Skip to main content
Download PDF

Investigating the effects of Pirfenidone on TGF-β1 stimulated non-SMAD signaling pathways in Dupuytren’s disease -derived fibroblasts

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders volume 20, Article number: 135 (2019) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Dupuytren’s disease (DD) is a progressive, debilitating condition of the hand that can eventually cause contractures of the affected fingers. Transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) has been reported to play a key role in DD pathology. Increased expression of TGF-β1 has shown to be the main stimulator of myofibroblast activity and in DD contractures. Pirfenidone (PFD), a small active molecule possess the ability to inhibit TGF-β1-mediated action in various fibrotic disorders. Our recent published findings show that PFD reduced TGF-β1-mediated cellular functions implicated in DD through SMAD signaling pathways. In the present study, the effect of PFD on TGF-β1-mediated non-SMAD signaling pathways were investigated in both carpal tunnel (CT) - and DD-derived fibroblasts.

Methods

Fibroblasts harvested from Dupuytren’s disease (DD) and carpal tunnel (CT) tissues were cultured in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) and/or PFD (800 μg/ml). Cell lysates were analyzed using Western blots. Equal amounts of proteins were loaded to determine the phosphorylation levels of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K/AKT), extracellular regulated kinases (ERK1/2), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and Rho family related myosin light chain (MLC).

Results

We show that the TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of AKT was significantly decreased by the addition of PFD (800 μg/mL) in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in the phosphorylation levels of both ERK and p38 on TGF-β1- induced cells in both CT-and DD-derived fibroblasts. But, PFD significantly decreased the TGF- β1-induced phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 in both CT- and DD- cells. In contrast, PFD significantly decreased the basal and TGF- β1-induced phosphorylation levels of p38 in DD-derived fibroblasts. TGF- β1-induced phosphorylation levels of MLC was decreased by PFD in DD-derived fibroblasts.

Conclusions

These in-vitro results indicate for the first time that PFD has the potential to inhibit TGF-β1-induced non-SMAD signaling pathways in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts but pronounced statistically significant inhibition on all molecules was observed only in DD-derived fibroblasts. Our previous studies show that PFD can inhibit TGF-β1- induced SMAD signaling pathway proteins, namely p- SMAD2/SMAD3. These broad and complementary actions suggest PFD as a promising candidate to inhibit the TGF-β1- mediated molecular mechanisms leading to DD fibrosis.

Peer Review reports

Background

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) is widely implicated in fibrotic diseases including Dupuytren’s disease (DD; also known as palmar fascia fibrosis). DD is the most common heritable fibroproliferative disorder of the palmar fascia of the hand. It affects 5–25% of people of European descent, and there is evidence that the prevalence of DD is increasing [1, 2]. There is a strong genetic predisposition to DD, and there is a strong indication that DD has a substantial hereditary component [3]. Similarly, there is evidence that multiple non-genetic factors, such as smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, also play a role in disease development [4]. In DD pathogenesis, subcutaneous fat is progressively replaced by a relatively avascular fibrous tissue, which develops as nodules in the palm and extends distally into the digits as thickened cords [5], which draw the fingers into a flexed posture. The options for treating DD include the percutaneous release of the offending cords [6], injection of collagenase followed 1–2 days later with manipulation to rupture the cords [7] and surgical resection of the cords [8]. All of these treatment strategies have a high risk of recurrence [9].

While the molecular and cellular triggers remain difficult to elucidate during DD development, the progressive increase in extracellular matrix protein and subsequent contraction clearly suggests a role for myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts have the ability to synthesize collagen and other extracellular matrix components in the palmar fascia leading to digital contractures [10, 11]. A number of studies indicate that growth factors control the growth and proliferation of myofibroblasts. A role for several cytokines including FGF, IL-1, TGF-β1, and PDGF, and all have been shown to influence DD pathogenesis [12, 13]. TGF-β1, a well-known pro-fibrotic growth factor, is up-regulated in DD- tissue [14, 15] and is a major factor in the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts in DD [16,17,18]. Previous studies have described the activation of fibroblasts by TGF- β and other cytokines as a major mechanism driving the fibrotic processes in DD and other fibroses [19]. TGF-β1 stimulation leads to increased contractile force in DD-cells [20,21,22] and also leads to up-regulation of key ECM components, such as fibronectin and type I collagen [16].

