Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Mao-xu Ge, Wei-xiao Niu, Yun-yang Bao, Zhen-ning Lu, Hong-wei He
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the antifibrotic activity of sclareol (SCL) from Salvia sclarea on liver fibrosis and explore its underlying mechanisms. The results showed that SCL treatment inhibited the profibrotic tendency of activated hepatic stellate cells. In animal models, SCL administration reduced liver injury and collagen accumulation. Mechanistic studies revealed that SCL mediated VEGFR2 SUMOylation, resulting in the inhibition of the interaction between VEGFR2 and STAT3 and the suppression of downstream STAT3 phosphorylation.
PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qiu-yan Zhang, Su-jing Xu, Jian-chang Qian, Li-bin Yang, Peng-qin Chen, Yi Wang, Xiang Hu, Ya-li Zhang, Wu Luo, Guang Liang
Summary: Evidence suggests that MyD88 plays a crucial role in diabetic nephropathy, with its inhibitor LM8 showing potential in reducing renal inflammation and fibrosis. Inhibition of MyD88 could be a therapeutic approach to mitigate diabetic nephropathy.
ACTA PHARMACOLOGICA SINICA
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Swarna Bale, Priyanka Verma, Bharath Yalavarthi, Scott Arthur Scarneo, Philip Hughes, M. Asif Amin, Pei-Suen Tsou, Dinesh Khanna, Timothy A. J. Haystead, Swati Bhattacharyya, John Varga
Summary: Multiorgan fibrosis in systemic sclerosis (SSc), a disease lacking effective treatments and with high mortality, might be influenced by the TGF-β and TLR signaling pathway, particularly through TAK1. The inhibition of TAK1 using HS-276 showed promising results in reducing fibrosis and profibrotic mediators in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, suggesting it as a potential strategy for the treatment of SSc and other fibrotic diseases.
Article
Cell Biology
Yi Hong, Ai-Lun Yang, James K. S. Wong, Kunanya Masodsai, Shin-Da Lee, Yi-Yuan Lin
Summary: Exercise training reduces cardiac fibrosis in early aged hypertensive rats by decreasing fibrotic-related protein levels and suppressing fibrotic pathways, providing a new therapeutic approach for preventing adverse cardiac fibrosis and myocardial abnormalities.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jie Xu, Jinghuan Wang, Fen Long, Wen Zhong, Haibi Su, Zhenghua Su, Xinhua Liu
Summary: The upregulation of Dot1L activates cardiac fibroblasts to promote profibrotic gene expression, leading to cardiac fibrosis. Pharmacological targeting of Dot1L could be a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of human cardiac fibrosis and other fibrotic diseases.
CELL AND BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Li Du, Wei Liu, Grace Aldana-Masangkay, Alex Pozhitkov, Flavia Pichiorri, Yuan Chen, Steven T. Rosen
Summary: The study demonstrates the crucial role of SUMOylation in Dex resistance in multiple myeloma (MM) and suggests that SUMOylation inhibition is an attractive strategy. By downregulating miR-130b, miR-551b, and miR-25, and inducing miR targets, enhanced Dex sensitivity in MM was achieved.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL & CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Ophthalmology
Kai Liao, Zekai Cui, Yong Zeng, Jian Liu, Yini Wang, Zhijie Wang, Shibo Tang, Jiansu Chen
Summary: The study demonstrated that the inhibition of EZH2 effectively suppresses corneal fibrosis induced by TGF-131, including reducing myofibroblast activation and ECM protein synthesis, as well as inhibiting cell migration and gel contraction. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that antifibrotic genes were activated after EZH2 inhibition, leading to the suppression of corneal myofibroblast activation.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mouad Hamzaoui, Clothilde Roche, David Coquerel, Thomas Duflot, Valery Brunel, Paul Mulder, Vincent Richard, Jeremy Bellien, Dominique Guerrot
Summary: Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase reduces cardiac remodeling and dysfunction associated with chronic kidney disease. These beneficial effects may be mediated by preventing endothelial dysfunction, independent of kidney preservation and antihypertensive effects, indicating a therapeutic potential in preventing type 4 cardiorenal syndrome.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Yoshinaga Aoyama, Aya Naiki-Ito, Kuang Xiaochen, Masayuki Komura, Hiroyuki Kato, Yuko Nagayasu, Shingo Inaguma, Hiroyuki Tsuda, Mamoru Tomita, Yoichi Matsuo, Shuji Takiguchi, Satoru Takahashi
Summary: LF has a chemopreventive effect on NASH progression, protecting the liver from steatosis and inflammation, while attenuating fibrosis or cirrhosis induced by DMN. Additionally, LF down-regulates inflammatory and fibrosis-related cytokines and inactivates NF-kappa B.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Aneesh Bapat, Guoping Li, Ling Xiao, Ashish Yeri, Maarten Hulsmans, Jana Grune, Masahiro Yamazoe, Maximilian J. Schloss, Yoshiko Iwamoto, Justin Tedeschi, Xinyu Yang, Matthias Nahrendorf, Anthony Rosenzweig, Saumya Das, Patrick T. Ellinor, David Milan
Summary: This study validates the role of SGK1 in obesity-related atrial fibrillation using a mouse model. It demonstrates the impact of SGK1 on atrial electrophysiology, structural remodeling, inflammation, and sodium current in obesity-related AF.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Pontrelli, Francesca Conserva, Rossella Menghini, Michele Rossini, Alessandra Stasi, Chiara Divella, Viviana Casagrande, Claudia Cinefra, Mariagrazia Barozzino, Simona Simone, Francesco Pesce, Giuseppe Castellano, Giovanni Stallone, Anna Gallone, Francesco Giorgino, Massimo Federici, Loreto Gesualdo
