WNT1-inducible signaling protein-1 mediates pulmonary fibrosis in mice and is upregulated in humans with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is characterized by distorted lung architecture and loss of respiratory function. Enhanced (myo)fibroblast activation, ECM deposition, and alveolar epithelial type II (ATII) cell dysfunction contribute to IPF pathogenesis. However, the molecular pathways linking ATII cell dysfunction with the development of fibrosis are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate, in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, increased proliferation and altered expression of components of the WNT/beta-catenin signaling pathway in ATII cells. Further analysis revealed that expression of WNT1-inducible signaling protein-1 (WISP1), which is encoded by a WNT target gene, was increased in ATII cells in both a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis and patients with IPF. Treatment of mouse primary ATII cells with recombinant WISP1 led to increased proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), while treatment of mouse and human lung fibroblasts with recombinant WISP1 enhanced deposition of ECM components. In the mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis, neutralizing mAbs specific for WISP1 reduced the expression of genes characteristic of fibrosis and reversed the expression of genes associated with EMT. More importantly, these changes in gene expression were associated with marked attenuation of lung fibrosis, including decreased collagen deposition and improved lung function and survival. Our study thus identifies WISP1 as a key regulator of ATII cell hyperplasia and plasticity as well as a potential therapeutic target for attenuation of pulmonary fibrosis.
Königshoff
Melanie
M
Department of Medicine, University of Giessen Lung Center, Giessen, Germany.
Kramer
Monika
M
Balsara
Nisha
N
Wilhelm
Jochen
J
Amarie
Oana Veronica
OV
Jahn
Andreas
A
Rose
Frank
F
Fink
Ludger
L
Seeger
Werner
W
Schaefer
Liliana
L
Günther
Andreas
A
Eickelberg
Oliver
O
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001761:Bleomycin / Q000633:toxicity; D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D015513:Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011658:Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism
D055511:CCN Intercellular Signaling Proteins; C116396:CCN4 protein, human; C492067:CCN4 protein, mouse; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D015513:Oncogene Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; D001761:Bleomycin