Regulation mechanism of macrophage transition in renal fibrosis / 器官移植

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological change from development to end-stage renal diseases in all progressive chronic kidney diseases. Renal fibrosis after kidney transplantation will severely affect the renal graft function. Macrophages are characterized with high heterogeneity and plasticity. During the process of kidney injury, macrophages are recruited, activated and polarized by local microenvironment, and participate in the process of renal tissue injury, repair and fibrosis through multiple mechanisms. Recent studies have shown that macrophages may transit into myofibroblasts and directly participate in the formation of renal fibrosis. This process is known as macrophage-myofibroblast transition. Nevertheless, the regulatory mechanism remains elusive. In this article, the role of macrophages in renal fibrosis, the characteristics of macrophage-myofibroblast transition and the possible regulatory mechanism were reviewed, aiming to provide reference for relevant research of renal fibrosis.

Role of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in pulmonary fibrosis after rheumatoid arthritis in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) - associated postinterstitial pulmonary fibrosis in mice. Methods The mouse model of RA was constructed by subcutaneous administration of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and chicken II collagen (Col-II) to the tail root of mice. The blank group was given the same amount of distilled water, and the control group was given the same amount of glacial acetic acid (solvent). The degree of toe swelling (joint swelling degree and arthritis index) was monitored to evaluate the mouse modeling. The pathological changes of mouse lung tissues were observed by HE and Masson staining. The expression of TGF-β in lung tissues were observed by immunohistochemical staining. The level of hydroxyproline in lung tissues was measured by chemiluminescence method. The expressions of Smad2, Smad3 and phosphorylated p-Smad2 and phosphorylated p-Smad3 in lung tissues were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with blank group and solvent group, the joint swelling and arthritis index of model group significantly increased. Twenty-one days after administration, HE staining showed inflammatory changes in lung interstitium of the model group, Masson staining showed collagen fiber deposition and obvious fibrosis in lung interstitium of the model group, and immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression of TGF-β in cytoplasm of lung interstitial cells of the model group increased, which was brown and yellow. Meanwhile, hydroxyproline was significantly raised in lung tissue homogenate of the model group. Further WB analysis showed that compared with blank group and solvent group, the expression of p-Smad2 and pSmad3 in lung tissues of the model group was significantly up-regulated (P < 0. 05, P < 0. 01). Conclusions RA can give rise to pulmonary fibrosis, and the expressions of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 are up-regulated, which is be pivotal in pulmonary fibrosis and RA-related post-interstitial pulmonary fibrosis.

Effect mechanism of acupuncture for anti-asthmatic airway remodeling based on TGF-β1 / Smad3 signaling pathway / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13) + "Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) and "Kongzui" (LU 6) + "Yuji" (LU 10) for the airway remodeling in asthma rats based on the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/ Smad family member 3 (Smad3) signaling pathway; and explore the efficacy difference between the two acupoint combinations.@*METHODS@#Forty SPF male SD rats, aged 4 weeks, were randomly divided into a blank group (n = 10) and a modeling group (n = 30). The ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization method was used to establish asthma model in the modeling group. After successful model preparation, the rats of the modeling group were randomized into a model group, an acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13) + "Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) (AAF) group, and acupuncture at "Kongzui" (LU 6)+"Yuji" (LU 10) (AAK) group, with 10 rats in each one. Starting from day 15 of the experiment, 5 min after motivating, acupuncture was applied to "Feishu" (BL 13) + "Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) and "Kongzui" (LU 6)+"Yuji" (LU 10) in the AAF group and the AAK group respectively. The intervention was delivered for 30 min each time, once daily, lasting 3 weeks consecutively. Using lung function detector, the airway resistance (RL) and dynamic compliance (Cdyn) of the lungs were detected. The histomorphology of lung tissues was detected with HE staining and Masson staining, and the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in lung tissues was detected with the real-time PCR and Western blot methods.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the blank group, RL was increased and Cdyn was decreased in the rats of the model group (P<0.01); and RL was reduced and Cdyn was increased in the AAF group and the AAK group when compared with those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The rats of the model group had bronchial lumen stenosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, collagen fibre hyperplasia and thickened smooth muscle in the lung tissues when compared with those in the blank group; and in comparison with the model group, all of the above morphological changes were attenuated in the AAF group and the AAK group. Besides, these morphological changes of the lung tissues were more alleviated in the AAF group when compared with those in the AAK group. In comparison with the blank group, the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 of the lung tissues was increased in the model group (P<0.01), and it was reduced in the AAF group and the AAK group when compared with that in the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3 was lower in the AAF group when compared with that in the AAK group (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Acupuncture at either "Feishu" (BL 13)+"Dingchuan" (EX-B 1) or "Kongzui" (LU 6)+"Yuji" (LU 10) reduces the airway remodeling in the rats with asthma, which may be related to the down-regulation of mRNA and protein expression of TGF-β1 and Smad3. The better efficacy is obtained with acupuncture at "Feishu" (BL 13)+"Dingchuan" (EX-B 1).

