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Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of...
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Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis

A special issue of Pharmaceuticals (ISSN 1424-8247). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmacology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2024 | Viewed by 13821

Special Issue Editor

Dr. David Daniepour

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Case Western Reserve University
Interests: Function and regulation of TGF-beta expression and signaling in prostate and renal cancers; androgen receptor signaling; cross-talk of TGF-beta with IGF-I, AKT, mTOR, androgen receptor, and Hic-5; survivin in cancer; Notch/Jagged1 signaling; drug discovery; YM155; mTOR inhibitors; TGF-beta signaling inhibitors; apoptosis; hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible pathways; AMPKs; chemoprevention; polyphenols

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

TGF-βs are highly conserved 25 kDa secretory proteins that signal through binding to and activating transmembrane serine-threonine kinase receptors. TGF-βs control many vital normal cellular and physiological processes such as apoptosis, growth control, differentiation, extracellular matrix production, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, angiogenesis, wound-healing, development and immune regulation.  There are three TGF-β isoforms in mammals, namely TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3, each of which has a unique tissue expression profile, and their normal functions are both cell-type and context-dependent.  Despite the well-documented tumor suppressor function of TGF-βs, TGF-β signaling has a dark side in cancer as it drives the growth, aggressiveness, and therapeutic resistance of many cancers. Another major dark side of TGF-β signaling is in driving fibrosis associated with many pathologies, and TGF-βs thus likely contribute to liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, aortic stenosis, gastrointestinal strictures, cardiomyopathy, and pulmonary fibrosis. It is thus without surprise that major efforts have been taken to develop therapeutic inhibitors targeting TGF-βs and various components of TGF-β pathways. Although many TGF-β inhibitors have failed in clinical trials due to dose-limiting toxicities or inadequate responses, some of them are gaining enthusiastic support with potential to improving patient outcome, particularly in the setting of immune checkpoint inhibitors in cancer. This Special Issue is focused on summarizing the state-of-the-art findings, current research and future trends in the development and use of TGF-β pathway inhibitors for the therapeutic management of cancers and fibrosis.

Prof. Dr. David Danielpour
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceuticals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • TGF-β
  • metastasis
  • EMT
  • immunotherapy
  • fibrosis
  • Smad2
  • Smad3
  • angiogenesis
  • ligand traps
  • soluble receptors