TGF-β1 signaling can occur through both canonical and non-canonical pathways. In canonical TGF- β1 signaling, binding of TGF-β1 to its receptors activates SMAD 2/3-dependent signaling; activated SMAD 2/3 complexes with SMAD 4 and translocates into the nucleus and regulates the expression of TGF-β-responsive genes [23]. The TGF-β-induced non-canonical, SMAD-independent pathways include various branches of MAP kinase (MAPK) pathways, Rho-like GTPase signaling pathways, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways [24]. TGF-β1’s pleiotropic effects on DD cells, especially fibroblasts, make it an ideal candidate to target in the fight against Dupuytren’s fibrosis.

Pirfenidone (PFD; 5-methyl-1-phenyl-2 (1H)-pyridone) is currently used to treat patients with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a condition with similarities to Dupuytren’s Disease [25]. We have shown that PFD inhibits TGF-β1-induced transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts and inhibits ECM production, mainly type I/type III-collagens and fibronectin in DD-derived fibroblasts. PFD also inhibits TGF-β1-induced cell migration, proliferation and contractile ability in DD-derived fibroblasts. We further showed that TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of SMAD 2/SMAD 3, a key factor in the TGF-β1 signaling pathway, was attenuated by the addition of PFD [21]. In the present study, we investigated the action of PFD on TGF-β1-induced non-SMAD signaling pathways in DD-derived fibroblasts as both SMAD-dependent and- independent signaling pathways elicited by TGF-β1 have a significant role in mediating fibrosis. Our focus was to examine the changes that PFD could elicit in the basal- and TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2); Akt, a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase; p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases and myosin light chain (MLC), a subunit of myosin.

Methods

Cell culture

Patients undergoing surgery for resecting DD- cord and CT- facial tissues were consented using an IRB approved protocol conforming to the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki. The discarded tissues were collected, and primary cultures of fibroblasts were established as described previously [16]. Fibroblasts were cultured in the α-MEM (Invitrogen™, ThermoFisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA) containing 10% FBS and 10% penicillin/streptomycin (Gibco®, ThermoFisher Scientific) and maintained in an incubator with 5% CO2. Cells were used between passages 2 to 7 for all of the experiments.

Western blotting

Fibroblasts harvested from DD- cord and CT- tissues (2 × 105) were cultured for 24 h in 6 well plates with α-MEM containing 10% FBS and penicillin/streptomycin antibiotics. The medium was then changed to α-MEM supplemented with 0.1% dialyzed FBS for an additional 24 h following which the cells were treated with PFD (Toronto Research Chemicals, Ontario, Canada; 800 μg/mL) with or without TGF-β1 (Peprotech, Rocky Hill, NJ; 10 ng/ml) at indicated times (5 mins for p38, 15 mins for ERK1/2 and 24 h for both AKT and MLC). After treatment, the cells were washed with cold PBS and lysed with M-PER™ Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent (ThermoFisher Scientific) with added proteinase inhibitors (cOmplete ULTRA Tablets, Mini, EDTA-free), and Phosphostop purchased from Roche Diagnostics Corporation (Indianapolis, IN). Protein samples between 15 and 30 μg were resolved by SDS-PAGE using standard methods. Western blotting procedures were followed using the primary antibodies purchased from Cell Signaling Technology (Danvers, MA). After blocking with 5% BSA, proteins were probed with phospho-p44/42 MAPK (Erk1/2) (Thr202/Tyr204) (cat. no. 4370) or phospho-Akt (Ser473) (D9E; cat.no. 4060) at a 1:1000 dilution or phospho-myosin light chain 2 (Thr18/Ser19; cat.no. 3674) or phospho-p38 MAPK (Thr180/Tyr182) (28B10; cat.no. 9216) at 1:500 dilution. GAPDH (Novus Biologicals, Littleton, CO; cat.no. NB-300-221) was used as a loading control at 1: 2500 dilution. After incubating with primary antibody overnight at 4 °C, the membranes were washed and incubated for 1 h at room temperature with IRDye 800CW Gt Anti-Rabbit IgG (H + L) antibody and IRDye 680LT Anti-Mouse IgG (H + L) antibody (1:20,000) (Li-COR Bioscience, Lincoln, NE). Infrared fluorescence was detected using Odyssey® Imaging System (Li-COR Bioscience). The protein bands were analyzed using NIH Image J 1.44p. The phospho- protein was normalized against the corresponding total protein.