Bacteroides fragilis ATCC25285 relieves colitis by inducing Treg cells differentiation via the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway / 中国药科大学学报

@#The changes in intestinal flora are usually associated with different gastrointestinal diseases, and intestinal flora homeostasis can enhance immune tolerance and regulate intestinal immune balance.Previous studies have found that the increase of the relative abundance of Bacteroides fragilis (B.fragilis) in Bacteroides intestinalis can significantly enhance the expression of intestinal regulatory T cells (Treg) and anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus alleviating intestinal inflammation.However, the mechanism of B.fragilis regulating intestinal immunity is still unclear.In this study, an acute colitis model was constructed by giving 3% DSS in drinking water solution to SPF-grade C57BL/6 mice for 7 days, and exogenous supplementation B.fragilis was given to mice by gastric gavage to study its regulatory effect on intestinal immunity and its mechanism of action.The results showed that B.fragilis could improve the intestinal flora disorder in mice with colitis and increase the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the main metabolite of the intestinal flora.By extracting mouse tissue lymphocytes, naive CD4+ T cells, and liposome-modified siRNA knockdown mouse Smad3, it was further discovered by flow cytometry that B.fragilis induced the expression of intestinal Treg cells and related cytokines through the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, which enhanced intestinal regulatory immunity and alleviated colitis.It was also found that B.fragilis activated TGF-β by increasing the expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thus inducing Treg cell differentiation and playing an immunomodulatory role.

Medicated Serum of Bupleuri Radix Regulates HFL1 Apoptosis and Fibroblast-myofibroblast Transition via Smad3/Rheb Axis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTransforming growth factor-β1 （TGF-β1） was used to stimulate human fetal lung fibroblast 1 （HFL1） for simulating the pathological process of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis （IPF） and thereby the effects and mechanism of medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix against IPF were investigated. MethodTGF-β1 （10 μg·L-1） was employed to stimulate HFL1， and cells were treated with medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix （5%， 10%， 15%， 20%） for 24 h. Then cell proliferation rate was determined with cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8）. Subsequently， cells were classified into the control group （20% blank serum）， TGF-β1 group （20% blank serum and 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1）， TGF-β1 + medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group （5% blank serum， 15% medicated serum， and 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1）， and TGF-β1 + SIS3 group （3 μmol·L-1 SIS3， 20% blank serum， 10 μg·L-1 TGF-β1）. Based on in situ end labeling （TUNEL） staining， the apoptosis rate was examined， and mRNA expression of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） and myofibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The protein expression of α-SMA， Ras homolog enriched in brain （Rheb）， and phosphorylated （p）-Smad3 was determined by immunofluorescence. Expression of Rheb， p-Smad3， and Smad3 was examined by Western blot. ResultThe cell proliferation rate of TGF-β1 group increased compared with that of the control group （P<0.05）. The cell proliferation rate of TGF+15% medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group and TGF+20% medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group decreased compared with that of the TGF-β1 group （P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， TGF-β1 group showed decrease in apoptosis rate， increase in mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and α-SMA， reduction in Bax mRNA expression， and rise of α-SMA and Rheb protein expression and p-Smad3 level （P<0.05）. Compared with TGF-β1 group， TGF-β1 + medicated serum of Bupleuri Radix group and TGF-β1 + SIS3 group demonstrated high apoptosis rate， low Bcl-2 and α-SMA mRNA expression， high Bax mRNA expression， and low α-SMA and Rheb protein expression and p-Smad3 level （P<0.05）. ConclusionMedicated serum of Bupleuri Radix can inhibit TGF-β1-induced HFL1 proliferation and fibroblast-myofibroblast transition and promote fibroblast apoptosis by regulating the Smad3/Rheb axis.

