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Elucidating the cellular mechanism for E2-induced dermal fibrosis.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Both TGF? and estradiol (E2), a form of estrogen, are pro-fibrotic in the skin. In the connective tissue disease, systemic sclerosis (SSc), both TGF? and E2 are likely pathogenic. Yet the regulation of TGF? in E2-induced dermal fibrosis remains ill-defined. Elucidating those regulatory mechanisms will improve the understanding of fibrotic disease pathogenesis and set the stage for developing potential therapeutics. Using E2-stimulated primary human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and human skin tissue ex vivo, we identified the important regulatory proteins for TGF? and investigated the extracellular matrix (ECM) components that are directly stimulated by E2-induced TGF? signaling.Methods
We used primary human dermal fibroblasts in vitro and human skin tissue ex vivo stimulated with E2 or vehicle (ethanol) to measure TGF?1 and TGF?2 levels using quantitative PCR (qPCR). To identify the necessary cell signaling proteins in E2-induced TGF?1 and TGF?2 transcription, human dermal fibroblasts were pre-treated with an inhibitor of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) pathway, U0126. Finally, human skin tissue ex vivo was pre-treated with SB-431542, a TGF? receptor inhibitor, and ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor ? (ER?) inhibitor, to establish the effects of TGF? and ER? signaling on E2-induced collagen 22A1 (Col22A1) transcription.Results
We found that expression of TGF?1, TGF?2, and Col22A1, a TGF?-responsive gene, is induced in response to E2 stimulation. Mechanistically, Col22A1 induction was blocked by SB-431542 and ICI 182,780 despite E2 stimulation. Additionally, inhibiting E2-induced ERK/MAPK activation and early growth response 1 (EGR1) transcription prevents the E2-induced increase in TGF?1 and TGF?2 transcription and translation.Conclusions
We conclude that E2-induced dermal fibrosis occurs in part through induction of TGF?1, 2, and Col22A1, which is regulated through EGR1 and the MAPK pathway. Thus, blocking estrogen signaling and/or production may be a novel therapeutic option in pro-fibrotic diseases.
SUBMITTER: Baker Frost D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7913437 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Elucidating the cellular mechanism for E2-induced dermal fibrosis.
Arthritis research & therapy 20210227 1
<h4>Background</h4>Both TGFβ and estradiol (E2), a form of estrogen, are pro-fibrotic in the skin. In the connective tissue disease, systemic sclerosis (SSc), both TGFβ and E2 are likely pathogenic. Yet the regulation of TGFβ in E2-induced dermal fibrosis remains ill-defined. Elucidating those regulatory mechanisms will improve the understanding of fibrotic disease pathogenesis and set the stage for developing potential therapeutics. Using E2-stimulated primary human dermal fibroblasts in vitro ...[more]