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The Triptryium wilfordii derivative celastrol has anti-fibrotic effects in systemic sclerosis [Spatial Transcriptomics]

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis, SSc), as a prototypic inflammation-driven fibrotic disease, possesses connective tissue lesions populated with persistently activated myofibroblasts maintained by an mechanotranductive/pro-adhesive signaling loop. Drugs targeting this pathway are therefore of likely therapeutic benefit. The mechanosensitive transcriptional co-activator, yes activated protein-1 (YAP1), is activated in SSc fibroblasts. The terpenoid celastrol has recently been identified as a YAP1 inhibitor: however, if celastrol can alleviate SSc fibrosis is unknown. Methods: Human dermal fibroblasts from healthy individuals and patients with diffuse cutaneous SSc were treated with or without transforming growth factor b1 (TGFb1) in the presence or absence of celastrol. C57BL6J mice were subjected to the inflammatory-driven bleomycin-induced model of skin SSc, in the presence or absence of celastrol. RNA expression was assessed using RNAseq, real-time polymerase chain reaction and spatial transcriptomic analyses. Protein expression was determined using Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Fibrosis was monitored by hematoxylin and eosin and trichrome staining, and indirect immunofluorescence analysis. Results: In dermal fibroblasts, celastrol impaired the ability of TGFβ1 to induce an SSc-like pattern of gene expression, including the induction of cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2), collagen I and TGFβ1 protein. Celastrol alleviated the persistent fibrotic phenotype of dermal fibroblasts cultured from lesions of SSc patients. In the bleomycin-induced model of SSc dermatopathology, celastrol inhibited fibrosis and blocked nuclear localization of YAP in myofibroblasts. Conclusion: Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that compounds, such as celastrol, that antagonize the YAP pathway may be potential treatments for SSc skin fibrosis.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE226760 | GEO | 2023/11/01

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:Background: Fibrosis, defined by the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, including type I collagen, results in a stiff scar tissue that impairs organ function and can cause death. The effector cells of fibrosis are myofibroblasts, an activated form of fibroblast. In gingiva (gums), fibrotic responses are predominantly hyperproliferative (hyperplasia), where transforming growth factor (TGF)-β is overexpressed, and via canonical signaling pathway acts on gingival fibroblasts to induce fibroproliferative genes such as cellular communications network factor 2 (CCN2). Targeting of TGFβ for therapeutic gain however is challenging due its pleotropic nature, and therefore identifying new and targetable alternatives is warranted. We have shown that mechanical tension as a result of stiff ECM increases TGFβ-driven expression of CCN2 in gingival fibroblasts. We further identified yes-activated protein (YAP1), a mechanosensitive transcription (co)factor that translocate to nucleus in response to mechanical tension in gingival fibroblasts. To test if YAP is the perpetuator of TGFβ-mediated fibroproliferative gene induction, I used celastrol, a recently identified YAP/TAZ (transcriptional co-activator PDZ-binding motif) inhibitor, whose anti-fibrotic potential is not yet elucidated -- projecting it as a potential treatment option for gingival hyperplasia. Methods: Human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in culture were serum starved overnight and pretreated with 500nM Celastrol or DMSO for 45 minutes followed by stimulation with or without TGFβ1 for 6 hours (RT-PCR) and 24 hours (Western blot). mRNA samples collected at 6 hours were also analysed using BulkRNAsequencing and functional cluster analysis. Celastrol’s capacity to prevent the TGFβ induced proliferation of HGFs was investigated with BrdU cell proliferation assay. Celastrol’s ability to block TGFβ-mediated YAP nuclear localization in HGFs was assessed using immunofluorescent staining of YAP protein. Results: In response to added TGFβ1, the gene and protein expression of fibrotic marker and mediator CCN2 (a known YAP1 target) was significantly downregulated in the presence of Celastrol. Similarly, of the 1364 genes induced by TGFβ1 (>2-fold), 657 genes showed a >50% decrease in the presence of Celastrol including genes involved in fibrotic responses such as type 4 collagen, interleukin 11, etc., Functional cluster analysis revealed ECM, Wnt/cytokine signaling, focal adhesion clusters induced by added TGFβ1, were downregulated in a Celastrol sensitive fashion. Also, basal level proliferation of HGFs was repressed in the presence of Celastrol. Additionally, Celastrol also successfully blocked TGFβ-mediated nuclear translocation of YAP as seen with immunofluorescence microscopy. Conclusion: These results are consistent with our hypothesis that targeting YAP/TAZ may be useful in blocking the profibrotic effects of TGFβ and that celastrol or other YAP inhibitors are eligible candidates as a treatment option for gingival hyperplasia.

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The Triptryium wilfordii derivative celastrol has anti-fibrotic effects in systemic sclerosis [Spatial Transcriptomics]

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