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Martyts A, Sachs D, Hiebert P, Junker H, Robmann S, Hopf R, Steenbock H, Brinckmann J, Werner S, Giampietro C, Mazza E. Biomechanical and biochemical changes in murine skin during development and aging. Acta Biomater 2024:S1742-7061(24)00385-4. [PMID: 39009208 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Aging leads to biochemical and biomechanical changes in skin, with biological and functional consequences. Despite extensive literature on skin aging, there is a lack of studies which investigate the maturation of the tissue and connect the microscopic changes in the skin to its macroscopic biomechanical behavior as it evolves over time. The present work addresses this knowledge gap using multiscale characterization of skin in a murine model considering newborn, adult and aged mice. Monotonic uniaxial loading, tension relaxation with change of bath, and loading to failure tests were performed on murine skin samples from different age groups, complemented by inflation experiments and atomic force microscopy indentation measurements. In parallel, skin samples were characterized using histological and biochemical techniques to assess tissue morphology, collagen organization, as well as collagen content and cross-linking. We show that 1-week-old skin differs across nearly all measured parameters from adult skin, showing reduced strain stiffening and tensile strength, a thinner dermis, lower collagen content and altered crosslinking patterns. Surprisingly, adult and aged skin were similar across most biomechanical parameters in the physiologic loading range, while aged skin had lower tensile strength and lower stiffening behavior at large force values. This correlates with altered collagen content and cross-links. Based on a computational model, differences in mechanocoupled stimuli in the skin of the different age groups were calculated, pointing to a potential biological significance of the age-induced biomechanical changes in regulating the local biophysical environment of dermal cells. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Skin microstructure and the emerging mechanical properties change with age, leading to biological, functional and health-related consequences. Despite extensive literature on skin aging, only very limited quantitative data are available on microstructural changes and the corresponding macroscopic biomechanical behavior as they evolve over time. This work provides a wide-range multiscale mechanical characterization of skin of newborn, adult and aged mice, and quantifies microstructural correlations in tissue morphology, collagen content, organization and cross-linking. Remarkably, aged skin retained normal hydration and normal biomechanical function in the physiological loading range but showed significantly reduced properties at super-physiological loading. Our data show that age-related microstructural differences have a profound effect not only on tissue-level properties but also on the cell-level biophysical environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiya Martyts
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - David Sachs
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Paul Hiebert
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Håvar Junker
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Serjosha Robmann
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Raoul Hopf
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Heiko Steenbock
- Institute of Virology and Cell Biology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Jürgen Brinckmann
- Institute of Virology and Cell Biology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23562 Lübeck, Germany
| | - Sabine Werner
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Department of Biology, ETH Zürich, 8093 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Costanza Giampietro
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- Institute for Mechanical Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland; Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland.
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2
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Hiebert P, Antoniazzi G, Aronoff M, Werner S, Wennemers H. A lysyl oxidase-responsive collagen peptide illuminates collagen remodeling in wound healing. Matrix Biol 2024; 128:11-20. [PMID: 38382767 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2024.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Tissue repair and fibrosis involve the dynamic remodeling of collagen, and accurate detection of these sites is of utmost importance. Here, we use a collagen peptide sensor (1) to visualize collagen formation and remodeling during wound healing in mice and humans. We show that the probe binds selectively to sites of collagen formation and remodeling at different stages of healing. Compared to conventional methods, the peptide sensor localizes preferentially to areas of collagen synthesis and remodeling at the wound edge and not in matured fibrillar collagen. We also demonstrate its applicability for in vivo wound imaging and for discerning differential remodeling in wounds of transgenic mice with altered collagen dynamics. Our findings show the value of 1 as a diagnostic tool to rapidly identify the sites of matrix remodeling in tissue sections, which will aid in the conception of new therapeutic strategies for fibrotic disorders and defective tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Hiebert
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Giuseppe Antoniazzi
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 3, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Matthew Aronoff
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 3, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Werner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Otto-Stern-Weg 7, Zurich 8093, Switzerland.
| | - Helma Wennemers
- Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, Vladimir-Prelog Weg 3, Zurich 8093, Switzerland.
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3
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Matsumoto Y, Ikeda S, Kimura T, Ono K, Ashida N. Col1α2-Cre-mediated recombination occurs in various cell types due to Cre expression in epiblasts. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22483. [PMID: 38110549 PMCID: PMC10728165 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-50053-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The Cre-LoxP system has been commonly used for cell-specific genetic manipulation. However, many Cre strains exhibit excision activity in unexpected cell types or tissues. Therefore, it is important to identify the cell types in which recombination takes place. Fibroblasts are a cell type that is inadequately defined due to a lack of specific markers to detect the entire cell lineage. Here, we investigated the Cre recombination induced by Col1α2-iCre, one of the most common fibroblast-mesenchymal Cre driver lines, by using a double-fluorescent Cre reporter line in which GFP is expressed when recombination occurs. Our results indicated that Col1α2-iCre activity was more extensive across cell types than previously reported: Col1α2-iCre-mediated recombination was found in not only cells of mesenchymal origin but also those of other lineages, including haematopoietic cells, myocardial cells, lung and intestinal epithelial cells, and neural cells. In addition, study of embryos revealed that recombination by Col1α2-iCre was observed in the early developmental stage before gastrulation in epiblasts, which would account for the recombination across various cell types in adult mice. These results offer more insights into the activity of Col1α2-iCre and suggest that experimental results obtained using Col1α2-iCre should be carefully interpreted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuru Matsumoto
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Shinya Ikeda
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Shiga University of Medical Science, Shiga, Japan
| | - Takeshi Kimura
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
- Hirakata Kohsai Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koh Ono
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Noboru Ashida
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan.
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4
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Shen XR, Zhang HL, Zhao XB, Wang YG, Tan XY, Gao L, Sun R, Liao XH. A Cre knockin mouse reveals specific expression of Agouti gene in mesenchymal lineage cells in multiple organs and provides a unique tool for conditional gene targeting. Transgenic Res 2023; 32:143-152. [PMID: 36637628 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-023-00334-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The mouse Agouti gene encodes a paracrine signaling factor which promotes melanocytes to produce yellow instead of black pigment. It has been reported that Agouti mRNA is confined to the dermal papilla after birth in various mammalian species. In this study, we created and characterized a knockin mouse strain in which Cre recombinase was expressed in-frame with endogenous Agouti coding sequence. The Agouti-Cre mice were bred with reporter mice (Rosa26-tdTomato or Rosa26-ZsGreen) to trace the lineage of Agouti-expressing cells during development. In skin, the reporter was detected in some dermal fibroblasts at the embryonic stage and in all dermal fibroblasts postnatally. It was also expressed in all mesenchymal lineage cells in other organs/tissues, including eyes, tongue, muscle, intestine, adipose, prostate and testis. Interestingly, the reporter expression was excluded from epithelial cells in the above organs/tissues. In brain, the reporter was observed in the outermost meningeal fibroblasts. Our work helps to illustrate the Agouti expression pattern during development and provides a valuable mouse strain for conditional gene targeting in mesenchymal lineage cells in multiple organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Ru Shen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - He-Li Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xu-Bo Zhao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Yang-Ge Wang
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Tan
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Lipeng Gao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China
| | - Ruilin Sun
- Shanghai Model Organisms Center, Inc., Shanghai, 201318, China.
| | - Xin-Hua Liao
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China.
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5
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Brütsch SM, Madzharova E, Pantasis S, Wüstemann T, Gurri S, Steenbock H, Gazdhar A, Kuhn G, Angel P, Bellusci S, Brinckmann J, Auf dem Keller U, Werner S, Bordoli MR. Mesenchyme-derived vertebrate lonesome kinase controls lung organogenesis by altering the matrisome. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:89. [PMID: 36920550 PMCID: PMC10017657 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04735-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate lonesome kinase (VLK) is the only known secreted tyrosine kinase and responsible for the phosphorylation of a broad range of secretory pathway-resident and extracellular matrix proteins. However, its cell-type specific functions in vivo are still largely unknown. Therefore, we generated mice lacking the VLK gene (protein kinase domain containing, cytoplasmic (Pkdcc)) in mesenchymal cells. Most of the homozygous mice died shortly after birth, most likely as a consequence of their lung abnormalities and consequent respiratory failure. E18.5 embryonic lungs showed a reduction of alveolar type II cells, smaller bronchi, and an increased lung tissue density. Global mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics identified 97 proteins with significantly and at least 1.5-fold differential abundance between genotypes. Twenty-five of these had been assigned to the extracellular region and 15 to the mouse matrisome. Specifically, fibromodulin and matrilin-4, which are involved in extracellular matrix organization, were significantly more abundant in lungs from Pkdcc knockout embryos. These results support a role for mesenchyme-derived VLK in lung development through regulation of matrix dynamics and the resulting modulation of alveolar epithelial cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salome M Brütsch
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Elizabeta Madzharova
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sophia Pantasis
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Till Wüstemann
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Selina Gurri
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Heiko Steenbock
- Institute of Virology and Cell Biology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Amiq Gazdhar
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Biomedical Research, University of Bern, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Gisela Kuhn
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute of Biomechanics, ETH Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ/ZMBH Alliance, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Saverio Bellusci
- German Lung Research Center (DCL), Giessen, Germany.,Department of Internal Medicine II, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI), Aulweg 130, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Jürgen Brinckmann
- Institute of Virology and Cell Biology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.,Department of Dermatology, University of Lübeck, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Ulrich Auf dem Keller
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Sabine Werner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Mattia R Bordoli
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, 8093, Zurich, Switzerland.