Inhibition of ginsenoside Rb 1 on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of ginsenoside Rb 1（G-Rb1）on epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）of renal tubular epithelial cells and its potential mechanism. METHODS The growth factor β1（TGF-β1）10 ng/mL was used to induce EMT of human renal tubular epithelial cells HK- 2. The morphological changes of HK- 2 cells were observed after treated with 10， 20，30 μmol/L G-Rb1 for 48 h. The transcriptional activities of biovector SBE in human embryonic kidney cell HEK 293 were determined after 24 h treatment with 1.0，2.5，5.0，10，20，30 μmol/L G-Rb1. Effects of above concentration of G-Rb 1 on the viability of HK- 2 cells were determined after 24 h of treatment. mRNA expressions of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA），collagen Ⅰ （COL-Ⅰ）and fibronectin （FN）in HK- 2 cells were detected after treated with 10，20，30 μmol/L G-Rb1 for 24 h. The expressions of α-SMA，Smad3，p-Smad3，COL-Ⅰ，FN and E-cadherin were detected after treated with 10，20，30 μmol/L G-Rb1 for 24 h. RESULTS G-Rb1 of 10-30 μmol/L significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced EMT in HK- 2 cells and the increase of transcriptional activities of biovector SBE induced by TGF-β1（P＜0.05），but had no effects on relative activities of HK- 2 cells（P＞0.05）. The protein and mRNA expressions of α-SMA，COL-Ⅰ and FN ， the protein expressions of Smad 3 and p-Smad 3 were significantly up-regulated induced by TGF-β1（P＜0.05），while the protein expression of E-cadherin was significantly down- regulated（P＜0.05）；G-Rb1 could effectively reverse aboveprotein or mRNA expressions. CONCLUSIONS G-Rb1 can protect renal tubular epithelial cells from EMT induced byxiezhishen TGF-β1 to a certain extent ，which may be related to inhibiting the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Role of CD73 in endogenous protective mechanism of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice and the relationship with TGF-β 1/Smad3 signaling pathway / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the role of ecto-5′-nucleotidase (CD73) in endogenous protective mechanism of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice and the relationship with transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β 1)/Smad3 signaling pathway. Methods:Twenty-four SPF healthy male C57BL/6 mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 20-23 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (S group), hepatic I/R group (IR group) and hepatic I/R plus CD73 specific inhibitor group (APCP group). The hepatic hilum was only exposed but not occluded in group S. The hepatic portal was occluded for 30 min followed by reperfusion to develop the model of hepatic I/R in anesthetized animals in group IR.CD73-specific inhibitor APCP 40 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected, and 10 min later hepatic I/R was performed.Orbital venous blood samples were collected at 6 h of reperfusion for determination of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) concentrations.Then the mice were sacrificed, and liver tissues were obtained for determination of the expression of CD73, TGF-β 1 and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) (by Western blot), contents of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), and content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (with a visible spectrophotometer) and for microscopic examination of the pathological changes of liver tissues (with a light microscope). Results:Compared with group S, the concentrations of AST and ALT in serum and contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA in liver tissues were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, and the expression of CD73, TGF-β 1 and p-Smad3 was up-regulated in IR and APCP groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group IR, the concentrations of AST and ALT in serum and contents of IL-1β, TNF-α and MDA in liver tissues were significantly increased, the activity of SOD was decreased, and the expression of CD73, TGF-β 1 and p-Smad3 in liver tissues was down-regulated in group APCP ( P<0.05). The pathological changes of liver tissues were accentuated in group APCP as compared with group IR. Conclusions:CD73 is involved in the process of endogenous protective mechanism of hepatic I/R injury in mice, which may be related to the regulation of TGF-β 1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Fuganlin oral liquid ameliorates airway remodeling through TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in asthmatic mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the effect of Fuganlin on airway remodeling in obese asthmatic mice and its mechanism.Methods A model of chronic airway inflammation in C57 BL/6 mice with obese asthma induced by OVA and high-fat diet was established,and treated with Fuganlin 5.86,11.72 and 23.44 g·kg-1 by gavage.After the last challenge,the respiratory system resistance(Rrs),respiratory system elasticity(Ers),and respiratory system compliance(Crs)were measured with a lung function oscillator; the total number of white blood cells in whole blood was measured; tissue HE and MASSON staining were employed to observe the pathological changes.ELISA was used to detect the levels of IgE in serum and the levels of TGF-β1,Smad3 and SP in lung tissues; IHC was used to detect the expression levels of Smad3,SARA and protein in lung tissues.Results Fuganlin reduced the increase in the number of white blood cells in blood and inhibited the content of IgE in serum.Fuganlin could reduce the Rrs and Ers,enhance the Crs and regulate the respiratory function.Histopathological results showed that Fuganlin could reduce inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen deposition in the chronic airway inflammation model of obese mice,and inhibit bronchial mucosal proliferation; ELISA results showed that Fuganlin inhibited the expression of TGF-β1,Smad3,and SP; IHC results showed that Smad3 and SARA protein expression decreased.Conclusions The anti-obesity asthma effect of Fuganlin may help to improve respiratory function,control airway inflammation,and antagonize airway remodeling.

