# Effects of Fibulin-5 Gene Silencing on Proliferation and Apoptosis of IgG4-ROD Lacrimal Gland Fibroblasts

Authors: Huarong Wu; Daikun Lei; Xiaoling Zhang; Mengfei Wang; Yuanyuan Wang; Jie Xia; Fan Chen; Bei Chen; Yanming Tian
Journal: Stem Cells International
 (2023)

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## Abstract

Objective. This study is aimed at discussing the value of RNA interference technology on inhibiting lacrimal gland fibrosis in IgG4-related ocular disease (IgG4-ROD). Methods. Six patients with IgG4-ROD who came to the hospital for surgical treatment from October 2018 to August 2019 were selected, and their diseased lacrimal glands were taken for primary cell culture and fibroblast identification. High efficiency and specificity small interference RNA (siRNA) plasmid vector was constructed, its inhibitory effect on fibroblast proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay, and the appropriate concentration was selected as the siRNA concentration for subsequent experiments. RT-PCR and Western blot detected the relative expression levels of Fibulin-5 mRNA and protein in the cells 48 hours after transfection. The apoptosis rate of each group of cells at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours after transfection was detected by flow cytometry, and the proliferation and apoptosis of cells after silencing Fibulin-5 were analyzed and compared. Results. 24 hours after transfection, there was no significant difference in the proliferation rate among the four groups (P>0.05); 48 hours and 72 hours after Fibulin-5 siRNA transfection, the proliferation activity of the transfected cells was significantly decreased compared with the 0 nM group, and the inhibitory effect of 75 nM siRNA was the strongest. The expression of Fibulin-5 mRNA and protein in the siRNA-transfected cells was significantly decreased compared with the blank and empty vector negative siRNA groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of cells in the Fibulin-5 siRNA transfection group was significantly higher than that of cells in the blank and empty vector negative siRNA groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion. Fibulin-5 siRNA recombinant plasmid can significantly downregulate the mRNA and protein expressions of target gene Fibulin-5 and promote apoptosis after transfection into IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland fibroblasts. It is speculated that Fibulin-5 can be used as a target to effectively inhibit the fibrosis of lacrimal gland tissues by RNAi technique.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

IgG4-ROD is a type of autoimmune disease with massive lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltration, occlusive phlebitis, and a mat or whorled fibrosis, which belongs to one of the IgG4-related conditions, and the disease has a course of up to several years, mainly involving ocular tissues or organs [1]. Yamamoto et al. [2] found that the enlarged lacrimal gland and salivary gland of a patient with Mikulicz disease contained a large number of IgG4+ plasma cell infiltrates in 2004, thus discovering the link between IgG4+ plasma cells and orbital lacrimal gland lesions for the first time. Then, many cases of orbital lacrimal gland masses with a large number of IgG4+plasma cell infiltrates have been reported in the literature [3–5]. The orbital lacrimal gland is the more commonly involved site of IgG4-RD after the pancreas, and orbital IgG4-related ocular disease (IgG4-ROD) also has many different characteristics in clinical and pathological aspects compared with tissues such as the pancreas [5, 6]. In patients with IgG4-ROD, the lacrimal gland is the most commonly affected organ, followed by extraocular muscles, adipose tissue, motor nerves, and surrounding tissues [7, 8]. After lacrimal gland involvement, it may be accompanied by chronic, painless enlargement of the lacrimal gland. A mass can be palpated in the lacrimal gland area. The eyeball is displaced medially and inferiorly by compression of the group; at the same time, the outward and superior rotation of the eyeball is also limited, with the occurrences of diplopia and strabismus [7, 9, 10]. The process of mass formation in IgG4-ROD is mainly the gradual aggravation of tissue fibrosis, which in turn loses the original function of tissues or organs. Current treatments for IgG4-ROD are limited; therefore, it is essential to find an effective way to prevent lacrimal gland fibrosis and preserve lacrimal gland function. Some studies [11] found that the expression of extracellular matrix protein Fibulin-5 was significantly higher in IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland than in normal human lacrimal gland tissues, and it was speculated that Fibulin-5 protein was involved in the fibrosis of the lacrimal gland. RNAi technology can effectively silence the target gene so that the expression of related proteins decreases, which has been tested in mammalian cells; it can effectively inhibit the growth of viruses and tumor cells [12, 13]. In this study, IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland primary fibroblasts were cultured and silenced for Fibulin-5 gene using RNAi technique to verify fibroblast proliferation and apoptosis after downregulation of mRNA and protein expression of target gene Fibulin-5, to explore a method to inhibit lacrimal gland fibrosis.