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6
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Caligiuri G, Tuveson DA. Activated fibroblasts in cancer: Perspectives and challenges. Cancer Cell 2023; 41:434-449. [PMID: 36917949 PMCID: PMC11022589 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Activated fibroblasts in tumors, or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), have become a popular research area over the past decade. As important players in many aspects of tumor biology, with functions ranging from collagen deposition to immunosuppression, CAFs have been the target of clinical and pre-clinical studies that have revealed their potential pro- and anti-tumorigenic dichotomy. In this review, we describe the important role of CAFs in the tumor microenvironment and the technological advances that made these discoveries possible, and we detail the models that are currently available for CAF investigation. Additionally, we present evidence to support the value of encompassing CAF investigation as a future therapeutic avenue alongside immune and cancer cells while highlighting the challenges that must be addressed for successful clinical translation of new findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Caligiuri
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA
| | - David A Tuveson
- Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA; Lustgarten Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Research Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, USA.
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7
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Flannigan KL, Nieves KM, Szczepanski HE, Serra A, Lee JW, Alston LA, Ramay H, Mani S, Hirota SA. The Pregnane X Receptor and Indole-3-Propionic Acid Shape the Intestinal Mesenchyme to Restrain Inflammation and Fibrosis. Cell Mol Gastroenterol Hepatol 2023; 15:765-795. [PMID: 36309199 PMCID: PMC9883297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcmgh.2022.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Fibrosis is a common complication of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The pregnane X receptor (PXR) (encoded by NR1I2) suppresses intestinal inflammation and has been shown to influence liver fibrosis. In the intestine, PXR signaling is influenced by microbiota-derived indole-3-propionic acid (IPA). Here, we sought to assess the role of the PXR in regulating intestinal inflammation and fibrosis. METHODS Intestinal inflammation was induced using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Fibrosis was assessed in wild-type (WT), Nr1i2-/-, epithelial-specific Nr1i2-/-, and fibroblast-specific Nr1i2-/- mice. Immune cell influx was quantified by flow cytometry and cytokines by Luminex. Myofibroblasts isolated from WT and Nr1i2-/- mice were stimulated with cytomix or lipopolysaccharide, and mediator production was assessed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Luminex. RESULTS After recovery from DSS-induced colitis, WT mice exhibited fibrosis, a response that was exacerbated in Nr1i2-/- mice. This was correlated with greater neutrophil infiltration and innate cytokine production. Deletion of the PXR in fibroblasts, but not the epithelium, recapitulated this phenotype. Inflammation and fibrosis were reduced by IPA administration, whereas depletion of the microbiota exaggerated intestinal fibrosis. Nr1i2-deficient myofibroblasts were hyperresponsive to stimulation, producing increased levels of inflammatory mediators compared with WT cells. In biopsies from patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), expression of NR1I2 was reduced, correlating with increased expression of fibrotic and innate immune genes. Finally, both CD and UC patients exhibited reduced levels of fecal IPA. CONCLUSIONS These data highlight a role for IPA and its interactions with the PXR in regulating the mesenchyme and the development of inflammation and fibrosis, suggesting microbiota metabolites may be a vital determinant in the progression of fibrotic complications in IBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle L Flannigan
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kristoff M Nieves
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Holly E Szczepanski
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Alex Serra
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Joshua W Lee
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Laurie A Alston
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Hena Ramay
- International Microbiome Centre, University of Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Sridhar Mani
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York
| | - Simon A Hirota
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
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8
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Gao Y, Walker JV, Tredwin C, Hu B. Deletion of RBP-Jkappa gene in mesenchymal cells causes rickets like symptoms in the mouse. CURRENT MEDICINE 2022; 1:7. [PMID: 35694720 PMCID: PMC9177048 DOI: 10.1007/s44194-022-00007-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Crosstalk between different signalling pathways provide deep insights for how molecules play synergistic roles in developmental and pathological conditions. RBP-Jkappa is the key effector of the canonical Notch pathway. Previously we have identified that Wnt5a, a conventional non-canonical Wnt pathway member, was under the direct transcriptional control of RBP-Jkappa in dermal papilla cells. In this study we further extended this regulation axis to the other two kind of skeletal cells: chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Mice with conditional mesenchymal deletion of RBP-Jkappa developed Rickets like symptoms. Molecular analysis suggested local defects of Wnt5a expression in chondrocytes and osteoblasts at both mRNA and protein levels, which impeded chondrocyte and osteoblast differentiation. The defects existing in the RBP-Jkappa deficient mutants could be rescued by recombinant Wnt5a treatment at both cellular level and tissue/organ level. Our results therefore provide a model of studying the connection of Notch and Wnt5a pathways with Rickets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Gao
- Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Peninsula Dental School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, 16 Research Way, Plymouth, PL6 8BU UK
| | - Jemma Victoria Walker
- Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Peninsula Dental School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, 16 Research Way, Plymouth, PL6 8BU UK
| | - Christopher Tredwin
- Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Peninsula Dental School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, 16 Research Way, Plymouth, PL6 8BU UK
| | - Bing Hu
- Stem Cells & Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Peninsula Dental School, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, 16 Research Way, Plymouth, PL6 8BU UK
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9
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Hiebert P, Martyts A, Schwestermann J, Janke K, Hafner J, Boukamp P, Mazza E, Werner S. Activation of Nrf2 in fibroblasts promotes a skin aging phenotype via an Nrf2-miRNA-collagen axis. Matrix Biol 2022; 113:39-60. [PMID: 36367485 DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2022.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Aging is associated with progressive skin fragility and a tendency to tear, which can lead to severe clinical complications. The transcription factor NRF2 is a key regulator of the cellular antioxidant response, and pharmacological NRF2 activation is a promising strategy for the prevention of age-related diseases. Using a combination of molecular and cellular biology, histology, imaging and biomechanical studies we show, however, that constitutive genetic activation of Nrf2 in fibroblasts of mice suppresses collagen and elastin expression, resulting in reduced skin strength as seen in aged mice. Mechanistically, the "aging matrisome" results in part from direct Nrf2-mediated overexpression of a network of microRNAs that target mRNAs of major skin collagens and other matrix components. Bioinformatics and functional studies revealed high NRF2 activity in aged human fibroblasts in 3D skin equivalents and human skin biopsies, highlighting the translational relevance of the functional mouse data. Together, these results identify activated NRF2 as a promoter of age-related molecular and biomechanical skin features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Hiebert
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland.
| | - Anastasiya Martyts
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Jonas Schwestermann
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Janke
- Department of Environmentally-Induced Skin and Lung Aging, IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Jürg Hafner
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich 8091, Switzerland
| | - Petra Boukamp
- Department of Environmentally-Induced Skin and Lung Aging, IUF - Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Edoardo Mazza
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Institute for Mechanical Systems, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Werner
- Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland
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10
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Clayton DR, Ruiz WG, Dalghi MG, Montalbetti N, Carattino MD, Apodaca G. Studies of ultrastructure, gene expression, and marker analysis reveal that mouse bladder PDGFRA + interstitial cells are fibroblasts. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2022; 323:F299-F321. [PMID: 35834272 PMCID: PMC9394772 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00135.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibroblasts are crucial to normal and abnormal organ and tissue biology, yet we lack basic insights into the fibroblasts that populate the bladder wall. Candidates may include bladder interstitial cells (also referred to as myofibroblasts, telocytes, and interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells), which express the fibroblast-associated marker PDGFRA along with VIM and CD34 but whose form and function remain enigmatic. By applying the latest insights in fibroblast transcriptomics, coupled with studies of gene expression, ultrastructure, and marker analysis, we observe the following: 1) that mouse bladder PDGFRA+ cells exhibit all of the ultrastructural hallmarks of fibroblasts including spindle shape, lack of basement membrane, abundant endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, and formation of homotypic cell-cell contacts (but not heterotypic ones); 2) that they express multiple canonical fibroblast markers (including Col1a2, CD34, LY6A, and PDGFRA) along with the universal fibroblast genes Col15a1 and Pi16 but they do not express Kit; and 3) that PDGFRA+ fibroblasts include suburothelial ones (which express ACTA2, CAR3, LY6A, MYH10, TNC, VIM, Col1a2, and Col15a1), outer lamina propria ones (which express CD34, LY6A, PI16, VIM, Col1a2, Col15a1, and Pi16), intermuscular ones (which express CD34, VIM, Col1a2, Col15a1, and Pi16), and serosal ones (which express CD34, PI16, VIM, Col1a2, Col15a1, and Pi16). Collectively, our study revealed that the ultrastructure of PDFRA+ interstitial cells combined with their expression of multiple canonical and universal fibroblast-associated gene products indicates that they are fibroblasts. We further propose that there are four regionally distinct populations of fibroblasts in the bladder wall, which likely contribute to bladder function and dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We currently lack basic insights into the fibroblasts that populate the bladder wall. By exploring the ultrastructure of mouse bladder connective tissue cells, combined with analyses of their gene and protein expression, our study revealed that PDGRA+ interstitial cells (also referred to as myofibroblasts, telocytes, and interstitial cells of Cajal-like cells) are fibroblasts and that the bladder wall contains multiple, regionally distinct populations of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis R Clayton
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Wily G Ruiz
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marianela G Dalghi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Marcelo D Carattino
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gerard Apodaca
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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11
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Lagares D, Hinz B. Animal and Human Models of Tissue Repair and Fibrosis: An Introduction. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2299:277-290. [PMID: 34028750 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1382-5_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Reductionist cell culture systems are not only convenient but essential to understand molecular mechanisms of myofibroblast activation and action in carefully controlled conditions. However, tissue myofibroblasts do not act in isolation and the complexity of tissue repair and fibrosis in humans cannot be captured even by the most elaborate culture models. Over the past five decades, numerous animal models have been developed to study different aspects of myofibroblast biology and interactions with other cells and extracellular matrix. The underlying principles can be broadly classified into: (1) organ injury by trauma such as prototypical full thickness skin wounds or burns; (2) mechanical challenges, such as pressure overload of the heart by ligature of the aorta or the pulmonary vein; (3) toxic injury, such as administration of bleomycin to lungs and carbon tetrachloride to the liver; (4) organ infection with viruses, bacteria, and parasites, such as nematode infections of liver; (5) cytokine and inflammatory models, including local delivery or viral overexpression of active transforming growth factor beta; (6) "lifestyle" and metabolic models such as high-fat diet; and (7) various genetic models. We will briefly summarize the most widely used mouse models used to study myofibroblasts in tissue repair and fibrosis as well as genetic tools for manipulating myofibroblast repair functions in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lagares
- Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Fibrosis Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Boris Hinz
- Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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12
