2013
A synthetic PPAR-γ agonist triterpenoid ameliorates experimental fibrosis: PPAR-γ-independent suppression of fibrotic responses
Wei J, Zhu H, Komura K, Lord G, Tomcik M, Wang W, Doniparthi S, Tamaki Z, Hinchcliff M, Distler JH, Varga J. A synthetic PPAR-γ agonist triterpenoid ameliorates experimental fibrosis: PPAR-γ-independent suppression of fibrotic responses. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2013, 73: 446. PMID: 23515440, PMCID: PMC4028127, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202716.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdipogenesisAdultAnimalsBiopsyCells, CulturedCollagenDisease Models, AnimalDrug Evaluation, PreclinicalFemaleFibroblastsFibrosisHumansInfant, NewbornMiceMice, Inbred C57BLOleanolic AcidOrgan Culture TechniquesPPAR gammaProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktScleroderma, SystemicSignal TransductionSkinTransforming Growth Factor betaConceptsSkin organ cultureHuman skin organ cultureAntifibrotic effectsDermal fibrosisExperimental fibrosisOrgan culturePeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γModulation of fibrogenesisProliferator-activated receptor γHuman skin equivalentsPotential new therapiesPotential therapeutic strategyFibrotic gene expressionSynthetic oleanane triterpenoidComplementary mouse modelsControl of fibrosisPersistent fibroblast activationGrowth factor βTGF-β signalingEffects of CDDOSystemic sclerosisBleomycin injectionFibrogenic responseFibrotic activityMurine model
2011
Canonical Wnt signaling induces skin fibrosis and subcutaneous lipoatrophy: A novel mouse model for scleroderma?
Wei J, Melichian D, Komura K, Hinchcliff M, Lam AP, Lafyatis R, Gottardi CJ, MacDougald OA, Varga J. Canonical Wnt signaling induces skin fibrosis and subcutaneous lipoatrophy: A novel mouse model for scleroderma? Arthritis & Rheumatism 2011, 63: 1707-1717. PMID: 21370225, PMCID: PMC3124699, DOI: 10.1002/art.30312.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSystemic sclerosisSubcutaneous adipose tissueTransgenic miceWnt-10bBiopsy specimensDermal fibrosisMouse modelAdipose tissueLesional skin biopsy specimensSkin biopsy specimensNovel mouse modelMesenchymal cellsSmooth muscle actin gene expressionSkin fibroblastsNovel animal modelFibrotic gene expressionWnt/β-catenin signalingSetting of fibrosisGrowth factor βΒ-catenin signalingPulmonary fibrosisSubcutaneous lipoatrophySkin fibrosisGene expressionMyofibroblast accumulation