Protection from obesity and diabetes by blockade of TGF-β/Smad3 signaling

Imbalances in glucose and energy homeostasis are at the core of the worldwide epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Here, we illustrate an important role of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway in regulating glucose and energy homeostasis. Smad3-deficient mice are protected from diet-induced obesity and diabetes. Interestingly, the metabolic protection is accompanied by Smad3(-)(/-) white adipose tissue acquiring the bioenergetic and gene expression profile of brown fat/skeletal muscle. Smad3(-/-) adipocytes demonstrate a marked increase in mitochondrial biogenesis, with a corresponding increase in basal respiration, and Smad3 acts as a repressor of PGC-1α expression. We observe significant correlation between TGF-β1 levels and adiposity in rodents and humans. Further, systemic blockade of TGF-β signaling protects mice from obesity, diabetes, and hepatic steatosis. Together, these results demonstrate that TGF-β signaling regulates glucose tolerance and energy homeostasis and suggest that modulation of TGF-β activity might be an effective treatment strategy for obesity and diabetes.     

Fibronectin protects from excessive liver fibrosis by modulating the availability of and responsiveness of stellate cells to active TGF-β

Fibrotic tissue in the liver is mainly composed of collagen. Fibronectin, which is also present in fibrotic matrices, is required for collagen matrix assembly in vitro. It also modulates the amount of growth factors and their release from the matrix. We therefore examined the effects of the absence of fibronectin on the development of fibrosis in mice.Conditional deletion of fibronectin in the liver using the Mx promoter to drive cre expression resulted in increased collagen production and hence a more pronounced fibrosis in response to dimethylnitrosamine in mice. Exclusive deletion of fibronectin in hepatocytes or normalization of circulating fibronectin in Mx-cKO mice did not affect the development of fibrosis suggesting a role for fibronectin production by other liver cell types. The boosted fibrosis in fibronectin-deficient mice was associated with enhanced stellate cell activation and proliferation, elevated concentrations of active TGF-β, and increased TGF-β-mediated signaling.In vitro experiments revealed that collagen-type-I production by fibronectin-deficient hepatic stellate cells stimulated with TGF-β was more pronounced, and was associated with augmented Smad3-mediated signaling. Interfering with TGF-β signaling using SB431542 normalized collagen-type-I production in fibronectin-deficient hepatic stellate cells. Furthermore, precoating culture plates with fibronectin, but not collagen, or providing fibronectin fibrils unable to interact with RGD binding integrins via the RGD domain significantly diminished the amount of active TGF-β in fibronectin-deficient stellate cells and normalized collagen-type-I production in response to TGF-β stimulation. Thus, excessive stellate cell activation and production of collagen results from increased active TGF-β and TGF-β signaling in the absence of fibronectin.In conclusion, our data indicate that fibronectin controls the availability of active TGF-β in the injured liver, which impacts the severity of the resulting fibrosis. We therefore propose a novel role for locally produced fibronectin in protecting the liver from an excessive TGF-β-mediated response.     

Regulation of adipocyte differentiation and gene expression-crosstalk between TGFβ and wnt signaling pathways

Obesity results in reduced differentiation potential of adipocytes leading to adipose tissue insulin resistance. Elevated proinflammatory cytokines from adipose tissue in obesity, such as TNFα have been implicated in the reduced adipocyte differentiation. Other mediators of reduced adipocyte differentiation include TGFβ and wnt proteins. Although some overlap exists in the signaling cascades of the wnt and TGFβ pathways it is unknown if TGFβ or wnt proteins reciprocally induce the expression of each other to maximize their biological effects in adipocytes. Therefore, we investigated the possible involvement of TGFβ signaling in wnt induced gene expression and vice versa in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Effect of TGFβ and Wnt pathways on differentiation was studied in preadipocytes induced to differentiate in the presence of Wnt3a or TGFβ1 and their inhibitors (FZ8-CRD and SB431542, respectively). Regulation of intracellular signaling and gene expression was also studied in mature adipocytes. Our results show that both TGFβ1 and Wnt3a lead to increased accumulation of β-catenin, phosphorylation of AKT and p44/42 MAPK. However, differences were found in the pattern of gene expression induced by the two proteins suggesting that distinct, but complex, signaling pathways are activated by TGFβ and wnt proteins to independently regulate adipocyte function.     

The roles of transforming growth factor-β and Smad3 signaling in adipocyte differentiation and obesity

We aimed at elucidating the roles of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and Smad3 signaling in adipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis) and in the pathogenesis of obesity. TGF-β/Smad3 signaling in white adipose tissue (WAT) was determined in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. The effect of TGF-β on adipogenesis was evaluated in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF) isolated both from WT controls and Smad3 KO mice by Oil red-O staining and gene expression analysis. Phenotypic analyses of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in Smad3 KO mice compared to WT controls were performed. TGF-β/Smad3 signaling was elevated in WAT from ob/ob mice compared to the controls. TGF-β significantly inhibited adipogenesis in MEF, but the inhibitory effects of TGF-β on adipogenesis were partially abolished in MEF from Smad3 KO mice. TGF-β inhibited adipogenesis independent from the Wnt and β-catenin pathway. Smad3 KO mice were protected against HFD-induced insulin resistance. The size of adipocytes from Smad3 KO mice on the HFD was significantly smaller compared to the controls. In conclusion, the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway plays key roles not only in adipogenesis but also in development of insulin resistance.     

Increased angiogenesis protects against adipose hypoxia and fibrosis in metabolic disease-resistant 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (HSD1)-deficient mice

In obesity, rapidly expanding adipose tissue becomes hypoxic, precipitating inflammation, fibrosis, and insulin resistance. Compensatory angiogenesis may prevent these events. Mice lacking the intracellular glucocorticoid-amplifying enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1(-/-)) have "healthier" adipose tissue distribution and resist metabolic disease with diet-induced obesity. Here we show that adipose tissues of 11βHSD1(-/-) mice exhibit attenuated hypoxia, induction of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) activation of the TGF-β/Smad3/α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) signaling pathway, and fibrogenesis despite similar fat accretion with diet-induced obesity. Moreover, augmented 11βHSD1(-/-) adipose tissue angiogenesis is associated with enhanced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ)-inducible expression of the potent angiogenic factors VEGF-A, apelin, and angiopoietin-like protein 4. Improved adipose angiogenesis and reduced fibrosis provide a novel mechanism whereby suppression of intracellular glucocorticoid regeneration promotes safer fat expansion with weight gain.     

ALK1 heterozygosity increases extracellular matrix protein expression,proliferation and migration in fibroblasts

Fibrosis is a pathological situation in which excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) are deposited in the tissue. Myofibroblasts play a crucial role in the development and progress of fibrosis as they actively synthesize ECM components such as collagen I, fibronectin and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and cause organ fibrosis. Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) plays a major role in tissue fibrosis. Activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ALK1) is a type I receptor of TGF-β1 with an important role in angiogenesis whose function in cellular biology and TGF-β signaling is well known in endothelial cells, but its role in fibroblast biology and its contribution to fibrosis is poorly studied. We have recently demonstrated that ALK1 regulates ECM protein expression in a mouse model of obstructive nephropathy. Our aim was to evaluate the role of ALK1 in several processes involved in fibrosis such as ECM protein expression, proliferation and migration in ALK1^+/+ and ALK1^+/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) after TGF-β1 stimulations and inhibitors. ALK1 heterozygous MEFs show increased expression of ECM proteins (collagen I, fibronectin and CTGF/CCN2), cell proliferation and migration due to an alteration of TGF-β/Smad signaling. ALK1 heterozygous disruption shows an increase of Smad2 and Smad3 phosphorylation that explains the increases in CTGF/CCN2, fibronectin and collagen I, proliferation and cell motility observed in these cells. Therefore, we suggest that ALK1 plays an important role in the regulation of ECM protein expression, proliferation and migration.     