## 2. Materials and Methods

### 2.1. Main Instruments and Reagents

Fetal bovine serum and DMEM culture medium (Gibco BRL, USA), construction of siRNA and plasmid vector (Shanghai Suprane Biological Co., Ltd., Table1), Lipofectamine2000 (Invitrogen, USA), RT-PCR kit (TaKaRa, Japan), RIPA lysate (Biyuntian, USA), rabbit anti-human vimentin antibody (CST, USA), rabbit polyclonal antibody GAPDH and mouse monoclonal antibody Fibulin-5 (Wuhan Sanying Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), HRP-labeled goat anti-mouse secondary antibody and HRP-labeled goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (Wuhan Boster Bioengineering Co., Ltd.), CCK-8 cell proliferation activity detection kit (Biyuntian, Biyuntian), apoptosis detection kit (Sanjian), ECL substrate solution (Beijing Pulley Gene Technology Co., Ltd.), primer synthesis (Beijing Optimus Biological Co., Ltd.), microplate reader (BECKMAN, USA), and flow cytometer (BECKMAN, USA) were used.Table 1
siRNA sequence.
NamesiRNA sequenceFibulin-5-siRNA-1Sense5′-GGACGAGUGUGCAACAGAUTT-3′Antisense5′-AUCUGUUGCACACUCGUCCTT-3′Fibulin-5-siRNA-2Sense5′-GCCAGCAGCUCUGUGCGAATT-3′Antisense5′-UUCGCACAGAGCUGCUGGCTT-3′Fibulin-5-siRNA-3Sense5′-GCGUGCAAACCUGCGUCAATT-3′Antisense5′-UUGACGCAGGUUUGCACGCTT-3′NC-siRNASense5′-UUCUCCGAACGUGUCACGUTT-3′Antisense5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′


### 2.2. Primary Culture and Identification of Fibroblasts

Six patients with orbital lacrimal gland tumors were sampled during surgeries, some tissues were cryopreserved, and IgG4-ROD was diagnosed postoperatively in combination with blood, pathological, and imaging examinations. At the same time, another part of fresh lacrimal gland tissue obtained during surgeries was cultured (the selection of sample tissue was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, and the patient’s informed consent was obtained), the obtained lacrimal gland was cut into small fragments, the lacrimal gland was digested with 15 ml containing 0.2% type II collagen, the obtained cell suspension was inoculated into a 25 ml culture flask, 6 ml of complete medium containing 2% double-antibody and 10% fetal bovine serum was added, the culture and proliferation were continued in the incubator, and after the cells grew up, 0.25% trypsin was used for digestion and subculture. After confirmation of IgG4-ROD, the obtained cells were subjected to subsequent experiments. Vimentin is a hallmark protein of fibroblasts [14, 15], and this protein was identified using immunofluorescence to confirm that the cells were fibroblasts.


### 2.3. Optimal siRNA Screening

The 4th-generation fibroblasts were divided into six groups: group A (blank group), group B (Lipofectamine2000 only), group C (negative siRNA control group), group D (Fibulin-5-siRNA-1), group E (Fibulin-5-siRNA-2), and group F (Fibulin-5-siRNA-3). 1 nmol of each sequence siRNA was dissolved in 50μl of nuclease-free water to prepare a solution of 20 μM, and fibroblasts with good growth status were seeded in 6-well plates at one ×105 cells per well, and after the cells were plated to about 70% per well, the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM culture medium. Five microliter of siRNA and lipofectamine 2000 were added to 95 μl of DMEM, respectively, and mixed well. After allowing the mixture to stand for 5 min at room temperature, the two were then thoroughly mixed in a 1 : 1 ratio (total volume of 200 μl). After allowing to stand for 20 min at room temperature, cells in each group were transfected, respectively, and 6 h later, 3 ml of new complete medium was changed and cultured for 48 h. Transfectionefficiency=numberoffluorescence−positivecells/totalnumberofselectedcells×100%.


### 2.4. Detection of Fibulin-5 mRNA

The total RNA of cells in each group was extracted with TRIzol reagent, and the absorbance values of the extracted RNA at wavelengths of 260~280 nm were detected using a UV spectrometer to determine the concentration and purity of total RNA. The operation was performed according to the instructions of the RT-PCR kit, and the RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA. Reaction conditions: 25°C for 5 min, 50°C for 15 min, 85°C for 5 min, and 4°C for 10 min. Primers were designed using GENERUNR software to amplify the upstream primer sequence of the Fibulin-5 gene: 5′-CTGCCAACATGAGTGTGTGA-3′, the downstream primer: 5′ -TTGAAGCCCTTGTAAAT-3′, and the amplified fragment length was 168 bp. The internal reference GAPDH gene upstream primer sequence is 5′-TCAAGAAGGTGGTGAAGCAGG-3′, downstream primer: 5′-TCAAAGGTGGAGGAGTGGGT-3′, and the amplified fragment length was 115 bp. The real-time PCR instrument was an ABI PRISM 7900 quantitative fluorescence PCR instrument, and the amplification conditions were follows: 50°C for 2 min, 95°C for 10 min, 95°C for 30 sec, 60°C for 30 sec, 40 cycles. Differences in Fibulin-5 mRNA expression between the groups were analyzed by calculating 2-ΔΔCt using GAPDH as an internal reference, and each group of experiments was repeated three times and averaged. The siRNA with the highest silencing efficiency was then handed over to Shanghai Yuningwei Company for recombination of pG1.1 plasmid and siRNA.


### 2.5. Cell Proliferation Activity after siRNA Transfection Was Measured by CCK-8 Detection

Fibroblasts were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of1×104/ml. The selected optimal siRNAs were set as blank three experimental groups with different concentrations (25 nM, 50 nM, and 75 nM) of Fibulin-5 siRNA. Two hours before transfection, they were replaced with serum-free DMEM medium, and 5 μl of recombinant Fibulin5 siRNA plasmid and lipofectamine 2000 were taken, respectively, and then added to 95 μl of DMEM, respectively, and mixed well. The mixture was allowed to stand for 5 min at room temperature, and then, the two were thoroughly mixed in a 1 : 1 ratio (total volume of 200 μl). After standing for 20 min at room temperature, the four groups of fibrocytes were transfected. After culturing for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, the transfection reagent was sucked off, 200 μl of complete medium was added, and 10 μl of CCK-8 reagent was added to each well 4 h later. The absorbance OD 450 of cells in each group was measured by a microplate reader, repeated three times for each group, and the mean value was taken. Appropriate siRNA concentrations to inhibit cell proliferation were selected and subjected to subsequent transfection experiments.