Statistical analysis

Experimental values are expressed as means ± standard error mean (SEM) of three independent studies from each of CT- and DD- derived fibroblasts. GraphPad Prism version 8 was used to determine the statistically significant differences between various treatments. Data analysis was performed using One way ANOVA (and nonparametric or mix), by choosing both Sidak and Dunnett’s multiple post-hoc comparisons. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant comparing the treatments within CT- and DD-cells.

Results

PFD inhibition of TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt in CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts

The PI3K/Akt pathway is an intracellular signaling pathway activated by various growth factors and cytokines such as TGF-β1. The phosphorylation levels of AKT increased when stimulated with TGF- β1- in both CT- and DD-cells but statistically significant increase was seen only in CT cells (p < 0.0001). Addition of PFD reduced TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Akt (from 3.08 ± 0.1 to 1.95 ± 0.09 for CT; p < 0.0001 and from 1.78 ± 0.2 to 0.82 ± 0.5; p < 0.0059 for DD) (Fig. 1a and b).

Fig. 1
figure 1

Pirfenidone significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of Akt in CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. a CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts derived from three different patient samples (N = 3/group) were maintained in α-MEM medium containing 0.1% dialyzed FBS for 24 h. After 24 h, cells were either left as controls or treated with PFD (800 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) for an additional 24 h. Cell lysates were subjected to Western blot analyses to determine the expression of phosphorylated Akt. b Densitometry results are reported as the ratio of phosphorylated Akt protein level to GAPDH expression. Values are means ± standard error mean (SEM) of three independent studies from each of CT- and DD- derived fibroblasts. b Shown here is a representative image of Western blots from three different cultures of CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts, each showing similar results. ***p < 0.0001, **p < 0.0059. Ntx; No treatment, PFD- Pirfenidone, TGF-β1, T + P; TGF- β1 + Pirfenidone

Full size image

PFD inhibition of both ERK1/2 and p38 phosphorylation levels in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts

MAPK-activated protein kinases are related serine/threonine kinases. They respond to mitogenic and stress stimuli through proline-directed phosphorylation and activate the kinase domain by extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and p38 MAPKs. We examined the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and of p38 with and without TGF-β1 stimulation and PFD treatment in CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. Interestingly, phosphorylation levels of both ERK1/2 and p38 MAPKs did not significantly increase when stimulated with TGF- β1 for 15 min in both CT and DD cells. Further, we found that the addition of PFD to TGF- β1-induced CT- and DD- cells significantly decreased the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 (p < 0.02) (Fig. 2a and b).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Pirfenidone significantly reduced TGF-β1-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. a CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts derived from three different patient samples (N = 3/group) were maintained in α-MEM medium containing 0.1% dialyzed FBS for 24 h. After 24 h, cells were either left as controls or treated with PFD (800 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) for 15 min. Cell lysates were subjected to Western blot analyses to determine the expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2. b Densitometry results are reported as the ratio of phosphorylated ERK1/2 protein level to GAPDH expression. Values are means ± standard error mean (SEM) of three independent studies from each of CT- and DD- derived fibroblasts. Shown here is a representative image of Western blots from three different cultures of CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts, each showing similar results. *p < 0.04, . Ntx; No treatment, PFD- Pirfenidone, TGF-β1, T + P; TGF- β1 + Pirfenidone

Full size image

Interestingly, our findings showed no significant stimulation in p38 phosphorylation when induced with TGF- β1 in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. However, the addition of PFD decreased the phosphorylation levels of p38 in untreated (basal phosphorylation) cells of both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. However, PFD significantly decreased TGF-β1-induction of p38 only in DD-cells (p < 0.04) (Fig. 3a and b).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Pirfenidone reduced both TGF-β1-induced and basal phospho-p38 levels in DD-derived fibroblasts. a CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts derived from three different patient samples (N = 3/group) were maintained in α-MEM medium containing 0.1% dialyzed FBS for 24 h. After 24 h, cells were either left as controls or treated with PFD (800 μg/ml) in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) for 5 min. Cell lysates collected were subjected to Western blot analyses to determine the expression of phospho-p38. b Densitometry results are reported as the ratio of phosphorylated p-38 protein level to GAPDH expression. Values are means ± standard error mean (SEM) of three independent studies from each of CT- and DD- derived fibroblasts. Shown here is a representative image of Western blots from three different cultures of CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts, each showing similar results. *p < 0.04. Ntx; No treatment, PFD- Pirfenidone, TGF-β1, T + P; TGF- β1 + Pirfenidone

