Project description:Here, we report that the knockdown of POSTN in fibroblasts leads to disruption in keloid inflammation. Moreover, molecules and pathway associated with extracellular matrix formation were impaired in POSTN-deficient fibroblasts. Therefore, our study highlights an indispensable role of POSTN in the pathogenesis of keloids.
Project description:Acne keloidalis (AK) is a primary scarring alopecia characterized by longstanding inflammation in the scalp leading to keloid-like scar formation and hair loss. Histologically, AK is characterized by mixed leukocytic infiltrates in the acute stage followed by a granulomatous reaction and extensive fibrosis in later stages. To further explore its pathogenesis, bulk RNA-sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing were applied to scalp biopsy specimens of lesional and adjacent non-lesional skin in patients with clinically active disease. Unbiased clustering revealed 18 distinct cell populations, including two notable populations, POSTN+ fibroblasts with enriched extracellular matrix signatures, and SPP1+ myeloid cells M2 macrophages. Cell communication analyses indicate that fibroblasts and myeloid cells communicate by collagen and SPP1 signaling networks in lesional skin. Tissue immunofluorescence staining demonstrated SPP1+ myeloid cells and POSTN+ fibroblasts at the upper segment of outer root sheath of the hair follicle in the subacute stage, confirming micro-anatomic specificity with relevant disease activity. Therapy with intralesional corticosteroids reduced SPP1 and POSTN expression, and lessened AK progression. In summary, the communication between POSTN+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ myeloid cells by collagen and SPP1 axis may contribute to the pathogenesis of AK.
Project description:Genetics is a major factor for keloid predisposition and the genome-wide association study (GWAS) has identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs873549 at 1q41 as a susceptibility locus. However, the functional significance of this locus in keloid pathogenesis remains elusive. Here, we found that rs1348270, an enhancer located SNP in strong linkage disequilibrium with rs873549, mediated looping with the promoter of a lncRNA DEIK (Down Expressed In Keloids, formerly RP11-400N13.1). The risk variant was associated with decreased enhancer-promoter interaction and DEIK expression. Mechanistically, downregulation of DEIK increased the expression of collagens and chondrocyte and osteocyte associated genes such as POSTN and COMP through upregulating BMP2. Furthermore, correlation analysis revealed that DEIK expression was inversely correlated with BMP2, POSTN and COMP expression in keloid and normal fibroblasts. These findings uncover new mechanisms underlying genetic factor-mediated keloid predisposition and identify potential targets for keloid therapies.
Project description:Keloids comprise an inflammatory fibroproliferative skin disorder characterized by excessive scarring. Fibroblasts play a pivotal role in skin fibrosis, exhibiting heightened collagen deposition. To investigate the molecular drivers of excessive collagen deposition in keloid, we compared the transcriptome of keloids and adjacent normal skin which demonstrated significant shifts towards bone and cartilage lineages in keloids, along with RUNX2, a key regulator of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, notably upregulated. We then confirmed elevated levels of RUNX2 protein and phosphorylated RUNX2 in keloid tissue and fibroblasts compared to normal skin and normal dermal fibroblasts. To delve into how RUNX2 overexpression could contribute to keloids pathogenesis, we performed siRNA-mediated knockdown of RUNX2 in keloid fibroblasts followed by mRNA-sequencing. The results revealed significant downregulation of collagen genes COL11A1, COL5A3, COL15A1, and COL6A6, in knock-down vs. control groups along with GO enrichment analysis showing perturbation of genes involved in collagen and ECM organization. Further functional studies utilizing Runx2-knockout mice confirmed downregulation of these collagen genes along with reduced dermis thickness and reduced total dermal collagen in Runx2-knockout vs. Runx2- wild mice. These findings underscore the critical contribution of RUNX2 to collagen remodeling in keloid and provide potential therapeutic target.
Project description:To further explore the expression of circular RNAs in keloid,we have completed the Arraystar Human circRNA Array V2 analysis of the 8 samples,including 4 patients-derived keloid dermal fibroblasts and 4 normal dermal fibroblasts.
