α-平滑肌肌动蛋白及转化生长因子-β1基因在小鼠异位移植气管中的表达

目的 探讨α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)在小鼠异位移植气管中的表达与意义.方法 雄性BALB/C小鼠及C57BL/6小鼠各30只,建立气管异位移植模型,分别于术后4、7、10 d、2、3、4周收获移植气管.组织形态学观察移植气管发生纤维化过程,应用免疫组织化学方法检测α-SMA和TGF-β1的表达.结果 术后3周以后移植气管管腔和黏膜下层出现大量纤维增生组织,造成管腔完全闭塞.α-SMA表达于术后第7天明显增加,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),1周以后阳性表达继续增多,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).TGF-β1的表达于术后第10天明显增多,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),到术后2周表达水平进一步增高,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01),两者表达的趋势相似.结论 小鼠气管异位移植后气道上皮细胞有部分向表达α-SMA的肌纤维母细胞转化,进而参与了闭塞性细支气管炎(OB)的气道重塑和气道高反应性的发生发展.     

转化生长因子-β1诱导小鼠同种异体气管移植物纤维增生的研究

目的 用小鼠异位气管移植观察核因子(NF)-κB是否激活转化生长因子(TGF)-β1基因参与诱导气管移植物纤维增生,探讨闭塞性细支气管炎(OB)的发病机制.方法 将小鼠气管移植分成同基因组和异基因组,在术后7、14、21 d取材算管腔闭塞率;对移植物行TGF-β1免疫组织化学染色;凝胶电泳迁移率改变法(EMSA)测定NF-κB活性;逆转录-聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测TGF-β1的mRNA水平;Western blot检测TGF-β1蛋白表达.结果 和同基因组比较,异基因组气管移植物在术后14 d开始纤维增生,术后21 d管腔闭塞率达(78±9)%,呈典型OB改变;NF-κB的转录活性在术后7 d明显升高,术后14、21 d维持较高水平;OB的气管移植物TGF-β1染色阳性;TGF-β1 mRNA及蛋白表达在移植术后14、21 d明显升高,在术后7 d差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 NF-κB转录活性增强,激活TGF-β1促进纤维增生,是造成OB的重要原因.     

苦参碱调控Snail2表达水平抑制转化生长因子β1诱导的人腹膜间皮细胞上皮间充质转分化

目的 研究苦参碱对转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)诱导腹膜间皮细胞上皮间充质转分化(EMT)后转录因子Snail2的影响.方法 采用TGF-β1刺激人腹膜间皮细胞并同时予不同浓度苦参碱干预处理,实验分为空白对照组、TGF-β1(5 ng/ml)诱导组、TGF-β1+0.4 mg/ml苦参碱干预组、TGF-β1+0.6 mg/ml苦参碱干预组、TGF-β1+0.8 mg/ml苦参碱干预组和TGF-β1+1.0 mg/ml苦参碱干预组.实时荧光定量PCR和Western印迹检测Snail2、上皮标志分子E钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)和间质标志分子α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、纤维连接蛋白(FN)、胶原Ⅲ(ColⅢ)的表达,Western印迹检测Smad2、Smad3和细胞外调节蛋白激酶1/2(ERK1/2)的蛋白磷酸化水平.结果 TGF-β1(5 ng/ml)刺激能上调人腹膜间皮细胞Snail2、α-SMA、FN和ColⅢmRNA和蛋白的表达水平,上调Smad2、Smad3和ERK1/2的蛋白磷酸化水平,下调E-cadherinmRNA和蛋白的表达水平;苦参碱(0.4、0.6、0.8、1.0 mg/ml)干预处理后能下调Snail2和α-SMA、FN和ColⅢmRNA和蛋白的表达水平以及ERK1/2的蛋白磷酸化水平,上调E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白的表达水平.结论 TGF-β1能诱导人腹膜间皮细胞EMT,苦参碱可能通过ERK1/2信号通路下调Snail2的表达水平来抑制TGF-β1诱导的人腹膜间皮细胞EMT.     