Induction of cardiac fibroblast lysyl oxidase by TGF-β1 requires PI3K/Akt, Smad3, and MAPK signaling

Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a key extracellular enzyme responsible for the post-translational modification of collagens I and III to form mature fibrillar collagen. Increased expression of LOX is associated with fibrosis and cardiac dysfunction, yet little is known about the regulation of LOX in the heart. In this study, the cell signaling pathways responsible for the regulation of LOX expression by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 were assessed. Adult cardiac fibroblasts were isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rat hearts by enzymatic digestion. Fibroblasts were grown in DMEM with 10% FBS until approximately 80% confluent, growth arrested for 24h, and then treated with TGF-β1 (0-10 ng/ml), in the absence or presence of inhibitors of (1) PI3K (wortmannin), (2) Smad3 (SIS3), (3) p38-MAPK (PD169316), (4) JNK (SP600125) and (5) ERK1/2 (PD98059). TGF-β1 treatment significantly upregulated LOX mRNA and protein expression in cardiac fibroblasts, as well as activity in the cell-conditioned media. Concomitant increases in collagen types I and III, and bone morphogenic protein (BMP-1) expression were found in response to TGF-β1. The increase of LOX protein in response to TGF-β1 was prevented by inhibitors of PI3K, Smad3, p38-MAPK, JNK and ERK1/2. Blockade of PI3K also decreased TGF-β1 induced phosphorylation of Smad3, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt and Smad pathways may be integrated in TGF-β1 signaling. Further studies are warranted to address the regulation of LOX in the normal and diseased heart, and how this critical extracellular enzyme may be targeted for clinical benefit.     

TNF-α increases cardiac fibroblast lysyl oxidase expression through TGF-β and PI3Kinase signaling pathways

TNF-α is a proinflammatory cytokine that is upregulated in many cardiac diseases. The increase of TNF-α expression affects both heart function and the structure of the extracellular matrix. Lysyl oxidase (LOX) is a key enzyme responsible for the maturation of extracellular matrix proteins, including collagens type I and III. In this study, we investigated the regulation of LOX expression and activity by TNF-α using adult rat cardiac fibroblasts. Our results indicate that TNF-α has a dichotomous effect on LOX expression by cardiac fibroblasts. Low dose TNF-α (1–5 ng/ml) decreased LOX expression, whereas higher doses (10–30 ng/ml) increased expression. The higher dose TNF-α effect on LOX expression was attenuated by the inhibition of PI3Kinase/Akt pathway. TGF-β1 signaling played a significant role in mediating the TNF-α effect. TNF-α increased the expression of TGF-β, and TGF-β receptors type I and II, and also stimulated Smad3 phosphorylation. Inhibition of TGF-β receptor I or Smad3 prevented increased LOX expression by TNF-α. These findings indicate that TNF-α stimulated LOX expression may play an important role in progressive cardiac fibrosis.     

Notch 通路在大鼠肝纤维化发生发展中作用的初探

目的:研究Notch通路在肝纤维发生发展中作用及可能的分子机制。方法:Wistar大鼠40只随机分为正常对照组与病理模型组,病理模型组皮下注射四氯化碳制备肝纤维化模型。8周后将大鼠处死,取肝组织行病理HE染色评价肝纤维化程度并采用免疫组织化学法检测Notch-1蛋白、E-cadherin蛋白与TGF-β1蛋白的表达。结果:肝组织病理HE染色示肝纤维化大鼠肝脏肝细胞坏死、再生明显,胶原纤维沉积明显增加,肝实质结构紊乱。与正常对照组相比,病理模型组notch-1与TGF-β1蛋白表达明显增加,而E-cadherin蛋白的表达明显下降(P<0.01)。结论:Notch通路在大鼠肝纤维化发生发展中可能起重要作用。     

