Non-cell-autonomous suppression of tumor growth by RECK in immunocompetent mice.

RECK is a candidate tumor suppressor gene isolated as a gene that induces flat reversion in a cell line transformed by the KRAS oncogene. Since RECK knockout mice die in utero, they are not suitable for studying the effects of RECK on tumor formation. In this study, we found an increased incidence of spontaneous pulmonary adenomas in mice with reduced RECK expression (RECK-Hypo mice). To evaluate the effects of RECK expressed by either tumor cells or host cells on tumor growth, we established a tumorigenic cell line (MKER) from the kidney of a C57BL/6 mouse and performed syngeneic transplantation experiments. Our results indicate that when RECK expression is low in host cells, transplanted MKER cells grow faster and kill the animal more rapidly. Since RECK is required for the formation of proper fibrillin fibers that serve as a tissue reservoir for precursors of TGFß-family cytokines, we assessed the levels of TGFß1 in the peripheral blood. We found a significant increase in TGFß1 in RECK-Hypo mice compared to wild-type mice. We also found that the proportion of FOXP3-positive regulatory T (Treg) cells among splenocytes was higher in RECK-Hypo mice compared to the control mice. Furthermore, the number of FOXP3-positive cells in spontaneous hematopoietic neoplasms in the lungs as well as tumors that formed after MKER transplantation was significantly higher in RECK-Hypo mice compared to the control mice. These findings indicate that RECK-mediated tumor suppression involves a non-cell-autonomous mechanism and that possible roles of TGFß1 and Treg cells in such a mechanism warrant further study.

Induction of Cell Death by Bifidobacterium infantis DS1685 in Colorectal and Breast Cancers via SMAD4/TGF-Beta Activation.

Therapeutic advancements in treatments for cancer, a leading cause of mortality worldwide, have lagged behind the increasing incidence of this disease. There is a growing interest in multifaceted approaches for cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, but due to their low efficacy and severe side effects, there is a need for the development of new cancer therapies. Recently, the human microbiome, which is comprised of various microorganisms, has emerged as an important research field due to its potential impact on cancer treatment. Among these microorganisms, Bifidobacterium infantis has been shown to significantly improve the efficacy of various anticancer drugs. However, research on the role of B. infantis in cancer treatment remains insufficient. Thus, in this study, we explored the anticancer effect of treatment with B. infantis DS1685 supernatant (BI sup) in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Treatment with BI sup induced SMAD4 expression to suppress cell growth in colon and breast cancer cells. Furthermore, a decrease in tumor cohesion was observed through the disruption of the regulation of EMT-related genes by BI sup in 3D spheroid models. Based on these findings, we anticipate that BI sup could play an adjunctive role in cancer therapy, and future cotreatment of BI sup with various anticancer drugs may lead to synergistic effects in cancer treatment.

The Role of Transforming Growth Factor-ß (TGF-ß) in Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) represent chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders that, despite having distinct pathophysiological underpinnings, both feature airflow obstruction and respiratory symptoms. A critical component in the pathogenesis of each condition is the transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), a multifunctional cytokine that exerts varying influences across these diseases. In asthma, TGF-ß is significantly involved in airway remodeling, a key aspect marked by subepithelial fibrosis, hypertrophy of the smooth muscle, enhanced mucus production, and suppression of emphysema development. The cytokine facilitates collagen deposition and the proliferation of fibroblasts, which are crucial in the structural modifications within the airways. In contrast, the role of TGF-ß in COPD is more ambiguous. It initially acts as a protective agent, fostering tissue repair and curbing inflammation. However, prolonged exposure to environmental factors such as cigarette smoke causes TGF-ß signaling malfunction. Such dysregulation leads to abnormal tissue remodeling, marked by excessive collagen deposition, enlargement of airspaces, and, thus, accelerated development of emphysema. Additionally, TGF-ß facilitates the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process contributing to the phenotypic alterations observed in COPD. A thorough comprehension of the multifaceted role of TGF-ß in asthma and COPD is imperative for elaborating precise therapeutic interventions. We review several promising approaches that alter TGF-ß signaling. Nevertheless, additional studies are essential to delineate further the specific mechanisms of TGF-ß dysregulation and its potential therapeutic impacts in these chronic respiratory diseases.