丝裂原活化蛋白激酶类和蛋白激酶C在转化生长因子β1诱导肾小管细胞结缔组织生长因子表达中的作用

目的了解转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）诱导肾小管细胞结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）表达的机制，特别是蛋白激酶C（PKC）和丝裂原活化蛋白激酶（MAPK）在CTGF基因表达中的作用及其对Smad磷酸化的影响。方法分别应用PKC抑制剂G06850以及MAPK的3个组成成分ERK、JNK和p38MAPK的抑制剂PD98059、U0126、SP600125和SB203580阻断相应通路，观察其对TGF．131诱导的CTGF表达以及Smad2／Smad3磷酸化的影响。结果TGF-β1（5μg／L）以时间依赖方式诱导HK-2细胞中Smad2／Smad3的磷酸化，从基础值0．87±0．09上升至2h时高峰2．350±0.11。PKC抑制剂G06850（5μmol／L）和ERK抑制剂PD98059（10μmol／L）、U0126（10μmol／L）可部分抑制TGF-β1诱导的CTGF表达，而p38MAPK抑制剂SB203580（20μmol／L）和JNK抑制剂SP600125（10μmol／L）对TGF-β1诱导的CTGF的表达无影响。PKC抑制剂G06850（5μmol／L）可减少TGF-β1诱导的Smad2／Smad3磷酸化，而ERK抑制剂PD98059（10μmol／L）和U0126（10μmol／L）对Smad2／Smad3的磷酸化没有影响。结论在肾小管上皮细胞中，TGF-β1诱导CTGF的表达需要PKC和Ras／MEK／ERK的参与。PKC以Smad依赖的方式参与肾小管上皮细胞中TGF-β1诱导的CTGF的表达，而Ras／MEK／ERK对CTGF表达的调节不依赖于Smads。     

缬沙坦对大鼠气管移植物局部纤维化及缺氧诱导因子表达的抑制作用

目的 研究缬沙坦对大鼠异位气管移植物局部纤维化和气道闭塞的抑制作用及其对缺氧诱导因子表达的影响.方法 建立大鼠同种异体异位气管移植模型,实验随机分为3组.(1)同系移植对照组:供、受者均为SD大鼠,受者气管移植后不作任何处理.(2)同种移植对照组:供者为Wister大鼠,受者为SD大鼠,受者气管移植后仅给予质量分数为0.5%的羧甲基纤维素钠溶液和生理盐水灌胃.(3)同种移植实验组;供者为Wister大鼠,受者为SD大鼠,受者气管移植前第1天至术后第28天给予缬沙坦60 mg·kg-1·d-1,用质量分数为0.5%的羧甲基纤维素钠溶液配成6 g/L的悬液,每天分两次灌胃给予.移植后第28天处死受者,并取出移植物进行病理学、免疫组织化学及原位杂交法检测.结果 两个同种移植组气管移植物均可观察到各种程度类似于闭塞性细支气管炎的病理改变.同种移植实验组和同种移植对照组移植物局部纤维化程度分别为(65.94±17.05)%和(91.55±12.15)%;I型胶原表达指数分别为2.08±0.22和4.51±0.48;Ⅲ型胶原表达指数分别为3.46±0.42和10.60±1.26;缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)表达指数分别为7.62±0.59和9.34±0.62;转化生长因子p(TGF-β)表达指数分别为3.98±0.42和12.86±0.96;结缔组织生长因子(CIGF)表达指数分别为6.65±0.52和11.83±0.96.同种移植实验组各项表达明显受到抑制(P＜0.001).结论 缬沙坦在大鼠异位气管移植模型中可能通过抑制缺氧诱导因子的表达而抑制了闭塞性细支气管炎的进展.     