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Wutschka J, Kast B, Sator-Schmitt M, Appak-Baskoy S, Hess J, Sinn HP, Angel P, Schorpp-Kistner M. JUNB suppresses distant metastasis by influencing the initial metastatic stage. Clin Exp Metastasis 2021; 38:411-423. [PMID: 34282521 PMCID: PMC8318945 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-021-10108-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The complex interactions between cells of the tumor microenvironment and cancer cells are considered a major determinant of cancer progression and metastasis. Yet, our understanding of the mechanisms of metastatic disease is not sufficient to successfully treat patients with advanced-stage cancer. JUNB is a member of the AP-1 transcription factor family shown to be frequently deregulated in human cancer and associated with invasion and metastasis. A strikingly high stromal JUNB expression in human breast cancer samples prompted us to functionally investigate the consequences of JUNB loss in cells of the tumor microenvironment on cancer progression and metastasis in mice. To adequately mimic the clinical situation, we applied a syngeneic spontaneous breast cancer metastasis model followed by primary tumor resection and identified stromal JUNB as a potent suppressor of distant metastasis. Comprehensive characterization of the JUNB-deficient tumor microenvironment revealed a strong influx of myeloid cells into primary breast tumors and lungs at early metastatic stage. In these infiltrating neutrophils, BV8 and MMP9, proteins promoting angiogenesis and tissue remodeling, were specifically upregulated in a JUNB-dependent manner. Taken together, we established stromal JUNB as a strong suppressor of distant metastasis. Consequently, therapeutic strategies targeting AP-1 should be carefully designed not to interfere with stromal JUNB expression as this may be detrimental for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Wutschka
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Faculty of Biosciences, University Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bettina Kast
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Melanie Sator-Schmitt
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sila Appak-Baskoy
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- iBEST (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology), Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jochen Hess
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Head and Neck Tumors, DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Sinn
- Institute of Pathology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marina Schorpp-Kistner
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, DKFZ-ZMBH Alliance, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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13
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Plikus MV, Wang X, Sinha S, Forte E, Thompson SM, Herzog EL, Driskell RR, Rosenthal N, Biernaskie J, Horsley V. Fibroblasts: Origins, definitions, and functions in health and disease. Cell 2021; 184:3852-3872. [PMID: 34297930 PMCID: PMC8566693 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 367] [Impact Index Per Article: 122.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Fibroblasts are diverse mesenchymal cells that participate in tissue homeostasis and disease by producing complex extracellular matrix and creating signaling niches through biophysical and biochemical cues. Transcriptionally and functionally heterogeneous across and within organs, fibroblasts encode regional positional information and maintain distinct cellular progeny. We summarize their development, lineages, functions, and contributions to fibrosis in four fibroblast-rich organs: skin, lung, skeletal muscle, and heart. We propose that fibroblasts are uniquely poised for tissue repair by easily reentering the cell cycle and exhibiting a reversible plasticity in phenotype and cell fate. These properties, when activated aberrantly, drive fibrotic disorders in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maksim V Plikus
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Xiaojie Wang
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; NSF-Simons Center for Multiscale Cell Fate Research, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Elvira Forte
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK
| | - Sean M Thompson
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
| | - Erica L Herzog
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| | - Ryan R Driskell
- School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA; Center for Reproductive Biology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA.
| | - Nadia Rosenthal
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA; National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London SW7 2BX, UK.
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
| | - Valerie Horsley
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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14
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Liu Y, Xu N, Ji H. Reply to: "Myofibroblast YAP/TAZ is dispensable for liver fibrosis in mice". J Hepatol 2021; 75:241-243. [PMID: 33892005 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2021.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Xu
- Department of Liver Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Haofeng Ji
- Dumont-UCLA Transplant Center, Division of Liver and Pancreas Transplantation, Department of Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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15
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Burke RM, Burgos Villar KN, Small EM. Fibroblast contributions to ischemic cardiac remodeling. Cell Signal 2021; 77:109824. [PMID: 33144186 PMCID: PMC7718345 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The heart can respond to increased pathophysiological demand through alterations in tissue structure and function 1 . This process, called cardiac remodeling, is particularly evident following myocardial infarction (MI), where the blockage of a coronary artery leads to widespread death of cardiac muscle. Following MI, necrotic tissue is replaced with extracellular matrix (ECM), and the remaining viable cardiomyocytes (CMs) undergo hypertrophic growth. ECM deposition and cardiac hypertrophy are thought to represent an adaptive response to increase structural integrity and prevent cardiac rupture. However, sustained ECM deposition leads to the formation of a fibrotic scar that impedes cardiac compliance and can induce lethal arrhythmias. Resident cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) are considered the primary source of ECM molecules such as collagens and fibronectin, particularly after becoming activated by pathologic signals. CFs contribute to multiple phases of post-MI heart repair and remodeling, including the initial response to CM death, immune cell (IC) recruitment, and fibrotic scar formation. The goal of this review is to describe how resident fibroblasts contribute to the healing and remodeling that occurs after MI, with an emphasis on how fibroblasts communicate with other cell types in the healing infarct scar 1 –6 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Burke
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, United States of America
| | - Kimberly N Burgos Villar
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Eric M Small
- Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA; Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, United States of America; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, United States of America.
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16
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Schönborn K, Willenborg S, Schulz JN, Imhof T, Eming SA, Quondamatteo F, Brinckmann J, Niehoff A, Paulsson M, Koch M, Eckes B, Krieg T. Role of collagen XII in skin homeostasis and repair. Matrix Biol 2020; 94:57-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
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17
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Jacob N, Kumagai K, Abraham JP, Shimodaira Y, Ye Y, Luu J, Blackwood AY, Castanon SL, Stamps DT, Thomas LS, Gonsky R, Shih DQ, Michelsen KS, Targan SR. Direct signaling of TL1A-DR3 on fibroblasts induces intestinal fibrosis in vivo. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18189. [PMID: 33097818 PMCID: PMC7584589 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75168-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor necrosis factor-like cytokine 1A (TL1A, TNFSF15) is implicated in inflammatory bowel disease, modulating the location and severity of inflammation and fibrosis. TL1A expression is increased in inflamed mucosa and associated with fibrostenosing Crohn's disease. Tl1a-overexpression in mice causes spontaneous ileitis, and exacerbates induced proximal colitis and fibrosis. Intestinal fibroblasts express Death-receptor 3 (DR3; the only know receptor for TL1A) and stimulation with TL1A induces activation in vitro. However, the contribution of direct TL1A-DR3 activation on fibroblasts to fibrosis in vivo remains unknown. TL1A overexpressing naïve T cells were transferred into Rag-/- , Rag-/- mice lacking DR3 in all cell types (Rag-/-Dr3-/-), or Rag-/- mice lacking DR3 only on fibroblasts (Rag-/-Dr3∆Col1a2) to induce colitis and fibrosis, assessed by clinical disease activity index, intestinal inflammation, and collagen deposition. Rag-/- mice developed overt colitis with intestinal fibrostenosis. In contrast, Rag-/-Dr3-/- demonstrated decreased inflammation and fibrosis. Despite similar clinical disease and inflammation as Rag-/-, Rag-/-Dr3∆Col1a2 exhibited reduced intestinal fibrosis and attenuated fibroblast activation and migration. RNA-Sequencing of TL1A-stimulated fibroblasts identified Rho signal transduction as a major pathway activated by TL1A and inhibition of this pathway modulated TL1A-mediated fibroblast functions. Thus, direct TL1A signaling on fibroblasts promotes intestinal fibrosis in vivo. These results provide novel insight into profibrotic pathways mediated by TL1A paralleling its pro-inflammatory effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Jacob
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 10945 Le Conte Ave., Suite 2114, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Parenteral Nutrition, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA, 90073, USA.
| | - Kotaro Kumagai
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Jay P Abraham
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yosuke Shimodaira
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Yuefang Ye
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Justin Luu
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Anna Y Blackwood
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Sofi L Castanon
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Dalton T Stamps
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Lisa S Thomas
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Rivkah Gonsky
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - David Q Shih
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Kathrin S Michelsen
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
| | - Stephan R Targan
- F. Widjaja Foundation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Inflammatory Bowel & Immunobiology Research Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA
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18
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Alam J, Musiime M, Romaine A, Sawant M, Melleby AO, Lu N, Eckes B, Christensen G, Gullberg D. Generation of a novel mouse strain with fibroblast-specific expression of Cre recombinase. Matrix Biol Plus 2020; 8:100045. [PMID: 33543038 PMCID: PMC7852330 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2020.100045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Cell-specific expression of genes offers the possibility to use their promoters to drive expression of Cre-recombinase, thereby allowing for detailed expression analysis using reporter gene systems, cell lineage tracing, conditional gene deletion, and cell ablation. In this context, current data suggest that the integrin α11 subunit has the potential to serve as a fibroblast biomarker in tissue regeneration and pathology, in particular in wound healing and in tissue- and tumor fibrosis. The mesenchyme-restricted expression pattern of integrin α11 thus prompted us to generate a novel ITGA11-driver Cre mouse strain using a ϕC31 integrase-mediated knock-in approach. In this transgenic mouse, the Cre recombinase is driven by regulatory promoter elements within the 3 kb segment of the human ITGA11 gene. β-Galactosidase staining of embryonic tissues obtained from a transgenic ITGA11-Cre mouse line crossed with Rosa 26R reporter mice (ITGA11-Cre;R26R) revealed ITGA11-driven Cre expression and activity in mesenchymal cells in a variety of mesenchymal tissues in a pattern reminiscent of endogenous α11 protein expression in mouse embryos. Interestingly, X-gal staining of mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from the ITGA11-Cre;R26R mice indicated heterogeneity in the MEF population. ITGA11-driven Cre activity was shown in approximately 60% of the MEFs, suggesting that the expression of integrin α11 could be exploited for isolation of different fibroblast populations. ITGA11-driven Cre expression was found to be low in adult mouse tissues but was induced in granulation tissue of excisional wounds and in fibrotic hearts following aortic banding. We predict that the ITGA11-Cre transgenic mouse strain described in this report will be a useful tool in matrix research for the deletion of genes in subsets of fibroblasts in the developing mouse and for determining the function of subsets of pro-fibrotic fibroblasts in tissue fibrosis and in different subsets of cancer-associated fibroblasts in the tumor microenvironment. A mouse strain with Cre-recombinase driven by the human integrin α11 promoter has been generated. Cre-recombinase expression in this strain has been characterized using the Rosa26R reporter mouse. ITGA11-Cre is restricted to fibroblast subsets in mouse embryos, skin wounds and fibrotic hearts. This Cre-driver strain will be a useful tool to study role fibroblasts in fibrosis and tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahedul Alam
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Moses Musiime
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Andreas Romaine
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Heart Failure Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Mugdha Sawant
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany
| | - Arne Olav Melleby
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Heart Failure Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ning Lu
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Beate Eckes
- Translational Matrix Biology, University of Cologne Medical Faculty, Cologne, Germany
| | - Geir Christensen
- Institute for Experimental Medical Research, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- KG Jebsen Center for Cardiac Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Center for Heart Failure Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Donald Gullberg
- Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
- Corresponding author Department of Biomedicine and Center of Cancer Biomarkers, University of Bergen, Jonas Lies vei 91, N-5009 Bergen, Norway.
