Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a devastating condition with no disease-modifying treatment. Fibrosis, the hallmark of SSc, is caused by fibroblast activation with collagen overproduction and myofibroblast differentiation. Transforming growth factor-b (TGF-b) is a potent inducer of fibroblast activation, and plays a key role in the pathogenesis of SSc. TGF-b responses are mediated through intracellular Smad pathways and p300, a transcriptional coactivator and histone acetyltransferase. Recently, we found that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-3 is expressed in normal fibroblasts. PPAR-g is a nuclear receptor with key roles in adipogenesis and insulin sensitivity. Ligands for PPAR-g are in clinical use to treat type 2 diabetes. We showed that PPAR-g ligands abrogated collagen gene expression induced by TGF-b, indicating an important novel biological activity of PPAR-g. We also demonstrated that expression of PPAR-g protein and mRNA was reduced in some patients with SSc. We hypothesize that PPAR-g is an endogenous suppressor of fibrotic responses, and impaired expression or activity could be a factor in progressive fibrosis in SSc;thus PPAR-g may be a novel target for anti-fibrotic therapy. We will explore the anti-fibrotic role of PPAR-g and its mechanism in vitro and in vivo.
In Specific Aim 1, we will characterize the anti-TGF-b mechanisms of action of PPAR-g in mouse and human cells with defective endogenous PPAR-g, and examine the modulation of TGF-b signaling by PPAR-g.
In Specific Aim 2 we will examine the role of p300 in mediating TGF-b responses and in the antagonistic cross-talk with PPAR-g.
In Specific Aim 3 we will examine the effect of PPAR-g ligands in mouse models of scleroderma, and study the fibrotic response in a novel transgenic mouse with fibroblast-specific conditional deletion of PPAR-g.
In Specific Aim 4, we will examine the expression, activity and clinical correlates of PPAR-g in SSc. These studies will deepen our understanding of aberrant fibroblast activation in SSc, and provide the first insight into the role of PPAR-g in the process. The proposed research will accelerate the development of novel anti-fibrotic treatments for SSc and other fibrosing diseases.

Public Health Relevance

Systemic sclerosis is an orphan disease with poorly understood pathogenesis and no disease-modifying treatment. Anti-fibrotic therapy could improve survival and quality of life in SSc as well as other fibrosing conditions. Recent studies indicate that PPAR-g is a potent negative regulator of fibrotic responses and may represent a novel target for therapy. Currently, nothing is known regarding the regulation and role of PPAR-g in SSc. The proposed studies will provide a better definition of fibrosis in SSc, the role of PPAR-g in regulating the response, and the potential clinical utility of therapies targeting PPAR-g in SSc.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR049025-11
Application #
8303022
Study Section
Arthritis, Connective Tissue and Skin Study Section (ACTS)
Program Officer
Tseng, Hung H
Project Start
2002-09-15
Project End
2013-07-31
Budget Start
2012-08-01
Budget End
2013-07-31
Support Year
11
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$315,723
Indirect Cost
$106,635
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
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Wei, Jun; Ghosh, Archit K; Chu, Haiyan et al. (2015) The Histone Deacetylase Sirtuin 1 Is Reduced in Systemic Sclerosis and Abrogates Fibrotic Responses by Targeting Transforming Growth Factor ? Signaling. Arthritis Rheumatol 67:1323-34
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Wei, Jun; Fang, Feng; Lam, Anna P et al. (2012) Wnt/?-catenin signaling is hyperactivated in systemic sclerosis and induces Smad-dependent fibrotic responses in mesenchymal cells. Arthritis Rheum 64:2734-45
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Fang, Feng; Ooka, Kohtaro; Bhattacharyya, Swati et al. (2011) The early growth response gene Egr2 (Alias Krox20) is a novel transcriptional target of transforming growth factor-? that is up-regulated in systemic sclerosis and mediates profibrotic responses. Am J Pathol 178:2077-90
Lam, Anna P; Flozak, Annette S; Russell, Susan et al. (2011) Nuclear ?-catenin is increased in systemic sclerosis pulmonary fibrosis and promotes lung fibroblast migration and proliferation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 45:915-22

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