A型肉毒毒素对瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞TGF-β/Smad通路和ERK通路表达的影响

目的:探讨A型肉毒毒素对人瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞(Human keloid fibroblasts,HKF)生物学行为和TGF-β/Smad信号通路和ERK信号通路表达的影响。方法:在HKF培养过程中加入A型肉毒毒素进行干扰,观察A型肉毒毒素对瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞TGF-β/Smad通路和ERK通路相关分子的变化及细胞增殖、侵袭、凋亡情况。结果:A型肉毒毒素可以抑制HKF增殖、迁移和侵袭,促进凋亡,并且明显抑制Ⅰ型胶原、Ⅲ型胶原、纤维连接蛋白、α-SMA和CTGF基因的表达水平,上调IFN-γ、TGF-β3基因的表达水平。上调Smad7基因和蛋白的表达,下调VEGF基因表达,明显抑制p-Smad2和p-Smad3蛋白表达水平,并且抑制P-ERK1/2蛋白表达。以上生物学变化均且呈药物浓度依赖性。结论:A型肉毒毒素可抑制HKF的增殖、侵袭、血管生成和胶原积累,这些效应与TGF-β/Smad和ERK1/2信号通路有关。     

Smad核转录共抑因子在人近端小管上皮细胞转分化中的表达及作用

目的：观察Smad核转录共抑因子（SnoN）在TGF-β1致人近端小管上皮细胞转分化过程中的表达,探讨SnoN蛋白对TGF-β1所致的小管上皮细胞转分化的作用。方法：体外培养的人近端小管上皮细胞（HK-2）,随机分为正常对照组、TGF-β1（5ng/ml）组和TGF-β1（5ng/ml）＋MG-132（5μmol/ml）组。Western-blot检测细胞中SnoN蛋白水平的改变和Smad2/3磷酸化水平的改变;半定量RT-PCR方法观察细胞中SnoN mRNA表达的改变。免疫荧光检测间充质细胞标记物α-SMA的表达。结果：Western-blot的结果显示：（1）TGF-β1作用于细胞,SnoN蛋白表达迅速减少,10min为对照组的38%,并呈时间依赖进行性减少,60min较0min降低89%（P〈0.01）,24h有所恢复但仍较0min明显降低（P〈0.01）;TGF-β1＋MG-132组中SnoN蛋白表达与对照组差异无统计学意义,与TGF-β1组相比,SnoN蛋白水平明显上调。（2）半定量RT-PCR显示：TGF-β1作用于细胞后,与SnoN蛋白表达不同,SnoN mRNA迅速升高,60min其表达增高近1倍（与0min比较,P〈0.01）;TGF-β1＋MG-132组中SnoNmRNA的表达与TGF-β1组差异无统计学意义。（3）TGF-β1诱导细胞10min即可引发Smad2/3磷酸化（与0min比较,P〈0.01）,随着作用时间的延长,细胞中磷酸化的Smad2/3蛋白表达水平逐渐升高,TGF-β1＋MG-132组中,Smad2/3磷酸化蛋白的表达减少80%（P〈0.01）。（4）TGF-β1作用于细胞24h后免疫荧光检测到重新表达的α-SMA,TGF-β1＋MG-132组α-SMA的表达被抑制。结论：TGF-β1可诱导SnoNmRNA表达上调,但SnoN蛋白的表达遭遇泛素系统的降解显著减少,SnoN蛋白水平的下调可能是TGF-β1导致小管上皮细胞纤维化作用的必要条件。     

丹参抑制转化生长因子-β1诱导的肌源性干细胞向肌成纤维母细胞分化

目的 观察丹参对失神经骨骼肌肌源性干细胞(MDSCs)向肌成纤维母细胞分化的抑制作用.方法 采用差速贴壁法分离出大鼠失神经骨骼肌MDSCs,加入转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)和丹参进行干预,将细胞分为3组:A:对照组;B:10 μg/L TGF-β1组;C:10 μg/L TGF-β1+ 150 mg/L丹参组.荧光实时定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)和Western blot检测各组细胞在干预后5个时间点α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和波形蛋白(Vimentin) mRNA和蛋白表达.结果 与A组比较,B组和C组细胞α-SMA、Vimentin的mRNA在干预后第2、3、5、7天均明显升高(P＜0.05),其蛋白表达在干预后第3、4、6、8天亦显著升高(P＜0.05);与B组比较,C组细胞α-SMA、Vimentin的mRNA和蛋白在对应时间点均明显降低(P＜0.05).结论 丹参能抑制TGF-β1诱导的失神经骨骼肌MDSCs向肌成纤维母细胞的分化.     