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7664 KiB  
Article
Alvespimycin Exhibits Potential Anti-TGF-β Signaling in the Setting of a Proteasome Activator in Rats with Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Promising Novel Approach
by Osama A. Mohammed, Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim, Lobna A. Saleh, Mohannad Mohammad S. Alamri, Jaber Alfaifi, Masoud I. E. Adam, Alshaimaa A. Farrag, AbdulElah Al Jarallah AlQahtani, Waad Fuad BinAfif, Abdullah A. Hashish, Sameh Abdel-Ghany, Elsayed A. Elmorsy, Hend S. El-wakeel, Ahmed S. Doghish, Rabab S. Hamad and Sameh Saber
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(8), 1123; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16081123 - 09 Aug 2023
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 1550
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible and life-threatening lung disease of unknown etiology presenting only a few treatment options. TGF-β signaling orchestrates a cascade of events driving pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Notably, recent research has affirmed the augmentation of TGF-β receptor (TβR) signaling [...] Read more.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible and life-threatening lung disease of unknown etiology presenting only a few treatment options. TGF-β signaling orchestrates a cascade of events driving pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Notably, recent research has affirmed the augmentation of TGF-β receptor (TβR) signaling via HSP90 activation. HSP90, a molecular chaperone, adeptly stabilizes and folds TβRs, thus intricately regulating TGF-β1 signaling. Our investigation illuminated the impact of alvespimycin, an HSP90 inhibitor, on TGF-β-mediated transcriptional responses by inducing destabilization of TβRs. This outcome stems from the explicit interaction of TβR subtypes I and II with HSP90, where they are clients of this cellular chaperone. It is worth noting that regulation of proteasome-dependent degradation of TβRs is a critical standpoint in the termination of TGF-β signal transduction. Oleuropein, the principal bioactive compound found in Olea europaea, is acknowledged for its role as a proteasome activator. In this study, our aim was to explore the efficacy of a combined therapy involving oleuropein and alvespimycin for the treatment of PF. We employed a PF rat model that was induced by intratracheal bleomycin infusion. The application of this dual therapy yielded a noteworthy impediment to the undesired activation of TGF-β/mothers against decapentaplegic homologs 2 and 3 (SMAD2/3) signaling. Consequently, this novel combination showcased improvements in both lung tissue structure and function while also effectively restraining key fibrosis markers such as PDGF-BB, TIMP-1, ACTA2, col1a1, and hydroxyproline. On a mechanistic level, our findings unveiled that the antifibrotic impact of this combination therapy likely stemmed from the enhanced degradation of both TβRI and TβRII. In conclusion, the utilization of proteasomal activators in conjunction with HSP90 inhibitors ushers in a promising frontier for the management of PF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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25 pages, 3796 KiB  
Article
STA9090 as a Potential Therapeutic Agent for Liver Fibrosis by Modulating the HSP90/TβRII/Proteasome Interplay: Novel Insights from In Vitro and In Vivo Investigations
by Osama A. Mohammed, Mustafa Ahmed Abdel-Reheim, Mohannad Mohammad S. Alamri, Jaber Alfaifi, Masoud I. E. Adam, Lobna A. Saleh, Alshaimaa A. Farrag, Amar Ibrahim Omer Yahia, Sameh Abdel-Ghany, AbdulElah Al Jarallah AlQahtani, Emad Bahashwan, Hanan B. Eltahir, Nahid A. Mohammed, Hend S. El-wakeel, Sara H. Hazem and Sameh Saber
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(8), 1080; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16081080 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1221
Abstract
Liver fibrosis is a progressive condition characterized by the build-up of fibrous tissue resulting from long-term liver injury. Although there have been advancements in research and treatment, there is still a need for effective antifibrotic medication. HSP90 plays a crucial role in the [...] Read more.
Liver fibrosis is a progressive condition characterized by the build-up of fibrous tissue resulting from long-term liver injury. Although there have been advancements in research and treatment, there is still a need for effective antifibrotic medication. HSP90 plays a crucial role in the development of fibrosis. It acts as a molecular chaperone that assists in the proper folding and stability of TβRII, potentially regulating the signaling of TGF-β1. It has been established that TβRII can be degraded through the proteasome degradation system, either via ubiquitination-dependent or -independent pathways. In the present study, STA9090 demonstrated promising effects in both in vitro and in vivo models. It reduced LDH leakage, prolonged the survival rate of hepatocytes in rats with liver fibrosis, and improved liver function. Importantly, STA9090 exerted pleiotropic effects by targeting proteins involved in limiting collagen production, which resulted in improved microscopic features of the rat livers. Our findings suggest that STA9090-induced inhibition of HSP90 leads to the degradation of TβRII, a fibrogenic client protein of HSP90, through the activation of the 20S proteasomal degradation system. We also revealed that this degradation mechanism is not dependent on the autophagy–lysosomal pathway. Additionally, STA9090 was found to destabilize HIF-1α and facilitate its degradation, leading to the reduced transcription of VEGF. Moreover, STA9090’s ability to deactivate the NFκB signaling pathway highlights its potential as an anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic agent. However, further research is necessary to fully elucidate the underlying mechanisms and fully capitalize on the therapeutic benefits of targeting HSP90 and associated pathways. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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15 pages, 2372 KiB  