### 2.6. siRNA Plasmid Transfection Cell Detection

Cells at passage four were taken, and cells at a density of1×105/ml were seeded and cultured in 6-well plates. Cell grouping: Group I was set as the blank control group, group II was only added with lipofectamine 2000 and pG1.1 plasmid (empty vector group), group III negative siRNA plasmid transfection group, and group IV Fibulin-5 siRNA plasmid transfection group. The transfection operation is the same as before. The transfection reagent is sucked out 6 hours later, and the complete culture medium is added again; after the corresponding culture time, the Fibulin-5 mRNA, protein, and apoptosis rate are detected, of which the mRNA detection is the same as before.


### 2.7. Fibulin-5 Protein Detection

One milliliter of the lysate (containing 10μl of PMSF and 10 μl of phosphatase inhibitor) was prepared from the cells 48 hours after transfection; 120 μl of lysate was added to the cells and collected in an EP tube, centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 5 min at 4°C, and collected the supernatant clear liquid, and then added it to 1.5 ml of EP tube. The protein concentration was measured with a BCA kit. Four volumes of protein solution were mixed with one volume of loading buffer, boiling water bath for 10 min, cooled at room temperature, and stored in a −20°C freezer. Protein samples were separated using 5% electrophoretic stacking gel and 12% separation gel, followed by protein samples of groups I, II, III, and IV from left to right. The target protein and GAPDH bands of the separation gel were removed and transferred to a PVDF membrane for transfer, and the transfer conditions were as follows: GAPDH 200 mA for 90 min and Fibulin-5 200 mA for 120 min. The PVDF membrane was removed and fully immersed in TBST solution and incubated with rabbit polyclonal antibody GAPDH and mouse monoclonal antibody Fibulin-5 primary antibody overnight. The TBST solution was fully engaged and incubated with a secondary antibody for 2 h. After the TBST solution was used to wash the membrane, the target band and internal reference were developed according to the instructions for the use of ECL luminescence solution.


### 2.8. Apoptosis Detection

Four groups of cells at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after transfection were digested with trypsin without EDTA and collected. Three control groups were set up, which were negative control (without APC and 7-AAD), APC single-standard group, and 7-AAD single-standard group. According to the instructions of the Apoptosis Detection Kit, 5μl of APC or 7-AAD reagent was added to each tube of cells, and the cells were protected from light at room temperature for 5–15 min to allow sufficient reaction before detection by flow cytometry.


### 2.9. Statistical Analysis

The data of this experiment were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 statistical software, expressed asmean±standarddeviation, and factorial analysis of variance was performed with group and time as factors. When the difference was significant, the one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison, and the LSD method was used for the significance test of multiple sample means. The test level was α=0.05, and P<0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.


## 2.1. Main Instruments and Reagents

Fetal bovine serum and DMEM culture medium (Gibco BRL, USA), construction of siRNA and plasmid vector (Shanghai Suprane Biological Co., Ltd., Table1), Lipofectamine2000 (Invitrogen, USA), RT-PCR kit (TaKaRa, Japan), RIPA lysate (Biyuntian, USA), rabbit anti-human vimentin antibody (CST, USA), rabbit polyclonal antibody GAPDH and mouse monoclonal antibody Fibulin-5 (Wuhan Sanying Biotechnology Co., Ltd.), HRP-labeled goat anti-mouse secondary antibody and HRP-labeled goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody (Wuhan Boster Bioengineering Co., Ltd.), CCK-8 cell proliferation activity detection kit (Biyuntian, Biyuntian), apoptosis detection kit (Sanjian), ECL substrate solution (Beijing Pulley Gene Technology Co., Ltd.), primer synthesis (Beijing Optimus Biological Co., Ltd.), microplate reader (BECKMAN, USA), and flow cytometer (BECKMAN, USA) were used.Table 1
siRNA sequence.
NamesiRNA sequenceFibulin-5-siRNA-1Sense5′-GGACGAGUGUGCAACAGAUTT-3′Antisense5′-AUCUGUUGCACACUCGUCCTT-3′Fibulin-5-siRNA-2Sense5′-GCCAGCAGCUCUGUGCGAATT-3′Antisense5′-UUCGCACAGAGCUGCUGGCTT-3′Fibulin-5-siRNA-3Sense5′-GCGUGCAAACCUGCGUCAATT-3′Antisense5′-UUGACGCAGGUUUGCACGCTT-3′NC-siRNASense5′-UUCUCCGAACGUGUCACGUTT-3′Antisense5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′


## 2.2. Primary Culture and Identification of Fibroblasts

Six patients with orbital lacrimal gland tumors were sampled during surgeries, some tissues were cryopreserved, and IgG4-ROD was diagnosed postoperatively in combination with blood, pathological, and imaging examinations. At the same time, another part of fresh lacrimal gland tissue obtained during surgeries was cultured (the selection of sample tissue was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of the General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region, and the patient’s informed consent was obtained), the obtained lacrimal gland was cut into small fragments, the lacrimal gland was digested with 15 ml containing 0.2% type II collagen, the obtained cell suspension was inoculated into a 25 ml culture flask, 6 ml of complete medium containing 2% double-antibody and 10% fetal bovine serum was added, the culture and proliferation were continued in the incubator, and after the cells grew up, 0.25% trypsin was used for digestion and subculture. After confirmation of IgG4-ROD, the obtained cells were subjected to subsequent experiments. Vimentin is a hallmark protein of fibroblasts [14, 15], and this protein was identified using immunofluorescence to confirm that the cells were fibroblasts.


