Selective inhibition of matrix mechanosensing in stromal cells attenuates cardiovascular fibrosis
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ABSTRACT:
ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE291370 | GEO | 2025/03/08
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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Project description:Fibrotic disease is caused by persistently activated fibroblasts, known as myofibroblasts, that continuously deposit extracellular matrix and fail to de-activate after injury resolution. There are currently no treatments for fibrotic disease; our study addresses the mechanisms whereby myofibroblasts persist in fibrotic tissues such as diseased cardiac valves. We exploit photo-softening hydrogels as synthetic valve tissue mimics and valve fibroblasts as a model to study how stiffness controls pathological myofibroblast activation and their persistence. We show that persistent myofibroblasts have condensed chromatin structure with genome-wide alterations and that this is associated with stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton. Disconnecting the nucleus from the cytoskeleton prevents chromatin condensation and myofibroblast persistence. Notably, myofibroblasts in patients with aortic valve stenosis display a condensed chromatin structure compared to myofibroblasts in a healthy patient, similar to the difference observed between cultured persistent myofibroblasts and transient myofibroblasts. Collectively, our results reveal that nuclear mechanosensing leads to distinct chromatin signatures in persistent myofibroblasts and that this novel cellular mechanism is likely relevant to human fibrotic disease.
2021-03-31 | GSE167892 | GEO
Project description:Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is currently the most common cause of fibrosis in the heart and has been reported to be closely associated with heart failure (HF). The transformation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) into myofibroblasts is key to the process of cardiac fibrosis, where CFs serve as the main effector cells. Accumulating evidence suggests that focal adhesions (FAs) regulate the transformation of CFs. Furthermore, transcription factor EB (TFEB) upregulates the transcriptional expression of genes involved in lysosome and autophagosome biogenesis following AMI. This study investigated whether TFEB directly targets and inhibits the activation of CFs and elucidated the underlying pathomechanisms. We performed a transcriptome analysis employing RNA sequencing in R26-LSL-TFEB [+/+]; Acta2-cre mice. Our study presents the first detailed RNA expression profile of CFs following AMI, demonstrating that TFEB regulates the expression of several RNAs involved in the transformation of CFs, including those associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) receptor pathways and FAs. Thrombospondin-1 (Thbs1) mRNA and protein were markedly upregulated in CFs. Bioinformatic prediction and chromatin immunoprecipitation identified that TFEB binds to the Thbs1 promoter. Experimental validation at both RNA and protein levels demonstrated that TFEB affects the binding of Thbs1 to its receptors and the activation of FAs. Concurrently, TFEB downregulates the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Taken together, our results highlight that targeting the regulation of Thbs1/FA signaling in CFs via TFEB may be a promising therapeutic approach for cardiac fibrosis.
2024-11-10 | GSE280395 | GEO
Project description:Differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) to myofibroblasts is necessary for matrix remodeling and fibrosis in heart failure. We previously reported mitochondrial calcium signaling drives α-ketoglutarate-dependent histone demethylation, promoting the myofibroblast gene program. Here, we investigated the role of ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), a key enzyme for acetyl-CoA biosynthesis, in histone acetylation regulating myofibroblast formation and persistence in cardiac fibrosis. Inactivation of ACLY prevented, and importantly reversed, myofibroblasts towards quiescence. Genetic deletion of Acly in activated myofibroblasts prevented fibrosis and preserved cardiac function in murine pressure-overload. TGFβ stimulation enhanced ACLY nuclear localization and increased H3K27ac at fibrotic gene loci. Pharmacological inhibition of ACLY or forced nuclear expression of dominant-negative ACLY mutant prevented myofibroblast formation and H3K27ac. Our data indicate nuclear ACLY activity is necessary for myofibroblast differentiation and persistence by maintaining histone acetylation at TGFβ-induced myofibroblast genes. These findings provide novel clinical rational to prevent and reverse pathological fibrosis. CUT&RUN Sequencing for H3K27ac on the role of ACLY in myofibroblast differentiaton.
2024-05-16 | GSE232010 | GEO
Project description:Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. As adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) have little regenerative capacity, after myocardial infarction (MI), resident cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) synthesize extracellular matrix to form scar tissues, resulting in myocardial remodeling and HF. Thus, both cardiac regeneration and fibrosis are therapeutic targets for chronic MI. We previously reported that fibroblasts were directly reprogrammed into induced CMs (iCMs) by overexpression of cardiogenic transcription factors in vitro and in vivo in acute MI. Here we show that in vivo cardiac reprogramming generated iCMs from resident CFs, improved cardiac function, and reversed fibrosis in chronic MI using a novel transgenic mouse system. Single-cell transcriptome analysis revealed that cardiac reprogramming shifted matrix-producing CFs, matrifibrocytes, to a quiescent state and changed the interstitial cell landscape, suppressing fibrotic and inflammatory signatures and activating angiogenic program. Thus, in vivo cardiac reprogramming may be a promising approach for chronic HF.