Full size image

PFD inhibition of TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of myosin light chain

MLC phosphorylation plays a key role in various cellular functions including cellular morphogenesis, cell migration, and cell contraction. We found that basal phosphorylation levels of MLC were increased in DD-derived fibroblasts when compared to CT-derived fibroblasts, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. Stimulation of DD- and CT-fibroblasts with TGF-β1 for 24 h increased the phosphorylation levels of MLC and did not reach statistical significance. Interestingly, PFD did not inhibit the basal phosphorylation levels of MLC in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. However, significant decrease in the TGF- β1-stimulated phosphorylation levels of MLC in DD-derived fibroblasts (p < 0.02) was noted (Fig. 4a and b).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Pirfenidone significantly reduced TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation of MLC in DD-derived fibroblasts. a CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts derived from three different patient samples (N = 3/group) were maintained in α-MEM medium containing 0.1% dialyzed FBS for 24 h. After 24 h, cells were either treated or untreated with PFD (800 μg/ml) and in the presence or absence of TGF-β1 (10 ng/ml) for additional 24 h. Cell lysates were subjected to Western blot analyses to determine the expression of phosphorylated MLC. b Densitometry results are reported as the ratio of phosphorylated MLC protein level to GAPDH expression. Values are means ± standard error mean (SEM) of three independent studies from each of CT- and DD- derived fibroblasts. Shown here is a representative image of Western blots from three different cultures of CT- and DD-cord derived fibroblasts, each showing similar results. *p < 0.02,. Ntx;No treatment, PFD- Pirfenidone, TGF-β1, T + P; TGF- β1 + Pirfenidone

Full size image

Discussion

DD is a complex disease that is characterized by the involvement of various growth factors, signaling molecules, and pathways that drive the process of fibrosis in the palm of the hands [26]. TGF-β1 has been identified as a central growth factor in activating fibroblasts to transform to myofibroblasts, resulting in excessive accumulation of ECM proteins, especially collagen. Previous biochemical and immunochemical studies have reported a decrease in type III/I collagen ratio with DD progression [27, 28]. In contrast, a study by Lam et al. (2010) quantified the different collagen types by computer analysis using stained DD tissue and documented a decrease in the amount of type III collagen as a percentage of the total collagen with the progression of the disease [29]. There is strong evidence that the blockade of TGF-β1 alone is sufficient to block experimental fibrosis in liver, kidney, lung, heart, and skin [30]. Targeting TGF- β1 may alleviate some of the adverse effects leading to fibrosis, and it may prevent the progression of DD. The small molecule PFD is an approved oral anti-fibrotic agent for patients affected with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [25]. PFD mainly targets TGF-β1- induced fibrosis [31]. Our previous in-vitro studies demonstrated that PFD could prevent the TGF- β1-induced fibroblast to myofibroblast transformation and that it inhibits ECM protein production, especially type I and type III collagen and fibronectin in DD-derived fibroblasts [21].

TGF- β1, a known pro-fibrotic growth factor elicits its effects by inducing both canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways. We have previously shown that PFD can inhibit TGF-β1- induced phosphorylation of SMAD 2/SMAD 3 in DD-derived fibroblasts, a key factor in the TGF-β1-induced canonical signaling pathway. We also reported in our previous studies that PFD inhibits TGF-β1-induced cell migration, cell contraction and cell proliferation in both carpal tunnel (CT) - and DD-derived fibroblasts, but that the effect was more pronounced in DD-derived fibroblasts [21]. Several studies have reported the effects of PFD on fibroblasts derived from other tissues namely, ocular, intestine, dermis and lung. In primary lung fibroblasts derived from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients authors show that combination of pirfenidone and rapamycin widen the inhibition range of ECM fibrogenic markers and prevents fibroblast migration [32] showing possibility for using combination of small molecules for anti-fibrotic treatment. Similarly, Stahnke et al. (2017) [33] show in ocular fibroblasts PFD inhibition of ECM protein deposition again suggesting PFD as a promising candidate for treating fibrosis following glucoma surgery. Sun et al. (2018) [34] present findings using intestinal fibroblasts that PFD could inhibit TGF-β1-induced SMAD and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways and suggested the application of PFD as a potential therapeutic agent for intestinal fibrosis. Another interesting finding originates from Hall et al. 2018 [35] showing evidence for PFD inhibiting TGF-β1-induced type I- and type III- collagens and targeting the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in human dermal fibroblasts which shows the capability of PFD to target dermal fibrosis.