## 2.3. Optimal siRNA Screening

The 4th-generation fibroblasts were divided into six groups: group A (blank group), group B (Lipofectamine2000 only), group C (negative siRNA control group), group D (Fibulin-5-siRNA-1), group E (Fibulin-5-siRNA-2), and group F (Fibulin-5-siRNA-3). 1 nmol of each sequence siRNA was dissolved in 50μl of nuclease-free water to prepare a solution of 20 μM, and fibroblasts with good growth status were seeded in 6-well plates at one ×105 cells per well, and after the cells were plated to about 70% per well, the culture medium was replaced with serum-free DMEM culture medium. Five microliter of siRNA and lipofectamine 2000 were added to 95 μl of DMEM, respectively, and mixed well. After allowing the mixture to stand for 5 min at room temperature, the two were then thoroughly mixed in a 1 : 1 ratio (total volume of 200 μl). After allowing to stand for 20 min at room temperature, cells in each group were transfected, respectively, and 6 h later, 3 ml of new complete medium was changed and cultured for 48 h. Transfectionefficiency=numberoffluorescence−positivecells/totalnumberofselectedcells×100%.


## 2.4. Detection of Fibulin-5 mRNA

The total RNA of cells in each group was extracted with TRIzol reagent, and the absorbance values of the extracted RNA at wavelengths of 260~280 nm were detected using a UV spectrometer to determine the concentration and purity of total RNA. The operation was performed according to the instructions of the RT-PCR kit, and the RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA. Reaction conditions: 25°C for 5 min, 50°C for 15 min, 85°C for 5 min, and 4°C for 10 min. Primers were designed using GENERUNR software to amplify the upstream primer sequence of the Fibulin-5 gene: 5′-CTGCCAACATGAGTGTGTGA-3′, the downstream primer: 5′ -TTGAAGCCCTTGTAAAT-3′, and the amplified fragment length was 168 bp. The internal reference GAPDH gene upstream primer sequence is 5′-TCAAGAAGGTGGTGAAGCAGG-3′, downstream primer: 5′-TCAAAGGTGGAGGAGTGGGT-3′, and the amplified fragment length was 115 bp. The real-time PCR instrument was an ABI PRISM 7900 quantitative fluorescence PCR instrument, and the amplification conditions were follows: 50°C for 2 min, 95°C for 10 min, 95°C for 30 sec, 60°C for 30 sec, 40 cycles. Differences in Fibulin-5 mRNA expression between the groups were analyzed by calculating 2-ΔΔCt using GAPDH as an internal reference, and each group of experiments was repeated three times and averaged. The siRNA with the highest silencing efficiency was then handed over to Shanghai Yuningwei Company for recombination of pG1.1 plasmid and siRNA.


## 2.5. Cell Proliferation Activity after siRNA Transfection Was Measured by CCK-8 Detection

Fibroblasts were seeded in 96-well plates at a density of1×104/ml. The selected optimal siRNAs were set as blank three experimental groups with different concentrations (25 nM, 50 nM, and 75 nM) of Fibulin-5 siRNA. Two hours before transfection, they were replaced with serum-free DMEM medium, and 5 μl of recombinant Fibulin5 siRNA plasmid and lipofectamine 2000 were taken, respectively, and then added to 95 μl of DMEM, respectively, and mixed well. The mixture was allowed to stand for 5 min at room temperature, and then, the two were thoroughly mixed in a 1 : 1 ratio (total volume of 200 μl). After standing for 20 min at room temperature, the four groups of fibrocytes were transfected. After culturing for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, the transfection reagent was sucked off, 200 μl of complete medium was added, and 10 μl of CCK-8 reagent was added to each well 4 h later. The absorbance OD 450 of cells in each group was measured by a microplate reader, repeated three times for each group, and the mean value was taken. Appropriate siRNA concentrations to inhibit cell proliferation were selected and subjected to subsequent transfection experiments.


## 2.6. siRNA Plasmid Transfection Cell Detection

Cells at passage four were taken, and cells at a density of1×105/ml were seeded and cultured in 6-well plates. Cell grouping: Group I was set as the blank control group, group II was only added with lipofectamine 2000 and pG1.1 plasmid (empty vector group), group III negative siRNA plasmid transfection group, and group IV Fibulin-5 siRNA plasmid transfection group. The transfection operation is the same as before. The transfection reagent is sucked out 6 hours later, and the complete culture medium is added again; after the corresponding culture time, the Fibulin-5 mRNA, protein, and apoptosis rate are detected, of which the mRNA detection is the same as before.


