OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the biological functions and clinical value of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 7 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through bioinformatics analysis and basic experiments. METHODS: The expression of SMAD7 in HNSCC in public databases was studied. Western blot was used to detect the expression of SMAD7 in HNSCC cell lines and normal epithelial cells. The SMAD7 highly expressed HNSCC cell line HSC-4 was silenced, and CCK-8, Transwell assays, and cell scratch experiments were conducted to study the effect of SMAD7 on the biological functions of HSC-4 cells. HNSCC expression profile data were obtained from UCSC xena, and genes related to SMAD7 were selected for gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes gene enrichment analysis, construction of a co-expression gene interaction network, and screening of related cell signaling pathways. Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of proteins in the related cell signaling pathways in HNSCC cells with silenced SMAD7. cBioPortal was utilized to analyze the mutation rate of the SMAD7 gene, and the MethSurv database was used to analyze the methylation level of the SMAD7 gene and its correlation with prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of SMAD7 for HNSCC. TIMER2.0 was used to analyze the correlation between SMAD7 expression and immune cell infiltration. RESULTS: SMAD7 was highly expressed in HNSCC tumor tissues and some cell lines. Silencing the expression of SMAD7 can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Silencing SMAD7 can induce the downregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). The bioinformatics analysis showed that the mutation rate of the SMAD7 gene and the methylation level were significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. The expression of SMAD7 was related to the level of immune cell infiltration in HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS SMAD7 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells by regulating the expression of VCAM-1. It may be a potential tumor biomarker and therapeutic target for HNSCC.
Humans ; Smad7 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Computational Biology

Objective To investigate the effect of SMAD family member 3(SMAD3) silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on macrophage polarization and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/ SMAD family signaling pathway in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods RA macrophages co-cultured with rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLS) were used as a cell model. TGF-β1 was used to stimulate macrophages, and SMAD3-specific siRNA (si-SMAD3) and negative control siRNA (si-NC) were transfected into human RA macrophages co-cultured in Transwell^TM chamber. The expression of SMAD3 mRNA was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and the expression of TGF-β1, SMAD3 and SMAD7 protein was detected by Western blot analysis. The contents of TGF-β1 and IL-23 in cell culture supernatant were determined by ELISA. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay. Transwell^TM chamber was used to measure cell migration. Results Compared with the model group and the si-NC group, the expression of TGF-β1, SMAD3 mRNA and protein in RA macrophages decreased significantly after silencing SMAD3. In addition, the secretion of IL-23 decreased significantly, and the cell proliferation activity and cell migration were inhibited, with high expression of SMAD7. Conclusion Knockdown of SMAD3 can promote M2 polarization and SMAD7 expression in RA macrophages.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Interleukin-23 ; Macrophages ; RNA, Messenger ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics* ; Smad7 Protein/genetics* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics* ; Smad3 Protein/genetics* ; Gene Silencing

Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride/toxicity* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Liver/pathology* ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Smad3 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics*

