Project description:Fibrosis is a common and integral pathological feature in various chronic diseases, capable of affecting any tissue or organ. Fibrosis within deep fascia is implicated in many myofascial disorders, including gluteal muscle contracture (GMC), Dupuytren’s disease, plantar fasciitis, iliotibial band syndrome, and chronic muscle pain. In this study, we performed scRNA seq analysis on fibrotic fascia associated with GMC and compared them to nonfibrotic control fascial samples. Our findings show that fibroblast and macrophage cells play a role in pathological tissue remodeling within fibrotic deep fascia. We observed an upregulation of various collagens, proteoglycans, and extracellular matrix (ECM) glycoproteins in contracture deep fascia, attributed to the widespread activation of fibroblast subclusters. Additionally, two pro fibrotic macrophage subpopulations, SPP1+ MP and ECM like MP, appear to facilitate ECM deposition in fibrotic deep fascia by either regulating fibroblast activation or directly contributing to ECM production. SPP1+ MP and ECM like MP cells, as well as the signal interaction between SPP1+ MP and fibroblast cells, present novel and potential therapeutic target for treating GMC and other related myofascial disorders.
Project description:Dupuytren’s contracture belongs to a large group of fibrotic diseases that share similar mechanisms but lack effective treatment and prevention options. Unlike fibrotic diseases affecting internal organs such as the heart, lung or liver which are typically diagnosed at later stages when the functions of the organ are irreversibly impaired, DD tissue can be diagnosed early and is readily accessible for scientific research after surgical excision. This enables us to analyse the mechanism of active fibrotic process in the relatively early-stage nodular tissue ex vivo. Here we described the changes in ECM-associated proteome of DD tissue and identified the components that potentially activate or promote the fibrosis in DD. Furthermore, our results indicate that the pathological changes in diseased ECM composition orchestrate a feedback loop through macrophage activation which promotes myofibroblast activation and differentiation.
Project description:The objective of this study was to analyze gene expression associated to extracellular matrix components of normal palmar fascia and tissues affected by Dupuytren's disease. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression associated to Dupuytren's disease. Total RNA was isolated from three different samples corresponding to two different individuals with Dupuytren's disease: Dupuytren's diseased contracture cords (DDC), palmar fascia clinically unaffected by Dupuytren's disease contracture (NPF), and normal forehand fascia (NFF).
Project description:Dupuytren's contracture (DC) is the most common inherited connective tissue disease of humans and is hypothesized to be associated with aberrant wound healing of the palmar fascia. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are believed to play an important role in the genesis of DC and the fibroproliferation and contraction that are hallmarks of this disease. This study compares the gene expression profiles of fibroblasts isolated from DC patients and controls in an attempt to identify key genes whose regulation might be significantly altered in fibroblasts found within the palmar fascia of Dupuytren's patients. Total RNA isolated from diseased palmar fascia (DC) and normal palmar fascia (obtained during carpal tunnel release; 6 samples per group) was subjected to quantitative analyses using two different microarray platforms (GE Code Link™ and Illumina™) to identify and validate differentially expressed genes. The data obtained was analyzed using The Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) software through which we identified 69 and 40 differentially regulated gene transcripts using the CodeLink™ and Illumina™ platforms, respectively. The CodeLink™ platform identified 18 upregulated and 51 downregulated genes. Using the Illumina™ platform, 40 genes were identified as downregulated, eleven of which were identified by both platforms. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the downregulation of three high-interest candidate genes which are all components of the extracellular matrix: proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), fibulin-1 (FBLN-1) transcript variant D, and type XV collagen alpha 1 chain. Overall, our study has identified a variety of candidate genes that may be involved in the pathophysiology of Dupuytren's contracture and may ultimately serve as attractive molecular targets for alternative therapies. Dupuytren's contracture and may ultimately serve as attractive molecular targets for alternative therapies. 6 Samples from carpal-tunnel derived fibroblasts and 6 Samples from Dupuytren's contracture-derived fibroblasts were hybridized to Illumina's Sentrix Human-6 Expression Beadchip and GE Code Link arrays.