## 2.7. Fibulin-5 Protein Detection

One milliliter of the lysate (containing 10μl of PMSF and 10 μl of phosphatase inhibitor) was prepared from the cells 48 hours after transfection; 120 μl of lysate was added to the cells and collected in an EP tube, centrifuged at 12,000 rpm for 5 min at 4°C, and collected the supernatant clear liquid, and then added it to 1.5 ml of EP tube. The protein concentration was measured with a BCA kit. Four volumes of protein solution were mixed with one volume of loading buffer, boiling water bath for 10 min, cooled at room temperature, and stored in a −20°C freezer. Protein samples were separated using 5% electrophoretic stacking gel and 12% separation gel, followed by protein samples of groups I, II, III, and IV from left to right. The target protein and GAPDH bands of the separation gel were removed and transferred to a PVDF membrane for transfer, and the transfer conditions were as follows: GAPDH 200 mA for 90 min and Fibulin-5 200 mA for 120 min. The PVDF membrane was removed and fully immersed in TBST solution and incubated with rabbit polyclonal antibody GAPDH and mouse monoclonal antibody Fibulin-5 primary antibody overnight. The TBST solution was fully engaged and incubated with a secondary antibody for 2 h. After the TBST solution was used to wash the membrane, the target band and internal reference were developed according to the instructions for the use of ECL luminescence solution.


## 2.8. Apoptosis Detection

Four groups of cells at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after transfection were digested with trypsin without EDTA and collected. Three control groups were set up, which were negative control (without APC and 7-AAD), APC single-standard group, and 7-AAD single-standard group. According to the instructions of the Apoptosis Detection Kit, 5μl of APC or 7-AAD reagent was added to each tube of cells, and the cells were protected from light at room temperature for 5–15 min to allow sufficient reaction before detection by flow cytometry.


## 2.9. Statistical Analysis

The data of this experiment were analyzed by SPSS 21.0 statistical software, expressed asmean±standarddeviation, and factorial analysis of variance was performed with group and time as factors. When the difference was significant, the one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison, and the LSD method was used for the significance test of multiple sample means. The test level was α=0.05, and P<0.05 indicated that the difference was statistically significant.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Fibroblast Identification

The cells grew in a star-shaped or shuttle-shaped pattern, the nuclei were oval, and multiple synapses grew around the cells, consistent with the morphological characteristics of fibroblasts. The results of immunofluorescence showed that vimentin staining was positive in the examined cells, mainly in the cytoplasm (Figure1(a)), and the nucleus was not stained; the blue part was the location of the nucleus counterstained with DAPI (Figure 1(b)), and Figure 1(c) showed the stacking of cytoplasm and nucleus. Therefore, the cells of this study could be identified as fibroblasts.Figure 1
(a) Some cells with green staining were the distribution of vimentin in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts. (b) The part with blue staining was the distribution of nuclei. (c) The stacked diagram of cytoplasm and cells showed the relative distribution of the cytoplasm and nucleus.
(a)(b)(c)


### 3.2. siRNA Screening Results

2-ΔΔCt expressed the relative expression of Fibulin-5 mRNA in each group. Compared with group A, group B and group C showed that Lipofectamine 2000 and negative siRNA had no significant effect on the expression of the Fibulin-5 gene and had no silencing effect. Group D and group E could silence the expression of the Fibulin-5 gene, but the silencing effect of siRNA on the Fibulin-5 gene in fibroblasts was the most obvious. Therefore, of the three siRNAs, Fibulin-5-siRNA-1 had the best interference effect and was used as a siRNA for subsequent experiments. (Table 2).Table 2
Fibulin-5-siRNA screening.
GroupInternal referenceCtΔCtΔΔCt2-ΔΔCtA11.9415.753.810.001.00B12.1316.053.910.100.95C13.9817.723.73-0.081.09D12.4419.096.642.830.15E11.7616.354.580.780.59F12.5316.554.030.220.87A: blank group; B: Lipofectamine 2000 only; C: negative siRNA control group; D: Fibulin-5-siRNA-1; E: Fibulin-5-siRNA-2; F: Fibulin-5-siRNA-3.ΔCt=targetgeneCt−internalreferenceCt. ΔΔCt is the target gene ΔCt in the experimental sample minus target gene ΔCt in the reference sample; assuming the amplification efficiency of PCR is close to 100%, the relativesampletemplateamount=2−ΔΔCt.


### 3.3. CCK-8 Assay Results of Cell Proliferation Rate after Transfection

At 24 hours after transfection, there were no significant differences in the comparison of cell proliferation activities between the four groups of different concentrations of intervention. After transfection for 48 h and 72 h, the results of cell proliferation detection showed that compared with the blank group, the cell proliferation of the transfection groups of the three siRNAs was inhibited, and the inhibitory effect was more evident with the increase of siRNA concentration. Therefore, 75 nM siRNA can be selected as the siRNA transfection concentration for subsequent experiments (Table3).Table 3
Comparison of cell proliferation rate in each group.
GroupCell proliferation rate (%)FP24 h48 h72 hControl100.00±0.00100.00±0.00100.00±0.00——25 nM100.47±1.1192.24±1.8785.61±2.03112.4360.00150 nM100.49±1.2778.37±1.2367.15±2.45567.5440.00175 nM99.26±1.1873.41±1.0361.00±2.28896.6490.001F1.900594.591494.013——P0.1620.0010.001


