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The Integrin Inhibitor Cilengitide and Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

Cilengitide and Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis

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Abstract

Purpose

Fibroproliferation and excess deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) are the pathologic hallmarks of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic progressive disorder with high mortality and suboptimal treatment options. Although the etiologic mechanisms responsible for the development and progression of IPF remain unclear, cell-ECM interactions and growth factors are considered important. Cilengitide is a cyclic RGD pentapeptide with anti-angiogenic activity that targets αvβ3, αvβ5 and α5β1, integrins known to mediate cell-ECM interactions and activate the pro-fibrotic growth factor Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-β).

Methods

Cilengitide was studied in vitro with the use of NIH/3T3 cells and primary lung fibroblasts, and in vivo in the well-characterized bleomycin-induced lung injury model. The extent of ECM deposition was determined by RT-PCR, Western blot, histologic analysis and hydroxyproline assay of lung tissue. Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis was used to determine cell counts.

Results

Cilengitide treatment of cultured fibroblasts showed decreased adhesion to vitronectin and fibronectin, both integrin-dependent events. Cilengitide also inhibited TGF-β-induced fibronectin gene expression and reduced the accumulation of mRNAs and protein for fibronectin and collagen type I. Both preventive and treatment effects of daily injections of cilengitide (20 mg/kg) failed to inhibit the development of pulmonary fibrosis as determined by histological analysis (Ashcroft scoring), bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cell counts, and hydroxyproline content.

Conclusions

Overall, our data suggest that, despite its in vitro activity in fibroblasts, daily injections of cilengitide (20 mg/kg) did not inhibit the development of or ameliorate bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice.

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Funding

This work was supported by a Grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs grant (BX000216) to JR.

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Author notes

  1. Michael Zhang

    Present address: University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, USA

    Michael Zhang & Jesse Roman

  2. Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, University of Louisville Health Sciences Center, Louisville, KY, USA

    Jesse Roman

  3. Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Medicine, Jane & Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Alumni Hall, 381, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA

    Jeffrey D. Ritzenthaler, Edilson Torres-Gonzalez & Jesse Roman

  4. Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Jesse Roman

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  1. Jeffrey D. Ritzenthaler
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Contributions

Concept and design: MZ, ETG, JDR, JR; Analysis and interpretation: MZ, ETG, JDR, JR; Drafting manuscript and important intellectual input: MZ, JDR, JR.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jeffrey D. Ritzenthaler.

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Conflict of interest

Jesse Roman receives support for research related to clinical trials from industry (e.g., Genentech, Boehringer Ingelheim, Galapagos). He also serves as consultant on DSMB and steering committees for Genentech, Novartis and Boehringer Ingelheim. All other authors, no potential conflict of interest was reported.

Ethical Approval

All animal procedures were approved by the University of Louisville’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

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Ritzenthaler, J.D., Zhang, M., Torres-Gonzalez, E. et al. The Integrin Inhibitor Cilengitide and Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis. Lung 198, 947–955 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-020-00400-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-020-00400-y

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