In continuation of these findings, our interest was to determine if treatment of CT- and DD- fibroblasts with PFD could attenuate non-canonical signaling pathways induced by TGF-β1, particularly those involving pERK, pAKT, p38, and pMLC as each of these molecules have been found to play a role in cell migration, proliferation, differentiation, and contraction. Interestingly, our results indicate that TGF-β1-stimulated phosphorylation of ERK 1/2, AKT, MLC and p38 were all significantly inhibited by PFD in both CT-and DD-derived fibroblasts. PFD treatment alone also significantly inhibited the basal phosphorylation levels of AKT in both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts. An inhibition in the basal phosphorylation levels in the other molecules, ERK1/2, MLC, and p38 was noted although a statistical significance was not achieved.

ERK1/2 belongs to the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily and mediates cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis [36]. p38 MAPKs normally respond to environmental stress and inflammatory cytokines and mediate cell differentiation and apoptosis [37]. Krause et al. (2011) have previously reported the increased basal expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 MAP kinase levels in Dupuytren’s fibroblasts [14]. Further authors also reported that co-treatment with MAPKK1 inhibitor PD98059 and TGF-β type I receptor kinase inhibitor SB-431542 abrogated proliferation and contractile efficiency of Dupuytren’s fibroblasts. We observe here that PFD is able to accomplish a similar pharmacologic inhibition of ERK 1/2 inhibitors.

Akt is a downstream protein kinase of PI3K, and it is activated by phosphorylation of IP3K. The activated Akt kinase phosphorylates a number of key substrates involved in the stimulation of intermediary metabolism and promotion of cell survival, proliferation, and growth [38]. Similar to Akt kinase activated p38 has numerous possible downstream targets driving cell proliferation and ECM deposition [39, 40]. Earlier studies by Ratkaj et al. (2012) report higher levels of phosphorylated p38 and Akt kinases along with typical myofibroblast markers, α-SMA, and palladin in DD fibroblasts. Decreasing p-p38 and Akt levels using the inhibitor SB203580 reduced DD fibroblasts’ proliferative and differentiation potential to myofibroblasts [41]. In lieu of the findings of Ratkaj et al. (2012) [41] we show that basal phosphorylation levels of Akt was inhibited by PFD (trending towards statistical significance) in DD-derived fibroblasts. However, a significant decrease in basal phosphorylation levels of p38 by addition of PFD was noted in DD-derived fibroblasts. Our results further show that TGF- β1-induced phosphorylation of Akt and p38 was significantly inhibited by PFD in DD-cells again reiterating the potential of PFD in targeting molecules that mediate cell survival, proliferation, and growth.

Phosphorylation of myosin light chain (MLC) is associated with actin-myosin interaction to form stress fibers and contractile rings, facilitating cell contraction and motility [42]. We observed increased basal phosphorylation levels of MLC in DD fibroblasts significantly more than that was seen in the fibroblasts derived from CT (Fig. 4). In our earlier studies, we observed increased cell contractile property at the basal level in DD- derived fibroblasts versus CT-derived fibroblasts [21], which may be partly due to the elevated phosphorylation of MLC. Addition of PFD did not inhibit the basal phosphorylation levels of MLC in both CT-and DD-derived fibroblasts but inhibited the basal contractile property of both CT- and DD-derived fibroblasts [21] indicating that other factors may also play a role in the contractile machinery of cells.