### 3.4. Fibulin-5 mRNA Expression

After transfection of Fibulin-5 siRNA into lacrimal gland fibroblasts, reverse transcription was followed by quantitative PCR. Different interventions were used in the four groups of cells. After comparison, it was found that there was no significant difference in the relative expression level of Fibulin-5 mRNA between the blank control group, empty vector set, and negative control group (NC-siRNA), but the expression level of Fibulin-5 mRNA in the transfected group was significantly lower than that in the three control groups, indicating that the Fibulin-5 gene in the transfected group was significantly inhibited. There were significant differences between the siRNA transfection group and the three control groups, respectively (P<0.05), indicating that the expression of Fibulin-5 in IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland fibroblasts was significantly decreased after siRNA transfection, but not in the blank and empty vector negative siRNA transfection groups (Table 4).Table 4
Comparison of Fibulin-5 RT-PCR among four groups of cells.
GroupCtΔCtΔΔCt2-ΔΔCtControl24.929.620.040.95Empty vector set24.729.690.100.93NC-siRNA25.049.670.080.95siRNA-transfected25.5710.741.150.45


### 3.5. Fibulin-5 Protein Expression

After different interventions, it was found that there was no significant difference in the expression of Fibulin-5 protein among the blank control group, empty vector group, and negative control group. Still, the expression of Fibulin-5 protein in the transfected cells was significantly decreased compared with the cells in the three control groups. At the same time, the internal reference development was balanced, without a significant decrease or increase change (Figure2).Figure 2
GAPDH and Fibulin-5 protein expression.The gray bars in the figure from left to right indicate the changes in Fibulin-5 protein or internal reference of cells in the control, empty vector set, NC-siRNA groups, and Fibulin-5 siRNA-transfected groups.


### 3.6. Apoptosis Rate

At 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after transfection, the blank group, empty vector group, and negative siRNA group were compared, and it was found that there was no significant difference in the apoptosis rate among the three groups, indicating that pG1.1 vector plasmid, Lipofectamine 2000, and negative siRNA (NC-siRNA) had no significant effect on fibroblast apoptosis. The apoptosis rate of cells transfected with Fibulin-5 siRNA in the first three control groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that Fibulin-5 siRNA could significantly promote apoptosis after transfection of cells. The results of apoptosis rate are detailed in Table 5.Table 5
Comparison of apoptosis rate among four groups (x¯±S).
GroupApoptosis rate (%)FP24 h48 h72 hControl4.13±0.825.43±0.516.19±0.5416.0290.001Empty vector set4.34±0.755.86±0.516.33±0.5117.7780.001NC-siRNA4.54±1.315.84±0.997.11±0.759.120.003siRNA-transfected5.92±1.0312.97±0.5422.06±1.29391.7320.001F3.919161.856521.043——P0.0240.0010.001


## 3.1. Fibroblast Identification

The cells grew in a star-shaped or shuttle-shaped pattern, the nuclei were oval, and multiple synapses grew around the cells, consistent with the morphological characteristics of fibroblasts. The results of immunofluorescence showed that vimentin staining was positive in the examined cells, mainly in the cytoplasm (Figure1(a)), and the nucleus was not stained; the blue part was the location of the nucleus counterstained with DAPI (Figure 1(b)), and Figure 1(c) showed the stacking of cytoplasm and nucleus. Therefore, the cells of this study could be identified as fibroblasts.Figure 1
(a) Some cells with green staining were the distribution of vimentin in the cytoplasm of fibroblasts. (b) The part with blue staining was the distribution of nuclei. (c) The stacked diagram of cytoplasm and cells showed the relative distribution of the cytoplasm and nucleus.
(a)(b)(c)


## 3.2. siRNA Screening Results

2-ΔΔCt expressed the relative expression of Fibulin-5 mRNA in each group. Compared with group A, group B and group C showed that Lipofectamine 2000 and negative siRNA had no significant effect on the expression of the Fibulin-5 gene and had no silencing effect. Group D and group E could silence the expression of the Fibulin-5 gene, but the silencing effect of siRNA on the Fibulin-5 gene in fibroblasts was the most obvious. Therefore, of the three siRNAs, Fibulin-5-siRNA-1 had the best interference effect and was used as a siRNA for subsequent experiments. (Table 2).Table 2
Fibulin-5-siRNA screening.
GroupInternal referenceCtΔCtΔΔCt2-ΔΔCtA11.9415.753.810.001.00B12.1316.053.910.100.95C13.9817.723.73-0.081.09D12.4419.096.642.830.15E11.7616.354.580.780.59F12.5316.554.030.220.87A: blank group; B: Lipofectamine 2000 only; C: negative siRNA control group; D: Fibulin-5-siRNA-1; E: Fibulin-5-siRNA-2; F: Fibulin-5-siRNA-3.ΔCt=targetgeneCt−internalreferenceCt. ΔΔCt is the target gene ΔCt in the experimental sample minus target gene ΔCt in the reference sample; assuming the amplification efficiency of PCR is close to 100%, the relativesampletemplateamount=2−ΔΔCt.


