Pro-Fibrotic Phenotype in a Patient with Segmental Stiff Skin Syndrome via TGF-β Signaling Overactivation. 2020

Carmela Fusco, and Grazia Nardella, and Bartolomeo Augello, and Francesca Boccafoschi, and Orazio Palumbo, and Luca Fusaro, and Angelantonio Notarangelo, and Raffaela Barbano, and Paola Parrella, and Giuseppina Annicchiarico, and Carmela De Meco, and Lucia Micale, and Paolo Graziano, and Marco Castori
Division of Medical Genetics, Fondazione IRCCS-Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, 71013 Foggia, Italy.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling pathways are ubiquitous and essential for several cellular and physiological processes. The overexpression of TGF-β results in excessive fibrosis in multiple human disorders. Among them, stiff skin syndrome (SSS) is an ultrarare and untreatable condition characterized by the progressive thickening and hardening of the dermis, and acquired joint limitations. SSS is distinct in a widespread form, caused by recurrent germline variants of FBN1 encoding a key molecule of the TGF-β signaling, and a segmental form with unknown molecular basis. Here, we report a 12-year-old female with segmental SSS, affecting the right upper limb with acquired thickening of the dermis evident at the magnetic resonance imaging, and progressive limitation of the elbow and shoulder. To better explore the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive segmental SSS, several functional studies on patient's fibroblasts were employed. We hypothesized an impairment of TGF-β signaling and, consequently, a dysregulation of the associated downstream signaling. Lesional fibroblast studies showed a higher phosphorylation level of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), increased levels of nuclear factor-kB (NFkB), and a nuclear accumulation of phosphorylated Smad2 via Western blot and microscopy analyses. Quantitative PCR expression analysis of genes encoding key extracellular matrix proteins revealed increased levels of COL1A1, COL3A1, AGT, LTBP and ITGB1, while zymography assay reported a reduced metalloproteinase 2 enzymatic activity. In vitro exposure of patient's fibroblasts to losartan led to the partial restoration of normal transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) marker protein levels. Taken together, these data demonstrate that in our patient, segmental SSS is characterized by the overactivation of multiple TGF-β signaling pathways, which likely results in altered extracellular matrix composition and fibroblast homeostasis. Our results for the first time reported that aberrant TGF-β signaling may drive the pathogenesis of segmental SSS and might open the way to novel therapeutic approaches.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008279 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Non-invasive method of demonstrating internal anatomy based on the principle that atomic nuclei in a strong magnetic field absorb pulses of radiofrequency energy and emit them as radiowaves which can be reconstructed into computerized images. The concept includes proton spin tomographic techniques. Chemical Shift Imaging,MR Tomography,MRI Scans,MRI, Functional,Magnetic Resonance Image,Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Functional,Magnetization Transfer Contrast Imaging,NMR Imaging,NMR Tomography,Tomography, NMR,Tomography, Proton Spin,fMRI,Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging,Imaging, Chemical Shift,Proton Spin Tomography,Spin Echo Imaging,Steady-State Free Precession MRI,Tomography, MR,Zeugmatography,Chemical Shift Imagings,Echo Imaging, Spin,Echo Imagings, Spin,Functional MRI,Functional MRIs,Image, Magnetic Resonance,Imaging, Magnetic Resonance,Imaging, NMR,Imaging, Spin Echo,Imagings, Chemical Shift,Imagings, Spin Echo,MRI Scan,MRIs, Functional,Magnetic Resonance Images,Resonance Image, Magnetic,Scan, MRI,Scans, MRI,Shift Imaging, Chemical,Shift Imagings, Chemical,Spin Echo Imagings,Steady State Free Precession MRI
D010766 Phosphorylation The introduction of a phosphoryl group into a compound through the formation of an ester bond between the compound and a phosphorus moiety. Phosphorylations
D003286 Contracture Prolonged shortening of the muscle or other soft tissue around a joint, preventing movement of the joint. Contractures
D005260 Female Females
D005347 Fibroblasts Connective tissue cells which secrete an extracellular matrix rich in collagen and other macromolecules. Fibroblast
D005355 Fibrosis Any pathological condition where fibrous connective tissue invades any organ, usually as a consequence of inflammation or other injury. Cirrhosis,Fibroses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000293 Adolescent A person 13 to 18 years of age. Adolescence,Youth,Adolescents,Adolescents, Female,Adolescents, Male,Teenagers,Teens,Adolescent, Female,Adolescent, Male,Female Adolescent,Female Adolescents,Male Adolescent,Male Adolescents,Teen,Teenager,Youths
D012867 Skin The outer covering of the body that protects it from the environment. It is composed of the DERMIS and the EPIDERMIS.
D012873 Skin Diseases, Genetic Diseases of the skin with a genetic component, usually the result of various inborn errors of metabolism. Genetic Skin Diseases,Disease, Genetic Skin,Diseases, Genetic Skin,Genetic Skin Disease,Skin Disease, Genetic

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