The Role of the MiR-181 Family in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Due to the high mortality rate in HCC patients, discovering and developing novel systemic treatment options for HCC is a vital unmet medical need. Among the numerous molecular alterations in HCCs, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly recognised to play critical roles in hepatocarcinogenesis. We and others have recently revealed that members of the microRNA-181 (miR-181) family were up-regulated in some, though not all, human cirrhotic and HCC tissues-this up-regulation induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in hepatocytes and tumour cells, promoting HCC progression. MiR-181s play crucial roles in governing the fate and function of various cells, such as endothelial cells, immune cells, and tumour cells. Previous reviews have extensively covered these aspects in detail. This review aims to give some insights into miR-181s, their targets and roles in modulating signal transduction pathways, factors regulating miR-181 expression and function, and their roles in HCC.

Decoding the Intricate Landscape of Pancreatic Cancer: Insights into Tumor Biology, Microenvironment, and Therapeutic Interventions.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents significant oncological challenges due to its aggressive nature and poor prognosis. The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a critical role in progression and treatment resistance. Non-neoplastic cells, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), contribute to tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune evasion. Although immune cells infiltrate TME, tumor cells evade immune responses by secreting chemokines and expressing immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Vascular components, like endothelial cells and pericytes, stimulate angiogenesis to support tumor growth, while adipocytes secrete factors that promote cell growth, invasion, and treatment resistance. Additionally, perineural invasion, a characteristic feature of PDAC, contributes to local recurrence and poor prognosis. Moreover, key signaling pathways including Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß), Notch, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), and Wnt/ß-catenin drive tumor progression and resistance. Targeting the TME is crucial for developing effective therapies, including strategies like inhibiting CAFs, modulating immune response, disrupting angiogenesis, and blocking neural cell interactions. A recent multi-omic approach has identified signature genes associated with anoikis resistance, which could serve as prognostic biomarkers and targets for personalized therapy.

Effect of magnetic microbeads on sustained and targeted delivery of transforming growth factor-beta-1 for rotator cuff healing in a rat rotator cuff repair model.

Structural failure is a well-established complication of rotator cuff repair procedures. To evaluate the effect of magnetic microbeads, designed for precise drug delivery via magnetic force, on sustained transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-ß1) release and rotator cuff healing in a rat rotator cuff repair model. TGF-ß1 laden microbeads were prepared, and baseline in vitro experiments included the magnetization of the microbeads and TGF-ß1 release tests. In an in vivo experiment using a rat rotator cuff repair model on both shoulders, 72 rats were randomly assigned to three groups (24 per group): group A, conventional repair; group B, repair with and simple TGF-ß1 injection; and group C, repair with magnet insertion into the humeral head and TGF-ß1 laden microbead injection. Delivery of TGF-ß1 was evaluated at 1 and 7 days after the intervention using PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry. At 6 weeks post-intervention, rotator cuff healing was assessed using biomechanical and histological analysis. The in vitro experiments confirmed the magnetization property of the microbeads and sustained delivery of TGF-ß1 for up to 10 days. No difference in the TGF-ß1 expression was found at day 1 in vivo. However, at day 7, group C exhibited a significantly elevated expression of TGF-ß1 in both PCR and Western blot analyses compared to groups A and B (all P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a higher expression of TGF-ß1 at the repair site in group C on day 7. At 6 weeks, biomechanical analysis demonstrated a significantly higher ultimate failure load in group C than in groups A and B (P < 0.05) and greater stiffness than in group A (P = 0.045). In addition, histological analysis showed denser and more regular collagen fibers with complete continuity to the bone in group C than in groups A and B, a statistically significant difference according to the semi-quantitative scoring system (all P < 0.05). The use of the TGF-ß1 laden magnetic microbeads demonstrated sustained delivery of TGF-ß1 to the repair site, improving rotator cuff healing.

Neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with or without chemotherapy in unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer: A proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial.