Summary: The combined treatment of K63-Ub inhibitor NSC697923 and ACE inhibitor ramipril significantly reduces fibrosis progression and proteinuria in diabetic nephropathy. It restores expression of urinary miR-27b-3p, showing potential as a novel treatment strategy for DN.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xinyi Wang, Ting Liu, Yifei Huang, Yifeng Dai, Hui Lin
Summary: Fibrosis is a complex abnormal healing process that involves multiple signaling pathways, with the TGF-beta signaling pathway playing a central role. TGF-beta precisely regulates fibrogenesis by controlling gene transcription and translation, and SUMOylation has been identified as a key player in this process, providing potential therapeutic strategies for fibrosis.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Arne Thiele, Katja Luettges, Daniel Ritter, Niklas Beyhoff, Elia Smeir, Jana Grune, Julia S. Steinhoff, Michael Schupp, Robert Klopfleisch, Michael Rothe, Nicola Wilck, Hendrik Bartolomaeus, Anna K. Migglautsch, Rolf Breinbauer, Erin E. Kershaw, Gernot F. Grabner, Rudolf Zechner, Ulrich Kintscher, Anna Foryst-Ludwig
Summary: The specific inhibitor of ATGL, Atglistatin, can alleviate catecholamine-induced cardiac damage by exerting anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic effects. These effects are likely mediated by non-cardiac tissues.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Sang Hyun Song, Dawool Han, Kyeonghui Park, Jo Eun Um, Seonghun Kim, Minhee Ku, Jaemoon Yang, Tae-Hyun Yoo, Jong In Yook, Nam Hee Kim, Hyun Sil Kim
Summary: Diabetic nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes. The newly discovered cell death mechanism called ferroptosis, induced by TGF-beta, is involved in kidney damage in diabetic nephropathy. BMP7, a known antagonist of TGF-beta, can inhibit TGF-beta-induced fibrosis and play a role in the regeneration of pancreatic beta cells in diabetic animal models.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Roddy Hiram, Feng Xiong, Patrice Naud, Jiening Xiao, Martin Sirois, Jean-Francois Tanguay, Jean-Claude Tardif, Stanley Nattel
Summary: The study found that the inflammation-resolution enhancing molecule RvD1 can prevent atrial arrhythmogenic remodeling in experimental RHD by suppressing inflammatory signaling and fibrotic/electrical remodeling.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Rheumatology
Elisabeth Blaja, Suzana Jordan, Carmen-Marina Mihai, Rucsandra Dobrota, Mike Oliver Becker, Britta Maurer, Marco Matucci-Cerinic, Oliver Distler
Summary: The study demonstrated that very early systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients are a heterogeneous group with mild or early disease, showing diverse clinical presentations. Some patients may have long-standing mild disease, and there was no difference in clinical features at initial presentation between patients with potentially progressive disease and those with long-standing mild disease. These findings highlight the importance of considering the heterogeneity of very early SSc patients for risk stratification and study design.
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Rheumatology
Dinesh Khanna, Oliver Distler
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Paolo Spagnolo, Oliver Distler, Christopher J. Ryerson, Argyris Tzouvelekis, Joyce S. Lee, Francesco Bonella, Demosthenes Bouros, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold, Bruno Crestani, Eric L. Matteson
Summary: This study discusses the different types of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and their association with autoimmune and connective tissue diseases (CTDs), as well as introduces drug treatment studies for some fibrosing ILDs. It emphasizes the importance of fibrosis in ILDs.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Andrea M. Aegerter, Manja Deforth, Venerina Johnston, Gisela Sjogaard, Thomas Volken, Hannu Luomajoki, Julia Dratva, Holger Dressel, Oliver Distler, Achim Elfering, Markus Melloh
Summary: Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic did not show clinically relevant changes in neck pain intensity and disability. The number of work breaks and hours spent at the computer were found to have a greater effect on neck pain than the place of work or workstation ergonomics. Further research should investigate the impact of social and psychological factors on neck pain among office workers.
EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Monika Krosel, Marcel Gabathuler, Malgorzata Maciukiewicz, Larissa Moser, Gideon Isaac Lee, Miriam Marks, Matija Tomsic, Oliver Distler, Caroline Ospelt, Kerstin Klein
Summary: In rheumatoid arthritis, chromatin remodeling and histone 3 lysine 27 acetylation are associated with sustained inflammatory responses in synovial fibroblasts. Writer proteins CBP and p300 have overlapping but distinct regulatory functions in controlling gene expression, with p300 being the major HAT for H3K27ac. Inhibition of CBP/p300 mirrors effects seen with p300 silencing, suggesting that inhibitors targeting these proteins may not be sufficient as anti-inflammatory drugs.