## 3.3. CCK-8 Assay Results of Cell Proliferation Rate after Transfection

At 24 hours after transfection, there were no significant differences in the comparison of cell proliferation activities between the four groups of different concentrations of intervention. After transfection for 48 h and 72 h, the results of cell proliferation detection showed that compared with the blank group, the cell proliferation of the transfection groups of the three siRNAs was inhibited, and the inhibitory effect was more evident with the increase of siRNA concentration. Therefore, 75 nM siRNA can be selected as the siRNA transfection concentration for subsequent experiments (Table3).Table 3
Comparison of cell proliferation rate in each group.
GroupCell proliferation rate (%)FP24 h48 h72 hControl100.00±0.00100.00±0.00100.00±0.00——25 nM100.47±1.1192.24±1.8785.61±2.03112.4360.00150 nM100.49±1.2778.37±1.2367.15±2.45567.5440.00175 nM99.26±1.1873.41±1.0361.00±2.28896.6490.001F1.900594.591494.013——P0.1620.0010.001


## 3.4. Fibulin-5 mRNA Expression

After transfection of Fibulin-5 siRNA into lacrimal gland fibroblasts, reverse transcription was followed by quantitative PCR. Different interventions were used in the four groups of cells. After comparison, it was found that there was no significant difference in the relative expression level of Fibulin-5 mRNA between the blank control group, empty vector set, and negative control group (NC-siRNA), but the expression level of Fibulin-5 mRNA in the transfected group was significantly lower than that in the three control groups, indicating that the Fibulin-5 gene in the transfected group was significantly inhibited. There were significant differences between the siRNA transfection group and the three control groups, respectively (P<0.05), indicating that the expression of Fibulin-5 in IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland fibroblasts was significantly decreased after siRNA transfection, but not in the blank and empty vector negative siRNA transfection groups (Table 4).Table 4
Comparison of Fibulin-5 RT-PCR among four groups of cells.
GroupCtΔCtΔΔCt2-ΔΔCtControl24.929.620.040.95Empty vector set24.729.690.100.93NC-siRNA25.049.670.080.95siRNA-transfected25.5710.741.150.45


## 3.5. Fibulin-5 Protein Expression

After different interventions, it was found that there was no significant difference in the expression of Fibulin-5 protein among the blank control group, empty vector group, and negative control group. Still, the expression of Fibulin-5 protein in the transfected cells was significantly decreased compared with the cells in the three control groups. At the same time, the internal reference development was balanced, without a significant decrease or increase change (Figure2).Figure 2
GAPDH and Fibulin-5 protein expression.The gray bars in the figure from left to right indicate the changes in Fibulin-5 protein or internal reference of cells in the control, empty vector set, NC-siRNA groups, and Fibulin-5 siRNA-transfected groups.


## 3.6. Apoptosis Rate

At 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after transfection, the blank group, empty vector group, and negative siRNA group were compared, and it was found that there was no significant difference in the apoptosis rate among the three groups, indicating that pG1.1 vector plasmid, Lipofectamine 2000, and negative siRNA (NC-siRNA) had no significant effect on fibroblast apoptosis. The apoptosis rate of cells transfected with Fibulin-5 siRNA in the first three control groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), indicating that Fibulin-5 siRNA could significantly promote apoptosis after transfection of cells. The results of apoptosis rate are detailed in Table 5.Table 5
Comparison of apoptosis rate among four groups (x¯±S).
GroupApoptosis rate (%)FP24 h48 h72 hControl4.13±0.825.43±0.516.19±0.5416.0290.001Empty vector set4.34±0.755.86±0.516.33±0.5117.7780.001NC-siRNA4.54±1.315.84±0.997.11±0.759.120.003siRNA-transfected5.92±1.0312.97±0.5422.06±1.29391.7320.001F3.919161.856521.043——P0.0240.0010.001


