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Chambers BE, Weaver NE, Lara CM, Nguyen TK, Wingert RA. (Zebra)fishing for nephrogenesis genes. Tissue Barriers 2024; 12:2219605. [PMID: 37254823 PMCID: PMC11042071 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2023.2219605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Kidney disease is a devastating condition affecting millions of people worldwide, where over 100,000 patients in the United States alone remain waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Concomitant with a surge in personalized medicine, single-gene mutations, and polygenic risk alleles have been brought to the forefront as core causes of a spectrum of renal disorders. With the increasing prevalence of kidney disease, it is imperative to make substantial strides in the field of kidney genetics. Nephrons, the core functional units of the kidney, are epithelial tubules that act as gatekeepers of body homeostasis by absorbing and secreting ions, water, and small molecules to filter the blood. Each nephron contains a series of proximal and distal segments with explicit metabolic functions. The embryonic zebrafish provides an ideal platform to systematically dissect the genetic cues governing kidney development. Here, we review the use of zebrafish to discover nephrogenesis genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E. Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Nicole E. Weaver
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Caroline M. Lara
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Thanh Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
| | - Rebecca A. Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana (IN), USA
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2
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Jülich D, Holley SA. Live imaging of Fibronectin 1a-mNeonGreen and Fibronectin 1b-mCherry knock-in alleles during early zebrafish development. Cells Dev 2024; 177:203900. [PMID: 38218338 PMCID: PMC10947920 DOI: 10.1016/j.cdev.2024.203900] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Within the developing embryo, cells assemble and remodel their surrounding extracellular matrix during morphogenesis. Fibronectin is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein and is a ligand for several members of the Integrin adhesion receptor family. Here, we compare the expression pattern and loss of function phenotypes of the two zebrafish fibronectin paralogs fn1a and fn1b. We engineered two fluorescently tagged knock-in alleles to facilitate live in vivo imaging of the Fibronectin matrix. Genetic complementation experiments indicate that the knock-in alleles are fully functional. Fn1a-mNeonGreen and Fn1b-mCherry are co-localized in ECM fibers on the surface of the paraxial mesoderm and myotendinous junction. In 5-days old zebrafish larvae, Fn1a-mNeonGreen predominantly localizes to the branchial arches, heart ventricle, olfactory placode and within the otic capsule while Fn1b-mCherry is deposited at the pericardium, proximal convoluted tubule, posterior hindgut and at the ventral mesoderm/cardinal vein. We examined Fn1a-mNeonGreen and Fn1b-mCherry in maternal zygotic integrin α5 mutants and integrin β1a; β1b double mutants and find distinct requirements for these Integrins in assembling the two Fibronectins into ECM fibers in different tissues. Rescue experiments via mRNA injection indicate that the two fibronectins are not fully inter-changeable. Lastly, we examined cross-regulation between the two Fibronectins and find fn1a is necessary for normal Fn1b fibrillogenesis in the presomitic mesoderm, but fn1b is dispensable for the normal pattern of Fn1a deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dörthe Jülich
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Scott A Holley
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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3
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Andresen AMS, Taylor RS, Grimholt U, Daniels RR, Sun J, Dobie R, Henderson NC, Martin SAM, Macqueen DJ, Fosse JH. Mapping the cellular landscape of Atlantic salmon head kidney by single cell and single nucleus transcriptomics. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 146:109357. [PMID: 38181891 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Single-cell transcriptomics is the current gold standard for global gene expression profiling, not only in mammals and model species, but also in non-model fish species. This is a rapidly expanding field, creating a deeper understanding of tissue heterogeneity and the distinct functions of individual cells, making it possible to explore the complexities of immunology and gene expression on a highly resolved level. In this study, we compared two single cell transcriptomic approaches to investigate cellular heterogeneity within the head kidney of healthy farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). We compared 14,149 cell transcriptomes assayed by single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) with 18,067 nuclei transcriptomes captured by single nucleus RNA-Seq (snRNA-seq). Both approaches detected eight major cell populations in common: granulocytes, heamatopoietic stem cells, erythrocytes, mononuclear phagocytes, thrombocytes, B cells, NK-like cells, and T cells. Four additional cell types, endothelial, epithelial, interrenal, and mesenchymal cells, were detected in the snRNA-seq dataset, but appeared to be lost during preparation of the single cell suspension submitted for scRNA-seq library generation. We identified additional heterogeneity and subpopulations within the B cells, T cells, and endothelial cells, and revealed developmental trajectories of heamatopoietic stem cells into differentiated granulocyte and mononuclear phagocyte populations. Gene expression profiles of B cell subtypes revealed distinct IgM and IgT-skewed resting B cell lineages and provided