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Steering cell behavior through mechanobiology in 3D: A regenerative medicine perspective. Biomaterials 2020; 268:120572. [PMID: 33285439 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Mechanobiology, translating mechanical signals into biological ones, greatly affects cellular behavior. Steering cellular behavior for cell-based regenerative medicine approaches requires a thorough understanding of the orchestrating molecular mechanisms, among which mechanotransducive ones are being more and more elucidated. Because of their wide use and highly mechanotransduction dependent differentiation, this review focuses on mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), while also briefly relating the discussed results to other cell types. While the mechanotransduction pathways are relatively well-studied in 2D, much remains unknown of the role and regulation of these pathways in 3D. Ultimately, cells need to be cultured in a 3D environment to create functional de novo tissue. In this review, we explore the literature on the roles of different material properties on cellular behavior and mechanobiology in 2D and 3D. For example, while stiffness plays a dominant role in 2D MSCs differentiation, it seems to be of subordinate importance in 3D MSCs differentiation, where matrix remodeling seems to be key. Also, the role and regulation of some of the main mechanotransduction players are discussed, focusing on MSCs. We have only just begun to fundamentally understand MSCs and other stem cells behavior in 3D and more fundamental research is required to advance biomaterials able to replicate the stem cell niche and control cell activity. This better understanding will contribute to smarter tissue engineering scaffold design and the advancement of regenerative medicine.
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Lamb MC, Tootle TL. Fascin in Cell Migration: More Than an Actin Bundling Protein. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9110403. [PMID: 33212856 PMCID: PMC7698196 DOI: 10.3390/biology9110403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Cell migration is an essential biological process that regulates both development and diseases, such as cancer metastasis. Therefore, understanding the factors that promote cell migration is crucial. One of the factors known to regulate cell migration is the actin-binding protein, Fascin. Fascin is typically thought to promote cell migration through bundling actin to form migratory structures such as filopodia and invadapodia. However, Fascin has many other functions in the cell that may contribute to cell migration. How these novel functions promote cell migration and are regulated is still not well understood. Here, we review the structure of Fascin, the many functions of Fascin and how they may promote cell migration, how Fascin is regulated, and Fascin’s role in diseases such as cancer metastasis. Abstract Fascin, an actin-binding protein, regulates many developmental migrations and contributes to cancer metastasis. Specifically, Fascin promotes cell motility, invasion, and adhesion by forming filopodia and invadopodia through its canonical actin bundling function. In addition to bundling actin, Fascin has non-canonical roles in the cell that are thought to promote cell migration. These non-canonical functions include regulating the activity of other actin-binding proteins, binding to and regulating microtubules, mediating mechanotransduction to the nucleus via interaction with the Linker of the Nucleoskeleton and Cytoskeleton (LINC) Complex, and localizing to the nucleus to regulate nuclear actin, the nucleolus, and chromatin modifications. The many functions of Fascin must be coordinately regulated to control cell migration. While much remains to be learned about such mechanisms, Fascin is regulated by post-translational modifications, prostaglandin signaling, protein–protein interactions, and transcriptional means. Here, we review the structure of Fascin, the various functions of Fascin and how they contribute to cell migration, the mechanisms regulating Fascin, and how Fascin contributes to diseases, specifically cancer metastasis.
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Integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanosensing in the mammary gland. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2020; 114:113-125. [PMID: 33187835 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The mammary gland is dynamically remodelled during its postnatal development and the reproductive cycles. This inherent plasticity has been suggested to increase the susceptibility of the organ to carcinogenesis. Morphological changes in the mammary epithelium involve cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration which, in turn, are affected by cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM). Integrin adhesion receptors function in the sensing of the biochemical composition, patterning and mechanical properties of the ECM surrounding the cells, and strongly influence cell fate. This review aims to summarize the existing literature on how different aspects of integrin-mediated adhesion and mechanosensing, including ECM composition; stiffness and topography; integrin expression patterns; focal adhesion assembly; dynamic regulation of the actin cytoskeleton; and nuclear mechanotransduction affect mammary gland development, function and homeostasis. As the mechanical properties of a complex tissue environment are challenging to replicate in vitro, emphasis has been placed on studies conducted in vivo or using organoid models. Outright, these studies indicate that mechanosensing also contributes to the regulation of mammary gland morphogenesis in multiple ways.
