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Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces GLI2 expression through Notch signalling in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by tissue fibrosis of the major organs of the body including the skin, lungs and heart. We have previously reported that the lncRNA HOTAIR plays a central role in the activation of SSc myofibroblasts, the key cellular elements of fibrosis. HOTAIR induces fibroblast activation through H3K27me3-mediated activation of the Notch signalling pathway. Here we aimed to identify the signalling events downstream of Notch that drive SSc myofibroblast activation.

Methods: Patient fibroblasts were obtained from full-thickness forearm skin biopsies of 3 adult patients with SSc of recent onset. The lncRNA HOTAIR was expressed in healthy dermal fibroblasts by lentiviral transduction. Hedgehog signalling pathway was inhibited with GANT61 and GLI2 siRNA. Gamma secretase inhibitors RO4929097 and DAPT were used to block Notch signalling. GSK126 was used to inhibit Enhancer of Zeste 2 (EZH2).

Results: Overexpression of HOTAIR in dermal fibroblasts induced the expression of the Hedgehog pathway transcription factor GLI2. This is mediated by activation of Notch signalling following epigenetic downregulation of miRNA-34a expression. Inhibition of H3K27 methylation and Notch signalling reduced expression of GLI2 in HOTAIR-expressing fibroblasts as well as in SSc dermal fibroblasts. Importantly, the inhibition of GLI2 function using GANT61 or siRNA mitigates the pro-fibrotic phenotype induced by HOTAIR.

Conclusions: Our data indicates that GLI2 expression is stably upregulated in SSc myofibroblasts through HOTAIR and that GLI2 mediates the expression of pro-fibrotic markers downstream of Notch.

SUBMITTER: Wasson CW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7726858 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces GLI2 expression through Notch signalling in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts.

Wasson Christopher W CW Ross Rebecca L RL Wells Rebecca R Corinaldesi Clarissa C Georgiou Ioanna Ch IC Riobo-Del Galdo Natalia A NA Del Galdo Francesco F

Arthritis research & therapy 20201210 1

<h4>Objectives</h4>Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterised by tissue fibrosis of the major organs of the body including the skin, lungs and heart. We have previously reported that the lncRNA HOTAIR plays a central role in the activation of SSc myofibroblasts, the key cellular elements of fibrosis. HOTAIR induces fibroblast activation through H3K27me3-mediated activation of the Notch signalling pathway. Here we aimed to identify the signalling events downstream of Notch that drive SSc myofibrob ...[more]

PMID: 33303026

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Project description:Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by severe and often progressive fibrosis of the skin and multiple internal organs. The mechanisms responsible for these alterations remain obscure, although excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress has been implicated. NOX-4 is 1 of 7 isoforms of NADPH oxidase responsible for the generation of ROS. The purpose of this study was to examine NOX-4 expression in skin and cultured dermal fibroblasts from SSc patients and to examine its regulation by transforming growth factor ?1 (TGF?1).NOX-4 was assessed in normal and SSc skin by immunohistologic analysis and in normal and SSc cultured dermal fibroblasts by quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and Western blotting. ROS levels were assessed by fluorescence measurement of H2 O2 production. Specific kinase inhibitors were used to study the TGF?1 signaling involved in NOX-4 stimulation. NOX-4 inhibition/down-regulation was induced with a selective NOX-4 small-molecule inhibitor and NOX-4 small interfering RNA (siRNA).In contrast with normal skin fibroblasts, those from SSc skin showed intense NOX-4 staining. Cultured SSc fibroblasts displayed increased NOX-4 expression. TGF?1 caused potent NOX-4 protein and messenger RNA stimulation in normal and SSc fibroblasts, which was mediated by the protein kinase C? (PKC?) and Smad2/3 pathways. NOX-4 knockdown in SSc fibroblasts reduced the production of ROS and lowered the expression of type I collagen.NOX-4 expression and production were found to be constitutively elevated in SSc skin and cultured SSc dermal fibroblasts. TGF?1 stimulated NOX-4 expression in normal and SSc fibroblasts through PKC? and Smad2/3 signaling pathways. A small-molecule NOX-4 inhibitor decreased collagen and fibronectin production by normal and SSc fibroblasts, and NOX-4 siRNA knockdown reduced ROS and collagen production by SSc fibroblasts. These results demonstrate the involvement of NOX-4 in SSc-associated fibrosis and indicate NOX-4 inhibitors as novel therapeutic approaches for SSc.

Dataset Information

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces GLI2 expression through Notch signalling in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts.

Publications

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR induces GLI2 expression through Notch signalling in systemic sclerosis dermal fibroblasts.

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