| 11. |
- Hallgren, Oskar, et al.
(författare)
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Splicosomal and serine and arginine-rich splicing factors as targets for TGF-β
- 2012
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Ingår i: Fibrogenesis & tissue repair. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1755-1536. ; 5:1, s. 6-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a potent regulator of cell growth and differentiation. TGF-β1 has been shown to be a key player in tissue remodeling processes in a number of disease states by inducing expression of extracellular matrix proteins. In this study a quantitative proteomic analysis was undertaken to investigate if TGF-β1 contributes to tissue remodeling by mediating mRNA splicing and production of alternative isoforms of proteins.METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The expression of proteins involved in mRNA splicing from TGF-β1-stimulated lung fibroblasts was compared to non-stimulated cells by employing isotope coded affinity tag (ICATTM) reagent labeling and tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 1733 proteins were identified and quantified with a relative standard deviation of 11% +/- 8 from enriched nuclear fractions. Seventy-six of these proteins were associated with mRNA splicing, including 22 proteins involved in splice site selection. In addition, TGF-β1 was observed to alter the relative expression of splicing proteins that may be important for alternative splicing of fibronectin. Specifically, TGF-β1 significantly induced expression of SRp20, and reduced the expression of SRp30C, which has been suggested to be a prerequisite for generation of alternatively spliced fibronectin. The induction of SRp20 was further confirmed by western blot and immunofluorescence.CONCLUSIONS: The results show that TGF-β1 induces the expression of proteins involved in mRNA splicing and RNA processing in human lung fibroblasts. This may have an impact on the production of alternative isoforms of matrix proteins and can therefore be an important factor in tissue remodeling and disease progression.
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| 12. |
- Harkness, Louise M, et al.
(författare)
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Pulmonary vascular changes in asthma and COPD.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1522-9629 .- 1094-5539. ; 29:2, s. 144-155
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In chronic lung disorders such as in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) there is increased bronchial angiogenesis and remodelling of pulmonary vessels culminating to altered bronchial and pulmonary circulation. The involvement of residential cells such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and pulmonary fibroblasts, all appear to have a crucial role in the progression of vascular inflammation and remodelling. The regulatory abnormalities, growth factors and mediators implicated in the pulmonary vascular changes of asthma and COPD subjects and potential therapeutic targets have been described in this review.
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| 13. |
- Hesselstrand, Roger, et al.
(författare)
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Biomarkers from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in systemic sclerosis patients with interstitial lung disease relate to severity of lung fibrosis.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 107:7, s. 1079-1086
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Decision on treatment of systemic sclerosis (SSc) related interstitial lung disease (ILD) largely relies on the findings on high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and there is a need for improvement in assessment of the fibrotic activity. The objectives of this study were to study biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from SSc patients with ILD and to relate the findings to the severity and activity of lung fibrosis. METHODS: Fifteen patients with early SSc and 12 healthy controls were subjected to BAL. Cell counts and analyses of CXCL5, CXCL8 and S100A8/A9 were performed in BALF and serum. COMP and KL-6 were measured in serum. HRCT of lungs was quantified for ground glass opacities (GGO), reticulation and traction bronchiectases. RESULTS: BALF concentrations of CXCL8 (p < 0.001), CXCL5 (p = 0.002) and S100A8/A9 (p = 0.016) were higher in patients than controls. Serum KL-6 (p < 0.001) was increased in SSc patients and correlated with BALF concentration of eosinophils (rS = 0.57, p = 0.027). Patients with more widespread GGO on HRCT were characterised in BALF by a higher eosinophil count (p = 0.002) and in serum by higher KL-6 (p = 0.008). Patients with more fibrosis were characterised in BALF by higher eosinophil count (p = 0.014), higher CXCL8 (p = 0.005) and S100A8A/A9 (p = 0.014) concentration and in serum by a higher serum COMP (p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: In SSc related ILD, biomarkers from BALF and serum correlate to findings on HRCT suggesting usefulness as markers of presence and extent of lung fibrosis.
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| 14. |
- Håkansson, Gisela, et al.
(författare)
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Epithelial G protein-coupled receptor kinases regulate the initial inflammatory response during mycobacterial infection.
- 2013
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Ingår i: Immunobiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1878-3279 .- 0171-2985. ; 218:7, s. 984-994
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The interaction between mycobacteria and epithelium is unexplored, but may determine the outcome of the infection. We have analyzed the role of two G protein-coupled receptors, CXCR1 and CXCR2 that are important regulators of many pulmonary diseases. We found that mycobacteria significantly increased the expression of both CXCR1 and CXCR2 on alveolar epithelial cells and both receptors were found to be important for neutrophil diapedesis across primary endothelial cells towards infected mucosa. Mycobacteria, lipoarabinomannan or 19-kDa glycolipoprotein up-regulated the inhibitory G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)2, while GRK3 was less affected. Mycobacteria-induced GRK2 up-regulation decreased chemokine transcription and secretion thereby affecting the neutrophil recruitment to infected mucosa. These events were completely abolished by blocking these receptors prior to infection as the blocking increased epithelial immune responses. We have identified novel interactions occurring in the initial phase of mycobacterial infections by which mycobacterial manipulate epithelial inflammatory responses.