We conducted a proof-of-concept, phase 2 trial to assess neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with or without chemotherapy, followed by surgery or radiotherapy, and then consolidation SHR-1701 in unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the primary cohort of patients receiving neoadjuvant combination therapy (n = 97), both primary endpoints were met, with a post-induction objective response rate of 58% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47-68) and an 18-month event-free survival (EFS) rate of 56.6% (95% CI 45.2-66.5). Overall, 27 (25%) patients underwent surgery; all achieved R0 resection. Among them, 12 (44%) major pathological responses and seven (26%) pathological complete responses were recorded. The 18-month EFS rate was 74.1% (95% CI 53.2-86.7) in surgical patients and 57.3% (43.0-69.3) in radiotherapy-treated patients. Neoadjuvant SHR-1701 with chemotherapy, followed by surgery or radiotherapy, showed promising efficacy with a tolerable safety profile in unresectable stage III NSCLC. Surgical conversion was feasible in a notable proportion of patients and associated with better survival outcomes.

Integrating scRNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq to explore the differentiation mechanism of human nail stem cells mediated by onychofibroblasts.

Introduction: Nail stem cell (NSC) differentiation plays a vital role in maintaining nail homeostasis and facilitating digit regeneration. Recently, onychofibroblasts (OFs), specialized mesenchymal cells beneath the nail matrix, have emerged as potential regulators of NSC differentiation. However, limited understanding of OFs' cellular properties and transcriptomic profiles hinders our comprehension of their role. This study aims to characterize human OFs and investigate their involvement in NSC differentiation. Methods: Human OFs were isolated and characterized for their mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-like phenotype through flow cytometry and multilineage differentiation assays. Bulk RNA-seq analysis was conducted on three samples of OFs and control fibroblasts from human nail units to delineate their molecular features. Integrated analysis with scRNA-seq data was performed to identify key signaling pathways involved in OF-induced NSC differentiation. Co-culture experiments, siRNA transfection, RT-qPCR, and immunocytochemistry were employed to investigate the effect of OF-derived soluble proteins on NSC differentiation. Drug treatments, RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were used to verify the regulation of candidate signaling pathways on NSC differentiation in vitro. Results: Human OFs exhibited slow cell cycle kinetics, expressed typical MSC markers, and demonstrated multilineage differentiation potential. Bulk RNA-seq analysis revealed differential gene expression in OFs compared to control fibroblasts, highlighting their role in coordinating nail development. Integrated analysis identified BMP4 as a pivotal signal for OFs to participate in NSC differentiation through mesenchymal-epithelial interactions, with the TGF-beta pathway possibly mediating this signal. OFs synthesized and secreted more BMP4 than control fibroblasts, and BMP4 derived from OFs induced NSC differentiation in a co-culture model. Recombinant human BMP4 activated the TGF-beta pathway in NSCs, leading to cell differentiation, while the BMP type I receptor inhibitor LDN193189 attenuated this effect. Discussion: This study characterizes the cellular and molecular features of human OFs, demonstrating their ability to regulate NSC differentiation via the TGF-beta signaling pathway. These findings establish a connection between the dermal microenvironment and NSC differentiation, suggesting the potential of OFs, in conjunction with NSCs, for developing novel therapies targeting nail and digit defects, even severe limb amputation.

Effect of atractylenolide III on zearalenone-induced Snail1-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition in porcine intestinal epithelium.

BACKGROUND: The intestinal epithelium performs essential physiological functions, such as nutrient absorption, and acts as a barrier to prevent the entry of harmful substances. Mycotoxins are prevalent contaminants found in animal feed that exert harmful effects on the health of livestock. Zearalenone (ZEA) is produced by the Fusarium genus and induces gastrointestinal dysfunction and disrupts the health and immune system of animals. Here, we evaluated the molecular mechanisms that regulate the effects of ZEA on the porcine intestinal epithelium. RESULTS: Treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with ZEA decreased the expression of E-cadherin and increased the expression of Snai1 and Vimentin, which induced Snail1-mediated epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In addition, ZEA induces Snail-mediated EMT through the activation of TGF-ß signaling. The treatment of IPEC-J2 cells with atractylenolide III, which were exposed to ZEA, alleviated EMT. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of ZEA toxicity in porcine intestinal epithelial cells and ways to mitigate it.

