Differential Proteomics Identifies Reticulocalbin-3 as a Novel Negative Mediator of Collagen Production in Human Cardiac Fibroblasts

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 22;7(1):12192. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-12305-7.

Abstract

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, including collagens. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) are two profibrotic molecules that mediate Aldosterone (Aldo)-induced cardiac fibrosis. However the underlying mechanisms are not well defined. Our aim is to characterize changes in the proteome of human cardiac fibroblasts treated with Aldo, Gal-3 or CT-1 to identify new common proteins that might be new therapeutic targets in cardiac fibrosis. Using a quantitative proteomic approach in human cardiac fibroblasts, our results show that Aldo, Gal-3 and CT-1 modified the expression of 30, 17 and 89 proteins respectively, being common the reticulocalbin (RCN) family members. RCN-3 down-regulation triggered by Aldo, Gal-3 and CT-1 was verified. Treatment with recombinant RCN-3 decreased collagens expression in human cardiac fibroblasts through Akt phosphorylation. Interestingly, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated activation of RCN-3 decreased collagen production in human cardiac fibroblasts. In addition, recombinant RCN-3 blocked the profibrotic effects of Aldo, Gal-3 and CT-1. Interestingly, RCN-3 blunted the increase in collagens expression induced by other profibrotic stimuli, angiotensin II, in human cardiac fibroblasts. Our results suggest that RCN-3 emerges as a new potential negative regulator of collagen production and could represent a therapeutic target in the context of cardiac fibrosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldosterone / metabolism
  • Blood Proteins
  • CRISPR-Cas Systems / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Collagen / metabolism*
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Fibroblasts / pathology*
  • Fibrosis
  • Galectin 3 / metabolism
  • Galectins
  • Humans
  • Myocardium / cytology
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Proteomics / methods
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Galectin 3
  • Galectins
  • LGALS3 protein, human
  • RCN3 protein, human
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Aldosterone
  • Collagen
  • cardiotrophin 1