Overall, results from our previous and present studies demonstrate that PFD may serve as a potential candidate to fight against Dupuytren’s fibrosis as it could attenuate both canonical and non-canonical profibrotic signaling molecules elicited by TGF-β1. Whereas other pharmacological inhibitors may only be of benefit in targeting a single specific signaling molecule in DD, using PFD may negate a requirement for multiple pharmacological inhibitors by targeting several signaling molecules simultaneously. Future studies will determine PFD’s actions on other growth factors, namely PDGF, VEGF, and FGF as each of these has been implicated in the progression and development of DD and collectively the pro-fibrotic effects elicited by all of these growth factors need to be targeted.

Conclusions

Our previous published findings and current studies provide strong evidence of PFD’s potential in abrogating the TGF-β1 mediated profibrotic effects by inhibiting both SMAD- and non-SMAD induced signaling pathways. These findings strongly recommend PFD as a potential novel therapeutic agent for DD-fibrosis. Because PFD is already FDA-approved, we hope these findings will help illuminate the way towards a clinical trial to test its effects locally in the setting of actual in vivo disease.

Abbreviations

CT:

Carpal tunnel

DD:

Dupuytren’s disease

p38:

phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase

p-ERK:

phosphorylated extracellular signal- regulated kinase

PFD:

Pirfenidone

p-MLC:

phosphorylated-myosin light chain

TGF-β1 :

Transforming growth factor-beta

α – SMA:

Alpha-smooth muscle actin

References

  1. Hindocha S, McGrouther DA, Bayat A. Epidemiological evaluation of Dupuytren’s disease incidence and prevalence rates in relation to etiology. Hand (NY). 2009;4:256–69.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Lanting R, van den Heuvel ER, Westerink B, Werker PM. Prevalence of Dupuytren disease in the Netherlands. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013;132:394–403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Larsen S, Krogsgaard DG, Aagaard Larsen L, Iachina M, Skytthe A, Frederiksen H. Genetic and environmental influences in Dupuytren’s disease: a study of 30,330 Danish twin pairs. J Hand Surg Eur. 2015;40:171–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hart MG, Hooper G. Clinical associations of Dupuytren’s disease. Postgrad Med J. 2005;81(957):425–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Rayan GM. Dupuytren disease: anatomy, pathology, presentation, and treatment. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89:189–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Zhou C, Hovius SER, Pieters AJ, Slijper HP, Feitz R, Selles RW. Comparative effectiveness of needle Aponeurotomy and collagenase injection for Dupuytren's contracture: a multicenter study. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2017;5(9):e1425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Hurst LC, Badalamente MA, Hentz VR, Hotchkiss RN, Kaplan FT, Meals RA, Smith TM, Rodzvilla J. CORD I Study group injectable collagenase clostridium histolyticum for Dupuytren’s contracture. N Engl J Med 2009; 361:968–979.

  8. van Rijssen AL, ter Linden H, Werker PM. Five-year results of a randomized clinical trial on treatment in Dupuytren’s disease: percutaneous needle fasciotomy versus limited fasciectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012;129:469–77.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chen NC, Srinivasan RC, Shauver MJ, Chung KC. A systematic review of outcomes of fasciotomy, aponeurotomy, and collagenase treatments for Dupuytren’s contracture. Hand (N Y). 2011;6:250–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Tomasek J, Rayan GM. Correlation of alpha-smooth muscle actin expression and contraction in Dupuytren’s disease fibroblasts. J Hand Surg Am. 1995;20:450–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Rayan GM, Parizi M, Tomasek JJ. Pharmacologic regulation of Dupuytren’s fibroblast contraction in vitro. J Hand Surg Am. 1996;21:1065–70.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Badalamente MA, Hurst LC. The biochemistry of Dupuytren’s disease. Hand Clin. 1999;15(1):35–42 v-vi.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Zhang AY, Kargel JS. The basic science of Dupuytren disease. Hand Clin. 2018;34(3):301–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Krause C, Kloen P, Ten Dijke P. Elevated transforming growth factor b and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways mediate fibrotic traits of Dupuytren’s disease fibroblasts. Fibrogenesis Tissue Repair. 2011;4:14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Ratajczak-Wielgomas K, Gosk J, Rabczyński J, Augoff K, Podhorska-Okołów M, Gamian A, Rutowski R. Expression of MMP-2, TIMP-2, TGF-β1, and decorin in Dupuytren’s contracture. Connect Tissue Res. 2012;53(6):469–77.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Satish L, Gallo PH, Baratz ME, Johnson S, Kathju S. Reversal of TGF-β1 stimulation of α-smooth muscle actin and extracellular matrix components by cyclic AMP in Dupuytren's-derived fibroblasts. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011;12:113.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Vaughan MB, Howard EW, Tomasek JJ. Transforming growth factor-beta1 promoted the morphological and functional differentiation of the myofibroblast. Exp Cell Res. 2000;257(1):180–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hinz B. Formation and function of the myofibroblast during tissue repair. J Invest Dermatol. 2007;127(3):526–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Tomasek JJ, Gabbiani G, Hinz B, Chaponnier C, Brown RA. Myofibroblasts and mechano-regulation of connective tissue remodelling. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2002;3:349–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Bisson MA, Beckett KS, McGrouther DA, Grobbelaar AO, Mudera V. Transforming growth factor-beta1 stimulation enhances Dupuytren’s fibroblast contraction in response to unizxial mechanical load within a 3-dimensional collagen gel. J Hand Surg Am. 2009;34(6):1102–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhou C, Liu F, Gallo PH, Baratz ME, Kathju S, Satish L. Anti-fibrotic action of pirfenidone in Dupuytren's disease-derived fibroblasts. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016; 17(1):469.

  22. Bisson MA, McGrouther DA, Mudera V, Grobbelaar AO. The different characteristics of Dupuytren’s disease fibroblast derived from either nodule or cord: expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and the response to stimulation by TGF-beta1. J Hand Surg Br. 2003;28(4):351–6.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Feng XH, Derynck R. Specificity and versatility in tgf-beta signaling through Smads. Annu Rev Cell Dev Biol. 2005;21:659–93.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Zhang YE. Non-Smad pathways in TGF-β signaling. Cell Res. 2009;19:128–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Lyseng-Williamson KA. Pirfenidone tablets in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a profile of their use. Drugs Ther Perspect. 2018;34(1):8–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Cordova A, Tripoli M, Corradino B, Napoli N, Moschella M. Dupuytren’s contracture: an update review of biomolecular aspects and therapeutic perspectives. J Hand Surg (Br). 2005;30(6):557–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Brickley-Parsons D, Glimcher MJ, Smith RJ, Albin R, Adams JP. Biochemical changes in the collagen of the palmar fascia in patients with Dupuytren’s disease. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1981;63(5):787–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hanyu T, Tajima T, Takagi T, Sasaki S, Fujimoto D, Isemura M, Yosizawa Z. Biochemical studies on the collagen of the palmar aponeurosis affected with Dupuytren’s disease. Tohuku J Exp Med. 1984;142(4):437–43.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Lam WL, Rawlins JM, Karoo ROS, Naylor I, Sharpe DT. Re-visiting Luck’s classification: a histological analysis of Dupuytren’s disease. J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2010;35(4):312–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Weiskirchen R, Weiskirchen S, Tacke F. Organ and tissue fibrosis: Molecular signals, cellular mechanisms and translational implications. Mol Aspects Med. 2018;S0098–2997(18):30038–40.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Macias-Barragan J, Sandoval-Rodriguez A, Navarro-Partida J, Armendariz-Borunda J. The multifaceted role of pirfenidone and its novel targets. Fibrogenesis Tissue Repair. 2010;3:1. https://doi.org/10.1186/1755-1536-3-1.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Molina-Molina M, Machahua-Huamani C, Vicens-Zygmunt V, Llatjós R, Escobar I, Sala-Llinas E, Luburich-Hernaiz P, Dorca J, Montes-Worboys A. Anti-fibrotic effects of pirfenidone and rapamycin in primary IPF fibroblasts and human alveolar epithelial cells. BMC Pulm Med. 2018;18(1):63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Stahnke T, Kowtharapu BS, Stachs O, Schmitz KP, Wurm J, Wree A, Guthoff RF, Hovakimyan M. Suppression of TGF-β pathway by pirfenidone decreases extracellular matrix deposition in ocular fibroblasts in vitro. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0172592.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Sun Y, Zhang Y, Chi P. Pirfenidone suppresses TGF-β1-induced human intestinal fibroblasts activities by regulating proliferation and apoptosis via the inhibition of the Smad and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Mol Med Rep. 2018;18(4):3907–13.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Hall CL, Wells AR, Leung KP. Pirfenidone reduces profibrotic responses in human dermal myofibroblasts, in vitro. Lab Investig. 2018;98(5):640–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Mebratu Y, Tesfaigzi Y. How ERK1/2 activation controls cell proliferation and cell death: is subcellular localization the answer? Cell Cycle. 2009;8(8):1168–75.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Roux PP, Blenis J ERK and p38 MAPK-activated protein kinases: A family of protein kinases with diverse biological functions. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2004 68 (2):320–344.