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Actomyosin and the MRTF-SRF pathway downregulate FGFR1 in mesenchymal stromal cells. Commun Biol 2020; 3:576. [PMID: 33067523 PMCID: PMC7567845 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01309-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Both biological and mechanical signals are known to influence cell proliferation. However, biological signals are mostly studied in two-dimensions (2D) and the interplay between these different pathways is largely unstudied. Here, we investigated the influence of the cell culture environment on the response to bFGF, a widely studied and important proliferation growth factor. We observed that human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs), but not fibroblasts, lose the ability to respond to soluble or covalently bound bFGF when cultured on microfibrillar substrates. This behavior correlated with a downregulation of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) expression of hMSCs on microfibrillar substrates. Inhibition of actomyosin or the MRTF/SRF pathway decreased FGFR1 expression in hMSCs, fibroblasts and MG63 cells. To our knowledge, this is the first time FGFR1 expression is shown to be regulated through a mechanosensitive pathway in hMSCs. These results add to the sparse literature on FGFR1 regulation and potentially aid designing tissue engineering constructs that better control cell proliferation.
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55
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Onuh JO, Qiu H. Serum response factor-cofactor interactions and their implications in disease. FEBS J 2020; 288:3120-3134. [PMID: 32885587 PMCID: PMC7925694 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Serum response factor (SRF), a member of the Mcm1, Agamous, Deficiens, and SRF (MADS) box transcription factor, is widely expressed in all cell types and plays a crucial role in the physiological function and development of diseases. SRF regulates its downstream genes by binding to their CArG DNA box by interacting with various cofactors. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, therefore attracting increasing research attention due to the importance of this topic. This review's objective is to discuss the new progress in the studies of the molecular mechanisms involved in the activation of SRF and its impacts in physiological and pathological conditions. Notably, we summarized the recent studies on the interaction of SRF with its two main types of cofactors belonging to the myocardin families of transcription factors and the members of the ternary complex factors. The knowledge of these mechanisms will create new opportunities for understanding the dynamics of many traits and disease pathogenesis especially, cardiovascular diseases and cancer that could serve as targets for pharmacological control and treatment of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Oloche Onuh
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Hongyu Qiu
- Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Institute of Biomedical Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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56
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Histamine-induced biphasic activation of RhoA allows for persistent RhoA signaling. PLoS Biol 2020; 18:e3000866. [PMID: 32881857 PMCID: PMC7494096 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The small GTPase RhoA is a central signaling enzyme that is involved in various cellular processes such as cytoskeletal dynamics, transcription, and cell cycle progression. Many signal transduction pathways activate RhoA—for instance, Gαq-coupled Histamine 1 Receptor signaling via Gαq-dependent activation of RhoGEFs such as p63. Although multiple upstream regulators of RhoA have been identified, the temporal regulation of RhoA and the coordination of different upstream components in its regulation have not been well characterized. In this study, live-cell measurement of RhoA activation revealed a biphasic increase of RhoA activity upon histamine stimulation. We showed that the first and second phase of RhoA activity are dependent on p63 and Ca2+/PKC, respectively, and further identified phosphorylation of serine 240 on p115 RhoGEF by PKC to be the mechanistic link between PKC and RhoA. Combined approaches of computational modeling and quantitative measurement revealed that the second phase of RhoA activation is insensitive to rapid turning off of the receptor and is required for maintaining RhoA-mediated transcription after the termination of the receptor signaling. Thus, two divergent pathways enable both rapid activation and persistent signaling in receptor-mediated RhoA signaling via intricate temporal regulation. The small GTPase RhoA is a central signaling enzyme that is involved in various cellular processes such as cytoskeletal dynamics, transcription, and cell cycle progression. This study shows that histamine induces biphasic activation of RhoA via two divergent signaling pathways, allowing for intricate regulation of cellular processes.
