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Effect of epigenetic inhibitors on lung fibroblast phenotype change in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Pasini, Alice; Brand, Oliver J.; Jenkins, Gisli; Knox, Alan J.; Pang, Linhua

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Authors

Alice Pasini

Oliver J. Brand

Gisli Jenkins

Alan J. Knox

Linhua Pang



Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IFP) is a fatal interstitial lung disease with unknown aetiology. Lung myofibroblasts (activated fibrobalsts) are the major effector cells in the pathogenesis of IPF. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1) is a potent activator of fibroblasts. Lack of effective treatment options necessitates novel therapeutic approaches. Epigenetic drugs, by inhibiting chromatin modifying enzymes involved in gene expression control, represent promising agents capable of modulating the cellular phenotype.

We previously demonstrated that the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene is epigenetically silenced in lung fibroblasts from IPF patients (F-IPF)1 and epigenetic inhibitors and restore COX-2 expression. However, whether epigenetic inhibitors can alter fibroblast phenotype remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effect of four different epigenetic enzyme inhibitors on fibroblast phenotype change in IPF.

Methods: F-IPF and fibroblasts from non-fibrotic lung (F-NL) treated with TGF-β1 were cultured to test the effects of the epigenetic inhibitors BIX01294 (BIX, G9a histone methyltransferase inhibitor), 3-deazaneplanocin A (DZNep, EZH2 histone methyltransferase inhibitor), SAHA (histone deacetylases inhibitor) and Decitabine (DAC, DNA demethylating agent), in comparison with the COX-2 products prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). The expression of COX-2 and myofibroblast markers collagen 1 (COL1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was assessed. The COX-2 DNA promoter methylation level was analysed by bisulfite sequencing.

Results: TGF-β1 induced a myofibroblast phenotype in F-NL characterised by COL1 and α-SMA upregulation and COX-2 downregulation, similar to F-IPF. PGE2 and SAHA were able to maintain/restore COX-2 expression in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblasts and F-IPF. DAC demonstrated similar effect in TGF-β1 treated F-NL only. SAHA also reduced COL1 and α-SMA expression. But DZNep and BIX showed no effect. No differences in the COX-2 promoter methylation was detected between F-NL and F-IPF.

Conclusions: Among the epigenetic inhibitors tested, SAHA shows a promising antifibrotic effect by inhibiting fibroblast activation and the underlying molecular mechanisms are currently under investigation.

Citation

Pasini, A., Brand, O. J., Jenkins, G., Knox, A. J., & Pang, L. (2016). Effect of epigenetic inhibitors on lung fibroblast phenotype change in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Thorax, 71(Supp3), Article A32. https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209333.59

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 18, 2016
Publication Date Dec 31, 2016
Deposit Date Oct 24, 2017
Publicly Available Date Oct 24, 2017
Journal Thorax
Print ISSN 0040-6376
Electronic ISSN 1468-3296
Publisher BMJ Publishing Group
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 71
Issue Supp3
Article Number A32
DOI https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2016-209333.59
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/831423
Publisher URL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/71/Suppl_3/A32.1
Contract Date Oct 24, 2017

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