  38. New D, Wu K, Kwok AW. Wong YH. G protein-coupled receptor-induced Akt activity in cellular proliferation and apoptosis FEBS J. 2007;274(23):6025–36 Epub 2007 Oct 19.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Meyer-Ter-Vehn T, Gebhardt S, Sebald W, Buttmann M, grehn F, Schlunck G, Knaus P. p38 inhibitors prevent TGF-beta-induced myofibroblast transdifferentiation in human tenon fibroblasts. Invest Opthalmol Vis Sci 2006; 47:1500–1509.

  40. Bujor AM, Pannu J, Bu S, Smith EA, Muise-Helmericks RC, Trojanowska M. Akt blockade downregulates collagen and upregulates MMP1 in human dermal fibroblasts. H Invest Dermatol. 2008;128:1906–14.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Ratkaj I, Bujak M, Jurišić D, Baus Lončar M, Bendelja K, Pavelić K, Kraljević PS. Microarray analysis of Dupuytren's disease cells: the profibrogenic role of the TGF-β inducible p38 MAPK pathway. Cell Physiol Biochem. 2012;30(4):927–42.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Fukata Y, Amano M, Kaibuchi K. Rho-rho-kinase pathway in smooth muscle contraction and cytoskeletal reorganization of non-muscle cells. Trends Pharmacol Sci. 2001;22:32–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We extend our thanks and continuous support to the private donor that made this study possible through his generous donation. The funder did not have any role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript. Authors also thank the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, for their support.

Funding

Private donor funding and funds from the Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh supported this project. The funders has played no role in the design of the study, data analysis or in data interpretation.

Availability of data and materials

Availability of Supporting Data: Not applicable.

Requesting Deposition of Data: Raw data will be made available from the authors upon reasonable request.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Chaoming Zhou, Yael Zeldin & Latha Satish

  2. McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA

    Sandeep Kathju

  3. Shriners Hospitals for Children-Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    Latha Satish

  4. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA

    Mark E. Baratz

  5. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Cincinnati, 3229 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    Latha Satish

  6. Lumix Biomedical and Surgical Consulting, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Sandeep Kathju

Authors
  1. Chaoming Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yael Zeldin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mark E. Baratz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sandeep Kathju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Latha Satish
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

LS supervised all aspects of the project, conceived, designed the experiments, interpreted the data and drafted the manuscript with the inputs provided by CZ and YZ. CZ planned the experiments, collected the data and interpreted the findings along with LS. YZ performed western blots and was involved during the experimental design and planning. SK and MEB was involved during discussion of the initiation of the project, provided inputs for experimental design, critically reviewed the manuscript and provided their comments. All authors reviewed the manuscript and provided their consent for publication. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Latha Satish.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

DD cord and CT fascial tissues were obtained during surgical resection from Division of Upper Extremity Surgery, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA. Allegheny-Singer Research Institute’s Institutional Review Board (IRB protocol no. RC-4040) approved the protocol. Before the surgical procedure, all subjects signed the written informed consent forms. The study protocol strictly conformed to the ethical guidelines of the 1975 Declaration of Helsinki.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Zhou, C., Zeldin, Y., Baratz, M.E. et al. Investigating the effects of Pirfenidone on TGF-β1 stimulated non-SMAD signaling pathways in Dupuytren’s disease -derived fibroblasts. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 20, 135 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2486-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2486-3

Keywords

  • Dupuytren’s contracture
  • Palmar fascia fibrosis
  • Carpal tunnel
  • AKT
  • ERK1/2
  • p38MAPK and myosin light chain (MLC)

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

ISSN: 1471-2474

Contact us