Chaperone-mediated Autophagy Regulates Cell Growth by Targeting SMAD3 in Glioma / 神经科学通报·英文版

Previous studies suggest that the reduction of SMAD3 (mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3) has a great impact on tumor development, but its exact pathological function remains unclear. In this study, we found that the protein level of SMAD3 was greatly reduced in human-grade IV glioblastoma tissues, in which LAMP2A (lysosome-associated membrane protein type 2A) was significantly up-regulated. LAMP2A is a key rate-limiting protein of chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA), a lysosome pathway of protein degradation that is activated in glioma. We carefully analyzed the amino-acid sequence of SMAD3 and found that it contained a pentapeptide motif biochemically related to KFERQ, which has been proposed to be a targeting sequence for CMA. In vitro, we confirmed that SMAD3 was degraded in either serum-free or KFERQ motif deleted condition, which was regulated by LAMP2A and interacted with HSC70 (heat shock cognate 71 kDa protein). Using isolated lysosomes, amino-acid residues 75 and 128 of SMAD3 were found to be of importance for this process, which affected the CMA pathway in which SMAD3 was involved. Similarly, down-regulating SMAD3 or up-regulating LAMP2A in cultured glioma cells enhanced their proliferation and invasion. Taken together, these results suggest that excessive activation of CMA regulates glioma cell growth by promoting the degradation of SMAD3. Therefore, targeting the SMAD3-LAMP2A-mediated CMA-lysosome pathway may be a promising approach in anti-cancer therapy.

Huangkui capsule in combination with leflunomide improves immunoglobulin a nephropathy by inhibiting the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy and potential molecular mechanism of Huangkui capsule in combination with leflunomide (HKL) for the treatment of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) METHODS: IgAN rat models were constructed by treating rats with bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and tetrachloromethane. Th22 cells were isolated from the blood samples of patients with IgAN using a CD4+ T cell isolation kit. The expression levels of the components of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, namely, TGF-β1, Smad2, Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7, were detected using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay, cell viability was determined using the WST 1 method, and the chemotaxis of Th22 cells was observed using the wound healing assay. Changes in the histology of the kidney tissues were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. RESULTS: Compared with IgAN rats, the rats subjected to HKL treatment showed good improvement in kidney injuries, and the combined drug treatment performed much better than the single-drug treatment. In addition, following HKL treatment, the viability, proliferation, and chemotaxis of Th22 cells dramatically decreased (*p<0.05, **p<0.01, and ***p<0.001). In addition, CCL20, CCL22, and CCL27 levels decreased and the expression of the key components of the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was downregulated in IgAN rats and Th22 cells (*p<0.05, ***p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: By targeting the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway, HKL treatment can improve kidney injury in IgAN rats as well as the excessive proliferation and metastasis of Th22 cells.

