A dual AP-1 and SMAD decoy ODN suppresses tissue fibrosis and scarring in mice

J Invest Dermatol. 2013 Apr;133(4):1080-7. doi: 10.1038/jid.2012.443. Epub 2012 Dec 6.

Abstract

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway promotes tissue fibrosis and scarring through SMAD (small mothers against decapentaplegic)-dependent and SMAD-independent mechanisms. However, inhibition of SMAD-mediated signal transduction alone induces an excessive inflammatory response that impairs the antifibrotic effects of TGF-β inhibitors. In this study, we designed and characterized a dual-functional transcription activator protein 1 (AP-1) and SMAD decoy oligodeoxynucleotide, antifibrosis oligodeoxynucleotide 4 (AFODN4) in vitro and in vivo. AFODN4 binds directly to recombinant AP-1 and SMAD with high affinity. AFODN4 significantly inhibited the DNA-binding and transcriptional activities of both AP-1 and SMAD, as well as the production of fibrotic mediators stimulated by TGF-β1 or TGF-β2 in L929 murine fibroblasts. Local administration of AFODN4 significantly inhibited fibrosis associated with acute dermal wounds in mice. Intriguingly, AFODN4 inhibited AP-1-mediated production of proinflammatory mediators, which can be caused by blockage of SMAD alone in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, these findings suggest that dual inhibition of SMAD and AP-1 signaling by AFODN4 is a useful strategy for the development of new antifibrotic agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cicatrix / genetics
  • Cicatrix / pathology
  • Cicatrix / therapy*
  • Dermis / injuries
  • Dermis / metabolism
  • Dermis / pathology
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Design
  • Fibrosis / genetics
  • Fibrosis / pathology
  • Fibrosis / therapy
  • Genes, Reporter / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / genetics
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / metabolism
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / pharmacology*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smad Proteins / genetics
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / genetics
  • Transcription Factor AP-1 / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation / physiology
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism
  • Wound Healing / physiology

Substances

  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transcription Factor AP-1
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta