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Myofibroblast Differentiation and Enhanced Tgf-B Signaling in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease

RATIONALE: TGF-β, a mediator of pulmonary fibrosis, is a genetic modifier of CF respiratory deterioration. The mechanistic relationship between TGF-β signaling and CF lung disease has not been determined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate myofibroblast differentiation in CF lung tissue as a novel pathway by...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Harris, William T., Kelly, David R., Zhou, Yong, Wang, Dezhi, Macewen, Mark, Hagood, James S., Clancy, J. P., Ambalavanan, Namasivayam, Sorscher, Eric J.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Public Library of Science 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3741283/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23950911
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0070196
Descripción
Sumario:RATIONALE: TGF-β, a mediator of pulmonary fibrosis, is a genetic modifier of CF respiratory deterioration. The mechanistic relationship between TGF-β signaling and CF lung disease has not been determined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate myofibroblast differentiation in CF lung tissue as a novel pathway by which TGF-β signaling may contribute to pulmonary decline, airway remodeling and tissue fibrosis. METHODS: Lung samples from CF and non-CF subjects were analyzed morphometrically for total TGF-β(1), TGF-β signaling (Smad2 phosphorylation), myofibroblast differentiation (α-smooth muscle actin), and collagen deposition (Masson trichrome stain). RESULTS: TGF-β signaling and fibrosis are markedly increased in CF (p<0.01), and the presence of myofibroblasts is four-fold higher in CF vs. normal lung tissue (p<0.005). In lung tissue with prominent TGF-β signaling, both myofibroblast differentiation and tissue fibrosis are significantly augmented (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS: These studies establish for the first time that a pathogenic mechanism described previously in pulmonary fibrosis is also prominent in cystic fibrosis lung disease. The presence of TGF-β dependent signaling in areas of prominent myofibroblast proliferation and fibrosis in CF suggests that strategies under development for other pro-fibrotic lung conditions may also be evaluated for use in CF.