Glycyrrhizic Acid Attenuates Pulmonary Fibrosis of Silicosis by Inhibiting the Interaction between HMGB1 and BRG1 through PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathway

Purpose: High mobility group protein 1 (HMGB1) is a highly conserved DNA-binding nuclear protein that participates in the occurrence and development of silicosis. HMGB1 binds to its specific receptor and activates phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B, (PKB; Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Brahma-related genes 1 (BRG1; SMARCA4) is the core subunit of SWI/SNF. HMGB1 activates the Akt pathway through BRG1 to promote the proliferation of prostate cancer. Glycyrrhizic acid is a new pharmacological inhibitor of HMGB1, which may inhibit the occurrence and development of silicosis. We speculate that glycyrrhizic acid inhibits the interaction between HMGB1 and BRG1 through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to affect the progression of silicosis. Methods: We carried out an in vitro study and stimulated A549 with TGF-β1 to establish an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) model, knocked down the HMGB1 and BRG1 genes in cells, observed the expression of EMT markers, and detected the interaction between HMGB1 and BRG1 by co-immunoprecipitation. In vivo, we injected glycyrrhizic acid into the mouse silicosis model to inhibit the expression of HMGB1. Results: Both HMGB1 and BRG1 were highly expressed in the process of EMT. After knocking down HMGB1 and BRG1, the process of EMT was inhibited through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and their expressions were influenced by each other. HMGB1 and BRG1 interact with each other in A549 cells. HMGB1 and BRG1 are also highly expressed in the mouse silicosis model, and glycyrrhizic acid can inhibit the expression of HMGB1/BRG1 through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusion: Glycyrrhizic acid can inhibit the interaction between HMGB1 and BRG1 through the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway to affect the progression of silicosis.