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19
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Ahmad K, Shaikh S, Ahmad SS, Lee EJ, Choi I. Cross-Talk Between Extracellular Matrix and Skeletal Muscle: Implications for Myopathies. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:142. [PMID: 32184725 PMCID: PMC7058629 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle (SM) comprises around 40% of total body weight and is among the most important plastic tissues, as it supports skeletal development, controls body temperature, and manages glucose levels. Extracellular matrix (ECM) maintains the integrity of SM, enables biochemical signaling, provides structural support, and plays a vital role during myogenesis. Several human diseases are coupled with dysfunctions of the ECM, and several ECM components are involved in disease pathologies that affect almost all organ systems. Thus, mutations in ECM genes that encode proteins and their transmembrane receptors can result in diverse SM diseases, a large proportion of which are types of fibrosis and muscular dystrophy. In this review, we present major ECM components of SMs related to muscle-associated diseases, and discuss two major ECM myopathies, namely, collagen myopathy and laminin myopathies, and their therapeutic managements. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying these ECM-related myopathies would undoubtedly aid the discovery of novel treatments for these devastating diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khurshid Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Sibhghatulla Shaikh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Syed Sayeed Ahmad
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Eun Ju Lee
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
| | - Inho Choi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, South Korea
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20
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Nrf2-Mediated Fibroblast Reprogramming Drives Cellular Senescence by Targeting the Matrisome. Dev Cell 2018; 46:145-161.e10. [PMID: 30016619 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2018.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Nrf2 is a key regulator of the antioxidant defense system, and pharmacological Nrf2 activation is a promising strategy for cancer prevention and promotion of tissue repair. Here we show, however, that activation of Nrf2 in fibroblasts induces cellular senescence. Using a combination of transcriptomics, matrix proteomics, chromatin immunoprecipitation and bioinformatics we demonstrate that fibroblasts with activated Nrf2 deposit a senescence-promoting matrix, with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 being a key inducer of the senescence program. In vivo, activation of Nrf2 in fibroblasts promoted re-epithelialization of skin wounds, but also skin tumorigenesis. The pro-tumorigenic activity is of general relevance, since Nrf2 activation in skin fibroblasts induced the expression of genes characteristic for cancer-associated fibroblasts from different mouse and human tumors. Therefore, activated Nrf2 qualifies as a marker of the cancer-associated fibroblast phenotype. These data highlight the bright and the dark sides of Nrf2 and the need for time-controlled activation of this transcription factor.
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21
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Minas TZ, Surdez D, Javaheri T, Tanaka M, Howarth M, Kang HJ, Han J, Han ZY, Sax B, Kream BE, Hong SH, Çelik H, Tirode F, Tuckermann J, Toretsky JA, Kenner L, Kovar H, Lee S, Sweet-Cordero EA, Nakamura T, Moriggl R, Delattre O, Üren A. Combined experience of six independent laboratories attempting to create an Ewing sarcoma mouse model. Oncotarget 2018; 8:34141-34163. [PMID: 27191748 PMCID: PMC5470957 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.9388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) involves a tumor-specific chromosomal translocation that produces the EWS-FLI1 protein, which is required for the growth of ES cells both in vitro and in vivo. However, an EWS-FLI1-driven transgenic mouse model is not currently available. Here, we present data from six independent laboratories seeking an alternative approach to express EWS-FLI1 in different murine tissues. We used the Runx2, Col1a2.3, Col1a3.6, Prx1, CAG, Nse, NEFL, Dermo1, P0, Sox9 and Osterix promoters to target EWS-FLI1 or Cre expression. Additional approaches included the induction of an endogenous chromosomal translocation, in utero knock-in, and the injection of Cre-expressing adenovirus to induce EWS-FLI1 expression locally in multiple lineages. Most models resulted in embryonic lethality or developmental defects. EWS-FLI1-induced apoptosis, promoter leakiness, the lack of potential cofactors, and the difficulty of expressing EWS-FLI1 in specific sites were considered the primary reasons for the failed attempts to create a transgenic mouse model of ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsion Zewdu Minas
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Didier Surdez
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | | | - Miwa Tanaka
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Michelle Howarth
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Hong-Jun Kang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - Jenny Han
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Zhi-Yan Han
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | - Barbara Sax
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara E Kream
- Department of Medicine, and Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Science Center, Farmington, CT, United States of America
| | - Sung-Hyeok Hong
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Haydar Çelik
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Franck Tirode
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology (CME), University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jeffrey A Toretsky
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Clinical Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Pathology of Laboratory Animals (UPLA), University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Children´s Cancer Research Institute, St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sean Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States of America
| | - E Alejandro Sweet-Cordero
- Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States of America
| | - Takuro Nakamura
- Division of Carcinogenesis, The Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Richard Moriggl
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria.,Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria.,Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivier Delattre
- Genetics and Biology of Cancers Unit, Institut Curie Research Center, PSL Research University, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,INSERM U830, Institut Curie Research Center, Île-de-France, Paris, France.,Unité de génétique somatique, Institut Curie, Île-de-France, Paris, France
| | - Aykut Üren
- Department of Oncology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, United States of America
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22
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Ijaz T, Sun H, Pinchuk IV, Milewicz DM, Tilton RG, Brasier AR. Deletion of NF-κB/RelA in Angiotensin II-Sensitive Mesenchymal Cells Blocks Aortic Vascular Inflammation and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Formation. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2017; 37:1881-1890. [PMID: 28818856 DOI: 10.1161/atvbaha.117.309863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II) induces extracellular matrix remodeling and inflammation resulting in abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) in normolipidemic mice. Although Ang II activates mesenchymal cells in the media and adventitia to become fibrogenic, the sentinel role of this mesenchymal population in modulating the inflammatory response and aneurysms is not known. We test the hypothesis that these fibrogenic mesenchymal cells play a critical role in Ang II-induced aortic wall vascular inflammation and AAA formation. APPROACH AND RESULTS Ang II infusion increased phospho-Ser536-RelA and interleukin (IL)-6 immunostaining in the abdominal aorta. In addition, aortic mRNA transcripts of RelA-dependent cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β were significantly elevated suggesting that Ang II functionally activates RelA signaling. To test the role of mesenchymal RelA in AAA formation, we generated RelA-CKO mice by administering tamoxifen to double transgenic mice harboring RelA-flox alleles and tamoxifen-inducible Col1a2 promoter-driven Cre recombinase (Col1a2-CreERT). Tamoxifen administration to Col1a2-CreERT•mT/mG mice induced Cre expression and RelA depletion in aortic smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts but not in endothelial cells. Infusion of Ang II significantly increased abdominal aortic diameter and the incidence of AAA in RelA wild-type but not in RelA-CKO mice, independent of changes in systolic blood pressure. Furthermore, mesenchymal cell-specific RelA-CKO mice exhibited decreased expression of IL-6 and IL-1β cytokines and decreased recruitment of C68+ and F4/80lo•Ly6Chi monocytes during Ang II infusion. CONCLUSIONS Fibrogenic mesenchymal RelA plays a causal role in Ang II-induced vascular inflammation and AAA in normolipidemic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talha Ijaz
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (T.I.), MD-PhD Program (T.I.), Division of Gasteroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine (I.V.P.), Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (H.S., R.G.T., A.R.B.), Institute for Translational Sciences (R.G.T., A.R.B.), Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine (R.G.T., A.R.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Hong Sun
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (T.I.), MD-PhD Program (T.I.), Division of Gasteroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine (I.V.P.), Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (H.S., R.G.T., A.R.B.), Institute for Translational Sciences (R.G.T., A.R.B.), Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine (R.G.T., A.R.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Irina V Pinchuk
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (T.I.), MD-PhD Program (T.I.), Division of Gasteroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine (I.V.P.), Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (H.S., R.G.T., A.R.B.), Institute for Translational Sciences (R.G.T., A.R.B.), Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine (R.G.T., A.R.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Dianna M Milewicz
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (T.I.), MD-PhD Program (T.I.), Division of Gasteroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine (I.V.P.), Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (H.S., R.G.T., A.R.B.), Institute for Translational Sciences (R.G.T., A.R.B.), Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine (R.G.T., A.R.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Ronald G Tilton
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (T.I.), MD-PhD Program (T.I.), Division of Gasteroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine (I.V.P.), Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (H.S., R.G.T., A.R.B.), Institute for Translational Sciences (R.G.T., A.R.B.), Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine (R.G.T., A.R.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.)
| | - Allan R Brasier
- From the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (T.I.), MD-PhD Program (T.I.), Division of Gasteroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine (I.V.P.), Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine (H.S., R.G.T., A.R.B.), Institute for Translational Sciences (R.G.T., A.R.B.), Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine (R.G.T., A.R.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston; and Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (D.M.M.).