OBJECTIVES: Stably expressed transforming growth factor -beta 1(TGF-β1)MCs were obtained and the effects of centellaasiatica (CA) granule on the expressions of Smad 2/3, Smad 7 and collagen Ⅳ and the level of Smad 2/3 phosphorylation were observed. METHODS: Lipofectin method was used to transfect TGF-β1 vector into MC, and the stably expressed TGF-β1 cell lines were selected by G418. The cells were divided into three groups. Control group:normal MC + RPMI 1640 + 10% normal rat serum; TGF-β1 group:stably expressed TGF-β1 MC + RPMI 1640 + 10% normal rat serum; CA group:stably expressed TGF-β1 MC + RPMI 1640 + 10% rat serum containing high CA. The experiments were repeated for five times. The contents of TGF-β1 and collagen Ⅳ in the culture medium were detected with ELISA, the expressions of mRNA and protein of TGF-β1, Smad 2/3, Smad 7 and the level of Smad 2/3 phosphorylation were detected by using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: The contents of TGF-β1 and collagen Ⅳ in the culture medium of stably-expressed TGF-β1 MC were increased significantly, and the CA could reverse the effects of TGF-β1. The expressions of mRNA and protein of TGF-β1, Smad 2/3 and the level of Smad 2/3 phosphorylation were increased significantly in TGF-β1 transfected MC, and CA could dramatically reduce the expressions of mRNA and protein of TGF-β1, Smad 2/3 and the level of Smad 2/3 phosphorylation. The high expression of TGF-β1 decreased the expression of Smad 7 mRNA and protein, and the CA could antagonize the effect of mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS The MCs stably-expressed TGF-β1 can activate the TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway and increase the expression of collagen Ⅳ. CA can decrease the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy(DN) by reducing the production of collagen Ⅳ through inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad signal pathway.
Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Centella ; chemistry ; Collagen Type IV ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Mesangial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins ; metabolism ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of centella asiatica (CA) granule on the expression of transform growth factor-β(TGF-β) and related down-stream signals in rats with early diabetic nephropathy(DN) and to clarify the molecular mechanisms of CA molecular mechanism of on preventing and curing early diabetic kidney disease DN by studying the effects of centella asiatica on TGF-β expression and related down-stream signals. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were divided into control group(=10) and DN model group(=50). The model rats were made a right nephrectomy. One week later, diabetic nephropathy was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptocozin(30 mg/kg) for three consecutive days. High blood glucose level of Tail vein (fasting glucose ≥ 16.7 mmol/L) and high urinary protein level(total protein level in DN group was more than twice higher than the control group) were measured to confirm early DN in rats. In the sham operation group, the right renal capsule was damaged and the corresponding amount of saline was injected. The model rats were administrated by the means of intragastric administration. The DN model group were divided into DN group, DN+fosinopril group(1.6 mg/kg·d), DN+high CA group(16.8 mg/kg·d), DN+medium CA group(11.2 mg/kg·d) and DN+low CA group(5.6 mg/kg·d), and each group was intragastric administration one time every morning last for 16 weeks. The expressions of mRNA and protein of TGF-β, TβR1, TβR2, Smad2/3, Smad7 and the level of Smad2/3 phosphorylation were detected by using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. RESULTS: The expressions of mRNA and protein of TGF-β, TβR1, TβR2, Smad2/3 and the level of Smad2/3 phosphorylation were significantly increased, the expressions of mRNA and protein of Smad7 were dramatically decreased. The fosinopril and high dosage CA could reverse the effects of DN. CONCLUSIONS CA plays an important role in preventing and curing DN through regulating the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways.
Animals ; Centella ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I ; metabolism ; Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type II ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a driving force of renal fibrosis, which may lead to chronic kidney diseases and even end stage renal diseases. By activating canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, TGF-β promotes the synthesis of extracellular matrix while preventing their degradation. In the injured kidney, TGF-β induces apoptosis, proliferation and fibrotic response of renal cells including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, podocytes, fibroblasts, pericytes and macrophages, and it also promotes transdifferentiation, activation and proliferation of myofibroblasts. Additionally, TGF-β exerts profibrotic effects by interplaying with other signaling pathways like BMP-7, Wnt/β-catenin and MAP kinase. Smad3 is the central pathological gene in renal fibrosis, and epigenetic regulation of TGF-β/Smad3 is a hot topic in kidney field. Although direct targeting TGF-β may cause side effects including tumorigenesis and immune diseases, the therapeutic strategies targeting the balance of downstream Smad3 and Smad7 may prevent or delay the progression of fibrotic kidney disease.
Epigenesis, Genetic ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. CD109, a novel TGF-β co-receptor, which inhibits TGF-β signaling by enhancing Smad7-dependent degradation of TGF-β type I receptor (TGF-β RI), is abnormally expressed in psoriasis. To date, the expression of Smad7 and the correlation between CD109 and Smad7 expression in psoriasis have not been fully elucidated. This study was designed to investigate the expression and the correlation of CD109 and TGF-β signaling associated proteins in psoriasis and their roles in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Thirty-two psoriasis specimens were subjected to immunohistochemical staining for CD109, Smad7, TGF-β RI and Ki67. Ten normal skin (NS) specimens served as controls. The positive expression rate (% positive cells) of Smad7 and Ki67 in psoriasis was significantly higher than in NS (62.6%±19.9% vs. 17.2%±4.4%, and 50.7%±14.3% vs. 19.5%±3.2%, respectively, P<0.001), and the expression levels of CD109 and TGF-β RI were reduced significantly in psoriasis as compared with NS (8.1%±6.7% vs. 35.8%±6.7% and 27.3%±3.4% vs. 3.0%±3.4%, respectively, P<0.001). There were significantly negative correlations between CD109 and Smad7 (r=-0.831, P<0.01). These findings indicated that CD109 might play a certain role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Lower expression of CD109 and TGF-β RI was highly correlated with higher expression of Smad7 and Ki67, suggesting that CD109 may induce the pathogenesis of psoriasis through Smad7-mediated degradation of TGF-β RI, and lead to the termination of TGF-β signaling.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Down-Regulation ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Psoriasis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; Smad7 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of Treg cells in the pathogenesis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