TGF-β-mediated upregulation of Sox9 in fibroblast promotes renal fibrosis

TGF-β signaling plays a principal role in renal fibrosis, but the precise mechanisms and the downstream factors are still largely unknown. Sox9 exhibits diverse roles in regulating the production of extracellular matrix proteins. Here we found that Sox9 was induced by TGF-β in the kidney fibroblast and acted as an important downstream mediator of TGF-β signaling in promoting renal fibrosis. TGF-β/Smad signaling mediated the upregulation of Sox9 in kidney fibroblast by binding to a conserved enhancer. In different mouse models of renal fibrosis, as well as in the kidney biopsy tissue from patients with renal fibrosis, Sox9 expression significantly increased. Immunostaining confirmed the upregulation of Sox9 in the kidney fibroblast during renal fibrosis. Delivery of Sox9 knockdown plasmid to the kidney by ultrasound microbubble–mediated gene transfer suppressed the unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) or folic acid-induced mouse renal fibrosis, whereas ectopic expression of Sox9 aggravated renal fibrosis. In addition, we identified Sox9 as a direct target of miR-30. Notably, miR-30 expression was significantly inhibited by TGF-β1 in the kidney fibroblast and the downregulation of miR-30 was observed in renal fibrosis. Mechanistically, inhibition of miR-30 independently strengthened the effect of TGF-β/Smad signaling on Sox9 upregulation. Adenovirus-mediated ectopic expression of miR-30 in kidney fibroblast greatly reduced UUO-induced renal fibrosis by targeting Sox9. These findings link Sox9 to intrinsic mechanisms of TGF-β signaling in renal fibrosis and may have therapeutic potential for tissue fibrosis.     

CCN2 is required for the TGF-β induced activation of Smad1-Erk1/2 signaling network

Connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) is a multifunctional matricellular protein, which is frequently overexpressed during organ fibrosis. CCN2 is a mediator of the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β in cultured cells, but the specific function of CCN2 in the fibrotic process has not been elucidated. In this study we characterized the CCN2-dependent signaling pathways that are required for the TGF-β induced fibrogenic response. By depleting endogenous CCN2 we show that CCN2 is indispensable for the TGF-β-induced phosphorylation of Smad1 and Erk1/2, but it is unnecessary for the activation of Smad3. TGF-β stimulation triggered formation of the CCN2/β(3) integrin protein complexes and activation of Src signaling. Furthermore, we demonstrated that signaling through the α(v)β(3) integrin receptor and Src was required for the TGF-β induced Smad1 phosphorylation. Recombinant CCN2 activated Src and Erk1/2 signaling, and induced phosphorylation of Fli1, but was unable to stimulate Smad1 or Smad3 phosphorylation. Additional experiments were performed to investigate the role of CCN2 in collagen production. Consistent with the previous studies, blockade of CCN2 abrogated TGF-β-induced collagen mRNA and protein levels. Recombinant CCN2 potently stimulated collagen mRNA levels and upregulated activity of the COL1A2 promoter, however CCN2 was a weak inducer of collagen protein levels. CCN2 stimulation of collagen was dose-dependent with the lower doses (<50 ng/ml) having a stimulatory effect and higher doses having an inhibitory effect on collagen gene expression. In conclusion, our study defines a novel CCN2/α(v)β(3) integrin/Src/Smad1 axis that contributes to the pro-fibrotic TGF-β signaling and suggests that blockade of this pathway may be beneficial for the treatment of fibrosis.     

The inhibitory effect of ginsan on TGF-β mediated fibrotic process

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) plays a central role in the development of fibrosis by stimulating extracellular matrix accumulation, and signals either directly or indirectly through types I, II, and III (TβRI, II, and III) TGF-β receptor complexes. Ginsan, a polysaccharide extracted from Panax ginseng, has multiple immunomodulatory effects. Here, we examine whether ginsan regulates the fibrogenic process by interfering with TGF-β signaling pathways. TGF-β treatment of murine or human normal lung fibroblasts enhanced the levels of several fibrotic markers, including smooth muscle alpha actin (α-SMA), collagen-1, and fibronectin. Interestingly, ginsan treatment either before or after TGF-β administration led to significant reductions in all of α-SMA, collagen-1, and fibronectin expression levels. Ginsan not only inhibited phosphorylation of Smad2 and Smad3, but also attenuated pERK and pAKT signaling induced by TGF-β. Moreover, ginsan restored TβRIII protein expression, which was significantly downregulated by TGF-β, but reduced TβRI and TβRII protein levels. In a murine model of bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, ginsan significantly suppressed accumulation of collagen, α-SMA, and TGF-β. These data collectively suggest that ginsan acts as an effective anti-fibrotic agent in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis by blocking multiple TGF-β signaling pathways.     

