Work

Transforming growth factor-β1 downregulates tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase expression in human lung fibroblasts

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: The role of tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, also known as WARS, in lung fibroblasts is currently unknown. We aimed to study the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the expression of WARS and whether it regulates profibrotic responses in TGF-β1-activated human lung fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used MRC-5, a human lung fibroblast cell line, and primary human lung fibroblasts (HLFs) derived from control subjects. WARS expression was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot. Profibrotic responses in TGF-β1-stimulated human lung fibroblasts were measured by Western blot, gel contraction assay, and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). RESULTS: We demonstrate that TGF-β1 potently downregulates WARS expression, both at the extracellular and intracellular levels, in MRC-5, and HLFs. Yin Yang 1 (YY1) transcription factor (TF) silencing ameliorates the inhibitory effect of TGF-β1 on WARS expression. Finally, we found that recombinant (r) WARS significantly inhibited fibronectin (FN) but had no effect on collagen1 (COL1) or alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) expression in TGF-β1-induced HLFs. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that TGF-β1 inhibits WARS expression via YY1, however, WARS treatment has a modest effect on regulating profibrotic responses in activated HLFs.

Source: Advances in Medical Sciences

DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2026.02.002

Authors: Aaron K. McDowell-Sanchez, Konstantin Tsoyi

Institutions: Baylor College of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore

Language: English

Topic: Interstitial Lung Diseases and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Subfield: Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,550