Induction of fibrosis following exposure to bisphenol A and its analogues in 3D human uterine leiomyoma cultures.

Bisphenol A (BPA) and its analogues (BPAF, BPS) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants used as plastic additives in various daily life products, with many concerns on their role as environmental estrogens. Uterine leiomyomas (fibroids) are highly prevalent gynecologic tumors with progressive fibrosis. Fibroids are hormone-responsive and may be the target of environmental estrogens. However, the effects of BPA, BPAF, and BPS exposure on uterine fibrosis are largely unknown. Here, we evaluated fibrosis and the crucial role of TGF-beta signaling in human fibroid tumors, the profibrotic effects of BPA, BPAF or BPS in a human 3D uterine leiomyoma (ht-UtLM) in vitro model, and the long-term outcomes of BPAF exposure in rat uterus. In 3D ht-UtLM spheroids, BPA, BPAF, and BPS all promoted cell proliferation and fibrosis by increasing the production of extracellular matrices. Further mechanistic analysis showed the profibrotic effects were induced by TGF-beta signaling activation mainly through SMAD2/3 pathway and crosstalk with multiple non-SMAD pathways. Furthermore, the profibrotic effects of BPAF were supported by observation of uterine fibrosis in vivo in rats following long-term BPAF exposure. Overall, the 3D ht-UtLM spheroid can be an important model for investigating environment-induced fibrosis in uterine fibroids. BPA and its analogues can induce fibrosis via TGF-beta signaling.

Pre-Transplant Cytokine Levels as Signatures of Microvascular Inflammation in Kidney Allograft Biopsies.

BACKGROUND:  The presence of microvascular inflammation (MVI) characterized by leukocyte margination in the glomeruli (glomerulitis, Banff score 'g') and peritubular capillaries (peritubular capillaritis, Banff score 'ptc') is a hallmark histological feature of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), even in the absence of circumferential C4d positivity. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of pre-transplant plasma cytokines as an ancillary screening tool to identify MVI in kidney allograft indication biopsies to facilitate better graft survival. METHOD:  This single-center prospective analytical study comprises 38 kidney transplant recipients whose peripheral blood was collected before transplant and assessed for the plasma cytokine concentrations of FOXP3, IL-6, TGF beta, and IL-17 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Histopathological assessment was done in post-transplant indication biopsies, and Banff scores of 'g+ ptc' were calculated to categorize recipients into three MVI groups. The correlational, regression, and ROC curve analyses were used to assess the association and predictive ability of the cytokines with respect to MVI. RESULTS:  In our study cohort, 27 recipients had MVI=0, five had MVI=1, and six had MVI≥2. A significant difference in plasma cytokines was observed between these groups, and we found a strong negative correlation of FOXP3 with MVI, whereas a strong positive correlation of IL-6, TGF beta, and IL-17 was recorded with MVI. We have also assessed the predictive ability of these cytokines, FOXP3, IL-6, TGF-beta, and IL-17, through the ROC curve, which showed an AUC of 0.70, 0.76, 0.84, and 0.72, respectively. CONCLUSION:  Our findings suggest that the pre-transplant levels of cytokines FOXP3, IL-6, TGF-beta, and IL-17 could be measured to identify recipients at risk of post-transplant MVI, which could further serve as an additional tool for effective management of the kidney allograft.

Extracellular signals induce dynamic ER remodeling through αTAT1-dependent microtubule acetylation.

Dynamic changes in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) morphology are central to maintaining cellular homeostasis. Microtubules (MT) facilitate the continuous remodeling of the ER network into sheets and tubules by coordinating with many ER-shaping protein complexes, although how this process is controlled by extracellular signals remains unknown. Here we report that TAK1, a kinase responsive to various growth factors and cytokines including TGF-ß and TNF-α, triggers ER tubulation by activating αTAT1, an MT-acetylating enzyme that enhances ER-sliding. We show that this TAK1/αTAT1-dependent ER remodeling promotes cell survival by actively downregulating BOK, an ER membrane-associated proapoptotic effector. While BOK is normally protected from degradation when complexed with IP3R, it is rapidly degraded upon their dissociation during the ER sheets-to-tubules conversion. These findings demonstrate a distinct mechanism of ligand-induced ER remodeling and suggest that the TAK1/αTAT1 pathway may be a key target in ER stress and dysfunction.

