LXA4-FPR2 signaling regulates radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis via crosstalk with TGF-β/Smad signaling

Cell Death Dis. 2020 Aug 8;11(8):653. doi: 10.1038/s41419-020-02846-7.

Abstract

Radiation therapy is an important modality in the treatment of lung cancer, but it can lead to radiation pneumonitis, and eventually radiation fibrosis. To date, only few available drugs can effectively manage radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Lipoxins are endogenous molecules exhibit anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects. These molecules play a vital role in reducing excessive tissue injury and chronic inflammation; however, their effects on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of lipoxin A4 (LXA4) on RILI using our specialized small-animal model of RILI following focal-ablative lung irradiation (IR). LXA4 significantly inhibited immune-cell recruitment and reduced IR-induced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and fibrotic proteins in the lung lesion sites. In addition, micro-CT revealed that LXA4 reduced IR-induced increases in lung consolidation volume. The flexiVentTM assays showed that LXA4 significantly reversed IR-induced lung function damage. Moreover, LXA4 downregulated the activities of NF-κB and the Smad-binding element promoters. The expression of FPR2, an LXA4 receptor, increased during the development of IR-induced pulmonary fibrosis, whereas silencing of endogenous LXA4 using an antagonist (WRW4) or FPR2 siRNA resulted in impaired development of pulmonary fibrosis in response to IR. Collectively, these data suggest that LXA4 could serve as a potent therapeutic agent for alleviating RILI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Fibrosis / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lipoxins / metabolism*
  • Lipoxins / physiology
  • Lung / cytology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis / physiopathology
  • Radiation
  • Radiotherapy / adverse effects
  • Receptor Cross-Talk / physiology
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide / physiology
  • Receptors, Lipoxin / metabolism
  • Receptors, Lipoxin / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / physiology
  • Smad Proteins / metabolism
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Cytokines
  • FPR2 protein, human
  • Lipoxins
  • Receptors, Formyl Peptide
  • Receptors, Lipoxin
  • Smad Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • formyl peptide receptor 2, mouse
  • lipoxin A4