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Relationship: 2652
Title
Increased cellular proliferation and differentiation leads to Accumulation, Collagen
Upstream event
Downstream event
Key Event Relationship Overview
AOPs Referencing Relationship
AOP Name | Adjacency | Weight of Evidence | Quantitative Understanding | Point of Contact | Author Status | OECD Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Substance interaction with the pulmonary resident cell membrane components leading to pulmonary fibrosis | adjacent | High | High | Sabina Halappanavar (send email) | Under development: Not open for comment. Do not cite | WPHA/WNT Endorsed |
Taxonomic Applicability
Sex Applicability
Life Stage Applicability
Key Event Relationship Description
When activated, fibroblasts migrate to the site of tissue injury and build a provisional extracellular matrix (ECM), which is then used as a scaffold for tissue regeneration. Activated fibroblasts in turn produce Interleukin (IL)-13, IL-6, IL-1β and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), propagating the response. In the second phase, which is the proliferative phase, angiogenesis is stimulated to provide vascular perfusion to the wound. During this phase more fibroblasts are proliferated and they acquire Alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and become myofibroblasts. Thus, myofibroblasts exhibit features of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. The myofibroblasts synthesise and deposit ECM components that eventually replace the provisional ECM. Because of their contractile properties, they play a major role in contraction and closure of the wound tissue (Darby et al., 2014). Apart from secreting ECM components, myofibroblasts also secrete proteolytic enzymes such as metalloproteinases and their inhibitors tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, which play a role in the final phase of the wound healing which is scar formation phase or tissue remodelling.
During this final phase, new synthesis of ECM is suppressed to allow remodelling. The wound is resolved with the secretion of procollagen type 1 and elastin, and infiltrated cells including inflammatory cells, fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are efficiently removed by cellular apoptosis. However, in the presence of continuous stimulus resulting in excessive tissue damage, uncontrolled healing process is initiated involving exaggerated expression of pro-fibrotic cytokines and growth factors such as TGF-β, excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts, increased synthesis and deposition of ECM components, inhibition of reepithelialisation, all of which lead to replacement of the normal architecture of the alveoli and fibrosis (Ueha et al., 2012; Wallace et al., 2007).
Evidence Collection Strategy
Evidence Supporting this KER
Biological Plausibility
The biological plausibility of this KER is high. There is an accepted mechanistic relationship between activated myofibroblasts, and the capacity to secrete collagen (Hinz, 2016a; Hinz, 2016b; Hu and Phan, 2013).
Empirical Evidence
The empirical evidence to support this KER is high. It is generally accepted knowledge that activated myofibroblasts are collagen secreting cells (Blaauboer et al., 2014; Hinz, 2016a; Li et al., 2017; For additional references see Table 1).
Mice infused subcutaneously with bleomycin showed pronounced lung fibrosis, characterised by elevated levels of TGF-β1 and collagen genes (Hoyt and Lazo, 1988). Radiation induced lung fibrosis was shown to precede high levels of TGF-β1 expression (Yi et al., 1996). Mice lacking TGF-β-receptor II showed resistance to bleomycin induced lung fibrosis (Li et al., 2011). Inhibition of fibroblast proliferation and differentiation by counteracting the activity of TGF-β attenuates bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis (Chen et al., 2013; Guan et al., 2016). Adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer based transient overexpression of TGF-β1 in lungs of mice induced progressive lung fibrosis (Bonniaud et al., 2004). Targeted inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalling by a small molecule drug inhibited the mesenchymal-myofibroblast transition and repressed matrix gene expression leading to attenuated lung fibrosis (Cao et al., 2018).
Dose-Response Relationship:
There are a number of in vitro and in vivo studies that indicate a dose-response relationship in this KER. At a higher dose of the stressor, an increased in fibroblast proliferation and myofibroblast differentiation leads to increases in ECM deposition.
Ma et al. (2017) studied the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cerium oxide (CeO2) induced fibrosis. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to 0.15-7 mg/kg CeO2 via intratracheal instillation and sacrificed at various times post-exposure. At 28 days post-exposure there was a dose-dependent increase in hydroxyproline content in lung tissue. Mice exposed to 3.5 mg/kg showed an increase in soluble collagen levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) at day 3 and day 28 and an increase in α-SMA expression levels in lung tissue with a peak at day 1 post-exposure. From CeO2-exposed rats (3.5 mg/kg), macrophages, fibroblast, and alveolar epithelial cells type II (AEC2s) cells were isolated. Macrophages produced TGF-β1 with peaks at day 3 and 10 post-exposure. Fibroblast proliferation decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and an increase in the levels of α-SMA in fibroblasts and AEC2s at day 28 post-exposure. They concluded that CeO2 exposure affects fibroblast function and induces EMT in AEC2s cells.