insights into the regulation of B cell lymphopoiesis. The analysis revealed eleven T cell sub-populations, displaying a level of T cell heterogeneity in salmon head kidney comparable to that observed in mammals, including distinct subsets of cd4/cd8-negative T cells, such as tcrγ positive, progenitor-like, and cytotoxic cells. Although snRNA-seq and scRNA-seq were both useful to resolve cell type-specific expression in the Atlantic salmon head kidney, the snRNA-seq pipeline was overall more robust in identifying several cell types and subpopulations. While scRNA-seq displayed higher levels of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, snRNA-seq captured more transcription factor genes. However, only scRNA-seq-generated data was useful for cell trajectory inference within the myeloid lineage. In conclusion, this study systematically outlines the relative merits of scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq in Atlantic salmon, enhances understanding of teleost immune cell lineages, and provides a comprehensive list of markers for identifying major cell populations in the head kidney with significant immune relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard S Taylor
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rose Ruiz Daniels
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jianxuan Sun
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Ross Dobie
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Neil C Henderson
- Centre for Inflammation Research, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh BioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom; MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Cancer, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel A M Martin
- Scottish Fish Immunology Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel J Macqueen
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Schindler M, Endlich N. Zebrafish as a model for podocyte research. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2024; 326:F369-F381. [PMID: 38205541 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00335.2023] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Podocytes, specialized postmitotic cells, are central players in various kidney-related diseases. Zebrafish have become a valuable model system for studying podocyte biology because they are genetically easy to manipulate, transparent, and their glomerular structure is similar to that of mammals. This review provides an overview of the knowledge of podocyte biology in zebrafish larvae, with particular focus on their essential contribution to understanding the mechanisms that underlie kidney diseases as well as supporting drug development. In addition, special attention is given to advances in live-imaging techniques allowing the observation of dynamic processes, including podocyte motility, podocyte process behavior, and glomerulus maturation. The review further addresses the functional aspects of podocytes in zebrafish larvae. This includes topics such as glomerular filtration, ultrastructural analyses, and evaluation of podocyte response to nephrotoxic insults. Studies presented in this context have provided important insights into the maintenance and resistance of the glomerular filtration barrier in zebrafish larvae and explored the potential transferability of these findings to mammals such as mice, rats, and most importantly, humans. The recent ability to identify potential therapeutic targets represents a promising new way to identify drugs that could effectively treat podocyte-associated glomerulopathies in humans. In summary, this review gives an overview about the importance of zebrafish as a model for podocyte-related disease and targeted drug development. It also highlights the key role of advanced imaging techniques in transparent zebrafish larvae, improving our understanding of glomerular diseases and the significant potential for translation of these findings to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Schindler
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nicole Endlich
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Hawkins MR, Wingert RA. Zebrafish as a Model to Study Retinoic Acid Signaling in Development and Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041180. [PMID: 37189798 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041180] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) is a metabolite of vitamin A (retinol) that plays various roles in development to influence differentiation, patterning, and organogenesis. RA also serves as a crucial homeostatic regulator in adult tissues. The role of RA and its associated pathways are well conserved from zebrafish to humans in both development and disease. This makes the zebrafish a natural model for further interrogation into the functions of RA and RA-associated maladies for the sake of basic research, as well as human health. In this review, we explore both foundational and recent studies using zebrafish as a translational model for investigating RA from the molecular to the organismal scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew R Hawkins
