Effect of SMAD7 gene overexpression on TGF-β1-induced profibrotic responses in fibroblasts derived from Peyronie's plaque

Asian J Androl. 2015 May-Jun;17(3):487-92. doi: 10.4103/1008-682X.142130.

Abstract

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has been identified as one of the most important fibrogenic cytokines associated with Peyronie's disease (PD). The mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7) is an inhibitory Smad protein that blocks TGF-β signaling pathway. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-fibrotic effect of the SMAD7 gene in primary fibroblasts derived from human PD plaques. PD fibroblasts were pretreated with the SMAD7 gene and then stimulated with TGF-β1. Treated fibroblasts were used for Western blotting, fluorescent immunocytochemistry, hydroxyproline determination, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assays. Overexpression of the SMAD7 gene inhibited TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of SMAD2 and SMAD3, transdifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, and quashed TGF-β1-induced production of extracellular matrix protein and hydroxyproline. Overexpression of the SMAD7 gene decreased the expression of cyclin D1 (a positive cell cycle regulator) and induced the expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1, which is known to terminate Smad-mediated transcription, in PD fibroblasts. These findings suggest that the blocking of the TGF-β pathway by use of SMAD7 may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of PD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclin D1 / drug effects
  • Cyclin D1 / metabolism
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / drug effects
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology*
  • Fibrosis / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Hydroxyproline / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Hydroxyproline / drug effects
  • Hydroxyproline / metabolism
  • Male
  • Penile Induration / drug therapy
  • Penile Induration / pathology*
  • Penile Induration / physiopathology
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / drug effects
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smad7 Protein / genetics
  • Smad7 Protein / physiology*
  • Smad7 Protein / therapeutic use
  • Transfection
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / adverse effects
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / pharmacology*
  • Up-Regulation / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / physiology*

Substances

  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • SMAD7 protein, human
  • Smad7 Protein
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Cyclin D1
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • Hydroxyproline