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Raab M, Christodoulou E, Krishnankutty R, Gradinaru A, Walker AD, Olaizola P, Younger NT, Lyons AM, Jarman EJ, Gournopanos K, von Kriegsheim A, Waddell SH, Boulter L. Van Gogh-like 2 is essential for the architectural patterning of the mammalian biliary tree. J Hepatol 2024; 81:108-119. [PMID: 38460794 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS In the developing liver, bipotent epithelial progenitor cells undergo lineage segregation to form hepatocytes, which constitute the bulk of the liver parenchyma, and biliary epithelial cells (cholangiocytes), which comprise the bile duct (a complex tubular network that is critical for normal liver function). Notch and TGFβ signalling promote the formation of a sheet of biliary epithelial cells, the ductal plate, that organises into discontinuous tubular structures. How these structures elongate and connect to form a continuous duct remains undefined. We aimed to define the mechanisms by which the ductal plate transitions from a simple sheet of epithelial cells into a complex and connected bile duct. METHODS By combining single-cell RNA sequencing of embryonic mouse livers with genetic tools and organoid models we functionally dissected the role of planar cell polarity in duct patterning. RESULTS We show that the planar cell polarity protein VANGL2 is expressed late in intrahepatic bile duct development and patterns the formation of cell-cell contacts between biliary cells. The patterning of these cell contacts regulates the normal polarisation of the actin cytoskeleton within biliary cells and loss of Vangl2 function results in the abnormal distribution of cortical actin remodelling, leading to the failure of bile duct formation. CONCLUSIONS Planar cell polarity is a critical step in the post-specification sculpture of the bile duct and is essential for establishing normal tissue architecture. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS Like other branched tissues, such as the lung and kidney, the bile ducts use planar cell polarity signalling to coordinate cell movements; however, how these biochemical signals are linked to ductular patterning remains unclear. Here we show that the core planar cell polarity protein VANGL2 patterns how cell-cell contacts form in the mammalian bile duct and how ductular cells transmit confluent mechanical changes along the length of a duct. This work sheds light on how biological tubes are patterned across mammalian tissues (including within the liver) and will be important in how we promote ductular growth in patients where the duct is mis-patterned or poorly formed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Raab
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - Ersi Christodoulou
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | - Andreea Gradinaru
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | - Paula Olaizola
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | | | - Edward Joseph Jarman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | | | | | | | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK; Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Edinburgh EH4 2XU, UK.
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Waddell SH, Yao Y, Olaizola P, Walker A, Jarman EJ, Gournopanos K, Gradinaru A, Christodoulou E, Gautier P, Boerrigter MM, Cadamuro M, Fabris L, Drenth JPH, Kendall TJ, Banales JM, Khamseh A, Mill P, Boulter L. A TGFβ-ECM-integrin signaling axis drives structural reconfiguration of the bile duct to promote polycystic liver disease. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabq5930. [PMID: 37703354 PMCID: PMC7615241 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abq5930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
The formation of multiple cysts in the liver occurs in a number of isolated monogenic diseases or multisystemic syndromes, during which bile ducts develop into fluid-filled biliary cysts. For patients with polycystic liver disease (PCLD), nonsurgical treatments are limited, and managing life-long abdominal swelling, pain, and increasing risk of cyst rupture and infection is common. We demonstrate here that loss of the primary cilium on postnatal biliary epithelial cells (via the deletion of the cilia gene Wdr35) drives ongoing pathological remodeling of the biliary tree, resulting in progressive cyst formation and growth. The development of cystic tissue requires the activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) signaling, which promotes the expression of a procystic, fibronectin-rich extracellular matrix and which itself is perceived by a changing profile of integrin receptors on the cystic epithelium. This signaling axis is conserved in liver cysts from patients with either autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease or autosomal dominant polycystic liver disease, indicating that there are common cellular mechanisms for liver cyst growth regardless of the underlying genetic cause. Cyst number and size can be reduced by inhibiting TGFβ signaling or integrin signaling in vivo. We suggest that our findings represent a therapeutic route for patients with polycystic liver disease, most of whom would not be amenable to surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott H Waddell
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Yuelin Yao
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
- School of Informatics- University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH8 9AB
| | - Paula Olaizola
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute – Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain, 20014
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK EH16 4TJ
| | - Alexander Walker
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Edward J Jarman
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Konstantinos Gournopanos
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Andreea Gradinaru
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Ersi Christodoulou
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Philippe Gautier
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Melissa M Boerrigter
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center- 6525 GA Nijmegen- Netherlands
| | | | - Luca Fabris
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Padua, 35128 Padua, Italy
- Digestive Disease Section, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Joost PH Drenth
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center- 6525 GA Nijmegen- Netherlands
| | - Timothy J Kendall
- Centre for Inflammation Research, Queens Medical Research Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK EH16 4TJ
| | - Jesus M Banales
- Department of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, Biodonostia Health Research Institute – Donostia University Hospital, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), San Sebastian, Spain, 20014
- National Institute for the Study of Liver and Gastrointestinal Diseases, CIBERehd, “Instituto de Salud Carlos III”, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, School of Sciences, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Ava Khamseh
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
- School of Informatics- University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH8 9AB
| | - Pleasantine Mill
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
| | - Luke Boulter
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh- Edinburgh- UK, EH4 2XU
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, Edinburgh, UK, EH4 2XU
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Chen W, Wang F, Zeng W, Zhang X, Shen L, Zhang Y, Zhou X. Biallelic mutations of TTC12 and TTC21B were identified in Chinese patients with multisystem ciliopathy syndromes. Hum Genomics 2022; 16:48. [PMID: 36273201 PMCID: PMC9587637 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-022-00421-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Abnormalities in cilia ultrastructure and function lead to a range of human phenotypes termed ciliopathies. Many tetratricopeptide repeat domain (TTC) family members have been reported to play critical roles in cilium organization and function.