Calreticulin regulates hepatic stellate cell activation through modulating TGF-beta-induced Smad signaling.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) as a wound healing process. Activated hepatic stellate cells (HpSCs) are the major producer of the ECM and play a central role in liver fibrogenesis. It has been widely accepted that elimination of activated HpSCs or reversion to a quiescent state can be a feasible strategy for resolving the disease, further highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Calreticulin (CRT) is a molecular chaperone that normally resides in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), important in protein folding and trafficking through the secretory pathway. CRT also plays a critical role in calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis, with its Ca2+ storage capacity. In the current study, we aimed to demonstrate its function in directing HpSC activation. In a mouse liver injury model, CRT was up-regulated in HpSCs. In cellular experiments, we further showed that this activation was through modulating the canonical TGF-ß signaling. As down-regulation of CRT in HpSCs elevated intracellular Ca2+ levels through a form of Ca2+ influx, named store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), we examined whether moderating SOCE affected TGF-ß signaling. Interestingly, blocking SOCE had little effect on TGF-ß-induced gene expression. In contrast, inhibition of ER Ca2+ release using the inositol trisphosphate receptor inhibitor 2-APB increased TGF-ß signaling. Treatment with 2-APB did not alter SOCE but decreased intracellular Ca2+ at the basal level. Indeed, adjusting Ca2+ concentrations by EGTA or BAPTA-AM chelation further enhanced TGF-ß-induced signaling. Our results suggest a crucial role of CRT in the liver fibrogenic process through modulating Ca2+ concentrations and TGF-ß signaling in HpSCs, which may provide new information and help advance the current discoveries for liver fibrosis.

Exploring unconventional targets in myofibroblast transdifferentiation outside classical TGF-ß signaling in renal fibrosis.

We propose that the key initiators of renal fibrosis are myofibroblasts which originate from four predominant sources-fibroblasts, pericytes, endothelial cells and macrophages. Increased accumulation of renal interstitial myofibroblasts correlates with an increase in collagen, fibrillar proteins, and fibrosis severity. The canonical TGF-ß pathway, signaling via Smad proteins, is the central molecular hub that initiates these cellular transformations. However, directly targeting these classical pathway molecules has proven challenging due their integral roles in metabolic process, and/or non-sustainable effects involving compensatory cross-talk with TGF-ß. This review explores recently discovered alternative molecular targets that drive transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts. Discovering targets outside of the classical TGF-ß/Smad pathway is crucial for advancing antifibrotic therapies, and strategically targeting the development of myofibroblasts offers a promising approach to control excessive extracellular matrix deposition and impede fibrosis progression.

Transcriptome analysis revealed SMURF2 as a prognostic biomarker for oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: The activation of TGF-ß pathway can facilitate tumorigenesis. Understanding the TGF-related genes (TRGs) in oral cancer and determining their prognostic value is of utmost importance. METHODS: The TRGs were selected to develop a prognostic model based on lasso regression. Oral cancer patients were classified into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the risk model. Subsequently, multivariate COX regression was employed to identify the prognostic marker. Additionally, the expression of SMURF2 was validated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) database. To investigate the relationship between SMURF2 expression and immune cell infiltrations, we conducted single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) analyses. RESULTS: We identified 16 differentially expressed TRGs in oral cancer, all of which showed upregulation. From these, we selected eight TRGs as prognostic signatures. Furthermore, the high-risk group demonstrated lower infiltration levels of immune cells, immune score, and higher tumor purity. Interestingly, we also found that SMURF2 serves as an independent prognostic biomarker. SMURF2 was upregulated in oral cancer, as confirmed by public databases and qRT-PCR analysis. Importantly, our results indicate a close association between SMURF2 expression and the immune microenvironment. CONCLUSION: The 8-TRG signature prognosis model that we constructed has the ability to predict the survival rate and immune activity of oral cancer patients. SMURF2 could be effective in recognizing prognosis and evaluating immune efficacy for oral cancer.