Article
HSPB5 Inhibition by NCI-41356 Reduces Experimental Lung Fibrosis by Blocking TGF-β1 Signaling
by Julie Tanguy, Pierre-Marie Boutanquoi, Olivier Burgy, Lucile Dondaine, Guillaume Beltramo, Burhan Uyanik, Carmen Garrido, Philippe Bonniaud, Pierre-Simon Bellaye and Françoise Goirand
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16020177 - 24 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1621
Abstract
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive and lethal disease of unknown etiology that ranks among the most frequent interstitial lung diseases. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by dysregulated healing mechanisms that lead to the accumulation of large amounts of collagen in the [...] Read more.
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic, progressive and lethal disease of unknown etiology that ranks among the most frequent interstitial lung diseases. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is characterized by dysregulated healing mechanisms that lead to the accumulation of large amounts of collagen in the lung tissue that disrupts the alveolar architecture. The two currently available treatments, nintedanib and pirfenidone, are only able to slow down the disease without being curative. We demonstrated in the past that HSPB5, a low molecular weight heat shock protein, was involved in the development of fibrosis and therefore was a potential therapeutic target. Here, we have explored whether NCI-41356, a chemical inhibitor of HSPB5, can limit the development of pulmonary fibrosis. In vivo, we used a mouse model in which fibrosis was induced by intratracheal injection of bleomycin. Mice were treated with NaCl or NCI-41356 (six times intravenously or three times intratracheally). Fibrosis was evaluated by collagen quantification, immunofluorescence and TGF-β gene expression. In vitro, we studied the specific role of NCI-41356 on the chaperone function of HSPB5 and the inhibitory properties of NCI-41356 on HSPB5 interaction with its partner SMAD4 during fibrosis. TGF-β1 signaling was evaluated by immunofluorescence and Western Blot in epithelial cells treated with TGF-β1 with or without NCI-41356. In vivo, NCI-41356 reduced the accumulation of collagen, the expression of TGF-β1 and pro-fibrotic markers (PAI-1, α-SMA). In vitro, NCI-41356 decreased the interaction between HSPB5 and SMAD4 and thus modulated the SMAD4 canonical nuclear translocation involved in TGF-β1 signaling, which may explain NCI-41356 anti-fibrotic properties. In this study, we determined that inhibition of HSPB5 by NCI-41356 could limit pulmonary fibrosis in mice by limiting the synthesis of collagen and pro-fibrotic markers. At the molecular level, this outcome may be explained by the effect of NCI-41356 inhibiting HSPB5/SMAD4 interaction, thus modulating SMAD4 and TGF-β1 signaling. Further investigations are needed to determine whether these results can be transposed to humans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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18 pages, 3134 KiB  
Article
Oxy210, a Semi-Synthetic Oxysterol, Inhibits Profibrotic Signaling in Cellular Models of Lung and Kidney Fibrosis
by Feng Wang, Frank Stappenbeck and Farhad Parhami
Pharmaceuticals 2023, 16(1), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16010114 - 12 Jan 2023
Viewed by 2145
Abstract
Oxy210, a semi-synthetic oxysterol derivative, displays cell-selective inhibition of Hedgehog (Hh) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages as well as antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory efficacy in models of liver fibrosis. In the present report, we examine the [...] Read more.
Oxy210, a semi-synthetic oxysterol derivative, displays cell-selective inhibition of Hedgehog (Hh) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling in epithelial cells, fibroblasts, and macrophages as well as antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory efficacy in models of liver fibrosis. In the present report, we examine the effects of Oxy210 in cellular models of lung and kidney fibrosis, such as human lung fibroblast cell lines IMR-90, derived from healthy lung tissue, and LL97A, derived from an idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patient. In addition, we examine the effects of Oxy210 in primary human renal fibroblasts, pericytes, mesangial cells, and renal tubular epithelial cells, known for their involvement in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney fibrosis. We demonstrate in fibroblasts that the expression of several profibrotic TGF-β target genes, including fibronectin (FN), collagen 1A1 (COL1A1), and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) are inhibited by Oxy210, both at the basal level and following TGF-β stimulation in a statistically significant manner. The inhibition of COL1A1 gene expression translated directly to significantly reduced COL1A1 protein expression. In human primary small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs) and renal tubular epithelial cells, Oxy210 significantly inhibited TGF-β target gene expression associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Oxy210 also inhibited the proliferation of fibroblasts, pericytes, and mesangial cells in a dose-dependent and statistically significant manner. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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Review