终末期糖基化终产物通过转化生长因子依赖和非依赖途径介导NRK52E细胞转分化和胶原Ⅰ的合成

目的探讨终末期糖基化终产物（AGEs）介导肾小管上皮细胞转分化和胶原（Col）Ⅰ合成的分子机制。方法体外培养正常大鼠近端肾小管上皮细胞系（NRK52E），应用自制的AGE-牛血清白蛋白（BSA）刺激NRK52E细胞。免疫细胞化学方法检测不同时间磷酸化（P）Smad2／3核转位情况。ELISA方法检测细胞培养上清TGF-β1的水平。RT-PCR方法检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（SMA）、E-钙黏着糖蛋白（cadherin）和ColⅠmRNA表达。Western印迹检测α-SMA、E-cadherin和ColⅠ蛋白的表达。同时观察TGF-β1中和抗体对AGE-BSA上述效应的阻断作用。结果基础状态下，NRK52E细胞存在低水平p-Smad2／3核表达（16％）。与BSA对照组比较，AGE—BSA以时间依赖方式上调NRK52E细胞p-Smad2／3核转位，其高峰出现在30min（68％比30.5％，P〈0．01）和24h（76％比31．3％，P〈0．01）。AGE—BSA显著上调α-SMA和ColⅠmRNA和蛋白表达；下调E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白的表达；并能促进NRK52E细胞合成和分泌TGF-β1。TGF-β1中和抗体能明显抑制AGE—BSA介导的24hp-Smad2／3核转位（25．2％，P〈0．01），但不能阻抑30min活化高峰；能明显抑制AGE-BSA介导的α-SMA和ColⅠmRNA和蛋白表达．以及显著地上调E-cadherin mRNA和蛋白的表达。结论AGEs通过TGF-β依赖和非依赖途径诱导肾小管上皮细胞Smads信号通路活化，促进其向肌成纤维母细胞转分化和ColⅠ的合成。     

MicroRNA-200c通过TGF-β/Smad通路抑制人瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞增殖和胶原合成

目的:探讨microRNA-200c(miR-200c)对人瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞增殖及胶原合成的影响,并阐明其涉及的TGF-β/Smad通路机制。方法:将miR-200c mimics用oligofectami脂质体转染经TGF-β1诱导的人瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞,Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)法测细胞增殖变化;3H-脯氨酸掺入法测胶原蛋白水平的变化。相关蛋白表达变化和TGF-β1分泌表达变化分别用Western blot和ELISA法检测。结果:miR-200c明显抑制经TGF-β1诱导的人瘢痕疙瘩纤维细胞的增殖和胶原合成;miR-200c能明显减低磷酸化Smad2和Smad3的蛋白表达水平及抑制博莱霉素诱导的TGF-β1分泌。结论:miR-200c能明显抑制人瘢痕疙瘩成纤维细胞增殖及胶原合成,其机制可能与抑制TGF-β/Smad通路相关。     

Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation in Obliterative Bronchiolitis: TGF-β Signaling Through Smad3-Dependent and -Independent Pathways