METHODSThe ITP mouse model was established, the Treg cell ratio in peripheral blood and spleen was detected by flow cytometry, the CD4+ CD25+ T cells were sorted by immunomagnetic beads, the Treg cell associated transcription factors (Foxp3, Smad7, STAT5 and Akt-1) and cytokines (IL-10, TGF-β) in CD4+ CD25+ T cells were enriched from spleen mononuclear cells, and the mRNA expression of Treg cell was measured by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe ratio of Tregs in peripheral blood and spleen decreased significantly in ITP mouse, as compared with the controls (P<0.01). In addition, the mRNA expression of IL-10, TGF-β and Foxp3 decreased significantly in spleen CD4+ CD25+ T cells (P<0.05). Expression of Smad 7 mRNA was higher than that of controls.

CONCLUSIONThe alteration in Treg frequency and function may be responsible for the immune dysfunction in ITP disease. It is also speculated that the lower mRNA expression of Foxp3 and higher mRNA expression of Smad 7 may inhibit the proliferation and differentiation of Treg cells.

Animals ; Flow Cytometry ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Interleukin-10 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; immunology ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smad7 Protein ; metabolism ; Spleen ; cytology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of Wenyang Huazhuo Tongluo Recipe (WYHZTLR) containing serum on transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway of skin fibroblasts in systemic sclerosis (SSc).

METHODSTotally 36 SSc patients were randomly assigned to Chinese medicine (CM) group, Western medicine (WM) group, and integrative medicine (IM) group according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Patients in the CM group took WYHZTLR decoction (one dose per day). Patients in the WM group took penicillamine tablet (0. 125 g each time, bid) and Prednisone Acetate Tablet (PAT 20 mg, qd). Patients in the IM group took penicillamine, PAT, and WYHZTLR decoction (in the same dosage of corresponding drugs as aforesaid). All patients were treated for one month to get drug containing serum. Besides, 10 untreated SSc patients' serum was taken as the control group. Healthy subjects' skin fibroblasts were originated from healthy skin tissue of the upper arms of 2 female patients undergoing plastic surgery. Corresponding serum of each group was added in the culture system of SSc patients' and healthy subjects' dermal fibroblasts respectively. Expression levels of TGF-β1 receptor type I (TGF-β1 RI), TGF-β1 receptor II (TGF-β1 RII), p-Smad2/3 and Smad7 protein were examined by Western blot. Expression levels of collagen type I and collagen type III (Col-I, Col-III) mRNA were examined by reverse transcription PCR. Contents of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) in the supernatant of SSc, skin fibroblasts were examined by ELISA.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, expression levels of TGF-β1 R I and p-Smad2/3 protein significantly decreased, but expression levels of Smad7 protein significantly increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients and healthy subjects of WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0. 01). Meanwhile, the expression level of TGF-β1 RII decreased in the IM group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Compared with the WM group, expression levels of TGF-β1 RI and p-Smad2/ 3 protein significantly decreased, but that of Srnad7 protein significantly increased in IM groups (P <0. 01). mRNA expression levels of Col-I and Col-II in SSc skin fibroblasts significantly decreased more in WM, CM, and IM groups than in the control group (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). Besides, the expression level of Col-III mRNA was significantly lower in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0.01). Compared with the control group, serum levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more obviously in WM, CM, and IM groups (P <0.05, P <0.01). But expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased significantly in CM and IM groups (P <0.01). Expression levels of MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratios increased more in the IM group than in the WM group (P <0. 01). Expression levels of TIMP-1 decreased more in CM and IM groups than in the WM group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONWYHZTLR containing serum could reduce expression levels of Col-I and Col-III possibly through regulating key signal molecules, such as TGF-β1 RI, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway of SSc skin fibroblasts, and inhibiting transduction of TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Collagen Type I ; Collagen Type III ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; Scleroderma, Systemic ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

No abstract available.
Crohn Disease/*drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Immunosuppressive Agents/*administration & dosage ; Male ; Oligonucleotides/*administration & dosage ; Smad7 Protein/*antagonists & inhibitors