Blaauboer et al. (2014) studied the expression of elastin (ELN), type V collagen, and tenascin C (TNC) during the development of lung fibrosis and the effect of myofibroblast differentiation on this expression. Female C57Bl/6 mice were exposed to a single intratracheal instillation bleomycin 30 µl (1.25 U/ml in PBS). Seven days before sacrifice, mice received 35 µl deuterated water (D2O)/g via intraperitoneal injection to label new collagen. Mice were sacrificed 1, 3, 4 or 5 weeks post-exposure. An increase in the level of α-SMA protein level in histological staining was observed, with a peak after 2 weeks. ECM proteins levels increased (histological staining). Elastin increased in a time-dependent manner with a peak after 4 weeks. Type V collagen and TNC increased after 1 week and decreased over time. They found that gene expression of ELN, type V collagen and TNC highly correlated to new collagen formation. Primary normal human lung fibroblast and human fetal lung fibroblast were exposed to different concentrations of TGF-β1. The expression of Actin assembly-inducing protein (ACTA), Collagen alpha-1(I) chain (COL1A1), ELN, Collagen type V alpha 1 chain (COL5A1) and TNC increased in a dose-response relationship after 24 h. Fibroblast cultured in ELN coatings and stimulated with 10 ng/ml TGF-β1 for 48 h, showed an increase in the levels of ACTA2, COL1A1, and ELN. The In vitro study demonstrated that fibrotic changes in the composition of the ECM have a regulatory role during fibrosis development.
Judge et al. (2015) determined that the Lactate dehydrogenase-A (LDHA) enzyme was upregulated in radiation and that lactate is required for radiation-induced myofibroblast differentiation. In lung biopsies obtained from patients who received thoracic radiation for cancer treatment, an overexpression of LDHA and α-SMA by immunostaining was seen, as well as the accumulation of collagen fibers. Mice C57BL/6mice were exposed to 5 Gray (Gy) total body plus 10 Gy thoracic radiation. They found that LDHA overexpressed in lungs at 26 week, and LDHA mRNA increased over time at 16-26 weeks (post-radiation). Primary human lung fibroblasts were exposed to 3, and 7 Gy. At the highest dose 5 days post-radiation, an increase in the levels of LDHA protein expression, extracellular acidification, lactate levels in supernatants, α-SMA protein expression, soluble collagen I, Col1A1, and Collagen type III alpha 1 chain (Col3A1) mRNA levels, and TGF-β1 bioactivity was seen. LDHA siRNA and an LDH inhibitor, inhibits radiation-induced myofibroblast differentiation.
Lai et al. (2018) studied whether copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) could induce epithelial cell injury, pulmonary inflammation, and fibrosis in C57BL/6 mice. Animals were nasally instilled with 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg of CuO NPs, and responses were evaluated at 7, 14, and 28 days post-exposure. In a dose-dependent manner, authors found increased mRNA levels of proinflammatory genes such as C-C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)-2, CCL-3, IL-4, IL-10, Interferon gamma (IFN-α), and TGF-β1 in lung tissue. Cell apoptosis was also increased in a dose-dependent manner at 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/Kg. Also, the increase of TGF-β1 in BALF at day 14 and the increase of α-SMA at day 28 in lung tissue followed a dose-response relationship at 2.5 and 5 mg/Kg. After 28 days of exposure, there was an increase in collagen-I and hydroxyproline content at 2.5 and 5 mg/Kg.
Temporal Relationship:
In vitro and in vivo studies highlight the temporal relationship between the two KEs in this KER.
Osterholzer et al. (2013) evaluated local inflammation and fibrosis after a targeted epithelial insult. Wild type (WT) C57BL/6 and transgenic mice expressing the diphtheria toxin (DT) receptor were intraperitoneally injected with DT once daily for 14 days at a dose of 10.0 µg/kg in 100 µl of PBS. Observations were evaluated at various days post-DT initiation. At day 7 and 14, an accumulation of exudate macrophages and Ly-6Chigh monocytes was observed. The immunophenotype of ExM and Ly-6Chigh monocytes at day 14 showed an expression of arginase, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs), IL-13, TGF-β, CD45+, Type 1 collagen (Col1)+, and C-C motif chemokine-receptor (CCR)4. CCR2 deficient mice (CCR2-/-) did not show an accumulation of inflammatory cells and fibrosis. Finally, at day 21, lung collagen deposition was evident, as measured by hydroxyproline content.