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23
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Li IMH, Horwell AL, Chu G, de Crombrugghe B, Bou-Gharios G. Characterization of Mesenchymal-Fibroblast Cells Using the Col1a2 Promoter/Enhancer. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1627:139-161. [PMID: 28836200 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7113-8_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a common hallmark of fibrotic diseases in various organs. Chiefly among this ECM are collagen types I and III, secreted by local fibroblasts, and other mesenchymal cells recruited for repair purposes. In the last two decades, the search for a fibroblast-specific promoter/enhancer has intensified in order to control the regulation of ECM in these cells and limit the scarring of the fibrotic process. In our previous work, we characterized an enhancer region 17 kb upstream of the Col1a2 gene transcription start site. This enhancer in transgenic mice is expressed mainly in mesenchymal cells during development and in adults upon injury. When driving transgenes such as beta-galactosidase or luciferase, this construct acts as an informative reporter of collagen transcription and is predictive of collagen type I deposition. In this chapter, we provide detailed protocols for identifying similar enhancers and using the sequence to generate a construct for transfection and producing transgenic animals. We also provided information on the use of luminescence in transgenic mice, tissue processing, as well as using cre/lox system to obtain conditional gain and loss of function in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian M H Li
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Amy L Horwell
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Grace Chu
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - George Bou-Gharios
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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24
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Cheng S, Aghajanian P, Pourteymoor S, Alarcon C, Mohan S. Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain-Containing Protein 2 (Phd2) Regulates Chondrocyte Differentiation and Secondary Ossification in Mice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35748. [PMID: 27775044 PMCID: PMC5075779 DOI: 10.1038/srep35748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Endochondral ossification plays an important role in the formation of the primary ossification centers (POCs) and secondary ossification centers (SOCs) of mammalian long bones. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate POC and SOC formation are different. We recently demonstrated that Prolyl Hydroxylase Domain-containing Protein 2 (Phd2) is a key mediator of vitamin C effects on bone. We investigated the role of Phd2 on endochondral ossification of the epiphyses by conditionally deleting the Phd2 gene in osteoblasts and chondrocytes. We found that the deletion of Phd2 in osteoblasts did not cause changes in bone parameters in the proximal tibial epiphyses in 5 week old mice. In contrast, deletion of Phd2 in chondrocytes resulted in increased bone mass and bone formation rate (normalized to tissue volume) in long bone epiphyses, indicating that Phd2 expressed in chondrocytes, but not osteoblasts, negatively regulates secondary ossification of epiphyses. Phd2 deletion in chondrocytes elevated mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling molecules including Hif-1α, Hif-2α, Vegfa, Vegfb, and Epo, as well as markers for chondrocyte hypertrophy and mineralization such as Col10, osterix, alkaline phosphatase, and bone sialoprotein. These data suggest that Phd2 expressed in chondrocytes inhibits endochondral ossification at the epiphysis by suppressing HIF signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohong Cheng
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357, USA
| | - Patrick Aghajanian
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357, USA
| | - Sheila Pourteymoor
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357, USA
| | - Catrina Alarcon
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357, USA
| | - Subburaman Mohan
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Veterans Affairs Loma Linda Healthcare System, 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357, USA
- Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
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25
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Rauner M, Franke K, Murray M, Singh RP, Hiram-Bab S, Platzbecker U, Gassmann M, Socolovsky M, Neumann D, Gabet Y, Chavakis T, Hofbauer LC, Wielockx B. Increased EPO Levels Are Associated With Bone Loss in Mice Lacking PHD2 in EPO-Producing Cells. J Bone Miner Res 2016; 31:1877-1887. [PMID: 27082941 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 03/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The main oxygen sensor hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase 2 (PHD2) is a critical regulator of tissue homeostasis during erythropoiesis, hematopoietic stem cell maintenance, and wound healing. Recent studies point toward a role for the PHD2-erythropoietin (EPO) axis in the modulation of bone remodeling, even though the studies produced conflicting results. Here, we used a number of mouse strains deficient of PHD2 in different cell types to address the role of PHD2 and its downstream targets HIF-1α and HIF-2α in bone remodeling. Mice deficient for PHD2 in several cell lineages, including EPO-producing cells, osteoblasts, and hematopoietic cells (CD68:cre-PHD2f/f ) displayed a severe reduction of bone density at the distal femur as well as the vertebral body due to impaired bone formation but not bone resorption. Importantly, using osteoblast-specific (Osx:cre-PHD2f/f ) and osteoclast-specific PHD2 knock-out mice (Vav:cre- PHD2f/f ), we show that this effect is independent of the loss of PHD2 in osteoblast and osteoclasts. Using different in vivo and in vitro approaches, we show here that this bone phenotype, including the suppression of bone formation, is directly linked to the stabilization of the α-subunit of HIF-2, and possibly to the subsequent moderate induction of serum EPO, which directly influenced the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast progenitors resulting in lower bone density. Taken together, our data identify the PHD2:HIF-2α:EPO axis as a so far unknown regulator of osteohematology by controlling bone homeostasis. Further, these data suggest that patients treated with PHD inhibitors or EPO should be monitored with respect to their bone status. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Rauner
- Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristin Franke
- Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Marta Murray
- Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Rashim Pal Singh
- Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sahar Hiram-Bab
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Uwe Platzbecker
- Department of Medicine I, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Max Gassmann
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Zurich Center for Integrative Human Physiology (ZIHP), University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), Lima, Peru
| | - Merav Socolovsky
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Drorit Neumann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yankel Gabet
- Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Triantafyllos Chavakis
- Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lorenz C Hofbauer
- Department of Medicine III, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ben Wielockx
- Department of Clinical Pathobiochemistry, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. .,Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. .,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
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26
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Swonger JM, Liu JS, Ivey MJ, Tallquist MD. Genetic tools for identifying and manipulating fibroblasts in the mouse. Differentiation 2016; 92:66-83. [PMID: 27342817 PMCID: PMC5079827 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2016.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2015] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The use of mouse genetic tools to track and manipulate fibroblasts has provided invaluable in vivo information regarding the activities of these cells. Recently, many new mouse strains have been described for the specific purpose of studying fibroblast behavior. Colorimetric reporter mice and lines expressing Cre are available for the study of fibroblasts in the organs prone to fibrosis, including heart, kidney, liver, lung, and skeletal muscle. In this review we summarize the current state of the models that have been used to define tissue resident fibroblast populations. While these complex genetic reagents provide unique insights into the process of fibrosis, they also require a thorough understanding of the caveats and limitations. Here, we discuss the specificity and efficiency of the available genetic models and briefly describe how they have been used to document the mechanisms of fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica M Swonger
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Jocelyn S Liu
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Malina J Ivey
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA
| | - Michelle D Tallquist
- Departments of Medicine and Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA.
