2025
Gutiérrez-Rojas, C., Córdova-Casanova, A., Faundez-Contreras, J., Cruz-Soca, M., Gallardo, F. S., Bock-Pereda, A., Casar, J. C., Barton, E. R., & Brandan, E. (2025). Dysregulated ATX-LPA and YAP/TAZ signaling in dystrophic Sgcd−/− mice with early fibrosis and inflammation. Skeletal Muscle, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13395-025-00375-5
Gallardo, F. S., Cruz-Soca, M., Bock-Pereda, A., Faundez-Contreras, J., Gutiérrez-Rojas, C., Gandin, A., Torresan, V., Casar, J. C., Ravasio, A., & Brandan, E. (2025). Role of TGF-β/SMAD/YAP/TAZ signaling in skeletal muscle fibrosis. AJP Cell Physiology. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00541.2024
2024
Córdova-Casanova, A., Cruz-Soca, M., Gallardo, F. S., Faundez-Contreras, J., Bock-Pereda, A., Chun, J., Vio, C. P., Casar, J. C., & Brandan, E. (2024). LPA-induced expression of CCN2 in muscular fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs): Unraveling cellular communication networks. Matrix Biology, 130, 36–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2024.05.001
Bock-Pereda, A., Cruz-Soca, M., Gallardo, F. S., Córdova-Casanova, A., Gutierrez-Rojas, C., Faundez-Contreras, J., Chun, J., Casar, J. C., & Brandan, E. (2024). Involvement of lysophosphatidic acid-LPA1-YAP signaling in healthy and pathological FAPs migration. Matrix Biology, 133, 103–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2024.08.005
2023
Gallardo, F. S., Córdova-Casanova, A., Bock-Pereda, A., Rebolledo, D. L., Ravasio, A., Casar, J. C., & Brandan, E. (2023). Denervation drives YAP/TAZ activation in muscular Fibro/Adipogenic progenitors. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(6), 5585. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065585
Cáceres-Ayala, C., Mira, R. G., Acuña, M. J., Brandan, E., Cerpa, W., & Rebolledo, D. L. (2023). Episodic Binge-like Ethanol Reduces Skeletal Muscle Strength Associated with Atrophy, Fibrosis, and Inflammation in Young Rats. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(2), 1655. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24021655
2022
Córdova-Casanova, A., Cruz-Soca, M., Chun, J., Casar, J. C., & Brandan, E. (2022). Activation of the ATX/LPA/LPARs axis induces a fibrotic response in skeletal muscle. Matrix biology: journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology, 109, 121–139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2022.03.008.
2021
Rebolledo, D.L., Acuña, M.J. and Brandan, E. (2021) Role of matricellular CCN proteins in skeletal muscle: Focus on CCN2/CTGF and its regulation by vasoactive peptides. Int J Mol Sci. 22, doi: 10.3390/ijms22105234.
Contreras, O., Cordova-Casanova, A. and Brandan, E. (2021) PDGF-PDGFR Network Differentially Regulates Myogenic Cell Fate, Migration, Proliferation, and Cell Cycle Progression. Cell Signal, doi: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2021.110036.
Rebolledo, D., Lipson, KE, and Brandan, E. (2021) Driving Fibrosis in Neuromuscular Diseases: Role and Regulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2/CTGF) Matrix Biol Plus doi.org/10.1016/j.mbplus.2021.100059.