Results Here, we describe five unrelated family trios with multisystem ciliopathy syndromes, including situs abnormality, complex congenital heart disease, nephronophthisis or neonatal cholestasis. Through whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing confirmation, we identified compound heterozygous mutations of TTC12 and TTC21B in six affected individuals of Chinese origin. These nonsynonymous mutations affected highly conserved residues and were consistently predicted to be pathogenic. Furthermore, ex vivo cDNA amplification demonstrated that homozygous c.1464 + 2 T > C of TTC12 would cause a whole exon 16 skipping. Both mRNA and protein levels of TTC12 were significantly downregulated in the cells derived from the patient carrying TTC12 mutation c.1464 + 2 T > C by real-time qPCR and immunofluorescence assays when compared with two healthy controls. Transmission electron microscopy analysis further identified ultrastructural defects of the inner dynein arms in this patient. Finally, the effect of TTC12 deficiency on cardiac LR patterning was recapitulated by employing a morpholino-mediated knockdown of ttc12 in zebrafish. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting the association between TTC12 variants and ciliopathies in a Chinese population. In addition to nephronophthisis and laterality defects, our findings demonstrated that TTC21B should also be considered a candidate gene for biliary ciliopathy, such as TTC26, which further expands the phenotypic spectrum of TTC21B deficiency in humans. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40246-022-00421-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weicheng Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Pediatric Cardiovascular Center at Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Pediatric Cardiovascular Center at Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Weijia Zeng
- State Key Lab of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China
| | - Xinyan Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Pediatric Cardiovascular Center at Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Libing Shen
- International Human Phenome Institutes (IHPI), Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201204, China. .,, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiangyu Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Pediatric Cardiovascular Center at Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200011, China. .,Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201204, China. .,, Shanghai, China.
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Norcia LF, Watanabe EM, Hamamoto Filho PT, Hasimoto CN, Pelafsky L, de Oliveira WK, Sassaki LY. Polycystic Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment. Hepat Med 2022; 14:135-161. [PMID: 36200122 PMCID: PMC9528914 DOI: 10.2147/hmer.s377530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycystic liver disease (PLD) is a clinical condition characterized by the presence of more than 10 cysts in the liver. It is a rare disease Of genetic etiology that presents as an isolated disease or assoc\iated with polycystic kidney disease. Ductal plate malformation, ciliary dysfunction, and changes in cell signaling are the main factors involved in its pathogenesis. Most patients with PLD are asymptomatic, but in 2–5% of cases the disease has disabling symptoms and a significant reduction in quality of life. The diagnosis is based on family history of hepatic and/or renal polycystic disease, clinical manifestations, patient age, and polycystic liver phenotype shown on imaging examinations. PLD treatment has evolved considerably in the last decades. Somatostatin analogues hold promise in controlling disease progression, but liver transplantation remains a unique curative treatment modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiz Fernando Norcia
- Department of Surgery, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
- Correspondence: Luiz Fernando Norcia, Department of Surgery, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Medical School, 783 Pedro Delmanto Street, Botucatu, São Paulo, 18610-303, Brazil, Tel +55 19982840542, Email
| | - Erika Mayumi Watanabe
- Department of Radiology, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Tadao Hamamoto Filho
- Department of Neurology, Psychology and Psychiatry, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Nishida Hasimoto
- Department of Surgery, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leonardo Pelafsky
- Department of Surgery, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Walmar Kerche de Oliveira
- Department of Surgery, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ligia Yukie Sassaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Medical School, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil
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Genetics, pathobiology and therapeutic opportunities of polycystic liver disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 2022; 19:585-604. [PMID: 35562534 DOI: 10.1038/s41575-022-00617-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Polycystic liver diseases (PLDs) are inherited genetic disorders characterized by progressive development of intrahepatic, fluid-filled biliary cysts (more than ten), which constitute the main cause of morbidity and markedly affect the quality of life. Liver cysts arise in patients with autosomal dominant PLD (ADPLD) or in co-occurrence with renal cysts in patients with autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD and ARPKD, respectively). Hepatic cystogenesis is a heterogeneous process, with several risk factors increasing the odds of developing larger cysts. Depending on the causative gene, PLDs can arise exclusively in the liver or in parallel with renal cysts. Current therapeutic strategies, mainly based on surgical procedures and/or chronic administration of somatostatin analogues, show modest benefits, with liver transplantation as the only potentially curative option. Increasing research has shed light on the genetic landscape of PLDs and consequent cholangiocyte abnormalities, which can pave the way for discovering new targets for therapy and the design of novel potential treatments for patients. Herein, we provide a critical and comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the field of PLDs, mainly focusing on genetics, pathobiology, risk factors and next-generation therapeutic strategies, highlighting future directions in basic, translational and clinical research.
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