Tangshen formula promotes cellular cholesterol efflux in HG-induced mTECs by suppression of TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To observe the effect of Tangshen formula (TSF) treatment on TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway and cellular cholesterol efflux and explore its potential mechanism in HG-induced mouse tubular epithelial cells (mTECs). METHODS: After 25 mmol/L high glucose induced mTECs, TSF and Smad3 inhibitor SIS3 were given to intervene respectively. The lipid content in the cells was detected by ELISA kit; TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway and PGC-1α, LXR, ABCA1, ABCG1 were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS: TSF diminished the levels of TC, TG, LDL-C and increased the levels of HDL-C in HG-induced mTECs. Western blot and real-time PCR analysis showed that expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad3, Collagen and Fibronectin were significantly downregulated in the HG-induced mTECs with TSF and SIS3 treatment. And PGC-1α, LXR, ABCA1, ABCG1 expression levels were significantly upregulated in the HG-induced mTECs with TSF and SIS3 treatment. CONCLUSION: TSF can promote the cellular cholesterol efflux in HG-induced mTECs vis suppression of TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.

Transcriptional co-activator p300 participates in atrial fibrosis induced by high hydrostatic pressure by regulating TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role and potential mechanism of transcriptional co-activator p300 in atrial fibrosis caused by high hydrostatic pressure. Methods The left atrial appendage tissues of humans in three groups of sinus rhythm, atrial fibrillation (AF), hypertension and AF were collected. The expressions of p300 protein and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway and fibrotic factors as type I/III collagen Alphal chain (Col-lAl/Col-3Al), matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 (MMP-2/9) were tested by Western blot. Mouse atrial appendage fibroblasts were cultured under hydrostatic pressures of 0, 20 and 40 mmHg. The fibroblasts cultured under 40 mmHg pressure were treated with curcumin and p300 interference RNA. Western blot was used to test changes in the expression of p300 and the above fibrosis indicators. CCK-8 method was used to test changes of cell proliferation. Results The expressions of p300 and TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway proteins and fibrotic factors in AF group and hypertension combined with AF group were significantly higher than those in sinus rhythm group (P < 0. 05). 40 mmHg high hydrostatic pressure stimulation in vitro could increase the expression of p300 and fibrotic factors in fibroblasts (P < 0. 0 5) and enhance the proliferation ability (P < 0. 05). Both curcumin and p300 interfering RNA could reverse the increased expression of p300 and fibrotic factors (P < 0. 05) and decrease cell proliferation (P < 0. 05) induced by hydrostatic pressure. Conclusions High hydrostatic pressure can induce atrial fibrosis, which involves the participation of p300 in this process by regulating the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway.

Lung Protective Mechanism of Compound Kushen Injection on Radiation-induced Pulmonary Injury / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To observe the effect of compound Kushen injection on the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein 3 (Smad3), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin mice models with radiation-induced pulmonary injury (RIPI), in order to explore its possible mechanism of action. Method::On XStrahl precision radiation research platform for small animals (SARRP), a single 20 Gy bilateral lung field irradiation was performed to establish a mice model of RIPI. Thirty-two mice were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, compound Kushen injection group and dexamethasone injection group. The normal control group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.9%sodium chloride solution and injected intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. The pathology of lung tissue tissues was observed by using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemical(IHC) was used to detect the expressions of E-cadheren and Vimentin proteins in mice lung tissues.Real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) was used to detect the mRNA expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3, GSK-3β and β-cateninin.Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3, GSK-3β and β-cateninin. Result::Compared with the normal group, the pulmonary coefficient of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Inflammatory cell infiltration, pulmonary interstitial edema, congestion, destruction of alveolar structure and partial alveolar atrophy were observed in the lung tissues of the model group. Compared with the model group, in the compound Kushen injection group, the levels of infiltration of lung inflammatory cells and pulmonary interstitial lesions in mice, the expression of Vimentin in lung tissues (P<0.01), and the expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3, GSK-3β and β-cateninin were significantly decreased (P<0.01), whereas the expression of E-cadheren was significantly increased (P<0.01). However, compared with the dexamethasone injection group, in the compound Kushen injection group, the pathological changes of lung tissues were similar, and the expression levels of E-cadheren, Vimentin, TGF-β1, Smad3, GSK-3β and β-cateninin were not significantly different. Conclusion::Compound Kushen injection can alleviate pulmonary fibrosis of lung in the treatment of RIPI, and the mechanism may be associated with inhibiting the mRNA and protein expressions of TGF-β1, Smad3, GSK-3β and β-catenin related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT), promoting the expression of E-cadheren, and inhibiting the expression of Vimentin, so as to inhibit the occurrence of EMT.