Project description:Dupuytren's disease (DD) is characterized by nodular fibroblastic proliferation of the palmar fascia leading to contracture of the hand. We performed a cDNA microarray analysis of DD palmar cord tissue. Normal-appearing palmar fascia adjacent to the diseased cord from the same patient and palmar fascia from patients undergoing carpal tunnel release were used as controls. A type II microarray experiment was used on amplified sample RNA. Samples were hybridized to arrays containing 42,000 gene elements. Array data was analyzed with the on-line software from the Stanford Microarray Database. A disease state experiment design type is where the state of some disease such as infection, pathology, syndrome, etc is studied. Type: disease_state_design Series_overall_design: Computed Keywords: other
Project description:Dupuytren's contracture (DC) is the most common inherited connective tissue disease of humans and is hypothesized to be associated with aberrant wound healing of the palmar fascia. Fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are believed to play an important role in the genesis of DC and the fibroproliferation and contraction that are hallmarks of this disease. This study compares the gene expression profiles of fibroblasts isolated from DC patients and controls in an attempt to identify key genes whose regulation might be significantly altered in fibroblasts found within the palmar fascia of Dupuytren's patients. Total RNA isolated from diseased palmar fascia (DC) and normal palmar fascia (obtained during carpal tunnel release; 6 samples per group) was subjected to quantitative analyses using two different microarray platforms (GE Code Link™ and Illumina™) to identify and validate differentially expressed genes. The data obtained was analyzed using The Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) software through which we identified 69 and 40 differentially regulated gene transcripts using the CodeLink™ and Illumina™ platforms, respectively. The CodeLink™ platform identified 18 upregulated and 51 downregulated genes. Using the Illumina™ platform, 40 genes were identified as downregulated, eleven of which were identified by both platforms. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the downregulation of three high-interest candidate genes which are all components of the extracellular matrix: proteoglycan 4 (PRG4), fibulin-1 (FBLN-1) transcript variant D, and type XV collagen alpha 1 chain. Overall, our study has identified a variety of candidate genes that may be involved in the pathophysiology of Dupuytren's contracture and may ultimately serve as attractive molecular targets for alternative therapies. Dupuytren's contracture and may ultimately serve as attractive molecular targets for alternative therapies.
Project description:Dupuytren's disease (DD) is characterized by nodular fibroblastic proliferation of the palmar fascia leading to contracture of the hand. We performed a cDNA microarray analysis of DD palmar cord tissue. Normal-appearing palmar fascia adjacent to the diseased cord from the same patient and palmar fascia from patients undergoing carpal tunnel release were used as controls. A type II microarray experiment was used on amplified sample RNA. Samples were hybridized to arrays containing 42,000 gene elements. Array data was analyzed with the on-line software from the Stanford Microarray Database. A disease state experiment design type is where the state of some disease such as infection, pathology, syndrome, etc is studied. Type: disease_state_design Series_overall_design: Computed Keywords: other
Project description:Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a classic example of pathological fibrosis which results in a debilitating disorder affecting a large sector of the human population. It is characterized by excessive local proliferation of fibroblasts and over-production of collagen and other components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) in the palmar fascia. The fibrosis progressively results in contracture of elements between the palmar fascia and skin causing flexion deformity or clawing of the fingers and a severe reduction in hand function. While much is known about the pathogenesis and surgical treatment of DD, little is known about the factors that cause its onset and progression, despite many years of research. Gene expression patterns in DD patients now offers the potential to identify genes that direct the pathogenesis of DD. In this study, we used primary cultures of fibroblasts derived from excisional biopsies of fibrotic tissue from DD patients to compare the gene expression profiles on a genome-wide basis with normal control fibroblasts. Our investigations have identified genes that may be involved with DD pathogenesis including some which are directly relevant to fibrosis. In particular, these include significantly reduced expression levels of three matrix metallopeptidases (MMP1, MMP3, MMP16), follistatin, and STAT1, and significantly increased expression levels of fibroblast growth factors (FGF9, FGF11), a number of collagen genes and other ECM genes in DD patient samples. Many of these gene products are known to be involved in fibrosis, tumour formation and in the normal processes of tissue remodelling. In addition, alternative splicing was identified in some DD-associated genes. These highly sensitive genomic investigations provide new insight into the molecular mechanisms that may underpin the development and progression of DD. Four exon arrays of DD primary fibroblasts derived from fibrotic tissue were compared to fibroblasts derived from skin punch biopsies from individuals who did not show DD symptoms.