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57
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Sprenkeler EGG, Webbers SDS, Kuijpers TW. When Actin is Not Actin' Like It Should: A New Category of Distinct Primary Immunodeficiency Disorders. J Innate Immun 2020; 13:3-25. [PMID: 32846417 DOI: 10.1159/000509717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
An increasing number of primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) have been identified over the last decade, which are caused by deleterious mutations in genes encoding for proteins involved in actin cytoskeleton regulation. These mutations primarily affect hematopoietic cells and lead to defective function of immune cells, such as impaired motility, signaling, proliferative capacity, and defective antimicrobial host defense. Here, we review several of these immunological "actinopathies" and cover both clinical aspects, as well as cellular mechanisms of these PIDs. We focus in particular on the effect of these mutations on human neutrophil function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien G G Sprenkeler
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, .,Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, AUMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands,
| | - Steven D S Webbers
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, AUMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Taco W Kuijpers
- Department of Blood Cell Research, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam University Medical Center (AUMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Pediatric Immunology, Rheumatology and Infectious Diseases, Emma Children's Hospital, AUMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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58
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Fonseca CG, Barbacena P, Franco CA. Endothelial cells on the move: dynamics in vascular morphogenesis and disease. VASCULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 2:H29-H43. [PMID: 32935077 PMCID: PMC7487603 DOI: 10.1530/vb-20-0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The vascular system is a hierarchically organized network of blood vessels that play crucial roles in embryogenesis, homeostasis and disease. Blood vessels are built by endothelial cells – the cells lining the interior of blood vessels – through a process named vascular morphogenesis. Endothelial cells react to different biomechanical signals in their environment by adjusting their behavior to: (1) invade, proliferate and fuse to form new vessels (angiogenesis); (2) remodel, regress and establish a hierarchy in the network (patterning); and (3) maintain network stability (quiescence). Each step involves the coordination of endothelial cell differentiation, proliferation, polarity, migration, rearrangements and shape changes to ensure network integrity and an efficient barrier between blood and tissues. In this review, we highlighted the relevance and the mechanisms involving endothelial cell migration during different steps of vascular morphogenesis. We further present evidence on how impaired endothelial cell dynamics can contribute to pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catarina G Fonseca
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Barbacena
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Claudio A Franco
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Instituto de Histologia e Biologia do Desenvolvimento, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
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Taskinen ME, Närvä E, Conway JR, Hinojosa LS, Lilla S, Mai A, De Franceschi N, Elo LL, Grosse R, Zanivan S, Norman JC, Ivaska J. MASTL promotes cell contractility and motility through kinase-independent signaling. J Cell Biol 2020; 219:e201906204. [PMID: 32311005 PMCID: PMC7265322 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201906204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Microtubule-associated serine/threonine-protein kinase-like (MASTL) is a mitosis-accelerating kinase with emerging roles in cancer progression. However, possible cell cycle-independent mechanisms behind its oncogenicity remain ambiguous. Here, we identify MASTL as an activator of cell contractility and MRTF-A/SRF (myocardin-related transcription factor A/serum response factor) signaling. Depletion of MASTL increased cell spreading while reducing contractile actin stress fibers in normal and breast cancer cells and strongly impairing breast cancer cell motility and invasion. Transcriptome and proteome profiling revealed MASTL-regulated genes implicated in cell movement and actomyosin contraction, including Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2 (GEF-H1, ARHGEF2) and MRTF-A target genes tropomyosin 4.2 (TPM4), vinculin (VCL), and nonmuscle myosin IIB (NM-2B, MYH10). Mechanistically, MASTL associated with MRTF-A and increased its nuclear retention and transcriptional activity. Importantly, MASTL kinase activity was not required for regulation of cell spreading or MRTF-A/SRF transcriptional activity. Taken together, we present a previously unknown kinase-independent role for MASTL as a regulator of cell adhesion, contractility, and MRTF-A/SRF activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Emilia Taskinen
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Elisa Närvä
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - James R.W. Conway
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura Soto Hinojosa
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, and Center for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sergio Lilla
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
| | - Anja Mai
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Nicola De Franceschi
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Laura L. Elo
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Robert Grosse
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, and Center for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Sara Zanivan
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Jim C. Norman
- Cancer Research UK Beatson Institute, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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60
