A New Antifibrotic Target of Ac-SDKP: Inhibition of Myofibroblast Differentiation in Rat Lung with Silicosis

Background: Myofibroblast differentiation, characterized by alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression, is a key process in organ fibrosis, and is induced by TGF-beta. Here we examined whether an anti-fibrotic agent, N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyllysylproline (Ac-SDKP), can regulate induction of TGF-beta signaling and myofibroblast differentiation as a potential key component of its anti-fibrotic mechanism in vivo and in vitro. Methodology/Principal Findings: Rat pulmonary fibroblasts were cultured in vitro and divided to 4 groups 1) control; 2) TGF-beta 1; 3) TGF-beta 1+ LY364947; 4) TGF-beta 1+ Ac-SDKP. For in vivo studies, six groups of animals were utilized 1) control 4w; 2) silicotic 4w; 3) control 8w; 4) silicotic 8w; 5) Ac-SDKP post-treatment; 6) Ac-SDKP pre-treatment. SiO2 powders were douched in the trachea of rat to make the silicotic model. Myofibroblast differentiation was measured by examining expression of alpha-SMA, as well as expression of serum response factor (SRF), a key regulator of myofibroblast differentiation. The expressions of collagen, TGF-beta 1 and RAS signaling were also assessed. The results revealed that TGF-beta 1 strongly induced myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis in vitro, and that pre-treatment with Ac-SDKP markedly attenuated myofibroblast activation, as well as induction of TGF-beta 1 and its receptor. Similar results were observed in vivo in the pathologically relevant rat model of silicosis. Ac-SDKP treatment in vivo strongly attenuated 1) silicosis-induced increased expressions of TGF-beta 1 and RAS signaling, 2) myofibroblast differentiation as indicated by a robust decrease of SRF and alpha-SMA-positive myofibroblast localization in siliconic nodules in the lung, 3) collagen deposition. Conclusion/Significance: The results of the present study suggest a novel mechanism of action for Ac-SDKP's beneficial effect in silicosis, which involves attenuation of TGF-beta 1 and its receptors, SRF and Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1) expression, collagen deposition and myofibroblast differentiation. The results further suggest that therapies targeting myofibroblast differentiation may have therapeutic efficacy in treatment of silicosis of the lung.