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49 pages, 4386 KiB  
Review
Targeting SMAD-Dependent Signaling: Considerations in Epithelial and Mesenchymal Solid Tumors
by Farhana Runa, Gabriela Ortiz-Soto, Natan Roberto de Barros and Jonathan A. Kelber
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(3), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030326 - 01 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1621
Abstract
SMADs are the canonical intracellular effector proteins of the TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β). SMADs translocate from plasma membrane receptors to the nucleus regulated by many SMAD-interacting proteins through phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications that govern their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and subsequent transcriptional activity. The [...] Read more.
SMADs are the canonical intracellular effector proteins of the TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β). SMADs translocate from plasma membrane receptors to the nucleus regulated by many SMAD-interacting proteins through phosphorylation and other post-translational modifications that govern their nucleocytoplasmic shuttling and subsequent transcriptional activity. The signaling pathway of TGF-β/SMAD exhibits both tumor-suppressing and tumor-promoting phenotypes in epithelial-derived solid tumors. Collectively, the pleiotropic nature of TGF-β/SMAD signaling presents significant challenges for the development of effective cancer therapies. Here, we review preclinical studies that evaluate the efficacy of inhibitors targeting major SMAD-regulating and/or -interacting proteins, particularly enzymes that may play important roles in epithelial or mesenchymal compartments within solid tumors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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16 pages, 911 KiB  
Review
Hitting the Target! Challenges and Opportunities for TGF-β Inhibition for the Treatment of Cardiac fibrosis
by Maria Vistnes
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(3), 267; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17030267 - 20 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1006
Abstract
Developing effective anti-fibrotic therapies for heart diseases holds the potential to address unmet needs in several cardiac conditions, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and cardiotoxicity induced by cancer therapy. The inhibition of the primary fibrotic regulator, transforming growth factor [...] Read more.
Developing effective anti-fibrotic therapies for heart diseases holds the potential to address unmet needs in several cardiac conditions, including heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and cardiotoxicity induced by cancer therapy. The inhibition of the primary fibrotic regulator, transforming growth factor (TGF) β, represents an efficient strategy for mitigating fibrosis in preclinical models. However, translating these findings into clinical benefits faces challenges due to potential adverse effects stemming from TGF-β’s physiological actions in inflammation and tissue homeostasis. Various strategies exist for inhibiting TGF-β, each associated with a distinct risk of adverse effects. Targeting TGF-β directly or through its signaling pathway proves efficient in reducing fibrosis. However, direct TGF-β blockade may lead to uncontrolled inflammation, especially following myocardial infarction, while interference with the signaling pathway may compromise structural integrity, resulting in issues like insufficient wound healing or ventricular dilatation. Influencing TGF-β activity through interacting signaling pathways, for instance by inhibitors of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone-system, is insufficiently potent in reducing fibrosis. Targeting activators of latent TGF-β, including ADAMTS enzymes, thrombospondin, and integrins, emerges as a potentially safer strategy to reduce TGF-β-induced fibrosis but it requires the identification of appropriate targets. Encouragement is drawn from promising agents developed for fibrosis in other organs, fueling hope for similar breakthroughs in treating cardiac fibrosis. Such advances depend on overcoming obstacles for the implementation of anti-fibrotic strategies in patients with heart disease, including fibrosis quantification. In this review, insights garnered from interventional and mechanistic studies, obtained through a non-systemic search spanning preclinical and clinical evidence, are summarized to pinpoint the most promising targets for further exploration and development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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17 pages, 1326 KiB  
Review
TGF-β Inhibitors for Therapeutic Management of Kidney Fibrosis
by Cheol Ho Park and Tae-Hyun Yoo
Pharmaceuticals 2022, 15(12), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15121485 - 29 Nov 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3322
Abstract
Kidney fibrosis is a common pathophysiological mechanism of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression caused by several underlying kidney diseases. Among various contributors to kidney fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the major factor driving fibrosis. TGF-β1 exerts its profibrotic attributes via the activation [...] Read more.
Kidney fibrosis is a common pathophysiological mechanism of chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression caused by several underlying kidney diseases. Among various contributors to kidney fibrosis, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is the major factor driving fibrosis. TGF-β1 exerts its profibrotic attributes via the activation of canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, which induce proliferation and activation of myofibroblasts and subsequent accumulation of extracellular matrix. Over the past few decades, studies have determined the TGF-β1 signaling pathway inhibitors and evaluated whether they could ameliorate the progression of CKD by hindering kidney fibrosis. However, therapeutic strategies that block TGF-β1 signaling have usually demonstrated unsatisfactory results. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic concepts of the TGF-β1 signaling pathway and its inhibitors and review the current state of the art regarding regarding TGF-β1 inhibitors in CKD management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in TGF-β Inhibitors for the Therapeutic Management of Cancer and Fibrosis)
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