Gallardo, F.S., Córdova-Casanova, A., and Brandan, E. (2021) The Linkage Between Inflammation and Fibrosis in Muscular Dystrophies: The Axis Autotaxin-Lysophosphatidic Acid as a New Therapeutic Target? J. Cell Commun. Signal. doi.org/10.1007/s12079-021-00610-w
Gutiérrez, J., Gonzalez, D., Escalona‐Rivano, R., Takahashi, C., & Brandan, E. (2021). Reduced RECK levels accelerate skeletal muscle differentiation, improve muscle regeneration, and decrease fibrosis. The FASEB Journal, 35(5). https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202001646rr
2020
Rivera, JC., Abriigo, J., Tacchi, F., Simon, F., Brandan, E., Santos, RA. Bader,M., Chiong, M., and Cabello-Verrugio, C. (2020) Angiotensin-(1-7) Prevents Lipopolysaccharide-induced Autophagy via the Mas Receptor.Int J Mol Sci. 21(24), 9344 doi: 10.3390/ijms21249344
Contreras, O., Soliman, H., Theret, M., Rossi, F. M. V., & Brandan, E. (2020). TGF-β-driven downregulation of the transcription factor TCF7L2 affects Wnt/β-catenin signaling in PDGFRα+ fibroblasts. Journal of Cell Science, 133(12). https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.242297
Valle-Tenney R, Rebolledo D.L., Lipson K.E., Brandan E. (2020) Role of hypoxia in skeletal muscle fibrosis: Synergism between hypoxia and TGF-β signaling upregulates CCN2/CTGF expression specifically in muscle fibers. Matrix Biol. 87:48-65
2019
Contreras, O., Cruz-Soca, M., Theret, M., Soliman, H., Tung, L. W., Groppa, E., Rossi, F. M., & Brandan, E. (2019). Cross-talk between TGF-β and PDGFRα signaling pathways regulates the fate of stromal fibro–adipogenic progenitors. Journal of Cell Science, 132(19). https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.232157
Contreras, O., Rossi, F. M., & Brandan, E. (2019). Adherent muscle connective tissue fibroblasts are phenotypically and biochemically equivalent to stromal fibro/adipogenic progenitors. Matrix Biology Plus, 2, 100006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mbplus.2019.04.003
Gonzalez, D., & Brandan, E. (2019). CTGF/CCN2 from Skeletal Muscle to Nervous System: Impact on Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecular Neurobiology, 56(8), 5911–5916. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-019-1490-9
Rebolledo, D. L., González, D., Faundez-Contreras, J., Contreras, O., Vio, C. P., Murphy-Ullrich, J. E., Lipson, K. E., & Brandan, E. (2019). Denervation-induced skeletal muscle fibrosis is mediated by CTGF/CCN2 independently of TGF-β. Matrix Biology, 82, 20–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matbio.2019.01.002
2018
Gonzalez, D., Rebolledo, D. L., Correa, L. M., Court, F. A., Cerpa, W., Lipson, K. E., Van Zundert, B., & Brandan, E. (2018). The inhibition of CTGF/CCN2 activity improves muscle and locomotor function in a murine ALS model. Human Molecular Genetics, 27(16), 2913–2926. https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddy204
Contreras, O., Villarreal, M., & Brandan, E. (2018). Nilotinib impairs skeletal myogenesis by increasing myoblast proliferation. Skeletal Muscle, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13395-018-0150-5
Riquelme-Guzmán, C., Contreras, O., & Brandan, E. (2017). Expression of CTGF/CCN2 in response to LPA is stimulated by fibrotic extracellular matrix via the integrin/FAK axis. AJP Cell Physiology, 314(4), C415–C427. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpcell.00013.2017
Acuña, M. J., Salas, D., Córdova-Casanova, A., Cruz-Soca, M., Céspedes, C., Vio, C. P., & Brandan, E. (2017). Blockade of Bradykinin receptors worsens the dystrophic phenotype of mdx mice: differential effects for B1 and B2 receptors. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling, 12(3), 589–601. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-017-0439-x
Morales, M. G., Acuña, M. J., Cabrera, D., Goldschmeding, R., & Brandan, E. (2017). The pro-fibrotic connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) correlates with the number of necrotic-regenerative foci in dystrophic muscle. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling, 12(1), 413–421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-017-0409-3
2017
Contreras, O., & Brandan, E. (2016). Fibro/adipogenic progenitors safeguard themselves: a novel mechanism to reduce fibrosis is discovered. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling, 11(1), 77–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-016-0372-4