JOURNAL OF AUTOIMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jia Zhang, Carina Mihai, Laura Tueshaus, Gaetano Scebba, Oliver Distler, Walter Karlen
Summary: The study aimed to develop a mobile health tool for remote self-assessment of digital ulcers in SSc patients and demonstrated the feasibility of deploying such an app in this patient group. The feedback mechanism improved the overall image quality, marking a step towards reliable digital health solutions for home-based wound self-management.
JMIR MHEALTH AND UHEALTH
(2021)
Review
Rheumatology
Jakob Hoeppner, Cosimo Bruni, Oliver Distler, Simon C. Robson, Gerd R. Burmester, Elise Siegert, Jorg H. W. Distler
Summary: SSc is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease with histopathological hallmarks including vasculopathy, fibrosis, and autoimmune phenomena. Purinergic signalling pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology of SSc, exacerbating vasculopathy and immune dysregulation, while also promoting organ and tissue fibrosis. Targeting purinergic signalling could offer new therapeutic options for SSc.
Review
Rheumatology
Diana Andronic, Octavian Andronic, Astrid Juengel, Martin C. Berli, Oliver Distler, Florian Brunner
Summary: Despite ongoing research, the exact underlying processes of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) are still not well understood. This systematic review examines potential cutaneous biomarkers in CRPS and identifies the implications for various pathophysiological processes and skin morphology. The findings suggest involvement of inflammation, vascular dysregulation, small fiber neuropathy, and hypersensitivity. Additionally, skin morphology changes, including neurite loss, disturbed mast cell migration, and increased expression of alpha 1-adrenoceptors on keratinocytes, were observed. These results provide a foundation for future developments in diagnosis and potential therapeutic targets for CRPS Type I patients.
RHEUMATOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Eric L. Matteson, Clive Kelly, Joerg H. W. Distler, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold, James R. Seibold, Shikha Mittoo, Paul F. Dellaripa, Martin Aringer, Janet Pope, Oliver Distler, Alexandra James, Rozsa Schlenker-Herceg, Susanne Stowasser, Manuel Quaresma, Kevin R. Flaherty
Summary: In fibrosing autoimmune disease-related interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) with a progressive phenotype, nintedanib demonstrated efficacy in slowing the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC), with manageable adverse events.
ARTHRITIS & RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Yannick Allanore, Madelon C. Vonk, Oliver Distler, Arata Azuma, Maureen D. Mayes, Martina Gahlemann, Alexandra James, Veronika Kohlbrenner, Margarida Alves, Dinesh Khanna, Kristin B. Highland
Summary: Nintedanib can reduce the decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease (SSc-ILD) and has consistent safety profile and FVC outcomes in both short-term and long-term use.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Letter
Rheumatology
Raphael Micheroli, Chantal Pauli, Kristina Buerki, Philipp Rossbach, Oliver Distler, Caroline Ospelt, Adrian Ciurea
Article
Rheumatology
Raphael Micheroli, Seraphina Kissling, Kristina Buerki, Pascale Exer, Rene Braem, Michael J. Nissen, Burkhard Moeller, Michael Andor, Oliver Distler, Almut Scherer, Adrian Ciurea
Summary: The study findings suggest that TNFi can decelerate the radiographic progression of SIJ in patients with axSpA, especially when used for at least 1 year.
Article
Rehabilitation
Andrea Martina Aegerter, Manja Deforth, Thomas Volken, Venerina Johnston, Hannu Luomajoki, Holger Dressel, Julia Dratva, Markus Josef Ernst, Oliver Distler, Beatrice Brunner, Gisela Sjogaard, Markus Melloh, Achim Elfering
Summary: This study investigated the effect of a multi-component intervention on neck pain-related work productivity loss among Swiss office workers. The results showed that the intervention had a significant reduction in neck pain-related work productivity loss, with implications for employers, employees, and policy makers.
JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Rheumatology
Alexandru Garaiman, Farhad Nooralahzadeh, Carina Mihai, Nicolas Perez Gonzalez, Nikitas Gkikopoulos, Mike Oliver Becker, Oliver Distler, Michael Krauthammer, Britta Maurer
Summary: The study aims to evaluate the performance of a vision transformer-based deep-learning model in identifying microangiopathy in NFC images of SSc patients and compare it with the performance of rheumatologists. The results show that the ViT performs well in identifying different microangiopathic changes, but there is still room for improvement in terms of reliability compared to rheumatologists.
Article
Rheumatology
Tea Gegenava, Federico Fortuni, Nina Marijn van Leeuwen, Anders H. Tennoe, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold, Ruxandra Jurcut, Adrian Giuca, Laura Groseanu, Felix Tanner, Oliver Distler, Jeroen J. Bax, Jeska De Vries-Bouwstra, Nina Ajmone Marsan
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of sex differences on cardiovascular outcomes in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The results showed that male SSc patients had a higher incidence of cardiovascular events, and the adjusted left ventricular global longitudinal strain may explain this gender difference in outcomes.