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27
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Cheng S, Xing W, Pourteymoor S, Mohan S. Conditional disruption of the prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (Phd2) gene defines its key role in skeletal development. J Bone Miner Res 2014; 29:2276-86. [PMID: 24753072 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.2258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2013] [Revised: 03/04/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We have previously shown that the increase in osterix (Osx) expression during osteoblast maturation is dependent on the activity of the prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (Phd2), a key regulator of protein levels of the hypoxia-inducible factor family proteins in many tissues. In this study, we generated conditional Phd2 knockout mice (cKO) in osteoblast lineage cells by crossing floxed Phd2 mice with a Col1α2-iCre line to investigate the function of Phd2 in vivo. The cKO mice developed short stature and premature death at 12 to 14 weeks of age. Bone mineral content, bone area, and bone mineral density were decreased in femurs and tibias, but not vertebrae of the cKO mice compared to WT mice. The total volume (TV), bone volume (BV), and bone volume fraction (BV/TV) in the femoral trabecular bones of cKO mice were significantly decreased. Cross-sectional area of the femoral mid-diaphysis was also reduced in the cKO mice. The reduced bone size and trabecular bone volume in the cKO mice were a result of impaired bone formation but not bone resorption as revealed by dynamic histomorphometric analyses. Bone marrow stromal cells derived from cKO mice formed fewer and smaller nodules when cultured with mineralization medium. Quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry detected reduced expression of Osx, osteocalcin, and bone sialoprotein in cKO bone cells. These data indicate that Phd2 plays an important role in regulating bone formation in part by modulating expression of Osx and bone formation marker genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaohong Cheng
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L Pettis VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, CA, USA
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28
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Abstract
Although mice have a long tradition as models for human skin diseases, they have recently received increasingly more attention. This is because of the rapid advancement of genetic engineering methods which made it possible to create mice with precisely defined genetic changes. Many of these mice develop impressive and sometimes unexpected, puzzling phenotypes. Their interpretation is a major challenge to the basic researcher and can often be ameliorated by the input of an experienced dermatologist. Together with recent examples of genetically modified mouse models of inflammatory skin diseases we give a short overview of the methods used to generate such mice, describe possible ways to analyse them, and discuss problems that arise in the interpretation of the findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingo Haase
- Department of Dermatology and Centre for Molecular Medicine, University of Cologne (CMMC), Joseph-Stelzmann-Strasse 9, 50924 Cologne, Germany
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29
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Marecki JC, Parajuli N, Crow JP, MacMillan-Crow LA. The use of the Cre/loxP system to study oxidative stress in tissue-specific manganese superoxide dismutase knockout models. Antioxid Redox Signal 2014; 20:1655-70. [PMID: 23641945 PMCID: PMC3942694 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2013.5293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Respiring mitochondria are a significant site for reactions involving reactive oxygen and nitrogen species that contribute to irreversible cellular, structural, and functional damage leading to multiple pathological conditions. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is a critical component of the antioxidant system tasked with protecting the oxidant-sensitive mitochondrial compartment from oxidative stress. Since global knockout of MnSOD results in significant cardiac and neuronal damage leading to early postnatal lethality, this approach has limited use for studying the mechanisms of oxidant stress and the development of disease in specific tissues lacking MnSOD. To circumvent this problem, a number of investigators have employed the Cre/loxP system to precisely knockout MnSOD in individual tissues. RECENT ADVANCES Multiple tissue and organ-specific Cre-expressing mice have been generated, which greatly enhance the specificity of MnSOD knockout in tissues and organ systems that were once difficult, if not impossible to study. CRITICAL ISSUES Evaluating the contribution of MnSOD deficiency to oxidant-mediated mitochondrial damage requires careful consideration of the promoter system used for creating the tissue-specific knockout animal, in addition to the collection and interpretation of multiple indices of oxidative stress and damage. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Expanded use of well-characterized tissue-specific promoter elements and inducible systems to drive the Cre/loxP recombinational events will lead to a spectrum of MnSOD tissue knockout models, and a clearer understanding of the role of MnSOD in preventing mitochondrial dysfunction in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C Marecki
- 1 Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences , Little Rock, Arkansas
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30
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Karger C, Kurtz F, Steppan D, Schwarzensteiner I, Machura K, Angel P, Banas B, Risteli J, Kurtz A. Procollagen I-expressing renin cell precursors. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2013; 305:F355-61. [DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00079.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Renin-expressing cells in the kidney normally appear as mural cells of developing preglomerular vessels and finally impose as granulated juxtaglomerular cells in adult kidneys. The differentiation of renin-expressing cells from the metanephric mesenchyme in general and the potential role of special precursor stages in particular is not well understood. Therefore, it was the aim of this study to search for renin cell precursors in the kidney. As an experimental model, we used kidneys of aldosterone synthase-deficient mice, which display a prominent compensatory overproduction of renin cells that are arranged in multilayered perivascular cell clusters. We found that the perivascular cell clusters contained two apparently distinct cell types, one staining positive for renin and another one staining positive for type I procollagen (PC1). It appeared as if PC1 and renin expression were inversely related at the cellular level. The proportion of renin-positive to PC1-positive cells in the clusters was inversely linked to the rate of salt intake, as was overall renin expression. Our findings suggest that the cells in the perivascular cell clusters can reversibly switch between PC1 and renin expression and that PC1-expressing cells might be precursors of renin cells. A few of those PC1-positive cells were found also in adult wild-type kidneys in the juxtaglomerular lacis cell area, in which renin expression can be induced on demand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Karger
- Institut für Physiologie der Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Felix Kurtz
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Dominik Steppan
- Institut für Physiologie der Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Katharina Machura
- Institut für Physiologie der Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Angel
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany; and
| | - Bernhard Banas
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Innere Medizin II, Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Juha Risteli
- Institute of Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Oulu and NordLab Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland
| | - Armin Kurtz
- Institut für Physiologie der Universität Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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31
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Myofibroblasts revert to an inactive phenotype during regression of liver fibrosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:9448-53. [PMID: 22566629 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1201840109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 580] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts produce the fibrous scar in hepatic fibrosis. In the carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) model of liver fibrosis, quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated to become myofibroblasts. When the underlying etiological agent is removed, clinical and experimental fibrosis undergoes a remarkable regression with complete disappearance of these myofibroblasts. Although some myofibroblasts apoptose, it is unknown whether other myofibroblasts may revert to an inactive phenotype during regression of fibrosis. We elucidated the fate of HSCs/myofibroblasts during recovery from CCl(4)- and alcohol-induced liver fibrosis using Cre-LoxP-based genetic labeling of myofibroblasts. Here we demonstrate that half of the myofibroblasts escape apoptosis during regression of liver fibrosis, down-regulate fibrogenic genes, and acquire a phenotype similar to, but distinct from, quiescent HSCs in their ability to more rapidly reactivate into myofibroblasts in response to fibrogenic stimuli and strongly contribute to liver fibrosis. Inactivation of HSCs was associated with up-regulation of the anti-apoptotic genes Hspa1a/b, which participate in the survival of HSCs in culture and in vivo.
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32
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Gillies AR, Lieber RL. Structure and function of the skeletal muscle extracellular matrix. Muscle Nerve 2012; 44:318-31. [PMID: 21949456 DOI: 10.1002/mus.22094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 598] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The skeletal muscle extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in muscle fiber force transmission, maintenance, and repair. In both injured and diseased states, ECM adapts dramatically, a property that has clinical manifestations and alters muscle function. Here we review the structure, composition, and mechanical properties of skeletal muscle ECM; describe the cells that contribute to the maintenance of the ECM; and, finally, overview changes that occur with pathology. New scanning electron micrographs of ECM structure are also presented with hypotheses about ECM structure–function relationships. Detailed structure–function relationships of the ECM have yet to be defined and, as a result, we propose areas for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison R Gillies
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, California 92093-0863, USA
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Wnt1/βcatenin injury response activates the epicardium and cardiac fibroblasts to promote cardiac repair. EMBO J 2011; 31:429-42. [PMID: 22085926 PMCID: PMC3261567 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2011.418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnts are required for cardiogenesis but the role of specific Wnts in cardiac repair remains unknown. In this report, we show that a dynamic Wnt1/βcatenin injury response activates the epicardium and cardiac fibroblasts to promote cardiac repair. Acute ischaemic cardiac injury upregulates Wnt1 that is initially expressed in the epicardium and subsequently by cardiac fibroblasts in the region of injury. Following cardiac injury, the epicardium is activated organ-wide in a Wnt-dependent manner, expands, undergoes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to generate cardiac fibroblasts, which localize in the subepicardial space. The injured regions in the heart are Wnt responsive as well and Wnt1 induces cardiac fibroblasts to proliferate and express pro-fibrotic genes. Disruption of downstream Wnt signalling in epicardial cells decreases epicardial expansion, EMT and leads to impaired cardiac function and ventricular dilatation after cardiac injury. Furthermore, disruption of Wnt/βcatenin signalling in cardiac fibroblasts impairs wound healing and decreases cardiac performance as well. These findings reveal that a pro-fibrotic Wnt1/βcatenin injury response is critically required for preserving cardiac function after acute ischaemic cardiac injury.
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Habermehl D, Parkitna JR, Kaden S, Brügger B, Wieland F, Gröne HJ, Schütz G. Glucocorticoid activity during lung maturation is essential in mesenchymal and less in alveolar epithelial cells. Mol Endocrinol 2011; 25:1280-8. [PMID: 21659474 PMCID: PMC5417239 DOI: 10.1210/me.2009-0380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2009] [Accepted: 05/23/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Corticosteroid treatment is an established therapy for preterm infants, and germline inactivation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) gene in the mouse leads to respiratory failure and postnatal lethality. Although glucocorticoids have been thought to critically act in epithelial cells inducing the functional maturation of the lung, inactivation of the GR gene exclusively in the epithelium of the developing murine lung did not impair survival. In contrast, mice lacking GR specifically in mesenchyme-derived cells displayed a phenotype strongly reminiscent of GR knockout animals and died immediately after birth. Detailed analysis of gene expression allows the conclusion that GR acts in cells of the fibroblast lineage controlling their proliferation rate and the composition of the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Habermehl
