Michal Tomcik1, Katrin Palumbo-Zerr2, Pawel Zerr2, Jerome Avouac3, Clara Dees2, Barbora Sumova1, Alfiya Distler2, Christian Beyer2, Lucie Andres Cerezo4, Radim Becvar4, Oliver Distler5, Mariam Grigorian6, Georg Schett2, Ladislav Senolt4, Jörg H W Distler2. 1. Department of Internal Medicine III and Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany Department of Rheumatology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Rheumatology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. 2. Department of Internal Medicine III and Institute for Clinical Immunology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. 3. Rheumatology A Department, Paris Descartes University, Cochin Hospital, Paris, France. 4. Department of Rheumatology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Rheumatology, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic. 5. Center of Experimental Rheumatology and Zurich Center of Integrative Human Physiology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland. 6. Neuro-Oncology Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Neuroscience and Pharmacology, Copenhagen University, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: S100A4 is a calcium binding protein with regulatory functions in cell homeostasis, proliferation and differentiation that has been shown to promote cancer progression and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated the role of S100A4 in fibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The expression of S100A4 was analysed in human samples, murine models of SSc and in cultured fibroblasts by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot. The functional role of S100A4 was evaluated using siRNA, overexpression, recombinant protein and S100A4 knockout (S100A4(-/-)) mice. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signalling was assessed by reporter assays, staining for phosphorylated Smad2/3 and analyses of target genes. RESULTS: The expression of S100A4 was increased in SSc skin and in experimental fibrosis in a TGF-β/Smad-dependent manner. Overexpression of S100A4 or stimulation with recombinant S100A4 induced an activated phenotype in resting normal fibroblasts. In contrast, knockdown of S100A4 reduced the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β and decreased the release of collagen. S100A4(-/-) mice were protected from bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis with reduced dermal thickening, decreased hydroxyproline content and lower myofibroblast counts. Deficiency of S100A4 also ameliorated fibrosis in the tight-skin-1 (Tsk-1) mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: We characterised S100A4 as a downstream mediator of the stimulatory effects of TGF-β on fibroblasts in SSc. TGF-β induces the expression of S100A4 to stimulate the release of collagen in SSc fibroblasts and induce fibrosis. Since S100A4 is essentially required for the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β and neutralising antibodies against S100A4 are currently evaluated, S100A4 might be a candidate for novel antifibrotic therapies. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
OBJECTIVES:S100A4 is a calcium binding protein with regulatory functions in cell homeostasis, proliferation and differentiation that has been shown to promote cancer progression and metastasis. In the present study, we evaluated the role of S100A4 in fibroblast activation in systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: The expression of S100A4 was analysed in human samples, murine models of SSc and in cultured fibroblasts by real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot. The functional role of S100A4 was evaluated using siRNA, overexpression, recombinant protein and S100A4 knockout (S100A4(-/-)) mice. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signalling was assessed by reporter assays, staining for phosphorylated Smad2/3 and analyses of target genes. RESULTS: The expression of S100A4 was increased in SSc skin and in experimental fibrosis in a TGF-β/Smad-dependent manner. Overexpression of S100A4 or stimulation with recombinant S100A4 induced an activated phenotype in resting normal fibroblasts. In contrast, knockdown of S100A4 reduced the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β and decreased the release of collagen. S100A4(-/-) mice were protected from bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis with reduced dermal thickening, decreased hydroxyproline content and lower myofibroblast counts. Deficiency of S100A4 also ameliorated fibrosis in the tight-skin-1 (Tsk-1) mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: We characterised S100A4 as a downstream mediator of the stimulatory effects of TGF-β on fibroblasts in SSc. TGF-β induces the expression of S100A4 to stimulate the release of collagen in SSc fibroblasts and induce fibrosis. Since S100A4 is essentially required for the pro-fibrotic effects of TGF-β and neutralising antibodies against S100A4 are currently evaluated, S100A4 might be a candidate for novel antifibrotic therapies. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.
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