2022-12-12 | GSE185265 | GEO
Project description:Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are the primary cells tasked with extracellar matrix reorganization and significantly associated with heart failure (HF). Previous studies have shown that TEAD1 deficiency deteriorated heart development and homeostasis. However, the role of TEAD1 in fibroblasts during cardiac remodeling was still undiscovered. Our study demonstrated that TEAD1 was upregulated predominently in cardiac fibroblasts in mice 4 weeks after transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and Ang-II infusion. Echocardiographic and histological analyses demonstrated that CFs- and myofibroblasts-specific TEAD1 deficiency ameliorated TAC-induced cardiac remodeling and treatment with TEAD1 inhibitor, VT103, mimiced this phenotypic effect. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis , ChIP-Seq analysis identified TEAD1 promotes the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition through the Wnt signalling pathway. In conclusion, TEAD1 is an essential regulator of the pro-fibrotic CFs phenotype associated with pathological cardiac remodeling via the BRD4/Wnt4 signalling pathway.
2024-01-15 | GSE253118 | GEO
Project description:Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. As adult cardiomyocytes (CMs) have little regenerative capacity, after myocardial infarction (MI), resident cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) synthesize extracellular matrix to form scar tissues, resulting in myocardial remodeling and HF. Thus, both cardiac regeneration and fibrosis are therapeutic targets for chronic MI. We previously reported that fibroblasts were directly reprogrammed into induced CMs (iCMs) by overexpression of cardiogenic transcription factors in vitro and in vivo in acute MI. Here we show that in vivo cardiac reprogramming generated iCMs from resident CFs, improved cardiac function, and reversed fibrosis in chronic MI using a novel transgenic mouse system. Transcriptome analysis revealed that in vivo cardiac reprogramming altered the interstitial cell landscape, suppressed signs of fibrosis and inflammation, and activated the angiogenic program. Thus, in vivo cardiac reprogramming may be a promising approach for chronic HF.
2022-12-12 | GSE183932 | GEO
Project description:1.1 Introduction Cardiac fibrosis occurs in a wide range of cardiac diseases and is characterised by the transdifferentiation of cardiac fibroblasts into myofibroblasts these cells produce large quantities of extracellular matrix, resulting in myocardial scar. The profibrotic process is multi-factorial, meaning identification of effective treatments has been limited. The antifibrotic effect of the bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is established in cases of liver fibrosis however its mechanism and role in cardiac fibrosis is less well understood. 1.2 Methods In this study, we used cellular models of cardiac fibrosis and living myocardial slices to characterise the macroscopic and cellular responses of the myocardium to UDCA treatment. We complemented this approach by conducting RNA-seq on cardiac fibroblasts isolated from dilated cardiomyopathy patients. This allowed us to gain insights into the mechanism of action and explore whether the IL-11 and TGFβ/ WWP2 profibrotic networks are influenced by UDCA. Finally, we used fibroblasts from a TGR5 KO mouse to confirm the mechanism of action. 1.3 Results and Discussion We found that UDCA reduced myofibroblast markers in rat and human fibroblasts and in living myocardial slices, indicating its antifibrotic action. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the treatment of UDCA successfully reversed the profibrotic IL-11 and TGFβ/ WWP2 gene networks. We also show that TGR5 is the most highly expressed UDCA receptor in cardiac fibroblasts. Utilising cells isolated from a TGR5 knock-out mouse, we identified that the antifibrotic effect of UDCA is attenuated in the KO fibroblasts. This study combines cellular studies with RNA-seq and state-of-the-art living myocardial slices to offer new perspectives on cardiac fibrosis. Our data confirm that TGR5 agonists, such as UDCA, offer a unique pathway of action for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis. Medicines for cardiac fibrosis have been slow to clinic and have the potential to be used in the treatment of multiple cardiac diseases. UDCA is well tolerated in the treatment of other diseases, indicating it is an excellent candidate for further in-human trials.