N-butylidenephthalide ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice and promotes browning through adrenergic response/AMPK activation in mouse beige adipocytes

Thermogenesis (non-exercise activity) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) promotes energy expenditure because of its higher number of mitochondria than white adipose tissue (WAT). The main function of thermogenesis in BAT can counteract obesity through the dissipation of calories as heat. N-butylidenephthalide (BP) is a natural derivative from Angelica sinensis, a Chinese herb that has been used for thousands of years. In this report, we demonstrated that BP improved the metabolic profiles of mice with high fat diet-induced obesity (DIO) by preventing weight gain, improving serum blood parameters, enhancing energy expenditure, stimulating white fat browning, and reversing hepatic steatosis. Further investigations demonstrated that BP administration upregulated the mRNA expression of beige (CD137, TMEM26) and brown fat selected genes (UCP1, PRDM16, PGC-1α, PPARγ) in white adipose tissues. In vitro studies, BP treatment increased multilocular lipid droplet levels, induced β-adrenergic receptor (cAMP/PKA) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling (AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase/SIRT1), and increased oxygen consumption in murine differentiated beige adipocytes, and the effects of BP were blocked by an AMPK inhibitor. BP promoted the interaction of AMPK with PGC-1α in beige adipocytes. Our findings provide novel insights into the application of BP in regulating energy metabolism and suggest its utility for clinical use in the treatment of obesity and related diseases.     

Imaging immune and metabolic cells of visceral adipose tissues with multimodal nonlinear optical microscopy

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) inflammation is recognized as a mechanism by which obesity is associated with metabolic diseases. The communication between adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) and adipocytes is important to understanding the interaction between immunity and energy metabolism and its roles in obesity-induced diseases. Yet visualizing adipocytes and macrophages in complex tissues is challenging to standard imaging methods. Here, we describe the use of a multimodal nonlinear optical (NLO) microscope to characterize the composition of VATs of lean and obese mice including adipocytes, macrophages, and collagen fibrils in a label-free manner. We show that lipid metabolism processes such as lipid droplet formation, lipid droplet microvesiculation, and free fatty acids trafficking can be dynamically monitored in macrophages and adipocytes. With its versatility, NLO microscopy should be a powerful imaging tool to complement molecular characterization of the immunity-metabolism interface.     

Lefty A attenuates the TGF-β1-induced epithelial to mesenchymal transition of human renal proximal epithelial tubular cells

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial event for renal fibrosis that can be elicited by TGF-β1/Smads signaling and its downstream mediator connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). As a distinct member of the TGF-β superfamily, Lefty A has been shown to be significantly downregulated in the kidneys of patients with severe ureteral obstruction, suggesting its role in renal fibrosis induced by obstructive nephropathy. In order to determine whether Lefty A prevents TGF-β1-induced EMT, human proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2) were stably transfected with Lefty A or control vectors and stimulated with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 48 h. The results show that stimulation with TGF-β1 led to EMT including cell morphology changes, Smad2/3 signaling pathway activation, increased α-SMA, collagen type I, and CTGF expression, and decreased E-cadherin expression in mock-transfected HK-2 cells. Overexpression of Lefty A efficiently blocked p-Smad2/3 activation and attenuated all these EMT changes induced by TGF-β1. This finding suggests that Lefty A may serve as a potential new therapeutic target to inhibit or even reverse EMT during the process of renal fibrosis.