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Inhibition of RelA-Ser536 phosphorylation by a competing peptide reduces mouse liver fibrosis without blocking the innate immune response

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Lindsay Murphy, Dr Saimir Luli, Dr Lee Borthwick, Dr Steven O'Reilly, Professor Neil PerkinsORCiD, Professor Derek Mann, Professor Fiona OakleyORCiD

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Abstract

Phosphorylation of the RelA subunit at serine 536 (RelA-P-Ser536) is important for hepatic myofibroblast survival and is mechanistically implicated in liver fibrosis. Here, we show that a cell-permeable competing peptide (P6) functions as a specific targeted inhibitor of RelA-P-Ser536 in vivo and exerts an antifibrogenic effect in two progressive liver disease models, but does not impair hepatic inflammation or innate immune responses after lipopolysaccharide challenge. Using kinase assays and western blotting, we confirm that P6 is a substrate for the inhibitory kappa B kinases (IKKs), IKKα and IKKβ, and, in human hepatic myofibroblasts, P6 prevents RelA-P-Ser536, but does not affect IKK activation of IκBα. We demonstrate that RelA-P-Ser536 is a feature of human lung and skin fibroblasts, but not lung epithelial cells, in vitro and is present in sclerotic skin and diseased lungs of patients suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusion: RelA-P-Ser536 may be a core fibrogenic regulator of fibroblast phenotype.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Moles A, Sanchez AM, Banks PS, Murphy LB, Luli S, Borthwick L, Fisher A, O'Reilly S, van Laar JM, White SA, Perkins ND, Burt AD, Mann DA, Oakley F

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Hepatology

Year: 2013

Volume: 57

Issue: 2

Pages: 817-828

Print publication date: 01/02/2013

Date deposited: 30/07/2013

ISSN (print): 0270-9139

ISSN (electronic): 1527-3350

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hep.26068

DOI: 10.1002/hep.26068

PubMed id: 22996371


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
G0700890UK MRC
G0900535UK Medical Research Council (MRC)
WT 087961Wellcome Trust
WT084961MAWellcome Trust

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