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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Gerhards J, Maerz LD, Matthees ESF, Donow C, Moepps B, Premont RT, Burkhalter MD, Hoffmann C, Philipp M. Kinase Activity Is Not Required for G Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 4 Restraining mTOR Signaling during Cilia and Kidney Development. J Am Soc Nephrol 2023; 34:590-606. [PMID: 36810260 PMCID: PMC10103308 DOI: 10.1681/asn.0000000000000082] [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: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) regulates renal sodium and water reabsorption. Although GRK4 variants with elevated kinase activity have been associated with salt-sensitive or essential hypertension, this association has been inconsistent among different study populations. In addition, studies elucidating how GRK4 may modulate cellular signaling are sparse. In an analysis of how GRK4 affects the developing kidney, the authors found that GRK4 modulates mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. Loss of GRK4 in embryonic zebrafish causes kidney dysfunction and glomerular cysts. Moreover, GRK4 depletion in zebrafish and cellular mammalian models results in elongated cilia. Rescue experiments suggest that hypertension in carriers of GRK4 variants may not be explained solely by kinase hyperactivity; instead, elevated mTOR signaling may be the underlying cause. BACKGROUND G protein-coupled receptor kinase 4 (GRK4) is considered a central regulator of blood pressure through phosphorylation of renal dopaminergic receptors and subsequent modulation of sodium excretion. Several nonsynonymous genetic variants of GRK4 have been only partially linked to hypertension, although these variants demonstrate elevated kinase activity. However, some evidence suggests that function of GRK4 variants may involve more than regulation of dopaminergic receptors alone. Little is known about the effects of GRK4 on cellular signaling, and it is also unclear whether or how altered GRK4 function might affect kidney development. METHODS To better understand the effect of GRK4 variants on the functionality of GRK4 and GRK4's actions in cellular signaling during kidney development, we studied zebrafish, human cells, and a murine kidney spheroid model. RESULTS Zebrafish depleted of Grk4 develop impaired glomerular filtration, generalized edema, glomerular cysts, pronephric dilatation, and expansion of kidney cilia. In human fibroblasts and in a kidney spheroid model, GRK4 knockdown produced elongated primary cilia. Reconstitution with human wild-type GRK4 partially rescues these phenotypes. We found that kinase activity is dispensable because kinase-dead GRK4 (altered GRK4 that cannot result in phosphorylation of the targeted protein) prevented cyst formation and restored normal ciliogenesis in all tested models. Hypertension-associated genetic variants of GRK4 fail to rescue any of the observed phenotypes, suggesting a receptor-independent mechanism. Instead, we discovered unrestrained mammalian target of rapamycin signaling as an underlying cause. CONCLUSIONS These findings identify GRK4 as novel regulator of cilia and of kidney development independent of GRK4's kinase function and provide evidence that the GRK4 variants believed to act as hyperactive kinases are dysfunctional for normal ciliogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Gerhards
- Section of Pharmacogenomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lars D. Maerz
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Edda S. F. Matthees
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Cornelia Donow
- Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Barbara Moepps
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany
| | - Richard T. Premont
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Martin D. Burkhalter
- Section of Pharmacogenomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Carsten Hoffmann
- Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, University Hospital Jena, Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena, Jena, Germany
| | - Melanie Philipp
- Section of Pharmacogenomics, Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, Eberhard-Karls-University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Nguyen TK, Petrikas M, Chambers BE, Wingert RA. Principles of Zebrafish Nephron Segment Development. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11010014. [PMID: 36976103 PMCID: PMC10052950 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Nephrons are the functional units which comprise the kidney. Each nephron contains a number of physiologically unique populations of specialized epithelial cells that are organized into discrete domains known as segments. The principles of nephron segment development have been the subject of many studies in recent years. Understanding the mechanisms of nephrogenesis has enormous potential to expand our knowledge about the basis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT), and to contribute to ongoing regenerative medicine efforts aimed at identifying renal repair mechanisms and generating replacement kidney tissue. The study of the zebrafish embryonic kidney, or pronephros, provides many opportunities to identify the genes and signaling pathways that control nephron segment development. Here, we describe recent advances of nephron segment patterning and differentiation in the zebrafish, with a focus on distal segment formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanh Khoa Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Madeline Petrikas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Warren Center for Drug Discovery, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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8
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Drummond BE, Ercanbrack WS, Wingert RA. Modeling Podocyte Ontogeny and Podocytopathies with the Zebrafish. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11010009. [PMID: 36810461 PMCID: PMC9944608 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Podocytes are exquisitely fashioned kidney cells that serve an essential role in the process of blood filtration. Congenital malformation or damage to podocytes has dire consequences and initiates a cascade of pathological changes leading to renal disease states known as podocytopathies. In addition, animal models have been integral to discovering the molecular pathways that direct the development of podocytes. In this review, we explore how researchers have used the zebrafish to illuminate new insights about the processes of podocyte ontogeny, model podocytopathies, and create opportunities to discover future therapies.