Study on neuroprotective mechanism of salidroside after ischemic stroke based on TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of salidroside after ischemic stroke and its regulation mechanism in TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Methods: A total of 48 SPF SD male rats aged 12-15 weeks were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12): Sham-operated group (sham group), model group, salidroside group (treatment group), and signaling pathway-enhanced intervention group (TGF-β1 group). In the model group, treatment group, and TGF-β1 group, a permanent focal cerebral ischemia rat model was established by suture method, and the sham group was not inserted with nylon thread. 48 h before the modeling operation, the treatment group and the TGF-β1 group were given drug intervention at a fixed time every morning: the treatment group was administered with 10 mg/kg salidroside ventricle, and the TGF-β1 group was treated with 20 mg/kg TGF-β1. The intraventricular injection was administered, and the sham group and the model group were given an equal volume of physiological saline. After 14 d of continuous administration, each group of rats was sacrificed by decapitation. TTC staining, Nissl staining, TUNEL staining, immunofluorescence, and Western blot were used to determine the infarct volume, the number of intact neurons, the cell apoptosis, the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 expression, the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, TGF-β1, and p-Smad3. The ultrastructural changes of brain tissue were observed by electron microscopy. Results: Compared with the sham group, the cerebral infarction volume of the model group was significantly increased, the number of intact neurons in the brain tissue was significantly reduced, the apoptosis rate of nerve cells was significantly increased, and the expression of Bax was significantly increased, the expression of Bax was significantly decreased. The expression of TGF-β1 and p-Smad3 was significantly increased, and the difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion: Salidroside can activate the TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway after ischemic stroke, thereby alleviating neurological damage and exerting protective effects on nerve cells.

Metformin inhibits collagen production in rat biliary fibroblasts: the molecular signaling mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To clarify the molecular signaling mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of metformin on transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)-stimulated collagen I production in rat biliary fibroblasts.@*METHODS@#Primary biliary fibroblasts were isolated under aseptic condition from 50 Sprague-Dawley rats (half male and half female), and microscopic observation identified no obvious difference in the morphology or viability of the cells from rats with different sexes or body weight. The cells were treated with TGF-β1 (10 ng/mL), Smad3 siRNA+TGF-β1, CTGF siRNA+TGF-β1, metformin (10 mmol/L)+ TGF-β1, or Compound C (10 μmol/L)+metformin+TGF-β1. The expressions of CTGF and collagen I in the treated cells were determined using ELISA kit or Western blotting; the phorsphorylated and total Smad3 and AMPK expressions were detected using immunoblotting.@*RESULTS@#TGF-β1 time- and dose-dependently induced collagen I production in rat biliary fibroblasts. The activated AMPK by metformin dose-dependently inhibited TGF-β1-induced collagen I production. Pre-incubation of cells with the AMPK inhibitor Compound C restored the inhibitory effect of AMPK on TGF-β1-induced collagen I secretion ( < 0.01). Activation of AMPK by metformin significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced collagen I production by suppressing Smad3-driven CTGF expression ( < 0.01), and the application of Compound C reversed such changes in the fibroblasts ( < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Metformin inhibits TGF-β1-stimulated collagen I production by activating AMPK and inhibiting Smad3- driven CTGF expression in rat biliary fibroblasts.

Intervention of phlegm and blood stasis inhibits TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in the kidney of diabetic rats / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the effect of traditional Chinese medicine for intervention of phlegm and blood stasis in regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling and relieving nephropathy in diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#SD rats were divided into blank group (NC), diabetic model group (MC group), intervention of phlegm and blood stasis (RPDBS) group, phlegm-removing (RP) group and blood-removing (DBS) group. Diabetic models were established in all the rats except for those in the blank group. After 4 weeks of feeding, the rats in RPDBS group, RP group and DBS group were given corresponding drug intervention for 8 weeks. HE staining was used to observe the changes in renal histopathology. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect the expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad3.@*RESULTS@#The structure and arrangement of the glomeruli and renal tubules improved significantly in the treatment groups in comparison with those in the MC group. The expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad3 and p-Smad3 were significantly downregulated at both the protein and mRNA levels in the treatment groups ( < 0.05), and the down-regulation was more obvious in RPDBS group than in RP group and DBS group ( < 0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Intervention of phlegm and blood stasis may inhibit the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and delay diabetic nephropathy and fibrosis to protect the renal function in diabetic rats.

