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Macrophage-to-Myofibroblast Transdifferentiation Contributes to Pulmonary Fibrosis via the MERTK-SPP1-SRC-TKS5
Yungeng Wei1, Hua Guo1, Xiangsheng Yang1
1State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, National Center for Respiratory Medicine, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Macrophage-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (MMT) drives pulmonary fibrosis. Targeting the MERTK-SPP1-SRC-TKS5 pathway suppresses MMT and fibrosis progression, offering a new therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Macrophage-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (MMT) is implicated in fibrosis.
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease with limited treatment options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm MMT in human IPF and a murine model.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms driving MMT.
- To evaluate MMT as a therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.
Main Methods:
- Immunological and molecular analyses in human IPF lungs and bleomycin-induced murine models.
- Genetic manipulation (MERTK knockout, TKS5 knockdown via AAV).
- Assessment of MMT suppression and fibrosis attenuation using microCT, pulmonary function tests, and histopathology.
Main Results:
- MMT was confirmed in IPF lungs and a murine model.
- The MERTK-SPP1-SRC-TKS5 signaling axis was identified as crucial for MMT.
- Targeting MERTK or TKS5 significantly suppressed MMT in vitro and in vivo.
- Interventions attenuated pulmonary fibrosis progression.
Conclusions:
- MMT is a key pathogenic mechanism in pulmonary fibrosis.
- The MERTK-initiated signaling axis represents a novel therapeutic target for IPF.
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