- Division Molecular Biology of the Cell I, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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Li Y, Jiang D, Liang J, Meltzer EB, Gray A, Miura R, Wogensen L, Yamaguchi Y, Noble PW. Severe lung fibrosis requires an invasive fibroblast phenotype regulated by hyaluronan and CD44. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 208:1459-71. [PMID: 21708929 PMCID: PMC3135364 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20102510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 295] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Hyaluronan synthase 2 and CD44 are required for severe lung fibrosis in response to bleomycin. Tissue fibrosis is a major cause of morbidity, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a terminal illness characterized by unremitting matrix deposition in the lung. The mechanisms that control progressive fibrosis are unknown. Myofibroblasts accumulate at sites of tissue remodeling and produce extracellular matrix components such as collagen and hyaluronan (HA) that ultimately compromise organ function. We found that targeted overexpression of HAS2 (HA synthase 2) by myofibroblasts produced an aggressive phenotype leading to severe lung fibrosis and death after bleomycin-induced injury. Fibroblasts isolated from transgenic mice overexpressing HAS2 showed a greater capacity to invade matrix. Conditional deletion of HAS2 in mesenchymal cells abrogated the invasive fibroblast phenotype, impeded myofibroblast accumulation, and inhibited the development of lung fibrosis. Both the invasive phenotype and the progressive fibrosis were inhibited in the absence of CD44. Treatment with a blocking antibody to CD44 reduced lung fibrosis in mice in vivo. Finally, fibroblasts isolated from patients with IPF exhibited an invasive phenotype that was also dependent on HAS2 and CD44. Understanding the mechanisms leading to an invasive fibroblast phenotype could lead to novel approaches to the treatment of disorders characterized by severe tissue fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejuan Li
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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36
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Ayala P, Uchida M, Akiyoshi K, Cheng J, Hashimoto J, Jia T, Ronnekleiv OK, Murphy SJ, Wiren KM, Hurn PD. Androgen receptor overexpression is neuroprotective in experimental stroke. Transl Stroke Res 2011; 2:346-57. [PMID: 24323653 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-011-0079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2011] [Revised: 03/31/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Male sex is a known risk factor in human stroke. However, the role of the cognate receptor for androgens-the androgen receptor (AR)-in stroke outcome remains unclear. Here, we found that AR mRNA is downregulated in the peri-infarct tissue of gonadally intact male mice subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and 6 h reperfusion. We then used genetically engineered mice overexpressing AR in brain (AR-Tg) to compare outcomes from MCAO in intact or castrated males and to evaluate the neuroprotective role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) replacement in AR-Tg castrates. A further evaluation of AR overexpression in ischemic paradigms was performed using rat PC12 cells transfected with human AR and treated with oxidative and apoptotic stressors. We then studied the role of DHT in cultures overexpressing AR. Our results show (1) ischemia alters the expression of AR by decreasing AR mRNA levels, (2) AR overexpression is protective in vivo against MCAO in intact and castrated AR-Tg mice and in vitro against oxidative and apoptotic stressors in AR-PC12 cells, and (3) DHT does not enhance the protection triggered by AR overexpression in AR-Tg castrated mice nor in AR-PC12 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Ayala
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR, 97239-3098, USA,
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37
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Treiber N, Maity P, Singh K, Kohn M, Keist AF, Ferchiu F, Sante L, Frese S, Bloch W, Kreppel F, Kochanek S, Sindrilaru A, Iben S, Högel J, Ohnmacht M, Claes LE, Ignatius A, Chung JH, Lee MJ, Kamenisch Y, Berneburg M, Nikolaus T, Braunstein K, Sperfeld AD, Ludolph AC, Briviba K, Wlaschek M, Florin L, Angel P, Scharffetter-Kochanek K. Accelerated aging phenotype in mice with conditional deficiency for mitochondrial superoxide dismutase in the connective tissue. Aging Cell 2011; 10:239-54. [PMID: 21108731 DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2010.00658.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The free radical theory of aging postulates that the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species is the major determinant of aging and lifespan. Its role in aging of the connective tissue has not yet been established, even though the incidence of aging-related disorders in connective tissue-rich organs is high, causing major disability in the elderly. We have now addressed this question experimentally by creating mice with conditional deficiency of the mitochondrial manganese superoxide dismutase in fibroblasts and other mesenchyme-derived cells of connective tissues in all organs. Here, we have shown for the first time that the connective tissue-specific lack of superoxide anion detoxification in the mitochondria results in reduced lifespan and premature onset of aging-related phenotypes such as weight loss, skin atrophy, kyphosis (curvature of the spine), osteoporosis and muscle degeneration in mutant mice. Increase in p16(INK4a) , a robust in vivo marker for fibroblast aging, may contribute to the observed phenotype. This novel model is particularly suited to decipher the underlying mechanisms and to develop hopefully novel connective tissue-specific anti-aging strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Treiber
- Department of Dermatology and Allergic Diseases, University of Ulm, Maienweg 12, Ulm, Germany
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38
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Lother A, Berger S, Gilsbach R, Rösner S, Ecke A, Barreto F, Bauersachs J, Schütz G, Hein L. Ablation of mineralocorticoid receptors in myocytes but not in fibroblasts preserves cardiac function. Hypertension 2011; 57:746-54. [PMID: 21321305 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.110.163287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Antagonists of the mineralocorticoid receptor improve morbidity and mortality in patients with severe heart failure. However, the cell types involved in these beneficial effects are only partially known. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether genetic deletion of mineralocorticoid receptors in mouse cardiomyocytes or fibroblasts in vivo is cardioprotective after chronic left ventricular pressure overload. After transverse aortic constriction, mice deficient in myocyte mineralocorticoid receptors but not those deficient in fibroblast mineralocorticoid receptors were protected from left ventricular dilatation and dysfunction. After pressure overload, left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in mice lacking myocyte mineralocorticoid receptors (70.2±4.4%) as compared with control mice (54.3±2.5%; P<0.01). Myocyte mineralocorticoid receptor-deficient mice showed mild cardiac hypertrophy at baseline, contributing to reduced left ventricular wall tension at baseline and after pressure overload. Cardiac levels of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 were higher in myocyte mineralocorticoid receptor-deficient mice than in control mice after pressure overload. Neither fibroblast nor myocyte mineralocorticoid receptor ablation altered the development of cardiac hypertrophy or fibrosis after pressure overload. Both mineralocorticoid receptor mutant mouse strains developed similar degrees of myocyte apoptosis, proinflammatory gene expression, and macrophage infiltration after pressure overload. Thus, mineralocorticoid receptors in cardiac myocytes but not in fibroblasts protect from cardiac dilatation and failure after chronic pressure overload.
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Affiliation(s)
- Achim Lother
- Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Freiburg, Albertstrasse 29, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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Hu B, Lefort K, Qiu W, Nguyen BC, Rajaram RD, Castillo E, He F, Chen Y, Angel P, Brisken C, Dotto GP. Control of hair follicle cell fate by underlying mesenchyme through a CSL-Wnt5a-FoxN1 regulatory axis. Genes Dev 2010; 24:1519-32. [PMID: 20634318 DOI: 10.1101/gad.1886910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal interactions are key to skin morphogenesis and homeostasis. We report that maintenance of the hair follicle keratinocyte cell fate is defective in mice with mesenchymal deletion of the CSL/RBP-Jkappa gene, the effector of "canonical" Notch signaling. Hair follicle reconstitution assays demonstrate that this can be attributed to an intrinsic defect of dermal papilla cells. Similar consequences on hair follicle differentiation result from deletion of Wnt5a, a specific dermal papilla signature gene that we found to be under direct Notch/CSL control in these cells. Functional rescue experiments establish Wnt5a as an essential downstream mediator of Notch-CSL signaling, impinging on expression in the keratinocyte compartment of FoxN1, a gene with a key hair follicle regulatory function. Thus, Notch/CSL signaling plays a unique function in control of hair follicle differentiation by the underlying mesenchyme, with Wnt5a signaling and FoxN1 as mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Hu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
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40
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Lu N, Carracedo S, Ranta J, Heuchel R, Soininen R, Gullberg D. The human α11 integrin promoter drives fibroblast-restricted expression in vivo and is regulated by TGF-β1 in a Smad- and Sp1-dependent manner. Matrix Biol 2010; 29:166-76. [DOI: 10.1016/j.matbio.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2009] [Revised: 10/29/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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41
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Kim J, Xing W, Wergedal J, Chan JY, Mohan S. Targeted disruption of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 1 in osteoblasts reduces bone size and bone formation in mice. Physiol Genomics 2010; 40:100-10. [DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00105.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous in vitro studies found that nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 1 (NFE2L1) was involved in mediating ascorbic acid-induced osterix expression and osteoblast differentiation via binding to the antioxidant response element of the osterix promoter. To test the role of NFE2L1 in regulating bone formation in vivo, we disrupted NFE2L1 specifically in osteoblasts. Mice expressing Cre under the control of Col1α2 promoter were crossed with NFE2L1 loxP mice to generate Cre+ knockout (KO) and Cre− wild-type (WT) mice. Skeletal measurements by DEXA revealed 8–10% and 9–11% reduction in total body BMC and bone area in the KO mice from 3 to 8 wk of age. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography analyses found both periosteal and endosteal circumferences were reduced by 6% at the middiaphysis of the femurs from 8 wk old KO mice. Histomorphometric analyses revealed reduced bone formation was a cause for reduced bone size in the KO mice. Microcomputed tomography analysis of the metaphysis of the femur revealed that trabecular bone volume/total volume, and trabecular numbers were decreased by 30 and 53% in the NFE2L1 KO mice. Expression of osterix was decreased by 57% in the bones of NFE2L1 KO mice. In vitro nodule assay demonstrated that mineralized nodule area was reduced by 68% in the cultures of bone marrow stromal cells from NFE2L1 KO mice. Treatment of primary osteoblasts with ascorbic acid increased osterix expression by fourfold, whereas loss of NFE2L1 in osteoblasts diminished ascorbic acid stimulation of osterix expression by 50%. Our data provide the first in vivo experimental evidence that NFE2L1 produced by osteoblasts is involved in regulating osterix expression, osteoblast differentiation, and bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonghyun Kim
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L. Pettis VA Medical Center
| | - Weirong Xing
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L. Pettis VA Medical Center
- Departments of 2Medicine,
| | - Jon Wergedal
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L. Pettis VA Medical Center
- Departments of 2Medicine,
- Biochemistry, and
| | - Jefferson Y. Chan
- Department of Pathology, University of California, Irvine, California
| | - Subburaman Mohan
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L. Pettis VA Medical Center
- Departments of 2Medicine,
- Biochemistry, and
- Physiology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda; and
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42
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Ephrin B1 regulates bone marrow stromal cell differentiation and bone formation by influencing TAZ transactivation via complex formation with NHERF1. Mol Cell Biol 2009; 30:711-21. [PMID: 19995908 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00610-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of ephrin B1 in humans result in craniofrontonasal syndrome. Because little is known of the role and mechanism of action of ephrin B1 in bone, we examined the function of osteoblast-produced ephrin B1 in vivo and identified the molecular mechanism by which ephrin B1 reverse signaling regulates bone formation. Targeted deletion of the ephrin B1 gene in type 1alpha2 collagen-producing cells resulted in severe calvarial defects, decreased bone size, bone mineral density, and trabecular bone volume, caused by impairment in osterix expression and osteoblast differentiation. Coimmunoprecipitation of the TAZ complex with TAZ-specific antibody revealed a protein complex containing ephrin B1, PTPN13, NHERF1, and TAZ in bone marrow stromal (BMS) cells. Activation of ephrin B1 reverse signaling with soluble EphB2-Fc led to a time-dependent increase in TAZ dephosphorylation and shuttling from cytoplasm to nucleus. Treatment of BMS cells with exogenous EphB2-Fc resulted in a 4-fold increase in osterix expression as determined by Western blotting. Disruption of TAZ expression using specific lentivirus small hairpin RNA (shRNA) decreased TAZ mRNA by 80% and ephrin B1 reverse signaling-mediated increases in osterix mRNA by 75%. Knockdown of NHERF1 expression reduced basal levels of osterix expression by 90% and abolished ephrin B1-mediated induction of osterix expression. We conclude that locally produced ephrin B1 mediates its effects on osteoblast differentiation by a novel molecular mechanism in which activation of reverse signaling leads to dephosphorylation of TAZ and subsequent release of TAZ from the ephrin B1/NHERF1/TAZ complex to translocate to the nucleus to induce expression of the osterix gene and perhaps other osteoblast differentiation genes. Our findings provide strong evidence that ephrin B1 reverse signaling in osteoblasts is critical for BMS cell differentiation and bone formation.
