nonalbuminuric diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is associated with higher risks of hospitalization for heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression compared to no DKD, regardless of baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Guozhi Jiang, Andrea O. Luk, Claudia H. T. Tam, Risa Ozaki, Cadmon K. P. Lim, Elaine Y. K. Chow, Eric S. Lau, Alice P. S. Kong, Baoqi Fan, Ka Fai Lee, Shing Chung Siu, Grace Hui, Chiu Chi Tsang, Kam Piu Lau, Jenny Y. Leung, Man-wo Tsang, Grace Kam, Ip Tim Lau, June K. Li, Vincent T. Yeung, Emmy Lau, Stanley Lo, Samuel Fung, Yuk Lun Cheng, Chun Chung Chow, Nelson L. S. Tang, Yu Huang, Hui-yao Lan, Richard A. Oram, Cheuk Chun Szeto, Wing Yee So, Juliana C. N. Chan, Ronald C. W. Ma
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the long-term impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) on the progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and all-cause mortality, as well as investigate the determinants of AKI in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). The findings suggest that patients with AKI have a higher risk of developing CKD, ESRD, and all-cause death. Additionally, a polygenic risk score (PRS) composed of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with serum uric acid (SUA) was found to be associated with AKI and CKD in both discovery and replication cohorts.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Guangyu Lian, Thomas Shiu-Kwong Mak, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This article reviews the challenges encountered by NK cells in the solid tumor microenvironment and the therapeutic approaches to overcome these limitations. It also outlines the recent preclinical advances and the latest clinical outcomes of NK-based immunotherapies for solid tumors, as well as promising strategies to optimize current NK-targeted immunotherapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu-Yan Qin, Xiao-Ru Huang, Jian Zhang, Wenjing Wu, Junzhe Chen, Song Wan, Xi-Yong Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Neuropeptide Y plays an important role in attenuating acute myocardial infarction by inhibiting cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, enhancing angiogenesis, and reducing apoptosis.
Review
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Rong Han, Hong Cheng Ren, Sitong Zhou, Sherman Gu, Yue-Yu Gu, Daniel Man-yuen Sze, Meng-Hua Chen
Summary: This systematic review evaluated the efficacy and safety of combination treatments (CTs) of conventional disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (c-DMARDs) and Chinese Herbal Medicines (CHMs) in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The findings indicated that CTs significantly improved RA symptoms and patient-reported outcomes, while reducing adverse events.
JOURNAL OF TRADITIONAL AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Suyi Xie, Qi Li, Andrea O. Y. Luk, Hui-Yao Lan, Paul K. S. Chan, Antoni Bayes-Genis, Francis K. L. Chan, Erik Fung
Summary: This study found that elevated circulating levels of GDF-15 were significantly predictive of major adverse cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, further studies are needed to determine its prognostic significance in predicting mortality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhengyu Fang, Yiping Hu, Jiajing Dai, Lianhua He, Juan He, Bihua Xu, Xinle Han, Fubo Zhong, Huiyao Lan, Qingwen Wang
Summary: The combination treatment with CS12192 and MTX is shown to have a better therapeutic effect on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats, with a stronger suppressive effect on T cells and macrophage-mediated joint inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jian Zhang, Zongtao Yin, Liming Yu, Zhishang Wang, Yu Liu, Xiaoru Huang, Song Wan, Hui-yao Lan, Huishan Wang
Summary: This study investigated the role of macrophage RNA polymerase II subunit 5-mediating protein (RMP) in myocardial infarction (MI). The results showed that RMP deficiency worsened cardiac dysfunction and promoted M1 polarization while inhibiting angiogenesis after MI. In contrast, RMP overexpression in macrophages promoted M2 polarization and angiogenesis after MI. Mechanistically, RMP regulated macrophage polarization through the HSP90-p38 signaling pathway.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wenjing Wu, Wenbiao Wang, Liying Liang, Junzhe Chen, Biao Wei, Xiao-Ru Huang, Xiaoqin Wang, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Increasing evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can cause acute kidney injury (AKI) in COVID-19 patients, but the mechanisms are unclear and treatments are ineffective. This study found that overexpression of the SARS-CoV-2 N gene in the kidneys of diabetic mice led to AKI, and treatment with quercetin, a traditional Chinese medicine compound, inhibited AKI by blocking the interaction between the SARS-CoV-2 N protein and Smad3. This study highlights the pathogenic role of the SARS-CoV-2 N protein in AKI and identifies quercetin as a potential treatment for COVID-19-induced AKI.
Article
Cell Biology
Rui-zhi Tan, Xia Zhong, Rang-yue Han, Ke-huan Xie, Jian Jia, Ye Yang, Mei Cheng, Chun-yan Yang, Hui-yao Lan, Li Wang
Summary: This study demonstrates the crucial role of Mincle in psoriasis, as it mediates and maintains inflammation through the Mincle-Syk-NF-κB pathway in macrophages. Targeting Mincle with a neutralizing antibody significantly improves the symptoms of psoriasis.
CELL DEATH DISCOVERY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jian-Chun Li, Jian Jia, Li Dong, Zhong-Jing Hu, Xiao-Ru Huang, Hong-Lian Wang, Li Wang, Si-Jin Yang, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: This study investigated the role of Erbb4-IR in hypertensive heart disease using ultrasound-microbubble-mediated silencing. It was found that Erbb4-IR mediates cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II, and silencing Erbb4-IR effectively improves cardiac dysfunction and fibrosis. Therefore, targeting Erbb4-IR may be a novel therapy for hypertensive cardiovascular diseases.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liying Liang, Wenbiao Wang, Junzhe Chen, Wenjing Wu, Xiao-Ru Huang, Biao Wei, Yu Zhong, Ronald C. W. Ma, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION AND TARGETED THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Xiaoming Meng, Juan Jin, Hui Yao Lan
Summary: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common renal disorder and an important risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Macrophages have been shown to play a crucial role in the transition from AKI to CKD, and significant progress has been made in understanding their pathophysiological functions. This review highlights the roles and mechanisms of macrophage activation, phenotypic polarization, and transdifferentiation in the development of AKI-to-CKD transition, and discusses the potential of macrophage-based therapy for preventing this transition.
CHINESE MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jing-Yun Dou, Min Zhang, Huan Cen, Yi-Qin Chen, Yi-Fan Wu, Fuhua Lu, Jiuyao Zhou, Xu-Sheng Liu, Yue-Yu Gu
Summary: This study aimed to reveal the potential protective role of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge (Danshen) and its bioactive compound Tanshinone IIA (TanIIA) in acute kidney injury (AKI) and investigate the specific regulatory function of PXR/NF-kappa B signaling in AKI-induced renal inflammation. Network pharmacological analysis identified nuclear receptors as potential therapeutic targets of Salvia miltiorrhiza in AKI treatment. In vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that TanIIA improved renal function and reduced inflammation by regulating PXR/NF-kappa B signaling. The findings suggest PXR as a potential therapeutic target for AKI.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenjing Wu, Xiaoqin Wang, Xueqing Yu, Hui-Yao Lan
Summary: Renal inflammation and fibrosis are important pathological features of kidney diseases. Smad3 is a critical mediator in TGF-beta signaling and plays a role in the development of inflammation and fibrosis in the kidney. Smad3 can be activated by various stress molecules and interact with other signaling pathways to mediate these processes. Targeting Smad3 and its downstream genes may provide a new therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
