GSR Deficiency Exacerbates Oxidative Stress and Promotes Pulmonary Fibrosis

GSR Deficiency Exacerbates Oxidative Stress and Promotes Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disorder characterized by excessive scarring of lung tissue, predominantly affecting middle-aged and elderly populations. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, disrupting redox homeostasis...

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Main Authors: Wenyu Zhao, Hehe Cao, Wenbo Xu, Yudi Duan, Yulong Gan, Shuang Huang, Ying Cao, Siqi Long, Yingying Zhang, Guoying Yu, Lan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Biomolecules
Subjects:
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
type II alveolar epithelial cell
fibroblast
GSR
oxidative stress
ROS
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/7/1050
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Summary:Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disorder characterized by excessive scarring of lung tissue, predominantly affecting middle-aged and elderly populations. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, disrupting redox homeostasis and driving fibrotic progression. Glutathione reductase (GSR), a key antioxidant enzyme, is essential for maintaining cellular glutathione (GSH) levels and mitigating oxidative damage. However, the specific involvement of GSR in IPF remains poorly understood. This study found that GSR levels were downregulated in IPF patients and mice treated with bleomycin (BLM). GSR knockdown enhanced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in A549 cells and promoted the activation of MRC5 cells. Additionally, GSR depletion promoted cellular migration and senescence in both A549 and MRC5 cells. Mechanistically, silencing GSR in A549 and MRC5 cells led to a marked reduction in intracellular GSH levels, resulting in elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, thereby promoting the activation of the TGF-β/Smad2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that GSR deficiency aggravates pulmonary fibrosis by impairing antioxidant defense mechanisms, promoting EMT, and activating fibroblasts through the TGF-β/Smad2 signaling. These findings suggest that GSR may be essential in reducing the fibrotic progression of IPF.
ISSN:2218-273X

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