Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3

Abstract Objective Dysregulated autophagy plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The stress protein TRIB3 has been correlated with abnormal autophagy, but its specific contribution to radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate...

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Main Authors: Na Li, Wenyue Zhao, Jiale Li, Dengfeng Zhang, Kejun Li, Mengmeng Yang, Xinran Lu, Liqing Du, Chang Xu, Qiang Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Respiratory Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-025-03271-0
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author Na Li
Wenyue Zhao
Jiale Li
Dengfeng Zhang
Kejun Li
Mengmeng Yang
Xinran Lu
Liqing Du
Chang Xu
Qiang Liu
author_facet Na Li
Wenyue Zhao
Jiale Li
Dengfeng Zhang
Kejun Li
Mengmeng Yang
Xinran Lu
Liqing Du
Chang Xu
Qiang Liu
author_sort Na Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Dysregulated autophagy plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The stress protein TRIB3 has been correlated with abnormal autophagy, but its specific contribution to radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TRIB3 in RIPF progression. Methods We conducted RNA-sequencing of rat RIPF lung tissue to analyze the transcriptomic profile and determine gene expression changes in murine with RIPF. We established mouse models with alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC II)-specific knockdown or overexpression of TRIB3 to elucidate its role in RIPF progression. We utilized mRFP-GFP-LC3 fluorescent reporter cells, nanoparticle tracking analysis, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Results TRIB3 expression was elevated in irradiated AEC II. Silencing TRIB3 in AEC II mitigated RIPF in mice, whereas its overexpression exacerbated the condition. Mechanistically, TRIB3 interacted with the LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif and ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), an autophagic receptor protein, thereby inhibiting autophagic flux in AEC II cell line MLE12. This inhibition increased exosome secretion and facilitated crosstalk between MLE12 cells and fibroblasts, ultimately enhancing the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of lung fibroblasts. Conclusion TRIB3 in AEC II inhibits autophagic flux by interacting with SQSTM1, thereby increasing exosome secretion, which promotes fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production, contributing to RIPF progression.
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spelling doaj-art-0848f06a7d794024b091a49f24a1bf812025-08-20T03:48:18ZengBMCRespiratory Research1465-993X2025-05-0126111810.1186/s12931-025-03271-0Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3Na Li0Wenyue Zhao1Jiale Li2Dengfeng Zhang3Kejun Li4Mengmeng Yang5Xinran Lu6Liqing Du7Chang Xu8Qiang Liu9Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceTianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Advanced Medical Materials and Devices, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin Institutions of Health ScienceAbstract Objective Dysregulated autophagy plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The stress protein TRIB3 has been correlated with abnormal autophagy, but its specific contribution to radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TRIB3 in RIPF progression. Methods We conducted RNA-sequencing of rat RIPF lung tissue to analyze the transcriptomic profile and determine gene expression changes in murine with RIPF. We established mouse models with alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC II)-specific knockdown or overexpression of TRIB3 to elucidate its role in RIPF progression. We utilized mRFP-GFP-LC3 fluorescent reporter cells, nanoparticle tracking analysis, immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays to uncover the underlying mechanisms. Results TRIB3 expression was elevated in irradiated AEC II. Silencing TRIB3 in AEC II mitigated RIPF in mice, whereas its overexpression exacerbated the condition. Mechanistically, TRIB3 interacted with the LC3-interacting region (LIR) motif and ubiquitin-associated (UBA) domain of sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1), an autophagic receptor protein, thereby inhibiting autophagic flux in AEC II cell line MLE12. This inhibition increased exosome secretion and facilitated crosstalk between MLE12 cells and fibroblasts, ultimately enhancing the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of lung fibroblasts. Conclusion TRIB3 in AEC II inhibits autophagic flux by interacting with SQSTM1, thereby increasing exosome secretion, which promotes fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix production, contributing to RIPF progression.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-025-03271-0Radiation-induce pulmonary fibrosisTRIB3Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC II)Autophagic fluxExosome
spellingShingle Na Li
Wenyue Zhao
Jiale Li
Dengfeng Zhang
Kejun Li
Mengmeng Yang
Xinran Lu
Liqing Du
Chang Xu
Qiang Liu
Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3
Respiratory Research
Radiation-induce pulmonary fibrosis
TRIB3
Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC II)
Autophagic flux
Exosome
title Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3
title_full Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3
title_fullStr Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3
title_full_unstemmed Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3
title_short Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3
title_sort autophagy and exosome dynamics in radiation induced pulmonary fibrosis the critical role of trib3
topic Radiation-induce pulmonary fibrosis
TRIB3
Alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC II)
Autophagic flux
Exosome
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-025-03271-0
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