## 4. Discussion

IgG4-ROD is an IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) that has been discovered in only recent years and affects ocular tissues, where there were only clear diagnostic criteria for the disease in 2014 [16]. There are few reports on the pathogenesis of IgG4-ROD, mainly on the study of IgG4-related diseases. A series of possible pathogenic autoantibodies, such as anti-trypsin inhibitor antibody, anti-amylase α antibody, and anti-thrombin-binding protein antibody, have been detected in patients with IgG4-RD [17–19], which has also led most researchers to recognize that IgG4-RD is an autoimmune disease. Studies in microbial infections have found that carbonic anhydrase II and ubiquitin-protein ligase in pancreatic acinar epithelial cells of the human body are homologous to α-carbonic anhydrase and plasmin-binding proteins of Helicobacter pylori, respectively [20, 21], and the genetic population is likely to induce abnormal autoimmune responses in the human body after infection with Helicobacter pylori, resulting in inflammatory reactions and tissue damage. In terms of genetics, during the study of autoimmune pancreatitis, it was found that human leukocyte differentiation antigen made patients more likely to have IgG4-RD, and the expression of nonaspartate DQBI57 was closely related to the recurrence of autoimmune pancreatitis [22, 23]. In addition, some scholars have speculated that innate immunity and adaptive immunity are associated with the occurrence of IgG4-ROD [24]. Innate immunity for the development of IgG4-RD may be associated with microbe-associated patterns produced by gut microbial bacteria, abnormalities in Toll-like receptors 7 and 9 on the surface of plasmacytoid cells, and eosinophils [25–27]. Adaptive immunity for the development of IgG4-RD may be related to factors such as activation of CD4+ T cells by activated IgG4+ B cells and plasmablasts in an indirect manner as well as IL-21 secretion by Th2 cells to promote germinal center formation [28, 29]. Thus, the pathogenesis of IgG4-ROD is complex and has not yet been clarified.IgG4-ROD has a more obvious feature that the affected organs or tissues will gradually fibrosis with the progression of the disease until the complete loss of organ function. In this study, the presence of a large number of fibroblasts was confirmed by vimentin identification of primary cells cultured from IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland tissues, which in turn also indicated that the lacrimal gland of IgG4-ROD had developed severe fibrosis. Many factors are leading to fibrosis of tissues or organs, of which Fibulin-5 has been demonstrated to be involved in fibrosis of the lacrimal gland [12]. Fibulin-5 is an extracellular matrix protein involved in elastic fiber formation, which can act as a scaffold for elastin cross-linking during elastin polymerization, thereby promoting the formation of elastic fibers; therefore, Fibulin-5 has a certain promoting effect in the fibrosis process of tissues [30]. Some studies [31] showed that the skin tissue of mice was fibrotic by transgenic technology. The Fibulin-5 protein in the fibrotic skin of such mice was detected and compared with the skin of normal mice. The results showed that the Fibulin-5 protein content in the fibrotic skin was significantly increased. This phenomenon existed not only in mice but also in the fibrotic skin of humans. Studies [32] have shown that fibrosis is the final result of the formation of a large accumulation of extracellular matrix components, which are abnormally activated by fibrocytes and converted into myofibroblasts in the middle of this process. After the number of myofibroblasts increases, it will not only further promote extracellular matrix secretion but also affect the cells in the nearby area and promote the formation of tissue fibrosis in the nearby area, so that more tissues undergo fibrosis. The above relevant research reports suggest that the matrix protein Fibulin-5, as an extracellular matrix component, has a close association between its increased expression level and fibrosis of tissues.Fibulin-5 not only plays a role in the process of lacrimal gland fibrosis but also is involved in the process of liver fibrosis [33]. In addition, Fibulin-5 has been found to inhibit the migration and invasion of cancer cells in studies on ovarian cancer tissues [34]. However, the Fibulin-5 protein is highly expressed in NPC patients and activates by phosphorylated AKt, which promotes the migration and invasion of cancer cells [35]. Therefore, Fibulin-5 can both promote and inhibit tumor cells, which may be related to the source and type of malignant tumors. The mechanism of Fibulin-5 in the lacrimal gland, skin, liver, and malignant tumors is not clear, so this topic observes the effect on lacrimal gland fibroblasts by silencing the target gene Fibulin-5.In this study, the lacrimal glands of 6 patients with IgG4-ROD were selected as the study subjects, and fibroblasts were cultured in primary cells, which could significantly inhibit the expression of the Fibulin-5 gene and downregulate the mRNA and protein of the target gene using RNAi gene silencing technology. Different concentrations of Fibulin-5 siRNA had different inhibitory efficiencies on cell proliferation, and the concentration of siRNA was positively correlated with the cell inhibition rate, with the best inhibitory effect at a concentration of 75 nM, and the proliferation of cells was significantly inhibited. At the optimal concentration of siRNA interference, both the mRNA and its protein of Fibulin-5 gene were significantly downregulated in lacrimal gland fibroblasts, reflecting the high efficiency and specificity of siRNA. After Fibulin-5 gene silencing in lacrimal gland fibroblasts, apoptosis was higher in cells with significantly normal apoptosis, which could significantly promote fibroblast apoptosis. This study confirmed that the Fibulin-5 gene has a certain link with the occurrence and development of tissue fibrosis. In the previous concept, it is believed that the proportion of elastin in connective tissue is relatively small, mainly collagen; therefore, most scholars believe that the overproduction of collagen is the main cause of tissue fibrosis, ignoring the role of elastin in tissue fibrosis. Since Fibulin-5 is involved in the formation of elastin [30]; combined with the results of this study, it can be speculated that elastin also has some promoting effect during the transition of tissue fibrosis. In this study, we inhibited the synthesis of Fibulin-5 protein, inhibited fibroblast proliferation, and increased apoptosis, which may be because the decrease of Fibulin-5 protein further affected the formation of cellular elastin, thus affecting the stability of cells and causing apoptosis, but this speculation still needs to be further studied in the subsequent experiments to study the expression level of elastin and draw an accurate conclusion.Clinically, the treatment of IgG4-ROD is limited and has some limitations, and after conservative treatment with glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive agents (azathioprine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil), some patients experience recurrence of serious complications [36, 37], and the patient’s condition repeatedly causes loss of function of the lacrimal gland because of fibrosis. In the case of poor response to medical treatment, surgical removal of the lacrimal gland becomes the only treatment for patients, who will permanently lose the function of the lacrimal gland and experience dry eye discomfort. Therefore, there is no optimal treatment for the disease. This study is the first to use RNAi technology to silence the Fibulin-5 gene and inhibit the expression of target gene Fibulin-5 and found that the apoptosis of IgG4-ROD lacrimal gland fibroblasts was significantly increased, which inhibited the transition of lacrimal gland to fibrosis, confirming the feasibility of inhibiting lacrimal gland fibrosis and providing a new idea for the treatment of IgG4-ROD in clinical practice. In addition, there are many diseases accompanied by fibrosis in clinical practice, such as cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and skin scars; if Fibulin-5 is used as a target in the future to find a new treatment, it may obtain a good therapeutic effect.



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*Source: 2742839-2023-02-10.xml*