We have shown that Smad3, an intracellular signal transducer for transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), is required to elicit the full histological manifestations of obliterative airway disease in a tracheal transplant model. This suggests that chronic allograft rejection results in TGF-beta1-induced Smad3 activation that leads to airway obliteration through fibroproliferation and increased matrix deposition. In other systems, these latter events are causally related to the transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, but their role in obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) after lung transplantation is unknown. We confirmed the presence of myofibroblasts inside affected airways associated with experimental OB using immunohistochemistry. Studying airway fibroblasts in vitro, we observed increased myofibroblast transdifferentiation in response to TGF-beta1, evidenced by increased alpha-smooth muscle actin mRNA and protein expression. In Smad3-null fibroblasts, TGF-beta1 induction of myofibroblast transdifferentiation was greatly diminished but not abolished, suggesting the presence of Smad3-independent pathways. Further studies revealed that small molecule inhibitors of p38 (SB203580) and MEK/ERK (U1026) further reduced the remaining effect of TGF-beta1 in Smad3-deficient fibroblasts. Together, these studies suggest that in chronic allograft rejection, TGF-beta1 stimulates myofibroblast transdifferentiation through Smad3-dependent and -independent signals, contributing to the excessive matrix deposition that characterizes obliterative bronchiolitis.     

Role of ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases in the regulation of thrombospondin-1 by TGF-beta1 in rat proximal tubular cells and mouse fibroblasts

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) inhibits angiogenesis and activates latent TGF-beta1, both of which are strongly associated with progression of renal disease. Recently, it was reported that Smad2 but not Smad3 regulates TSP-1 expression in response to TGF-beta1 in rat tubular epithelial cells as well as in mouse fibroblasts. This study investigated the role of ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). TGF-beta1 activated both ERK1/2 and p38 in the rat proximal tubular cell line NRK52E. Blocking ERK1/2 and p38 inhibited TGF-beta1-induced TSP-1 mRNA and protein expression. Next, the cross-talk between Smad2 and ERK1/2 or p38 was examined. Whereas blocking of ERK1/2 or p38 failed to inhibit TGF-beta1-induced Smad2 activation, inhibition of Smad2 by Smad7 overexpression inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not p38 in response to TGF-beta1. Similar results were observed using mouse fibroblasts from Smad2 knockout embryos, in that TGF-beta1 was able to activate p38 but not ERK1/2 in this cell line. In conclusion, TSP-1 expression is regulated by both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in rat proximal tubular cells and mouse fibroblasts in response to TGF-beta1. The ERK1/2 activation is dependent on Smad2 activation, whereas the p38 activation occurs independent of Smad2. Because TSP-1 is a major antiangiogenic molecule and an activator of TGF-beta1, this provides an important insight to the mechanism by which TGF-beta1 may mediate interstitial fibrosis and progressive renal disease.     

MMP-Dependent Migration of Extrapulmonary Myofibroblast Progenitors Contributing to Posttransplant Airway Fibrosis in the Lung

Myofibroblasts play a central role in fibroproliferative airway remodeling in obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) after lung transplantation. The purpose of the study is to elucidate the mechanisms whereby matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) contribute to myofibroblast-mediated allograft airway fibrosis. In an intrapulmonary tracheal transplant model of OB, broad-spectrum MMP inhibitors, SC080 and MMI270 reduced the number of myofibroblasts at day 28 without changing differentiation, proliferation or apoptosis of myofibroblasts or fibroblasts. Next, myofibroblasts in allograft airway fibrosis were demonstrated to be almost exclusively of extrapulmonary origin by analyzing RT1Aⁿ positive myofibroblasts in an animal model combining orthotopic lung transplantation (from Lewis (RT1A^l) to F1 (Brown–Norway (RT1Aⁿ) × Lewis)) and intrapulmonary tracheal transplantation (from a Wister–Furth rat (RT1A^u) into the transplanted Lewis-derived lung). Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) that can differentiate into α-SMA positive myofibroblasts in vitro , we demonstrated their contribution to the myofibroblast population of allograft airway fibrosis in vivo using a fluorescence-labeling cell tracking system. Moreover, PBMC-derived fibroblast-like cells expressed high levels of MMP-9 and MMP-12 and their migration was inhibited by MMP inhibitors in a wound healing assay. In conclusion, MMP-dependent migration of PBMC-derived myofibroblast precursors is an important contributing mechanism to the development of allograft airway fibrosis.     