Rapamycin alleviates inflammation by up-regulating TGF-β/Smad signaling in a mouse model of autoimmune encephalomyelitis / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the efficacy of rapmycin for treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice and explore the underlying mechanism.@*METHODS@#An EAE model was established in C57BL/6 mice. After immunization, the mice were divided into model group and rapamycin groups treated daily with low-dose (0.3 mg/kg) or high-dose (1 mg/kg) rapamycin. The clinical scores of the mice were observed using Knoz score, the infiltration of IL-17 cells in the central nervous system (CNS) was determined using immunohistochemistry; the differentiation of peripheral Treg cells was analyzed using flow cytometry, and the changes in the levels of cytokines were detected with ELISA; the changes in the expressions of p-Smad2 and p- smad3 were investigated using Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#High-dose rapamycin significantly improved the neurological deficits scores of EAE mice. In high-dose rapamycin group, the scores in the onset stage, peak stage and remission stage were 0.14±0.38, 0.43±1.13 and 0.14±0.37, respectively, as compared with 1.14±0.69, 2.14±1.06 and 2.2±0.75 in the model group. The infiltration of inflammatory IL-17 cells was significantly lower in high-dose rapamycin group than in the model group (43±1.83 153.5±7.02). High-dose rapamycin obviously inhibited the production of IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-23 and induced the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. The percentage of Treg in CD4+ T cells was significantly higher in high- dose rapamycin group than in the model group (10.17 ± 0.68 3.52 ± 0.32). In the experiment, combined treatments of the lymphocytes isolated from the mice with rapamycin and TGF-β induced a significant increase in the number of Treg cells (13.66±1.89) compared with the treatment with rapamycin (6.23±0.80) or TGF-β (4.87±0.85) alone. Rapamycin also obviously up-regulated the expression of p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 in the lymphocytes.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Rapamycin can promote the differentiation of Treg cells by up-regulating the expression of p-Smad2 and p-smad3 to improve neurological deficits in mice with EAE.

Effect of Kangxianling Decoction on TGF-β1/Smad Signal Pathway in Renal Fibrosis Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To study the therapeutic effect of Kangxianling Decoction on renal fibrosis induced by 5/6 nephrectomization in rats, and discuss its action mechanism. Method: Totally 50 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10), sham-operation group (n=10), and 5/6 nephrectomized renal fibrosis model group (n=30). After successful modeling, rats were randomly divided into the model group, Kangxianling group, and Losartan Potassium group. Rats in the Losartan Potassium group were administered with Losartan Potassium by gastrogavage; rats in the Kangxianling group were administered with Kangxianling by gastrogavage. Equal volume of distilled water was administered to rats in the other groups. Rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks of consecutive medication, and then serum creatinine (SCr), urea nitrogen (BUN), 24 hour urine protein (24 h-Pro) were measured in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the renal pathological changes and the score of Kidney damage was made. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of renal fibrosis. Western blot and real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), Smad2, Smad3, and Smad7 in kidneys. Result: As compared with the normal control and sham-operation group, the renal tissue fibrosis, score of kidney damage, SCr, BUN and 24 h-Pro levels were higher in model group (Pβ1, Smad2, and Smad3 (PPPβ1, Smad2, Smad3 were reduced (PPConclusion: Kangxianling decoction could alleviate renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway.

Inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway by SB431542: A study of the intervention effect of SB431542 on silicotic fibrosis in rats / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the intervention effect of SB431542, which inhibits the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, on silicotic fibrosis in rats.@*Methods@#A total of 40 specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal saline control group, model group, SB431542 inhibitor group, and SB431542 inhibitor control group using a random number table, with 10 rats in each group. All rats except those in the normal saline control group were given non-exposed single intratracheal instillation of free silicon dioxide dust suspension 1 mL (50 mg/mL) ; the rats in the SB431542 inhibitor group were given intraperitoneal injection of SB431542 (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 30 after dust exposure, those in the SB431542 inhibitor control group were given intraperitoneal injection of SB431542 cosolvent (5 mg/kg) on days 7 and 30 after dust exposure, and those in the normal saline control group were given intratracheal instillation of an equal volume of normal saline (5 mg/kg). On day 60 after dust exposure, the paraffin-embedded section of the right upper lobe of lung was collected for HE staining; the left upper lobe of lung was collected to measure the mRNA levels of fibronectin (FN) , collagen type I (COL-I) , and collagen type III (COL-III) by quantitative real-time PCR; the right inferior lobe of lung was collected to measure the protein levels of FN, COL-I, COL-III, phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) , and Smad3.@*Results@#Compared with the normal saline control group, the model group had nodules with various sizes in lung tissue, with rupture of some alveolar septa, emphysema changes, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, as well as significant increases in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 in lung tissue (P<0.05) . Compared with the SB431542 inhibitor control group, the SB431542 inhibitor group had a relatively complete structure of lung tissue without marked nodules and with a small amount of exudate in alveolar space and the lumen of bronchioles, as well as significant reductions in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 in lung tissue (P<0.05) . There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of FN, COL-I, and COL-III and the protein expression of FN, COL-I, COL-III, p-Smad3, and Smad3 between the model group and the SB431542 inhibitor control group (P>0.05) .@*Conclusion@#SB431542 exerts an intervention effect on silicotic fibrosis by blocking the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway and reducing the expression of the downstream fibrosis factors FN, COL-I, and COL-III.

Effect of Yanghe decoction on the expression of Smad3 and NF-κB in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effect of Yanghe decoction serum on the proliferation of breast cancer stem cells MDA-MB-231 and the expression of Smad3 and NF-κB.@*Methods@#According to the random number table method, 20 female SD rats were divided into blank control group and Yanghe decoction high, medium and low dose group. Drug serum were given gastric gavage of Yanghe decoction 28, 14, 7 g/kg, and control group were given gastric gavage of same volume saline. Each group of rats was given orally for 3 days to prepare 10% Yanghe decoction serum and blank serum. MDA-MB-231 cells were divided into blank control group and Yanghe decoction low, medium and high dose group according to random number table method. Low, medium and high dose Yanghe decoction groups were cultured with medium containing 10% Yanghe decoction high, medium and low dose drug serum, and the blank control group was cultured with medium containing 10% control serum. After drug intervention, the effects of each group on the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h were detected by MTT assay. The expression of Smad3 and NF-κB protein in each group was detected by Western blot. The expression of Smad3 and NF-κB mRNA in each group were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.@*Results@#Compared to the control group, Yanghe decoction low, medium and high dose group of cells for 24 h (1.143 ± 0.093, 0.953 ± 0.069, 0.874 ± 0.041 vs. 1.239 ± 0.160), 48 h (1.223 ± 0.129, 0.989 ± 0.093, 0.864 ± 0.105 vs. 1.389 ± 0.095), 72 h (1.092 ± 0.147, 0.881 ± 0.095, 0.719 ± 0.086 vs. 1.353 ± 0.150) proliferation activity were significantly lower (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After 48 h of drug intervention, the expression of Smad3 protein (0.974 ± 0.098, 0.844 ± 0.084, 0.789 ± 0.105 vs. 1.214 ± 0.012), NF- κB p50 protein (0.994 ± 0.047, 0.911 ± 0.015, 0.765 ± 0.084 vs. 1.147 ± 0.103) in the low, medium and high dose Yanghe decoction group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression of Smad3 mRNA (1.223 ± 0.129, 0.989 ± 0.093, 0.864 ± 0.105 vs.1.389 ± 0.095), NF-κB mRNA (1.092 ± 0.147, 0.881 ± 0.095, 0.719 ± 0.086 vs. 1.353 ± 0.150) significantly decreased in the Yanghe decoction group (P<0.05 or P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#Yanghe decoction can inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer stem cell MDA-MB-231, and lower the expression of Smad3 and NF-κB.