2024-11-30 | E-MTAB-14602 | biostudies-arrayexpress
Project description:Aims: Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play a crucial role in cardiac remodelling, which is a common cause of heart failure (HF). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition remain largely unknown. Foxm1 is well known in various cardiopulmonary pathologies. However, Foxm1-driven CF activation in the progression of cardiac remodelling to HF remains to be investigated. Methods: Changes in Foxm1 expression were assessed in samples from patients with HF and mice with transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac remodelling. Pharmacologic antagonist FDI-6 was used to explore the effects of Foxm1 inhibition on post-TAC outcomes. Tcf21-Cre and PostnMCM were used to evaluate Foxm1 loss- and gain-of-function in CFs and myofibroblasts, respectively. Cardiac function and remodelling were examined by echocardiography and histological analysis. Foxm1 downstream target genes were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and transcriptomic analysis. Post-translational regulation was evaluated by in vitro chromatin immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assays. Pharmacological inhibition of Usp10 or knockout of p38γ in vivo verified the signalling pathway by which Foxm1 regulated cardiac remodelling. Results: Foxm1 was upregulated in human HF samples as well as in the mouse cardiac remodelling model. CFs were the primary cell type responsible for Foxm1 upregulation. Foxm1 pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockout in CFs or myofibroblasts significantly attenuated TAC-induced cardiac remodelling and HF. Conversely, conditional overexpression of Foxm1 in CFs or myofibroblasts resulted in more severe pathological cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. Combined RNA-sequencing and MS analysis revealed that Foxm1 promoted Usp10 expression by binding to its promoter. Usp10 interacted with p38γ, resulting in p38γ deubiquitination and thus influencing the downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of Usp10 or genetic knockout of p38γ ameliorated the exacerbated TAC-induced cardiac remodelling in mice with myofibroblast-specific Foxm1 overexpression. Conclusion: Our findings reveal an essential role of Foxm1 in CF activation during cardiac remodelling. These results suggest that targeting the Foxm1/Usp10/p38γ MAPK axis may represent a new potential therapeutic strategy against pathological cardiac remodelling and HF.
2024-03-03 | PXD050281 | Pride
Project description:Aims: Cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) play a crucial role in cardiac remodelling, which is a common cause of heart failure (HF). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition remain largely unknown. Foxm1 is well known in various cardiopulmonary pathologies. However, Foxm1-driven CF activation in the progression of cardiac remodelling to HF remains to be investigated. Methods: Changes in Foxm1 expression were assessed in samples from patients with HF and mice with transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac remodelling. Pharmacologic antagonist FDI-6 was used to explore the effects of Foxm1 inhibition on post-TAC outcomes. Tcf21-Cre and PostnMCM were used to evaluate Foxm1 loss- and gain-of-function in CFs and myofibroblasts, respectively. Cardiac function and remodelling were examined by echocardiography and histological analysis. Foxm1 downstream target genes were identified by mass spectrometry (MS) and transcriptomic analysis. Post-translational regulation was evaluated by in vitro chromatin immunoprecipitation, co-immunoprecipitation, and ubiquitination assays. Pharmacological inhibition of Usp10 or knockout of p38γ in vivo verified the signalling pathway by which Foxm1 regulated cardiac remodelling. Results: Foxm1 was upregulated in human HF samples as well as in the mouse cardiac remodelling model. CFs were the primary cell type responsible for Foxm1 upregulation. Foxm1 pharmacological inhibition or genetic knockout in CFs or myofibroblasts significantly attenuated TAC-induced cardiac remodelling and HF. Conversely, conditional overexpression of Foxm1 in CFs or myofibroblasts resulted in more severe pathological cardiac remodelling and dysfunction. Combined RNA-sequencing and MS analysis revealed that Foxm1 promoted Usp10 expression by binding to its promoter. Usp10 interacted with p38γ, resulting in p38γ deubiquitination and thus influencing the downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway. Pharmacological inhibition of Usp10 or genetic knockout of p38γ ameliorated the exacerbated TAC-induced cardiac remodelling in mice with myofibroblast-specific Foxm1 overexpression. Conclusion: Our findings reveal an essential role of Foxm1 in CF activation during cardiac remodelling. These results suggest that targeting the Foxm1/Usp10/p38γ MAPK axis may represent a new potential therapeutic strategy against pathological cardiac remodelling and HF.
2024-03-10 | PXD050300 | Pride
Project description:Accumulation of activated cardiac fibroblasts plays a key role in heart failure progression. These cells deposit excessive extracellular matrix that leads to mechanical stiffness, myocyte uncoupling and ischemia. To investigate whether two developmentally distinct cardiac fibroblast populations exhibit distinct expression profiles in response to cardiac injury, and therefore might necessitate distinct therapeutic targeting, we performed microarray analysis on FACS sorted cells. Tie2cre lineage traced CFs, non Tie2cre lineage traced cardiac fibroblasts and endothelial cells were isolated from left ventricle of SHAM operated and banded hearts at the onset of fibrosis, one week after surgery. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts and endothelium following pressure overload. Tie2cre lineage traced, non-tie2cre lineage traced fibroblasts and endothelial cells were sorted from left ventricle of 3 SHAM operated and 3 TAC operated adult male Black Swiss mice. Tie2cre lineage traced, non-tie2cre lineage traced fibroblasts and endothelial cells were sorted from left ventricle of 3 SHAM operated and 3 Transaortic Constriction (TAC) operated adult male Black Swiss mice for RNA extraction and Affymetrix microarray analysis. Hypertrophy in TAC animals, an lack of hypertrophy in SHAM operated animals, was evaluated by hemodynamic measurements before surgery and one week after surgery. Cells were isolated one week after surgery.
2014-05-19 | E-GEOD-45820 | biostudies-arrayexpress