Transforming growth factor-beta-induced alpha-smooth muscle cell actin expression in renal proximal tubular cells is regulated by p38beta mitogen-activated protein kinase, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase1,2 and the Smad signalling during epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGFbeta)-induced epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation is a central mechanism contributing to the pathogenesis of progressive tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. We wanted to dissect the role of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1,2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and the receptor-regulated Smad proteins in the regulation of alpha-smooth muscle cell actin (alphaSMA) expression, a hallmark of myofibroblast formation, induced by TGFbeta in renal proximal tubular cells. METHODS: Activation of signalling molecules was assessed by western blotting using phospho-specific antibodies. To specifically interfere with signalling cascades, porcine proximal tubular cells (LLC-PK/AT1) were infected with recombinant replication-deficient adenoviruses. In other experiments, specific kinase inhibitors were used. The alphaSMA synthesis was assessed by western blotting or immunofluorescent staining of cellular alphaSMA. To assess the regulation of the alphaSMA promoter, tubular cells were transiently transfected with a 785 bp alphaSMA promoter-luciferase reporter construct and vectors interfering with the Smad pathway. RESULTS: Blocking ERK1,2 activation with PD98059 or p38 MAPK with SB 203580 potently inhibited the TGFbeta-induced alphaSMA synthesis in renal tubular cells. Adenoviral expression of dominant negative (DN) p38beta but not of p38alpha potently inhibited alphaSMA expression. Furthermore, adenoviral expression of DN MKK6b but not of DN MKK3b caused a substantial inhibition of the TGFbeta effect, confirming the role of p38beta in the regulation of TGFbeta-induced alphaSMA expression. Finally, inhibiting the Smad pathway with adenovirally delivered Smad7 and DN Smad3 also blocked TGFbeta-induced alphaSMA synthesis. CONCLUSION: TGFbeta-induced alphaSMA expression is regulated by the coordinated activation of a complex system of parallel MAPK and Smad signalling pathways in renal proximal tubular cells during epithelial-mesenchymal transdifferentiation.     

The antifibrotic effects of relaxin in human renal fibroblasts are mediated in part by inhibition of the Smad2 pathway

BACKGROUND: The peptide hormone relaxin has been demonstrated to exert antifibrotic effects in renal and extrarenal tissues. The aims of this study were to identify potential anti-fibrotic effects of relaxin on human renal fibroblasts in vitro and to analyze their mechanisms. METHODS: All experiments were performed in established renal fibroblast cell lines and in primary cortical fibroblasts. Effects of relaxin were analyzed on cell proliferation, apoptosis, activation of renal fibroblasts, synthesis and secretion of collagen type I and fibronectin, as well as on the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Effects on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) receptor binding were analyzed by flow cytometry and on TGF-beta1 signal transduction by immunoblot analyses for Smad4 and 7, translocation from cytosol to nucleus for Smad2 and 3 as well as for phosphorylated and unphosphorylated forms of p38, c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular-regulated protein kinase (ERK). Finally, specific siRNAs for Smad2 and 3 were applied to assess the signal transduction pathway. RESULTS: After stimulation with relaxin, tyrosine phosphorylation of a 220 kD protein was demonstrated, indicating interaction with the receptor. Relaxin had only modest inhibitory effects on cell proliferation, and no effects on apoptosis. Conversely, relaxin exerted robust effects on TGF-beta1-induced fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation as well as on matrix synthesis and secretion even at the smallest dose tested. The secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was induced noticeably by all investigated relaxin concentrations. TGF-beta1 receptor binding was not influenced by relaxin; however, it prevented Smad2 phosphorylation, translocation to nucleus, and complex formation between Smad2 and 3 indicating a possible interaction with TGF-beta1 signaling. These findings were corroborated by studies using siRNAs to Smad2 and 3 where siRNA to Smad2 but not to Smad3 inhibited the TGF-beta1 induction of fibronectin synthesis. There was no influence of relaxin on intracellular Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7 translocation or phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases. CONCLUSION: Relaxin is a potent inhibitor of TGF-beta1-induced extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and secretion as well as fibroblast activation. Furthermore, it induces ECM degradation by induction of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These effects are mediated, at least in part, by inhibition of TGF-beta1 signaling.     

