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Inhibition of Notch signaling prevents experimental fibrosis and induces regression of established fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:Tissue fibrosis caused by pathologic activation of fibroblasts with increased synthesis of extracellular matrix components is a major hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Notch signaling regulates tissue differentiation, and abnormal activation of Notch signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of Notch signaling in SSc and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Notch inhibition for the treatment of fibrosis. METHODS:Activation of the Notch pathways was analyzed by staining for the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and quantification of levels of HES-1 messenger RNA. In the mouse model of bleomycin-induced dermal fibrosis and in tight skin 1 mice, Notch signaling was inhibited by the ?-secretase inhibitor DAPT and by overexpression of a Notch-1 antisense construct. RESULTS:Notch signaling was activated in SSc in vivo, with accumulation of the NICD and increased transcription of the target gene HES-1. Overexpression of a Notch antisense construct prevented bleomycin-induced fibrosis and hypodermal thickening in tight skin 1 mice. Potent antifibrotic effects were also obtained with DAPT treatment. In addition to prevention of fibrosis, targeting of Notch signaling resulted in almost complete regression of established experimental fibrosis. CONCLUSION:The present results demonstrate that pharmacologic as well as genetic inhibition of Notch signaling exerts potent antifibrotic effects in different murine models of SSc. These findings might have direct translational implications because different inhibitors of the ?-secretase complex are available and have yielded promising results in cancer trials.

SUBMITTER: Dees C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5175482 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Inhibition of Notch signaling prevents experimental fibrosis and induces regression of established fibrosis.

Dees Clara C Zerr Pawel P Tomcik Michal M Beyer Christian C Horn Angelika A Akhmetshina Alfiya A Palumbo Katrin K Reich Nicole N Zwerina Jochen J Sticherling Michael M Mattson Mark P MP Distler Oliver O Schett Georg G Distler Jörg H W JH

Arthritis and rheumatism 20110501 5

<h4>Objective</h4>Tissue fibrosis caused by pathologic activation of fibroblasts with increased synthesis of extracellular matrix components is a major hallmark of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Notch signaling regulates tissue differentiation, and abnormal activation of Notch signaling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role of Notch signaling in SSc and to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Notch inhibition for the ...[more]

PMID: 21312186

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Project description:BackgroundTraumatic heterotopic ossification (THO) is a devastating sequela following traumatic injuries and orthopedic surgeries. To date, the exact molecular mechanism of THO formation is still unclear, which hinders the development of effective treatments. The process of THO formation is believed to recapitulate a series of spatiotemporal cellular and signaling events that occur during skeletal development. The Notch signaling pathway is a critical genetic regulator in embryological bone development and fracture healing. However, few data are available concerning whether Notch signaling regulates THO development and maturation.MethodsWe firstly detected the expressions of Notch target genes in both mouse and human THO samples with quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, tissue-resident mesenchymal progenitor cells (TMPCs) were isolated, and the abilities of the proliferation and osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of TMPCs were examined under the intervention of the gamma-secretase inhibitor-DAPT at different time points. Finally, DAPT was also administrated in THO mice by burn and Achilles tenotomy injury, and ectopic cartilage and bone formation were monitored by histology and micro-CT.ResultsSeveral Notch target genes were upregulated in both mouse and human THO tissues. Sustained Notch signaling inhibition by DAPT reduced proliferation, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation of TMPCs in a time-dependent manner. Moreover, DAPT administration within 3 weeks could inhibit ectopic cartilage and bone formation in a mouse THO model without affecting the total body bone mass.ConclusionsThe Notch signaling serves as an important therapeutic target during THO formation. And sustained gamma-secretase inhibition by DAPT has great potential in repressing chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation of TMPCs, as well as inhibited ectopic cartilage and bone formation in vivo.The translational potential of this articleSustained Notch inhibition via systemic DAPT (or other similar gamma-secretase inhibitors) administration has promising clinical utility for inhibiting THO formation, providing new insight into THO prophylaxis and treatment.

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Inhibition of Notch signaling prevents experimental fibrosis and induces regression of established fibrosis.

Publications

Inhibition of Notch signaling prevents experimental fibrosis and induces regression of established fibrosis.

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