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43
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Abstract
Stromal-epithelial interactions mediated by paracrine signaling mechanisms dictate prostate development and progression of prostate cancer. The regulatory role of androgens in both the prostate stromal and epithelial compartments set the prostate apart from many other organs and tissues with regard to gene targeting. The identification of androgen-dependent prostate epithelial promoters has allowed successful gene targeting to the prostate epithelial compartment. Currently, there are no transgenic mouse models available to specifically alter gene expression within the prostate stromal compartment. As a primary metastatic site for prostate cancer is bone, the functional dissection of the bone stromal compartment is important for understanding stromal-epithelial interactions associated with metastatic tumor growth. Use of currently available methodologies for the expression or deletion of gene expression in recent research studies has advanced our understanding of the stroma. However, the complexity of stromal heterogeneity within the prostate remains a challenge to obtaining compartment or cell-lineage-specific in vivo models necessary for furthering our understanding of prostatic developmental, benign, tumorigenic, and metastatic growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger S Jackson
- Department of Urologic Surgery, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-2765, USA
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44
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Govoni KE, Wergedal JE, Florin L, Angel P, Baylink DJ, Mohan S. Conditional deletion of insulin-like growth factor-I in collagen type 1alpha2-expressing cells results in postnatal lethality and a dramatic reduction in bone accretion. Endocrinology 2007; 148:5706-15. [PMID: 17717052 PMCID: PMC2916650 DOI: 10.1210/en.2007-0608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
IGF-I acts through endocrine and local, autocrine/paracrine routes. Disruption of both endocrine and local IGF-I action leads to neonatal lethality and impaired growth in various tissues including bone; however, the severity of growth and skeletal phenotype caused by disruption of endocrine IGF-I action is far less than with total IGF-I disruption. Based on these data and the fact that bone cells express IGF-I in high abundance, we and others predicted that locally produced IGF-I is also critical in regulating growth and bone accretion. To determine the role of local IGF-I, type 1alpha2 collagen-Cre mice were crossed with IGF-I loxP mice to generate Cre+ (conditional mutant) and Cre- (control) loxP homozygous mice. Surprisingly, approximately 40-50% of the conditional mutants died at birth, which is similar to total IGF-I disruption, but not observed in mice lacking circulating IGF-I. Expression of IGF-I in bone and muscle but not liver and brain was significantly decreased in the conditional mutant. Accordingly, circulating levels of serum IGF-I were also not affected. Disruption of local IGF-I dramatically reduced body weight 28-37%, femur areal bone mineral density 10-25%, and femur bone size 18-24% in growing mice. In addition, mineralization was reduced as early as during embryonic development. Consistently, histomorphometric analysis determined impaired osteoblast function as demonstrated by reduced mineral apposition rate (14-30%) and bone formation rate (35-57%). In conclusion, both local and endocrine IGF-I actions are involved in regulating growth of various tissues including bone, but they act via different mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen E Govoni
- Musculoskeletal Disease Center, Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 11201 Benton Street, Loma Linda, CA 92357, USA
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45
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Torchia EC, Boyd K, Rehg JE, Qu C, Baker SJ. EWS/FLI-1 induces rapid onset of myeloid/erythroid leukemia in mice. Mol Cell Biol 2007; 27:7918-34. [PMID: 17875932 PMCID: PMC2169157 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00099-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
EWS/FLI-1 is a chimeric oncogene generated by chromosomal translocation in Ewing tumors, a family of poorly differentiated pediatric tumors arising predominantly in bone but also in soft tissue. The fusion gene combines sequences encoding a strong transactivating domain from the EWS protein with the DNA binding domain of FLI-1, an ETS transcription factor. A related fusion, TLS/ERG, has been found in myeloid leukemia. To determine EWS/FLI-1 function in vivo, we engineered mice with Cre-inducible expression of EWS/FLI-1 from the ubiquitous Rosa26 locus. When crossed with Mx1-cre mice, Cre-mediated activation of EWS/FLI-1 resulted in the rapid development of myeloid/erythroid leukemia characterized by expansion of primitive mononuclear cells causing hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, severe anemia, and death. The disease could be transplanted serially into naïve recipients. Gene expression profiles of primary and transplanted animals were highly similar, suggesting that activation of EWS/FLI-1 was the primary event leading to disease in this model. The Cre-inducible EWS/FLI-1 mouse provides a novel model system to study the contribution of this oncogene to malignant disease in vivo.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cell Line
- Cell Proliferation
- Chimera
- Chromosome Aberrations
- GATA1 Transcription Factor/metabolism
- Gene Expression Profiling
- Leukemia, Myeloid/etiology
- Leukemia, Myeloid/genetics
- Leukemia, Myeloid/metabolism
- Leukemia, Myeloid/physiopathology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred NOD
- Mice, SCID
- Mice, Transgenic
- Neoplasm Transplantation
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/metabolism
- Proteins/genetics
- Proteins/metabolism
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/genetics
- Proto-Oncogene Protein c-fli-1/metabolism
- RNA, Untranslated
- RNA-Binding Protein EWS
- Sarcoma, Ewing
- Stem Cells/physiology
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique C Torchia
- Department of Developmental Neurobiology, Hartwell Center, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 332 N. Lauderdale St., Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA
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46
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Licht AH, Pein OT, Florin L, Hartenstein B, Reuter H, Arnold B, Lichter P, Angel P, Schorpp-Kistner M. JunB is required for endothelial cell morphogenesis by regulating core-binding factor beta. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 175:981-91. [PMID: 17158955 PMCID: PMC2064707 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.200605149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanism triggering the organization of endothelial cells (ECs) in multicellular tubules is mechanistically still poorly understood. We demonstrate that cell-autonomous endothelial functions of the AP-1 subunit JunB are required for proper endothelial morphogenesis both in vivo in mouse embryos with endothelial-specific ablation of JunB and in in vitro angiogenesis models. By cDNA microarray analysis, we identified core-binding factor beta (CBFbeta), which together with the Runx proteins forms the heterodimeric core-binding transcription complex CBF, as a novel JunB target gene. In line with our findings, expression of the CBF target MMP-13 was impaired in JunB-deficient ECs. Reintroduction of CBFbeta into JunB-deficient ECs rescued the tube formation defect and MMP-13 expression, indicating an important role for CBFbeta in EC morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander H Licht
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, German Cancer Research Center, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
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47
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Florin L, Knebel J, Zigrino P, Vonderstrass B, Mauch C, Schorpp-Kistner M, Szabowski A, Angel P. Delayed wound healing and epidermal hyperproliferation in mice lacking JunB in the skin. J Invest Dermatol 2006; 126:902-11. [PMID: 16439969 DOI: 10.1038/sj.jid.5700123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The cutaneous response to injury and stress comprises a temporary change in the balance between epidermal proliferation and differentiation as well as an activation of the immune system. Soluble factors play an important role in the regulation of these complex processes by coordinating the intercellular communication between keratinocytes, fibroblasts, and inflammatory cells. In this study, we demonstrate that JunB, a member of the activator protein-1 transcription factor family, is an important regulator of cytokine expression and thus critically involved in the cutaneous response to injury and stress. Mice lacking JunB in the skin develop normally, indicating that JunB is neither required for cutaneous organogenesis, nor homeostasis. However, upon wounding and treatment with the phorbol ester 12-O-decanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, JunB-deficiency in the skin likewise resulted in pronounced epidermal hyperproliferation, disturbed differentiation, and prolonged inflammation. Furthermore, delayed tissue remodelling was observed during wound healing. These phenotypic skin abnormalities were associated with JunB-dependent alterations in expression levels and kinetics of important mediators of wound repair, such as granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, growth-regulated protein-1, macrophage inflammatory protein-2, and lipocalin-2 in both the dermal and epidermal compartment of the skin, and a reduced ability of wound contraction of mutant dermal fibroblasts in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lore Florin
- Division of Signal Transduction and Growth Control, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Germany
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48
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Abstract
Tumours are known as wounds that do not heal - this implies that cells that are involved in angiogenesis and the response to injury, such as endothelial cells and fibroblasts, have a prominent role in the progression, growth and spread of cancers. Fibroblasts are associated with cancer cells at all stages of cancer progression, and their structural and functional contributions to this process are beginning to emerge. Their production of growth factors, chemokines and extracellular matrix facilitates the angiogenic recruitment of endothelial cells and pericytes. Fibroblasts are therefore a key determinant in the malignant progression of cancer and represent an important target for cancer therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raghu Kalluri
- Center for Matrix Biology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
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49
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Nausch N, Florin L, Hartenstein B, Angel P, Schorpp-Kistner M, Cerwenka A. Cutting edge: the AP-1 subunit JunB determines NK cell-mediated target cell killing by regulation of the NKG2D-ligand RAE-1epsilon. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 176:7-11. [PMID: 16365389 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.176.1.7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The activating receptor NKG2D and its ligands RAE-1 play an important role in the NK, gammadelta+, and CD8+ T cell-mediated immune response to tumors. Expression levels of RAE-1 on target cells have to be tightly controlled to allow immune cell activation against tumors but to avoid destruction of healthy tissues. In this study, we report that cell surface expression of RAE-1epsilon is greatly enhanced on cells lacking JunB, a subunit of the transcription complex AP-1. Furthermore, tissue-specific junB knockout mice respond to 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, a potent AP-1 activator, with markedly increased and sustained epidermal RAE-1epsilon expression. Accordingly, junB-deficient cells are efficiently killed via NKG2D by NK cells and induce IFN-gamma production. Our data indicate that the transcription factor AP-1, which is involved in tumorigenesis and cellular stress responses, regulates RAE-1epsilon. Thus, up-regulated RAE-1epsilon expression due to low levels of JunB could alert immune cells to tumors and stressed cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Nausch
- Division of Innate Immunity, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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