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| 15. |
- Jalalvand, Farshid, et al.
(författare)
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Haemophilus influenzae Protein F Mediates Binding to Laminin and Human Pulmonary Epithelial Cells.
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1537-6613 .- 0022-1899. ; 207:5, s. 803-813
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mucosal pathogen non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) adheres to the respiratory epithelium, or in the case of epithelial damage, to the underlying basement membrane and extracellular matrix that amongst other proteins consists of laminin. We have recently identified Protein F, an ABC-transporter involved in NTHi immune evasion. Homology modeling of the Protein F tertiary structure revealed a strong resemblance to the streptococcal laminin-binding proteins Lbp and Lmb. Here, we show that Protein F promotes binding of NTHi to laminin and primary bronchial epithelial cells. Analyses with recombinant proteins and synthetic peptides revealed that the N-terminal part of Protein F contains the host-interacting region. Moreover, Protein F exists in all clinical isolates, and isogenic NTHi Δhpf mutants display significantly reduced binding to laminin and epithelial cells. We thus suggest Protein F as an important and ubiquitous NTHi adhesin.
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| 16. |
- Karén, Jakob, 1973-
(författare)
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The Role of Microvascular Pericytes in the Generation of Pro-fibrotic Connective Tissue Cells : Investigations in vitro and in Reactive Tissues in vivo
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Pericytes are cells of mesenchymal origin located on the abluminal side, juxtapositioned to the endothelial cells in capillaries, venules and small arterioles. They are important for maintaining vessel integrity in resting tissues as well as the formation and stabilization of new vessels. They have been suggested to function as mesenchymal stem cells thereby contributing to the connective tissue cell population in reactive tissues. In this thesis the role of pericytes as progenitors for fibroblasts was further defined both in vitro and in vivo. In the first study connective tissue cells of mesenchymal origin were investigated based on their marker expression and relation to the microvasculature. The expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker for myofibroblasts, was compared to the expression of certain integrins in three reactive conditions in human tissues. There was a co-localization of α-SMA and α1β1 integrins, indicating that α1 integrin was important for acquiring the α-SMA myofibroblast phenotype. To further investigate this, two animal models for carcinoma growth and wound healing using α1 deficient mice were employed. Reduction/lack of α-SMA expressing myofibroblasts substantiated or findings in human tissues, strengthening the hypothesis that the α1 integrin is important for the differentiation of α-SMA expressing myofibroblasts. In study two the effects of the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on pericyte function in vitro was investigated. This revealed that VPA had an inhibitory effect on pericyte proliferation, migration and differentiation into collagen type I producing fibroblasts. In addition qPCR array studies on angiogenesis related gene expression identified an up-regulation of genes involved in vessel stabilization in VPA treated pericytes. This suggests that VPA promotes a pericyte phenotype favoring vessel stability. In study three the differentiation from early mesenchymal stem cell like pericyte to fully differentiated fibroblast was further defined by flow cytometry marker analysis. By isolating pericytes from human placenta with a phenotype resembling the in vivo phenotype the differentiation pathway could be defined in five consecutive steps. The five steps were defined by their marker expression and their ability to give rise to the other cell populations in the differentiation lineage, as well as their slow cycling characteristics. A better understanding of how connective tissue cells are derived in fibrotic conditions may be beneficial in trying to modulate the outcome of the healing process towards optimal tissue regeneration with minimal fibrosis.
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| 17. |
- Larsson Callerfelt, Anna-Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Defective alterations in the collagen network to prostacyclin in COPD lung fibroblasts
- 2013
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Ingår i: Respiratory Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-9921. ; 14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Prostacyclin analogs are potent vasodilators and possess anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of prostacyclin on extracellular matrix (ECM) in COPD is not well known. Collagen fibrils and proteoglycans are essential ECM components in the lung and fibroblasts are key players in regulating the homeostasis of ECM proteins. The aim was to study the synthesis of prostacyclin and its effect on fibroblast activity and ECM production, and in particular collagen I and the collagen-associated proteoglycans biglycan and decorin. Methods: Parenchymal lung fibroblasts were isolated from lungs from COPD patients (GOLD stage IV) and from lungs and transbronchial biopsies from control subjects. The prostacyclin analog iloprost was used to study the effect of prostacyclin on ECM protein synthesis, migration, proliferation and contractile capacity of fibroblasts. Results: TGF-beta(1) stimulation significantly increased prostacyclin synthesis in fibroblasts from COPD patients (p < 0.01), but showed no effect on fibroblasts from control subjects. Collagen I synthesis was decreased by iloprost in both control and COPD fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Conversely, iloprost significantly altered biglycan and decorin synthesis in control fibroblasts, but iloprost displayed no effect on these proteoglycans in COPD fibroblasts. Proliferation rate was reduced (p < 0.05) and contractile capacity was increased in COPD fibroblasts (p < 0.05) compared to control fibroblasts. Iloprost decreased proliferative rate in control fibroblasts (p < 0.05), whereas iloprost attenuated contraction capacity in both COPD (p < 0.01) and control fibroblasts (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Iloprost reduced collagen I synthesis and fibroblast contractility but did not affect the collagen-associated proteoglycans or proliferation rate in fibroblasts from COPD patients. Enhanced prostacyclin production could lead to improper collagen network fibrillogenesis and a more emphysematous lung structure in severe COPD patients.
