Project description:We analyzed via microarray gene expression profiles from patients with familial pulmonary fibrosis and HPS-1 pulmonary fibrosis collected under IRB-approved protocols.
Project description:To investigate the differential genes associated with mitochondria in pulmonary fibrosis mice, we established pulmonary fibrosis mice and applied mitochondrial replenishment therapy.
Project description:Objective: Pulmonary complications in systemic sclerosis (SSc), including pulmonary fibrosis (PF) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), are the leading cause of mortality. We compared the molecular fingerprint of SSc lung tissues and matching primary lung fibroblasts to those of normal donors, and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH). Methods: Lung tissues were obtained from 33 patients with SSc who underwent lung transplantation. Tissues and cells from a subgroup of SSc patients with predominantly PF or PAH were compared to those from normal donors, patients with IPF, or IPAH. Microarray data was analyzed using Efficiency Analysis for determination of optimal data processing methods. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm differential levels of mRNA and protein, respectively. Results: We identified a consensus of 242 and 335 genes that were differentially expressed in lungs and primary fibroblasts, respectively. Enriched function groups in SSc-PF and IPF lungs included fibrosis, insulin-like growth factor signaling and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. Functional groups shared by SSc-PAH and IPAH lungs included antigen presentation, chemokine activity, and IL-17 signaling. Conclusion: Using microarray analysis on carefully phenotyped SSc and comparator lung tissues, we demonstrated distinct molecular profiles in tissues and fibroblasts of patients with SSc-associated lung disease compared to idiopathic forms of lung disease. Unique molecular signatures were generated that are disease- (SSc) and phenotype- (PF vs PAH) specific. These signatures provide new insights into pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets for SSc lung disease. Lung tissues were obtained from 33 patients with SSc who underwent lung transplantation. Tissues and cells from a subgroup of SSc patients with predominantly PF or PAH were compared to those from normal donors, patients with IPF, or IPAH. Microarray data was analyzed using Efficiency Analysis for determination of optimal data processing methods. Real time PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to confirm differential levels of mRNA and protein, respectively.
Project description:Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is associated with many chronic lung diseases including Systemic sclerosis (SSc), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which are characterized by the progressive accumulation of mesenchymal cells and formation of scar tissue. Th2 T cell-derived cytokines including IL-4 and IL-13 have been shown to contribute to inflammation and fibrotic remodeling in multiple tissues. Interleukin-31 (IL-31) is a newly identified cytokine that is predominantly produced by CD4 Th2 T cells, but its signaling receptor IL-31RA is primarily expressed by non-hematopoietic cells. However, the potential role of the IL-31-IL31RA axis in pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis has remained largely unknown. To determine the role of IL-31 signaling in pulmonary fibrosis, wildtype, and IL-31RA knockout mice were treated with bleomycin and measured changes in total lung transcripts using RNA-seq. The total lung transcriptome analysis showed a significant reduction in fibrosis-associated gene transcripts including extracellular matrix and epithelial cell-associated gene networks.
Project description:Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is associated with many chronic lung diseases including Systemic sclerosis (SSc), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) and Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which are characterized by the progressive accumulation of stromal cells and formation of scar tissue. Pulmonary fibrosis is a dysregulated response to alveolar injury which causes a progressive decline in lung function and refractory to current pharmacological therapies. Airway and alveolar epithelial cells and stromal cells contribute to pulmonary fibrosis but the cell-specific pathways and gene networks that are responsible for the pathophysiology are unknown. Recent animals models generated in our lab demonstrate clinical phenotypes seen in human fibrotic disease. The mouse model of transforming growth factor-? (TGF?)-induced fibrosis include conditionally expressing TGF? in the lung epithelium under control of the CCSP promoter driving rtTA expression (CCSP/TGF?). This allow the TGF? is only expressed in airway and alveolar epithelial cells and only when mice fed doxycycline (Dox). Similar to PF in humans, TGF? mice on Dox developed a progressive and extensive adventitial, interstitial and pleural fibrosis with a decline in lung mechanics. Thus, the TGF? transgenic mouse is a powerful model to determine lung cell-specific molecular signatures involved in pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we sought to determine changes in the transcriptome during TGF?-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Our results showed that several pro-fibrotic genes increased in the lungs of TGF? mice. This study demonstrates that WT1 network gene changes associated with fibrosis and myfibroblast accumulation and thus may serve as a critical regulator fibrotic lung disease. mRNA profiles of CCSP/- and CCSP/TGFalpha mice treated with Dox