Obliterative airway disease and graft stenting in pig-to-dog tracheal xenotransplantation

OBJECTIVE: Obliterative airway disease occurring in concordant tracheal xenografts in rodent models is histologically similar to obliterative bronchiolitis in human lung allografts. We studied whether obliterative airway disease would occur in a large animal-discordant model. METHODS: Pig and dog tracheas were cryopreserved for 7 to 14 days, and 18 recipient dogs given splenectomy 7 days before transplantation, then seven tracheal rings were removed and a corresponding five-ring donor tracheal segment was transplanted to the excised site. Grafts were wrapped with pedicled omentum and inmmunosuppression was conducted with tacrolimus or deoxyspergualin. Graft status was observed by bronchoscopy. Dogs were classified into three groups. Group 1 consisted of dog-to-dog allotransplantation animals (control group, n = 5), Group 2 of pig-to-dog xenotransplantation animals (n = 8), and Group 3 of pig-dog xenotransplantation animals who also underwent graft stenting immediately after transplantation (n = 5). RESULTS: Grafts healed well in 4 of 5 Group 1 dogs. Tracheal stricture began on day 5 post transplantation and the lumen was obstructed by fibrosis by days 8 to 14 in all Group 2 dogs. All Group 3 dogs remained in good respiratory status until death. CONCLUSION: Obliterative airway disease developed quickly in pig-to-dog discordant tracheal xenografts. Graft stenting is a feasible treatment for managing of tracheal obstruction.     

PG490-88, a derivative of triptolide, attenuates obliterative airway disease in a mouse heterotopic tracheal allograft model

The current treatment of obliterative bronchiolitis in lung transplant recipients is sub-optimal. Triptolide is a novel immunosuppressant that has a mechanism of action distinct from currently available immunosuppressants, including induction of T-cell apoptosis, blockade of fibroblast proliferation/maturation and inhibition of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) mRNA production. We hypothesized that triptolide may be helpful in blocking obliterative airway disease in lung transplant recipients. We investigated the effect of PG490-88, a water-soluble derivative of triptolide, in a mouse heterotopic tracheal allograft model of obliterative airway disease. We show that PG490-88 attenuates airway obliteration in this model and inhibits accumulation of inflammatory cells, and therefore may have preventive or therapeutic benefits for patients with obliterative airway disease (OAD) following lung transplantation.     

Prolonged inhibition of obliterative airway disease in murine tracheal allografts by brief treatment with anti-leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 (CD11a) monoclonal antibody.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown that anti-leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 (CD11a) monoclonal antibody (mAb) prevents acute rejection and produces donor-specific unresponsiveness in murine recipients of heterotopic heart allografts. Here, we investigate the ability of this mAb to prevent the development of obliterative airway disease (OAD) in murine recipients of tracheal allografts. METHODS AND RESULTS: BALB/c tracheae were heterotopically transplanted into C3H mice. OAD developed by day 28 after transplantation and was characterized histologically by a loss of epithelial cell coverage and luminal obliteration of the tracheal allograft with a proliferation of fibrogenic mesenchymal cells, which is a lesion comparable to obliterative bronchiolitis in human lung transplant recipients. Monotherapy with anti-LFA-1 mAb preserved graft epithelium, prevented the development of OAD, and maintained unresponsiveness to donor antigen for more than 42 days after the final mAb administration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest the potential for anti-LFA-1 mAb therapy to suppress both acute and chronic rejection in clinical lung transplantation.