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Filomena MC, Yamamoto DL, Caremani M, Kadarla VK, Mastrototaro G, Serio S, Vydyanath A, Mutarelli M, Garofalo A, Pertici I, Knöll R, Nigro V, Luther PK, Lieber RL, Beck MR, Linari M, Bang M. Myopalladin promotes muscle growth through modulation of the serum response factor pathway. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2020; 11:169-194. [PMID: 31647200 PMCID: PMC7015241 DOI: 10.1002/jcsm.12486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myopalladin (MYPN) is a striated muscle-specific, immunoglobulin-containing protein located in the Z-line and I-band of the sarcomere as well as the nucleus. Heterozygous MYPN gene mutations are associated with hypertrophic, dilated, and restrictive cardiomyopathy, and homozygous loss-of-function truncating mutations have recently been identified in patients with cap myopathy, nemaline myopathy, and congenital myopathy with hanging big toe. METHODS Constitutive MYPN knockout (MKO) mice were generated, and the role of MYPN in skeletal muscle was studied through molecular, cellular, biochemical, structural, biomechanical, and physiological studies in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS MKO mice were 13% smaller compared with wild-type controls and exhibited a 48% reduction in myofibre cross-sectional area (CSA) and significantly increased fibre number. Similarly, reduced myotube width was observed in MKO primary myoblast cultures. Biomechanical studies showed reduced isometric force and power output in MKO mice as a result of the reduced CSA, whereas the force developed by each myosin molecular motor was unaffected. While the performance by treadmill running was similar in MKO and wild-type mice, MKO mice showed progressively decreased exercise capability, Z-line damage, and signs of muscle regeneration following consecutive days of downhill running. Additionally, MKO muscle exhibited progressive Z-line widening starting from 8 months of age. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed down-regulation of serum response factor (SRF)-target genes in muscles from postnatal MKO mice, important for muscle growth and differentiation. The SRF pathway is regulated by actin dynamics as binding of globular actin to the SRF-cofactor myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) prevents its translocation to the nucleus where it binds and activates SRF. MYPN was found to bind and bundle filamentous actin as well as interact with MRTF-A. In particular, while MYPN reduced actin polymerization, it strongly inhibited actin depolymerization and consequently increased MRTF-A-mediated activation of SRF signalling in myogenic cells. Reduced myotube width in MKO primary myoblast cultures was rescued by transduction with constitutive active SRF, demonstrating that MYPN promotes skeletal muscle growth through activation of the SRF pathway. CONCLUSIONS Myopalladin plays a critical role in the control of skeletal muscle growth through its effect on actin dynamics and consequently the SRF pathway. In addition, MYPN is important for the maintenance of Z-line integrity during exercise and aging. These results suggest that muscle weakness in patients with biallelic MYPN mutations may be associated with reduced myofibre CSA and SRF signalling and that the disease phenotype may be aggravated by exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Carmela Filomena
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Milan UnitNational Research CouncilMilanItaly
- Humanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoMilanItaly
| | - Daniel L. Yamamoto
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Milan UnitNational Research CouncilMilanItaly
| | - Marco Caremani
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FlorenceSesto FiorentinoFlorenceItaly
| | | | | | - Simone Serio
- Humanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoMilanItaly
| | | | | | - Arcamaria Garofalo
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM)PozzuoliItaly
- Department of Precision MedicineUniversity of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | - Irene Pertici
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FlorenceSesto FiorentinoFlorenceItaly
| | - Ralph Knöll
- Integrated Cardio Metabolic Centre (ICMC), Myocardial GeneticsKarolinska Institutet, University Hospital, Heart and Vascular ThemeSweden
- Research and Early Development, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic Diseases (CVRM), Biopharmaceuticals R&DAstraZenecaMölndalSweden
| | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM)PozzuoliItaly
- Department of Precision MedicineUniversity of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”NaplesItaly
| | | | - Richard L. Lieber
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Hines V.A. Medical Center ChicagoChicagoILUSA
- Department of Physical Medicine and RehabilitationNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
- Department of Orthopaedic SurgeryUniversity of California San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Moriah R. Beck
- Department of ChemistryWichita State UniversityWichitaKSUSA
| | - Marco Linari
- Department of BiologyUniversity of FlorenceSesto FiorentinoFlorenceItaly
| | - Marie‐Louise Bang
- Institute of Genetic and Biomedical Research (IRGB), Milan UnitNational Research CouncilMilanItaly
- Humanitas Clinical and Research CenterRozzanoMilanItaly
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61
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Swärd K, Krawczyk KK, Morén B, Zhu B, Matic L, Holmberg J, Hedin U, Uvelius B, Stenkula K, Rippe C. Identification of the intermediate filament protein synemin/SYNM as a target of myocardin family coactivators. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2019; 317:C1128-C1142. [PMID: 31461342 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00047.