Long Non-Coding RNA H19 mediates STAT3 dependent activation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis skin.

Caballero-Ruiz, B.; Wasson, CW.; Ross, RL.; Del Galdo, F.

Long Non-Coding RNA H19 mediates STAT3 dependent activation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts in Systemic Sclerosis skin.

All Authors

Caballero-Ruiz, B.

Wasson, CW.

Ross, RL.

Del Galdo, F.

LTHT Author

Ross, Rebecca
Del Galdo, Francesco

LTHT Department

NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Centre
Rheumatology

Publication Date

2026

Item Type

Journal Article

Subject

HOSPITALISATION

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Dermal Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) fibroblasts and their exosomes can activate keratinocytes in SSc, with lncRNA H19 (H19) highlighted as the most upregulated RNA in their cargo compared to healthy control (HC). The role of H19 in SSc pathogenesis has never been investigated. Here we determine H19 role in the profibrotic activation of dermal fibroblasts and in their crosstalk with keratinocytes. METHODS: Skin biopsies were obtained from the forearms of patients with diffuse SSc (n=20) or HC (n=8) and dermal fibroblasts were explanted. In situ hybridization was used to determine H19 expression in the skin, paired with immunohistochemistry of STAT3 and Collagen1. H19 and STAT3 expression were modulated by retroviral transduction and siRNA. Gel contraction and transwell coculture were employed for functional studies. RESULTS: In SSc, high H19 expression in skin and explanted dermal fibroblasts compared to HC showed moderate correlation to well-described profibrotic markers. Knockdown of H19 in SSc fibroblasts decreased profibrotic gene expression and cell contraction ability. H19 overexpression was sufficient to induce a profibrotic phenotype in HC fibroblasts. Mechanistically, TGF-beta, IL-6 and IL-11 significantly increased H19 expression in HC fibroblast (2.2, 1.4, 3.5-fold, respectively), through activation of STAT3. Additionally, the STAT3 and STAT1 activation of keratinocytes induced by coculture with SSc fibroblasts was suppressed by H19 knockdown. CONCLUSION: This study shows that lncRNA H19 is a key mediator of STAT3 induced changes in fibrotic activation of fibroblast and keratinocytes in SSc skin and could be considered a promising therapeutic target in tissue fibrosis.