Fang et al. (2018) studied the EMT characterized by the loss of endothelial specific markers (Cadherine 5 [Cdh5], Platelet and endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1 [PECAM1]), the acquisition of the mesenchymal markers (Col1A1, Acta 2), and the expression of α-SMA and Collagen I and III. Stock TEK-Green fluorescent protein (GFP) 287 Sato/JNiu Tie2-GFP mice were administered with 0.5 g/Kg silicon dioxide (SiO2) instilled intratracheally in one dose. After 28 days of treatment GFP were localized with α-SMA/Acta2 and the amount of Sirius red (collagen I and III) increased. Mouse microvascular lung cells were exposed to 50 µg/cm2 for 0, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. An increase in the level of mesenchymal markers, a decrease in the level of endothelial markers, and an increase in cell proliferation and migration were observed after 12 h in a time-dependent manner. The exposure to SiO2 increased the expression of circHECTD1 (a circular RNA which regulates the SiO2-induced EMT) after 1, 3 and 24 h of exposure, and decrease the expression of HECTD1 12, 24 and 48 h post-exposure.
Activated macrophages secrete Metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1) into the ECM to inhibit matrix metalloproteinases and this could promote cell proliferation and inhibit fibroblast apoptosis through CD63/integrin β1 ERK signaling. Dong et al. (2017) characterized TiMP1 expression after multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) exposure. Male C57BL/6J WT and B6.129S4-Timp1tm1Pds/J (Timp1 Knockout [KO]) mice were administered with MWCNTs at 40 µg per mouse by pharyngeal aspiration. Lungs were harvested at 1, 3, 7- and 14-days post-exposure. TIMP1 mRNA and protein levels increased in lung, BALF and serum at day 1, and then decreased over time. A similar behavior was observed for Fibronectin 1 (FN1), Fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP), Ki67 and Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, which are markers of proliferation, with a peak at 7 and 14 days post-exposure. Collagen deposition was observed at 1 day post-exposure with a peak at day 7. At day 7 they also observed an increase in the expression of Heat shock protein (Hsp)47, vimentin, α-SMA, Platelet derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFR-β), and genes involved in cell cycle regulation (Mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine-protein kinase BUB1 beta [Bub1β], Macrophage-capping protein [Capg], Histone H3-like centromeric protein A [Cenpa], Kinesin-like protein Kif2c, Kinesin-like protein Kif22, Minichromosome maintenance complex component 5 [Mcm5], Polo like kinase 1 [Plk1] and Tubulin alpha-6 chain [Tuba 6]). TIMP1 KO mice displayed reduced responses. The formation of TIMP1/CD63/integrin b1 complex on the cell surface lead to an activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk)1/3 pathway.
Hu et al. (2015) studied the effects of conditional mesenchymal-specific deletion of Neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (Notch1) on pulmonary fibrosis. A conditional KO of Notch1 (CKO) in collagen I-expressing mesenchymal cells was generated (Notch1fl/fl, Col1a2-cre-ER(T)+/0). Col1a2-cre-ER(T)+/0 with WT Notch1 mice and CKO were given daily intraperitoneal injections of tamoxifen for 8 days to induce mesenchymal cell-specific expression of the Cre-ER(T) recombinase and the removal of the floxed Notch1 (Notch1 CKO Mice). Control mice and Notch1 CKO were injected endotracheally with 2 U/Kg Bleomycin. Mice were sacrificed after 7, 14, and 21 days. Jagged1 (Jag-1) and Notch1 protein expression increased with a peak at 7- and 14-days post-exposure. After 14 days of the treatment, an increase in the levels of mRNA and protein of α-SMA and Col1 was seen, as well as an increase in the percentage of α-SMA+ lung fibroblasts. 28 days post-exposure there was an increase in the content of hydroxyproline in lungs. CKO mice showed a significant attenuation of collagen deposition and myofibroblast differentiation.
Li et al. (2017) evaluated whether low-dose cadmium exposure induces peribronchiolar fibrosis through site-specific phosphorylation of vimentin. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 0.009 or 0.018 mg/kg cadmium chloride (CdCl2) via non-surgical intratracheal instillation in saline every other day for eight weeks. On weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8, mice were sacrificed, and lungs were removed for histology. At week 4, the expression of α-SMA and collagen-I increased. Also, subepithelial thickness and airway resistance increased at this time point. Collagen content was also raised in a time-dependent manner. In a parallel experiment, primary human fibroblasts were incubated with CdCl2 at 5, 10, and 20 μM for 3 h and then allowed to recover for 3, 24, 48, and 72 h. α-SMA protein expression and soluble collagen increased in a dose-dependent manner; meanwhile, α-SMA, fibronectin, and collagen-I increased in a time-dependent manner. These results demonstrated that cadmium induces myofibroblast differentiation and ECM deposition around small airways.
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
Several studies have shown that inhibition of TGF-β involved in fibroblast activation and collagen deposition results in attenuated fibrotic response in lungs; however, results are inconsistent. More studies are required to support the quantitative KER.
Known modulating factors
Quantitative Understanding of the Linkage
Response-response Relationship
Time-scale
Known Feedforward/Feedback loops influencing this KER
Domain of Applicability
References
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