Epidermal Growth Factor Like-domain 7 and miR-126 are abnormally expressed in diffuse Systemic Sclerosis fibroblasts

Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 14;9(1):4589. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39485-8.

Abstract

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is characterized by microangiopathy with impaired reparative angiogenesis and fibrosis. Epidermal Growth Factor Like-domain 7 (EGFL7), firstly described in endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in angiogenesis. Fibroblasts (FBs) are involved in vascular remodeling, under physiological and pathological conditions. In this study, we investigated: (i) the expression of EGFL7 and its miR-126 in patients affected by diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc); (ii) the ability of Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) to modulate EGFL7 expression; (iii) the ability of EGFL7 to modulate COL1A1 expression and proliferation/migration, and (iv) the functional role of EGFL7 on angiogenesis. Patients were divided in 2 subsets: patients fulfilling the classification criteria in less than one year from Raynaud's Phenomenon onset (Early Onset Subset-EOS), and all the others (Long Standing Subset-LSS). We show that EGFL7 expression is increased in EOS dcSSc skin and cultured FBs. EGFL7 is inducible by TGF-β on Healthy Controls (HC) FBs but not in SSc-FBs. EGFL7 decreases COL1A1 expression in EOS SSc-FBs while EGFL7 silencing up-regulates COL1A1 expression. EGFL7 promotes migration/invasion of EOS SSc-FBs but not proliferation. Finally, SSc-FBs, partially inhibit angiogenesis in organotypic coculture assays, and this is reversed by treatment with human recombinant (rh)EGFL7. We conclude that EGFL7 and its specific microRNA miR-126 may be involved in the pathogenesis of SSc vasculopathy and fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Biopsy
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Collagen Type I / genetics
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • Disease Susceptibility
  • EGF Family of Proteins / genetics*
  • EGF Family of Proteins / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / genetics
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / etiology*
  • Scleroderma, Systemic / pathology*
  • Skin / metabolism
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Collagen Type I
  • Collagen Type I, alpha 1 Chain
  • EGF Family of Proteins
  • EGFL7 protein, human
  • MIRN126 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Messenger