Gingival proteomics reveals the role of TGF beta and YAP/TAZ signaling in Raine syndrome fibrosis.

Raine syndrome (RNS) is a rare autosomal recessive osteosclerotic dysplasia. RNS is caused by loss-of-function disease-causative variants of the FAM20C gene that encodes a kinase that phosphorylates most of the secreted proteins found in the body fluids and extracellular matrix. The most common RNS clinical features are generalized osteosclerosis, facial dysmorphism, intracerebral calcifications and respiratory defects. In non-lethal RNS forms, oral traits include a well-studied hypoplastic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) and a much less characterized gingival phenotype. We used immunomorphological, biochemical, and siRNA approaches to analyze gingival tissues and primary cultures of gingival fibroblasts of two unrelated, previously reported RNS patients. We showed that fibrosis, pathological gingival calcifications and increased expression of various profibrotic and pro-osteogenic proteins such as POSTN, SPARC and VIM were common findings. Proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins demonstrated that proteins involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) regulation and related to the TGFß/SMAD signaling pathway were increased. Functional analyses confirmed the upregulation of TGFß/SMAD signaling and subsequently uncovered the involvement of two closely related transcription cofactors important in fibrogenesis, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ). Knocking down of FAM20C confirmed the TGFß-YAP/TAZ interplay indicating that a profibrotic loop enabled gingival fibrosis in RNS patients. In summary, our in vivo and in vitro data provide a detailed description of the RNS gingival phenotype. They show that gingival fibrosis and calcifications are associated with, and most likely caused by excessed ECM production and disorganization. They furthermore uncover the contribution of increased TGFß-YAP/TAZ signaling in the pathogenesis of the gingival fibrosis.

MicroRNAs targeting TGF-ß signaling exacerbate central nervous system autoimmunity by disrupting regulatory T cell development and function.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling is essential for a balanced immune response by mediating the development and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and suppressing autoreactive T cells. Disruption of this balance can result in autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) targeting TGF-ß signaling have been shown to be upregulated in naïve CD4 T cells in MS patients, resulting in a limited in vitro generation of human Tregs. Utilizing the murine model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, we show that perinatal administration of miRNAs, which target the TGF-ß signaling pathway, enhanced susceptibility to central nervous system (CNS) autoimmunity. Neonatal mice administered with these miRNAs further exhibited reduced Treg frequencies with a loss in T cell receptor repertoire diversity following the induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in adulthood. Exacerbated CNS autoimmunity as a result of miRNA overexpression in CD4 T cells was accompanied by enhanced Th1 and Th17 cell frequencies. These findings demonstrate that increased levels of TGF-ß-associated miRNAs impede the development of a diverse Treg population, leading to enhanced effector cell activity, and contributing to an increased susceptibility to CNS autoimmunity. Thus, TGF-ß-targeting miRNAs could be a risk factor for MS, and recovering optimal TGF-ß signaling may restore immune homeostasis in MS patients.

The involvement of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling cascade in fibrosis progression and its therapeutic targeting by relaxin.

Organ scarring, referred to as fibrosis, results from a failed wound-healing response to chronic tissue injury and is characterised by the aberrant accumulation of various extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Once established, fibrosis is recognised as a hallmark of stiffened and dysfunctional tissues, hence, various fibrosis-related diseases collectively contribute to high morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Despite this, these diseases are ineffectively treated by currently-available medications. The pro-fibrotic cytokine, transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, has emerged as the master regulator of fibrosis progression, owing to its ability to promote various factors and processes that facilitate rapid ECM synthesis and deposition, whilst negating ECM degradation. TGF-ß1 signal transduction is tightly controlled by canonical (Smad-dependent) and non-canonical (MAP kinase- and Rho-associated protein kinase-dependent) intracellular protein activity, whereas its pro-fibrotic actions can also be facilitated by the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. This review outlines the pathological sequence of events and contributing roles of TGF-ß1 in the progression of fibrosis, and how the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway contributes to tissue repair in acute disease settings, but to fibrosis and related tissue dysfunction in synergy with TGF-ß1 in chronic diseases. It also outlines the anti-fibrotic and related signal transduction mechanisms of the hormone, relaxin, that are mediated via its negative modulation of TGF-ß1 and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, but through the promotion of Wnt/ß-catenin activity in acute disease settings. Collectively, this highlights that the crosstalk between TGF-ß1 signal transduction and the Wnt/ß-catenin cascade may provide a therapeutic target that can be exploited to broadly treat and reverse established fibrosis.

MicroRNA-148b secreted by bovine oviductal extracellular vesicles enhance embryo quality through BPM/TGF-beta pathway.

BACKGROUND: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their cargoes, including MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication. We previously demonstrated the upregulation of bta-mir-148b in EVs from oviductal fluid of cyclic cows. This miRNA is linked to the TGF-ß pathway in the cell proliferation. Our aim was to verify whether miR-148b is taken up by embryos through gymnosis, validate its target genes, and investigate the effect of miR-148b supplementation on early embryo development and quality. METHODS: Zygotes were cultured in SOF + 0.3% BSA (Control) or supplemented with: 1 µM miR-148b mimics during: D1-D7 (miR148b) or D1-D4 (miR148b-OV: representing miRNA effect in the oviduct) or D4-D7 (miR148b-UT: representing miRNA effect in the uterus) or 1 µM control mimics was used during: D1-D7 (CMimic). Embryos at ≥ 16-cells and D7 blastocysts (BD7) were collected to examine the mRNA abundance of transcripts linked to the TGF-ß pathway (TGFBR2, SMAD1, SMAD2, SMAD3, SMAD5, BMPR2, RPS6KB1, POU5F1, NANOG), total cell number (TC), trophectoderm (TE), and inner cell mass (ICM) were also evaluated. One-way ANOVA was used for all analyses. RESULTS: We demonstrated that miR-148b can be taken up in both 16-cell embryos and BD7 by gymnosis, and we observed a decrease in SMAD5 mRNA, suggesting it's a potential target of miR-148b. Cleavage and blastocysts rates were not affected in any groups; however, supplementation of miR-148b mimics had a positive effect on TC, TE and ICM, with values of 136.4 ± 1.6, 92.5 ± 0.9, 43.9 ± 1.3 for miR148b and 135.3 ± 1.5, 92.6 ± 1.2, 42.7 ± 0.8, for miR148b-OV group. Furthermore, mRNA transcripts of SMAD1 and SMAD5 were decreased (P ≤ 0.001) in 16-cell embryos and BD7 from miR148b and miR148b-OV groups, while POU5F1 and NANOG were upregulated (P ≤ 0.001) in BD7 and TGFBR2 was only downregulated in 16-cell embryos. pSMAD1/5 levels were higher in the miR148b and miR148b-OV groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that supplementation of bta-miR-148b mimics during the entire culture period (D1 - D7) or from D1 - D4 improves embryo quality and influences the TGF-ß signaling pathway by altering the transcription of genes associated with cellular differentiation and proliferation. This highlights the importance of miR-148b on embryo quality and development.

RGS4 controls airway hyperresponsiveness through GAP-independent mechanisms.

Regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins constrain G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-mediated and other responses throughout the body primarily, but not exclusively, through their GTPase-activating protein activity. Asthma is a highly prevalent condition characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) to environmental stimuli resulting in part from amplified GPCR-mediated airway smooth muscle contraction. Rgs2 or Rgs5 gene deletion in mice enhances AHR and airway smooth muscle contraction, whereas RGS4 KO mice unexpectedly have decreased AHR because of increased production of the bronchodilator prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by lung epithelial cells. Here, we found that knockin mice harboring Rgs4 alleles encoding a point mutation (N128A) that sharply curtails RGS4 GTPase-activating protein activity had increased AHR, reduced airway PGE2 levels, and augmented GPCR-induced bronchoconstriction compared with either RGS4 KO mice or WT controls. RGS4 interacted with the p85α subunit of PI3K and inhibited PI3K-dependent PGE2 secretion elicited by transforming growth factor beta in airway epithelial cells. Together, these findings suggest that RGS4 affects asthma severity in part by regulating the airway inflammatory milieu in a G protein-independent manner.