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9
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Bonatesta F, Messerschmidt VL, Schneider L, Lee J, Lund AK, Mager EM. Acute exposure of early-life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) to Deepwater Horizon crude oil impairs glomerular filtration and renal fluid clearance capacity. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:21990-21999. [PMID: 36280635 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23805-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The pronephros (early-stage kidney) is an important osmoregulatory organ, and the onset of its function occurs relatively early in some teleost fishes. As such, any defects in kidney development and function are likely associated with a decreased ability to osmoregulate. Previous work has shown that early-life stage (ELS) zebrafish (Danio rerio) acutely exposed to Deepwater Horizon (DWH) crude oil exhibit transcriptional changes in key genes involved in pronephros development and function, as well as pronephric morphological defects and whole-animal osmoregulatory impairment. The objective of this study was to examine the acute effects of crude oil exposure during zebrafish ELS on pronephros function by assessing its fluid clearance capacity and glomerular filtration integrity. Following a 72-h exposure to control conditions, 20% or 40% dilutions of high-energy water-accommodated fractions (HEWAF) of DWH crude oil, zebrafish were injected into the common cardinal vein either with fluorescein-labeled (FITC) 70-kDa dextran to assess glomerular filtration integrity or with FITC-inulin to assess pronephric clearance capacity. Fluorescence was quantified after the injections at predetermined time intervals by fluorescence microscopy. The results demonstrated a diminished pronephric fluid clearance capacity and failed glomerular perfusion when larvae were exposed to 40% HEWAF dilutions, whereas only a reduced glomerular filtration selectivity was observed in zebrafish previously exposed to the 20% HEWAF dilution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Bonatesta
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #310559, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA.
| | | | - Leah Schneider
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #310559, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
| | - Juhyun Lee
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
| | - Amie K Lund
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #310559, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
| | - Edward M Mager
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, 1155 Union Circle #310559, Denton, TX, 76203-5017, USA
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Wesselman HM, Gatz AE, Wingert RA. Visualizing multiciliated cells in the zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2023; 175:129-161. [PMID: 36967138 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Ciliated cells serve vital functions in the body ranging from mechano- and chemo-sensing to fluid propulsion. Specialized cells with bundles dozens to hundreds of motile cilia known as multiciliated cells (MCCs) are essential as well, where they direct fluid movement in locations such as the respiratory, central nervous and reproductive systems. Intriguingly, the appearance of MCCs has been noted in the kidney in several disease conditions, but knowledge about their contributions to the pathobiology of these states has remained a mystery. As the mechanisms contributing to ciliopathic diseases are not yet fully understood, animal models serve as valuable tools for studying cilia development and how alterations in ciliated cell function impacts disease progression. Like other vertebrates, the zebrafish, Danio rerio, has numerous ciliated tissues. Among these, the embryonic kidney (or pronephros) is comprised of both monociliated cells and MCCs and therefore provides a setting to investigate both ciliated cell fate choice and ciliogenesis. Considering the zebrafish nephron resembles the segmentation and function of human nephrons, the zebrafish provide a tractable model for studying conserved ciliogenesis pathways in vivo. In this chapter, we provide an overview of ciliated cells with a special focus on MCCs, and present a suite of methods that can be used to visualize ciliated cells and their features in the developing zebrafish. Further, these methods enable precise quantification of ciliated cell number and various cilia-related characteristics.
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Advances in Understanding the Genetic Mechanisms of Zebrafish Renal Multiciliated Cell Development. J Dev Biol 2022; 11:jdb11010001. [PMID: 36648903 PMCID: PMC9844391 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cilia are microtubule-based organelles that project from the cell surface. In humans and other vertebrates, possession of a single cilium structure enables an assortment of cellular processes ranging from mechanosensation to fluid propulsion and locomotion. Interestingly, cells can possess a single cilium or many more, where so-called multiciliated cells (MCCs) possess apical membrane complexes with several dozen or even hundreds of motile cilia that beat in a coordinated fashion. Development of MCCs is, therefore, integral to control fluid flow and/or cellular movement in various physiological processes. As such, MCC dysfunction is associated with numerous pathological states. Understanding MCC ontogeny can be used to address congenital birth defects as well as acquired disease conditions. Today, researchers used both in vitro and in vivo experimental models to address our knowledge gaps about MCC specification and differentiation. In this review, we summarize recent discoveries from our lab and others that have illuminated new insights regarding the genetic pathways that direct MCC ontogeny in the embryonic kidney using the power of the zebrafish animal model.
