The Nrf2-Antioxidant Response Element Signaling Pathway Controls Fibrosis and Autoimmunity in Scleroderma

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease with fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and vascular alterations. Dysregulations in the oxidant/antioxidant balance are known to be a major factor in the pathogenesis of the disease. Indeed, reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger neoepitopes leading to a breach of immune tolerance and autoimmune responses, activate fibroblasts to proliferate and to produce excess of type I collagen. ROS also alter endothelial cells leading to vascular dysfunction. Glutathione (GSH) is the most potent antioxidant system in eukaryotic cells. Numerous studies have reported a defect in GSH in SSc animal models and humans, but the origin of this defect remains unknown. The transcription factor NRF2 is a key player in the antioxidant defense, as it can induce the transcription of antioxidant and cytoprotective genes, including GSH, through its interaction with the antioxidant response elements. In this work, we investigated whether NRF2 could be implicated in the pathogenesis of SSc, and if this pathway could represent a new therapeutic target in this orphan disease with no curative medicine. Skin biopsies from 11 patients and 10 controls were harvested, and skin fibroblasts were extracted. Experimental SSc was induced both in BALB/c and in nrf2−/− mice by daily intradermal injections of hypochloric acid. In addition, diseased BALB/c mice were treated with an nrf2 agonist, dimethyl fumarate, or placebo. A drop in nrf2 and target genes mRNA levels was observed in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients compared to controls. Moreover, the nrf2 pathway is also downregulated in skins and lungs of SSc mice. In addition, we observed that nrf2−/− mice have a more severe form of SSc with increased fibrosis and inflammation compared to wild-type SSc mice. Diseased mice treated with the nrf2 agonist dimethyl fumarate (DMF) exhibited reduced fibrosis and immune activation compared to untreated mice. The ex vivo treatment of skin fibroblasts from SSc mice with DMF restores GSH intracellular content, decreases ROS production and cell proliferation. These results suggest that the nrf2 pathway is highly dysregulated in human and SSc mice with deleterious consequences on fibrosis and inflammation and that Nrf2 modulation represents a therapeutic target in SSc

Production of Superoxide Anions by Keratinocytes Initiates P. acnes-Induced Inflammation of the Skin

Acne vulgaris is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous follicles. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), a gram-positive anareobic bacterium, plays a critical role in the development of these inflammatory lesions. This study aimed at determining whether reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by keratinocytes upon P. acnes infection, dissecting the mechanism of this production, and investigating how this phenomenon integrates in the general inflammatory response induced by P. acnes. In our hands, ROS, and especially superoxide anions (O2•−), were rapidly produced by keratinocytes upon stimulation by P. acnes surface proteins. In P. acnes-stimulated keratinocytes, O2•− was produced by NAD(P)H oxidase through activation of the scavenger receptor CD36. O2•− was dismuted by superoxide dismutase to form hydrogen peroxide which was further detoxified into water by the GSH/GPx system. In addition, P. acnes-induced O2•− abrogated P. acnes growth and was involved in keratinocyte lysis through the combination of O2•− with nitric oxide to form peroxynitrites. Finally, retinoic acid derivates, the most efficient anti-acneic drugs, prevent O2•− production, IL-8 release and keratinocyte apoptosis, suggesting the relevance of this pathway in humans

Chalcone-Coumarin Derivatives as Potential Anti-Cancer Drugs: An in vitro and in vivo Investigation

International audienceCancer cells display an overproduction of reactive oxygen species resulting from an exaggerated intrinsic oxidative stress. However, the concept of deleterious oxidants versus beneficial antioxidants has recently evolved. Indeed, molecules like natural coumarins have shown anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant properties depending on their intracellular concentration. Therefore, we have investigated the structure-activity relationship of a variety of coumarin derivatives in terms of cytotoxicity towards human and murine carcinoma cell lines (HT29, HepG2, A549, MCF7, OVCAR and CT26). Amongst those compounds, (E)-7-methoxy-4-(3-oxo-3phenylprop- 1-enyl)-2H-chromen-2-one and (E)-7-hydroxy-4-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-2H-chromen-2-one displayed the most potent cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells, CT26, (IC50= 4.9 mu M) linked to their pro-oxidant properties. Those compounds triggered the in vitro production of reactive oxygen species by tumor cells, leading to their death through a necrotic process. In vivo, molecules also slowed down tumor growth by 65.7% and 35.4%, respectively, without inducing significant side effects

Chalcone-Coumarin Derivatives as Potential Anti-Cancer Drugs: An in vitro and in vivo Investigation