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| 18. |
- Lutay, Nataliya, et al.
(författare)
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Mycobacteria Bypass Mucosal NF-kB Signalling to Induce an Epithelial Anti-Inflammatory IL-22 and IL-10 Response.
- 2014
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The mechanisms by which mycobacteria subvert the inflammatory defence to establish chronic infection remain an unresolved question in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. Using primary epithelial cells, we have analysed mycobacteria induced epithelial signalling pathways from activation of TLRs to cytokine secretion. Mycobacterium bovis bacilli Calmette-Guerin induced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)3 by PI3K-Akt in the signalling pathway downstream of TLR2 and TLR4. Mycobacteria did not supress NF-κB by activating the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ. Instead the pro-inflammatory NF-κB was bypassed by mycobacteria induced GSK3 inhibition that promoted the anti-inflammatory transcription factor CREB. Mycobacterial infection did not thus induce mucosal pro-inflammatory response as measured by TNFα and IFNγ secretion, but led to an anti-inflammatory IL-10 and IL-22 production. Apart from CREB, MAP3Ks p38 and ERK1/2 activated the transcription factor AP-1 leading to IL-6 production. Interestingly, blocking of TLR4 before infection decreased epithelial IL-6 secretion, but increased the CREB-activated IL-10 production. Our data indicate that mycobacteria supress epithelial pro-inflammatory production by supressing NF-κB activation thereby shifting the infection towards an anti-inflammatory state. This balance between the host immune response and the pathogen could determine the outcome of infection.
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| 19. |
- Nihlberg, Kristian, et al.
(författare)
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Altered matrix production in the distal airways of individuals with asthma.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Thorax. - : BMJ. - 1468-3296 .- 0040-6376. ; 65:8, s. 670-676
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Although increasing evidence suggests involvement of the distal airway in all stages of asthma, it is not known whether structural changes (defined as airway remodelling) occur in the distal airways of subjects with mild asthma and those with atopy. The aim of this study was to compare control subjects and those with mild asthma in relation to fibroblast phenotypes and remodelling in central and distal airways. METHODS: Distal and central fibroblasts from controls (n=12) and patients with mild asthma (n=11) were cultured and incubated for 24 h with 0.4% serum, or stimulated with transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1). [(35)S]Sulfate-labelled proteoglycans in culture medium were analysed by ion exchange chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Proliferation was measured with crystal violet, and exhaled nitric oxide was measured by the fractional nitric oxide technique. RESULTS: Vesican production from distal fibroblasts was significantly elevated in patients with asthma compared with controls (p<0.001), and the percentage collagen-positive area in distal asthma tissue was also enhanced compared with controls (p<0.01). In addition, distal asthma fibroblasts had reduced proliferation capacity compared with those of controls (by 24%; p<0.01). Furthermore, the alveolar nitric oxide concentration was correlated to distal biglycan and perlecan production of subjects with asthma (r=-0.857, p<0.05 and r=-0.750, p<0.05 respectively) CONCLUSION: It is shown that centrally and distally derived fibroblasts differ in their proteoglycan production and proliferation between central and distal tissue, and in those with asthma compared with controls. It is also demonstrated that remodelling is present in distal lung of subjects with mild asthma. This may be of importance in airway remodelling and asthma progression.
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| 20. |
- Pfisterer, Ulrich, et al.
(författare)
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Efficient induction of functional neurons from adult human fibroblasts.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Cell Cycle. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1551-4005 .- 1538-4101. ; 10:19, s. 3311-3316
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cellular reprogramming is a rapidly developing technology by which somatic cells are turned into pluripotent stem cells or other somatic cell types through expression of specific combinations of genes. This allows for the generation of patient-specific cell lines that can serve as tools for understanding disease pathogenesis, for drug screens and, potentially, for cell replacement therapies. Several cellular models of neurological disorders based on induced pluripotent cells (iPS cells) have been developed, and iPS-derived neurons are being explored as candidates for transplantation. Recent findings show that neurons can also be induced directly from embryonic and postnatal somatic cells by expression of defined combinations of genes. This conversion does not occur through a pluripotent stem cell stage, which eliminates the risk for tumor formation. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that functional neurons can be generated via direct conversion of fibroblasts also from adult individuals. Thus, this technology is an attractive alternative to iPS cells for generating patient- and disease-specific neurons suitable for disease modeling and autologous transplantation.
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