Long noncoding RNA H19X is a key mediator of TGF-beta-driven fibrosis

Pachera, E.; Assassi, S.; Salazar, G.A.; Stellato, M.; Renoux, F.; Wunderlin, A.; Blyszczuk, P.; Lafyatis, R.; Kurreeman, F.; Vries-Bouwstra, J. de; Messemaker, T.; Feghali-Bostwick, C.A.; Rogler, G.; Haaften, W.T. van; Dijkstra, G.; Oakley, F.; Calcagni, M.; Schniering, J.; Maurer, B.; Distler, J.H.W.; Kania, G.; Frank-Bertoncelj, M.; Distler, O.

doi:doi:10.1172/JCI135439

TGF-beta is a master regulator of fibrosis, driving the differentiation of fibroblasts into apoptosis-resistant myofibroblasts and sustaining the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Here, we identified the nuclear long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19X as a master regulator of TGF-beta-driven tissue fibrosis. H19X was consistently upregulated in a wide variety of human fibrotic tissues and diseases and was strongly induced by TGF-beta, particularly in fibroblasts and fibroblast-related cells. Functional experiments following H19X silencing revealed that H19X was an obligatory factor for TGF-beta-induced ECM synthesis as well as differentiation and survival of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. We showed that H19X regulates DDIT4L gene expression, specifically interacting with a region upstream of the DDIT4L gene and changing the chromatin accessibility of a DDIT4L enhancer. These events resulted in transcriptional repression of DDIT4L and, in turn, in increased collagen...Show moreTGF-beta is a master regulator of fibrosis, driving the differentiation of fibroblasts into apoptosis-resistant myofibroblasts and sustaining the production of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Here, we identified the nuclear long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19X as a master regulator of TGF-beta-driven tissue fibrosis. H19X was consistently upregulated in a wide variety of human fibrotic tissues and diseases and was strongly induced by TGF-beta, particularly in fibroblasts and fibroblast-related cells. Functional experiments following H19X silencing revealed that H19X was an obligatory factor for TGF-beta-induced ECM synthesis as well as differentiation and survival of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. We showed that H19X regulates DDIT4L gene expression, specifically interacting with a region upstream of the DDIT4L gene and changing the chromatin accessibility of a DDIT4L enhancer. These events resulted in transcriptional repression of DDIT4L and, in turn, in increased collagen expression and fibrosis. Our results shed light on key effectors of TGF-beta-induced ECM remodeling and fibrosis.Show less

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Long noncoding RNA H19X is a key mediator of TGF-beta-driven fibrosis