Project description:Aberrant production of extracellular matrix (ECM) from dermal fibroblasts drives fibrotic skin diseases, which significantly affect the quality of patients’ lives. Current treatment options for skin fibrosis remain limited or ineffective; therefore, new antifibrotic strategies are urgently needed. Gaining insights into molecular control of ECM production could lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets. Recent studies suggest Zinc Finger 469 (ZNF469) as a positive regulator for ECM production; however, its role in skin fibrosis has not been investigated. In this study, we found that knockdown of ZNF469 impaired proliferation, migration, and contraction in human dermal fibroblasts. More importantly, depletion of ZNF469 significantly caused a reduction in collagen production. RNA-sequence analysis of ZNF469-knockdown cells revealed significant suppression of several ECM genes and genes involved in the process of collagen biosynthesis, suggesting ZNF469 as a key regulator of ECM production. To find the clinical relevance, we examined expression of ZNF469 by reanalyzing public bulk and single-cell RNA-sequence data sets of hypertrophic scars and keloids as a representation of skin fibrosis. The RNA sequence of bulk tissues showed that hypertrophic scar and keloid tissues had higher levels of ZNF469 and that ZNF469 and ECM genes were positively correlated. Single-cell RNA sequence of keloid scars revealed restricted expression of ZNF469 in the fibroblast population. Further analysis of fibroblast subpopulations showed specific expression of ZNF469 in mesenchymal fibroblasts, a subpopulation that has been demonstrated to be crucial for collagen overexpression in keloids. Psuedotime analysis indicated ZNF469 as a pioneering factor to establish the mesenchymal fibroblast subpopulation. Supporting this finding, we observed downregulation of various mesenchymal fibroblast markers from our RNA sequence results of ZNF469-depleted dermal fibroblasts, suggesting ZNF469 as a crucial factor for maintaining mesenchymal phenotypes. Finally, to explore the therapeutic potential of ZNF469, we silenced it in human keloid fibroblasts and demonstrated that its depletion reduced proliferation, migration, contraction, and collagen production. Moreover, expression of key mesenchymal fibroblast markers was significantly downregulated in ZNF469-knockdown keloid fibroblasts. Together, we illustrated that ZNF469 promoted the ECM production in dermal fibroblasts and could serve as a novel target for treating skin fibrosis.
Project description:Keloids are benign fibroproliferative tumours resulting from skin damage such as trauma, burns or surgery. Keloids are more prevalent in populations with darkly pigmented skin. Links between skin pigmentation and vitamin D production have been established and some studies indicate involvement of vitamin D signalling in keloid pathology. This study assessed the impact of paricalcitol (a selective vitamin D signalling activator) on fibroblasts derived from keloid and normal skin, to further investigate the role and potential clinical relevance of vitamin D signalling in keloid pathology. Analysis of keloid and normal skin tissue using immunohistochemistry demonstrated a significant reduction of nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR) in keloid tissue. After treatment with paricalcitol, nuclear VDR was increased in both keloid and normal fibroblasts. RNA sequencing of normal fibroblasts treated with paricalcitol demonstrated significant changes in gene expression, with many upregulated genes identified to have anti-fibrotic effects. However, paricalcitol failed to alter gene expression in Keloid fibroblasts. To investigate this further, we performed RNA sequencing of normal and keloid fibroblasts and found that retinoid-X receptor α (RXRα), a key binding partner of VDR required for downstream transcriptional activation, is significantly downregulated in keloid fibroblasts. Our results indicate that paricalcitol can effectively activate VDR translocation to the nucleus but is unable to effect change at the transcriptional level in keloid fibroblasts, most likely due to the reduced expression of RXRα. This suggests Vitamin D signalling may be aberrant in keloids, and that supplementation with Vitamin D alone would likely be ineffective in restoring signalling. Keywords: Keloid, Vitamin D receptor, Paricalcitol, Retinoid-X receptor α
Project description:This study investigated the effects of extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidty on gene expression patterns in normal dermal fibroblasts (NDFs) and keloid dermal fibroblasts (KDFs). Cells were cultured on collagen coated polyacrylamide hydrogels with elastic moduli mimicking normal skin (8 kPa) or keloid scar tissue (214 kPa), and changes in gene expression were profiled using next-generation RNA-sequencing. Differential gene expression analysis identified overall significant differences in gene expression between the NDF and KDF populations. Despite high levels of inter-patient heterogeneity in the KDF samples, further principal components analysis revealed a subset of genes (PC5) that were specifically regulated by ECM rigidity. Gene set enrichment analysis of the PC5 genes identified classic pathways associated with mechanotransduction, including Hippo Signalling and Regulation of the Actin Cytoskeleton, as well as genes associated with the Autophagy pathway. Additional in vitro studies and human tissue staining confirmed the biomechanical regulation of autophagic flux in NDFs and KDFs and differential remodelling of the lysosome in KDFs and keloid scars. Together, these findings implicate autophagy and lysosomal remodelling as biomechanically dysregulated pathways in keloid fibroblasts, and these mechanisms may contribute to scar pathogenesis.