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Myocardin (MYOCD) is a critical regulator of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation, but its transcriptional targets remain to be exhaustively characterized, especially at the protein level. Here we leveraged human RNA and protein expression data to identify novel potential MYOCD targets. Using correlation analyses we found several targets that we could confirm at the protein level, including SORBS1, SLMAP, SYNM, and MCAM. We focused on SYNM, which encodes the intermediate filament protein synemin. SYNM rivalled smooth muscle myosin (MYH11) for SMC specificity and was controlled at the mRNA and protein levels by all myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs: MYOCD, MRTF-A/MKL1, and MRTF-B/MKL2). MRTF activity is regulated by the ratio of filamentous to globular actin, and SYNM was accordingly reduced by interventions that depolymerize actin, such as latrunculin treatment and overexpression of constitutively active cofilin. Many MRTF target genes depend on serum response factor (SRF), but SYNM lacked SRF-binding motifs in its proximal promoter, which was not directly regulated by MYOCD. Furthermore, SYNM resisted SRF silencing, yet the time course of induction closely paralleled that of the SRF-dependent target gene ACTA2. SYNM was repressed by the ternary complex factor (TCF) FLI1 and was increased in mouse embryonic fibroblasts lacking three classical TCFs (ELK1, ELK3, and ELK4). Imaging showed colocalization of SYNM with the intermediate filament proteins desmin and vimentin, and MRTF-A/MKL1 increased SYNM-containing intermediate filaments in SMCs. These studies identify SYNM as a novel SRF-independent target of myocardin that is abundantly expressed in all SMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Swärd
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Björn Morén
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Baoyi Zhu
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Urology, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Qingyuan People's Hospital), Guangdong, China
| | - Ljubica Matic
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Holmberg
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulf Hedin
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Uvelius
- Department of Clinical Science, Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Karin Stenkula
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
| | - Catarina Rippe
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund, Sweden
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62
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Werner S, Lützkendorf J, Müller T, Müller LP, Posern G. MRTF-A controls myofibroblastic differentiation of human multipotent stromal cells and their tumour-supporting function in xenograft models. Sci Rep 2019; 9:11725. [PMID: 31409840 PMCID: PMC6692381 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48142-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumour growth and metastatic colonization is strongly influenced by the tumour stroma, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are a possible source of CAF following myofibroblastic differentiation, and we have previously shown that MSC support tumour growth. Triggered by tumour cell-derived factors like transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), myofibroblastic MSC differentiation is associated with the increased expression of markers including alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Here we show that myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) plays an important role in myofibroblastic differentiation of primary human MSC in vitro and their tumour-supporting function in vivo. Recombinant TGF-β1 or tumour cell conditioned medium (TCM) elevated α-SMA, calponin 1 and collagen 1 A1 (COL1A1) amount on mRNA and protein level in MSC. This correlated with increased MRTF-A activity during MSC differentiation. MRTF-A knockdown by siRNA or shRNA impaired TGF-β1 and TCM induction of α-SMA and calponin 1, but not of COL1A1. Mixed xenograft experiments using HCT8 colorectal carcinoma cells and primary MSC of different donors revealed a significant reduction in tumour weight and volume upon MRTF-A knockdown in MSC. Our study suggests that MRTF-A is involved in the functional differentiation of MSC towards a tumour-promoting CAF phenotype in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Werner
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jana Lützkendorf
- University Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas Müller
- University Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Lutz P Müller
- University Clinic of Internal Medicine IV, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Strasse 40, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Guido Posern
- Institute for Physiological Chemistry, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hollystrasse 1, 06114, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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63
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Brand CS, Lighthouse JK, Trembley MA. Protective transcriptional mechanisms in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts. J Mol Cell Cardiol 2019; 132:1-12. [PMID: 31042488 DOI: 10.1016/j.yjmcc.2019.04.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Several lines of evidence suggest that physical activity and exercise can pre-condition the heart to improve the response to acute cardiac injury such as myocardial infarction or ischemia/reperfusion injury, preventing the progression to heart failure. It is becoming more apparent that cardioprotection is a concerted effort between multiple cell types and converging signaling pathways. However, the molecular mechanisms of cardioprotection are not completely understood. What is clear is that the mechanisms underlying this protection involve acute activation of transcriptional activators and their corresponding gene expression programs. Here, we review the known stress-dependent transcriptional programs that are activated in cardiomyocytes and cardiac fibroblasts to preserve function in the adult heart after injury. Focus is given to prominent transcriptional pathways such as mechanical stress or reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent activation of myocardin-related transcription factors (MRTFs) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ), and gene expression that positively regulates protective PI3K/Akt signaling. Together, these pathways modulate both beneficial and pathological responses to cardiac injury in a cell-specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron S Brand
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of California - San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Biomedical Sciences Building, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
| | - Janet K Lighthouse
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box CVRI, Rochester, NY 14624, USA.
| | - Michael A Trembley
- Department of Cardiology, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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