Cabrera, D., Wree, A., Povero, D., Solís, N., Hernandez, A., Pizarro, M., Moshage, H., Torres, J., Feldstein, A. E., Cabello-Verrugio, C., Brandan, E., Barrera, F., Arab, J. P., & Arrese, M. (2017). Andrographolide ameliorates inflammation and fibrogenesis and attenuates inflammasome activation in experimental Non-Alcoholic steatohepatitis. Scientific Reports, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03675-z
Gonzalez, D., Contreras, O., Rebolledo, D. L., Espinoza, J. P., Van Zundert, B., & Brandan, E. (2017). ALS skeletal muscle shows enhanced TGF-β signaling, fibrosis and induction of fibro/adipogenic progenitor markers. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0177649. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177649
2016
Contreras, O., & Brandan, E. (2016). Fibro/adipogenic progenitors safeguard themselves: a novel mechanism to reduce fibrosis is discovered. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling, 11(1), 77–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-016-0372-4
Contreras, O., Rebolledo, D. L., Oyarzún, J. E., Olguín, H. C., & Brandan, E. (2016). Connective tissue cells expressing fibro/adipogenic progenitor markers increase under chronic damage: relevance in fibroblast-myofibroblast differentiation and skeletal muscle fibrosis. Cell and Tissue Research, 364(3), 647–660. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-015-2343-0
Morales, M. G., Abrigo, J., Acuña, M. J., Santos, R. A., Bader, M., Brandan, E., Simon, F., Olguin, H., Cabrera, D., & Cabello-Verrugio, C. (2016). Angiotensin-(1-7) attenuates disuse skeletal muscle atrophy via the Mas receptor. Disease Models & Mechanisms. https://doi.org/10.1242/dmm.023390
Fuenzalida, M., Espinoza, C., Pérez, M. Á., Tapia-Rojas, C., Cuitino, L., Brandan, E., & Inestrosa, N. C. (2015). Wnt signaling pathway improves central inhibitory synaptic transmission in a mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neurobiology of Disease, 86, 109–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nbd.2015.11.018
Cabrera, D., Ruiz, A., Cabello-Verrugio, C., Brandan, E., Estrada, L., Pizarro, M., Solis, N., Torres, J., Barrera, F., and Arrese, M. (2016) Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Is Associated with Sarcopenia and Decreased Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1. Dig. Dis. Sci. DOI 10.1007/s10620-016-4285-0
2015
Gutiérrez, J., Droppelmann, C. A., Contreras, O., Takahashi, C., & Brandan, E. (2015). RECK-Mediated Β1-Integrin regulation by TGF-Β1 is critical for wound contraction in mice. PLoS ONE, 10(8), e0135005. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0135005
Cofre, C., Acuña, M. J., Contreras, O., Morales, M. G., Riquelme, C., Cabello‐Verrugio, C., & Brandan, E. (2015). Transforming growth factor type‐β inhibits Mas receptor expression in fibroblasts but not in myoblasts or differentiated myotubes; Relevance to fibrosis associated to muscular dystrophies. BioFactors, 41(2), 111–120. https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.1208
Passos-Silva, D. G., Brandan, E., & Santos, R. a. S. (2015). Angiotensins as therapeutic targets beyond heart disease. Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 36(5), 310–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tips.2015.03.001
Córdova, G., Rochard, A., Riquelme‐Guzmán, C., Cofré, C., Scherman, D., Bigey, P., & Brandan, E. (2015). SMAD3 and SP1/SP3 Transcription Factors Collaborate to Regulate Connective Tissue Growth Factor Gene Expression in Myoblasts in Response to Transforming Growth Factor β. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, 116(9), 1880–1887. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcb.25143
Brandan, E. (2015). Heparan sulfate provides a mechanism to respond to FGFR2b and control regenerative expansion. Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling, 9(1), 89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12079-015-0277-7
Cisternas, F., Morales, M. G., Meneses, C., Simon, F., Brandan, E., Abrigo, J., Vazquez, Y., & Cabello-Verrugio, C. (2014). Angiotensin-(1–7) decreases skeletal muscle atrophy induced by angiotensin II through a Mas receptor-dependent mechanism. Clinical Science, 128(5), 307–319. https://doi.org/10.1042/cs20140215
Meneses, C., Morales, M. G., Abrigo, J., Simon, F., Brandan, E., & Cabello-Verrugio, C. (2014). The angiotensin-(1–7)/Mas axis reduces myonuclear apoptosis during recovery from angiotensin II-induced skeletal muscle atrophy in mice. Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology, 467(9), 1975–1984. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00424-014-1617-9