The Role of FABP5 in Radiation-Induced Human Skin Fibrosis
RADIATION RESEARCH
Authors: Song, Jianyuan; Zhang, Huojun; Wang, Zhenyu; Xu, Wanglei; Zhong, Li; Cao, Jinming; Yang, Jianfeng; Tian, Ye; Yu, Daojiang; Ji, Jiang; Cao, Jianping; Zhang, Shuyu
Abstract
Radiation-induced skin fibrosis is a detrimental and chronic disorder that occurs after radiation exposure. The molecular changes underlying the pathogenesis of radiation-induced fibrosis of human skin have not been extensively reported. Technical advances in proteomics have enabled exploration of the biomarkers and molecular pathogenesis of radiation-induced skin fibrosis, with the potential to broaden our understanding of this disease. In this study, we compared protein expression in radiation-induced fibrotic human skin and adjacent normal tissues using iTRAQ-based proteomics technology. We identified 186 preferentially expressed proteins (53 upregulated and 133 downregulated) between radiogenic fibrotic and normal skin tissues. The differentially expressed proteins included keratins (KRT5, KRT6A, KRT16 and KRT17), caspase-14, fatty acid-binding protein 5 (FABP5), SLC2A14 and resistin. Through bioinformatic analysis of the proximal promoters, common motifs and corresponding transcriptional factors were identified that associate with the dysregulated proteins, including PAX5, TBX1, CLOCK and AP2D. In particular, FABP5 (2.15-fold increase in fibrotic skin tissues), a transporter of hydrophobic fatty acids, was investigated in greater detail. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that the protein level of FABP5 was increased in fibrotic human skin tissues, especially in the epidermis. Overexpression of FABP5 resulted in nuclear translocation of SMAD2 and significant activation of the profibrotic TGF-beta signaling pathway in human fibroblast WS1 cells. Moreover, exogenous FABP5 (FABP5-EGFP) could be incorporated by skin cells and intensify TGF-beta signaling, indicating a communication between the microenvironment and skin fibrosis. Taken together, our findings illustrate the molecular changes during radiation-induced human skin fibrosis and the critical role of FABP5 in activating the TGF-beta signaling pathway. (C) 2018 by Radiation Research Society
Pachyonychia congenita patients with mutations in KRT6A have more extensive disease compared with patients who have mutations in KRT16
BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
Authors: Spaunhurst, K. M.; Hogendorf, A. M.; Smith, F. J. D.; Lingala, B.; Schwartz, M. E.; Cywinska-Bernas, A.; Zeman, K. J.; Tang, J. Y.
Abstract
Background Pachyonychia congenita (PC) is an autosomal dominant, very rare keratin disorder caused by mutations in any of at least four genes (KRT6A, KRT6B, KRT16 or KRT17), which can lead to hypertrophic nail dystrophy and palmoplantar keratoderma, among other manifestations. Classically, patients with mutations in KRT6A and KRT16 have been grouped to the PC-1 subtype (Jadassohn-Lewandowsky type) and KRT6B and KRT17 to PC-2 (Jackson-Lawler type). Objectives To describe clinical heterogeneity among patients with PC who have genetic mutations in KRT6A and KRT16. Methods In 2004, the Pachyonychia Congenita Project established the International PC Research Registry (IPCRR) for patients with PC. All patients reporting here underwent genetic testing and responded to a standardized, validated survey about their PC symptoms. We report results from 89 patients with KRT6A mutations and 68 patients with KRT16 mutations. Results Patients with PC who have KRT6A and KRT16 mutations display distinct phenotypic differences. Patients with PC-K6a experience earlier onset, more extensive nail disease anal more substantial disease outside palms and soles, as they reported a higher prevalence of oral leucokeratosis (P < 0.001), cysts (P < 0.001) and follicular hyperkeratosis (P < 0.001) compared with their PC-K16 counterparts. Conclusion Phenotypic differences between patients with KRT6A and KRT16 mutations support adoption of a new classification system based on the mutant gene (PC-6a, PC-16) rather than the PC I nomenclature.