[HTML][HTML] Classical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6) channels support myofibroblast differentiation and development of experimental pulmonary fibrosis

K Hofmann, S Fiedler, S Vierkotten, J Weber… - … et Biophysica Acta (BBA …, 2017 - Elsevier
K Hofmann, S Fiedler, S Vierkotten, J Weber, S Klee, J Jia, W Zwickenpflug, V Flockerzi…
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)-Molecular Basis of Disease, 2017Elsevier
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive lung disease without effective medical
treatment options leading to respiratory failure and death within 3–5 years of diagnosis. The
pathological process of PF is driven by aberrant wound-healing involving fibroblasts and
myofibroblasts differentiated by secreted profibrotic transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1).
Classical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6), a Na+-and Ca 2+-permeable cation
channel, is able to promote myofibroblast conversion of primary rat cardiac and human …
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic progressive lung disease without effective medical treatment options leading to respiratory failure and death within 3–5 years of diagnosis. The pathological process of PF is driven by aberrant wound-healing involving fibroblasts and myofibroblasts differentiated by secreted profibrotic transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1). Classical transient receptor potential 6 (TRPC6), a Na+- and Ca2 +-permeable cation channel, is able to promote myofibroblast conversion of primary rat cardiac and human dermal fibroblasts and TRPC6-deficiency impaired wound healing after injury. To study a potential role of TRPC6 in the development of PF we analyzed lung function, gene and protein expression in wild-type (WT) and TRPC6-deficient (TRPC6 −/−) lungs utilizing a bleomycin-induced PF-model. Fibrotic WT-mice showed a significant higher death rate while bleomycin-treated TRPC6-deficient mice were partly protected from fibrosis as a consequence of a lower production of collagen and an almost normal function of the respiratory system (reduced resistance and elastance compared to fibrotic WT-mice). On a molecular level TGF-β1 induced TRPC6 up-regulation, increased Ca2 + influx and nuclear NFAT localization in WT primary murine lung fibroblasts (PMLFs) resulting in higher stress fiber formation and accelerated contraction rates as compared to treated TRPC6-deficient fibroblasts. Therefore, we conclude that TRPC6 is an important determinant for TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast differentiation during fibrosis and specific channel inhibitors might be beneficial in a future treatment of PF.
Elsevier