International audienceCancer cells display an overproduction of reactive oxygen species resulting from an exaggerated intrinsic oxidative stress. However, the concept of deleterious oxidants versus beneficial antioxidants has recently evolved. Indeed, molecules like natural coumarins have shown anti-oxidant or pro-oxidant properties depending on their intracellular concentration. Therefore, we have investigated the structure-activity relationship of a variety of coumarin derivatives in terms of cytotoxicity towards human and murine carcinoma cell lines (HT29, HepG2, A549, MCF7, OVCAR and CT26). Amongst those compounds, (E)-7-methoxy-4-(3-oxo-3phenylprop- 1-enyl)-2H-chromen-2-one and (E)-7-hydroxy-4-(3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-oxoprop-1-enyl)-2H-chromen-2-one displayed the most potent cytotoxic effect on colon cancer cells, CT26, (IC50= 4.9 mu M) linked to their pro-oxidant properties. Those compounds triggered the in vitro production of reactive oxygen species by tumor cells, leading to their death through a necrotic process. In vivo, molecules also slowed down tumor growth by 65.7% and 35.4%, respectively, without inducing significant side effects

Pantethine Prevents Murine Systemic Sclerosis Through the Inhibition of Microparticle Shedding

International audienceOBJECTIVE:Endothelial cell (EC) damage in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is reflected by the shedding of microparticles (MPs). The aim of this study was to show that inhibiting MP release using pantethine or by inactivating ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) ameliorates murine SSc.METHODS:First, the effects of pantethine on MP shedding and on basal oxidative and nitrosative stresses in ECs and fibroblasts were determined in vitro. The effects of pantethine were then tested in vivo. SSc was induced in BALB/c mice by daily intradermal injection of HOCl. Mice were simultaneously treated daily with pantethine by oral gavage.RESULTS:In vitro, pantethine inhibited MP shedding from tumor necrosis factor-stimulated ECs and abrogated MP-induced oxidative and nitrosative stresses in ECs and fibroblasts. Ex vivo, pantethine also restored redox homeostasis in fibroblasts from mice with SSc. In vivo, mice with SSc displayed skin and lung fibrosis associated with increased levels of circulating MPs and markers of oxidative and endothelial stress, which were normalized by administration of pantethine or inactivation of ABCA1.CONCLUSION:Pantethine is a well-tolerated molecule that represents a potential treatment of human SSc

Preventive action of benztropine on platinum-induced peripheral neuropathies and tumor growth

Abstract The endogenous cholinergic system plays a key role in neuronal cells, by suppressing neurite outgrowth and myelination and, in some cancer cells, favoring tumor growth. Platinum compounds are widely used as part of first line conventional cancer chemotherapy; their efficacy is however limited by peripheral neuropathy as a major side-effect. In a multiple sclerosis mouse model, benztropine, that also acts as an anti-histamine and a dopamine re-uptake inhibitor, induced the differentiation of oligodendrocytes through M1 and M3 muscarinic receptors and enhanced re-myelination. We have evaluated whether benztropine can increase anti-tumoral efficacy of oxaliplatin, while preventing its neurotoxicity. We showed that benztropine improves acute and chronic clinical symptoms of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathies in mice. Sensory alterations detected by electrophysiology in oxaliplatin-treated mice were consistent with a decreased nerve conduction velocity and membrane hyperexcitability due to alterations in the density and/or functioning of both sodium and potassium channels, confirmed by action potential analysis from ex-vivo cultures of mouse dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons using whole-cell patch-clamp. These alterations were all prevented by benztropine. In oxaliplatin-treated mice, MBP expression, confocal and electronic microscopy of the sciatic nerves revealed a demyelination and confirmed the alteration of the myelinated axons morphology when compared to animals injected with oxaliplatin plus benztropine. Benztropine also prevented the decrease in neuronal density in the paws of mice injected with oxaliplatin. The neuroprotection conferred by benztropine against chemotherapeutic drugs was associated with a lower expression of inflammatory cytokines and extended to diabetic-induced peripheral neuropathy in mice. Mice receiving benztropine alone presented a lower tumor growth when compared to untreated animals and synergized the anti-tumoral effect of oxaliplatin, a phenomenon explained at least in part by benztropine-induced ROS imbalance in tumor cells. This report shows that blocking muscarinic receptors with benztropine prevents peripheral neuropathies and increases the therapeutic index of oxaliplatin. These results can be rapidly transposable to patients as benztropine is currently indicated in Parkinson’s disease in the United States