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12
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Weaver NE, Healy A, Wingert RA. gldc Is Essential for Renal Progenitor Patterning during Kidney Development. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10123220. [PMID: 36551976 PMCID: PMC9776136 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10123220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The glycine cleavage system (GCS) is a complex located on the mitochondrial membrane that is responsible for regulating glycine levels and contributing one-carbon units to folate metabolism. Congenital mutations in GCS components, such as glycine decarboxylase (gldc), cause an elevation in glycine levels and the rare disease, nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH). NKH patients suffer from pleiotropic symptoms including seizures, lethargy, mental retardation, and early death. Therefore, it is imperative to fully elucidate the pathological effects of gldc dysfunction and glycine accumulation during development. Here, we describe a zebrafish model of gldc deficiency that recapitulates phenotypes seen in humans and mice. gldc deficient embryos displayed impaired fluid homeostasis suggesting renal abnormalities, as well as aberrant craniofacial morphology and neural development defects. Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) revealed that gldc transcripts were highly expressed in the embryonic kidney, as seen in mouse and human repository data, and that formation of several nephron segments was disrupted in gldc deficient embryos, including proximal and distal tubule populations. These kidney defects were caused by alterations in renal progenitor populations, revealing that the proper function of Gldc is essential for the patterning of this organ. Additionally, further analysis of the urogenital tract revealed altered collecting duct and cloaca morphology in gldc deficient embryos. Finally, to gain insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying these disruptions, we examined the effects of exogenous glycine treatment and observed analogous renal and cloacal defects. Taken together, these studies indicate for the first time that gldc function serves an essential role in regulating renal progenitor development by modulating glycine levels.
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Kourpa A, Kaiser-Graf D, Sporbert A, Philippe A, Catar R, Rothe M, Mangelsen E, Schulz A, Bolbrinker J, Kreutz R, Panáková D. 15-keto-Prostaglandin E2 exhibits bioactive role by modulating glomerular cytoarchitecture through EP2/EP4 receptors. Life Sci 2022; 310:121114. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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14
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Drummond BE, Chambers BE, Wesselman HM, Gibson S, Arceri L, Ulrich MN, Gerlach GF, Kroeger PT, Leshchiner I, Goessling W, Wingert RA. osr1 Maintains Renal Progenitors and Regulates Podocyte Development by Promoting wnt2ba via the Antagonism of hand2. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10112868. [PMID: 36359386 PMCID: PMC9687957 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10112868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge about the genetic pathways that control nephron development is essential for better understanding the basis of congenital malformations of the kidney. The transcription factors Osr1 and Hand2 are known to exert antagonistic influences to balance kidney specification. Here, we performed a forward genetic screen to identify nephrogenesis regulators, where whole genome sequencing identified an osr1 lesion in the novel oceanside (ocn) mutant. The characterization of the mutant revealed that osr1 is needed to specify not renal progenitors but rather their maintenance. Additionally, osr1 promotes the expression of wnt2ba in the intermediate mesoderm (IM) and later the podocyte lineage. wnt2ba deficiency reduced podocytes, where overexpression of wnt2ba was sufficient to rescue podocytes and osr1 deficiency. Antagonism between osr1 and hand2 mediates podocyte development specifically by controlling wnt2ba expression. These studies reveal new insights about the roles of Osr1 in promoting renal progenitor survival and lineage choice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette E. Drummond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Brooke E. Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Hannah M. Wesselman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Shannon Gibson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Liana Arceri
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Marisa N. Ulrich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Gary F. Gerlach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Paul T. Kroeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ignaty Leshchiner
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wolfram Goessling
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-574-631-0907
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15
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Voltage-sensing phosphatase (Vsp) regulates endocytosis-dependent nutrient absorption in chordate enterocytes. Commun Biol 2022; 5:948. [PMID: 36088390 PMCID: PMC9464190 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03916-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-sensing phosphatase (Vsp) is a unique membrane protein that translates membrane electrical activities into the changes of phosphoinositide profiles. Vsp orthologs from various species have been intensively investigated toward their biophysical properties, primarily using a heterologous expression system. In contrast, the physiological role of Vsp in native tissues remains largely unknown. Here we report that zebrafish Vsp (Dr-Vsp), encoded by tpte gene, is functionally expressed on the endomembranes of lysosome-rich enterocytes (LREs) that mediate dietary protein absorption via endocytosis in the zebrafish mid-intestine. Dr-Vsp-deficient LREs were remarkably defective in forming endosomal vacuoles after initial uptake of dextran and mCherry. Dr-Vsp-deficient zebrafish exhibited growth restriction and higher mortality during the critical period when zebrafish larvae rely primarily on exogenous feeding via intestinal absorption. Furthermore, our comparative study on marine invertebrate Ciona intestinalis Vsp (Ci-Vsp) revealed co-expression with endocytosis-associated genes in absorptive epithelial cells of the Ciona digestive tract, corresponding to zebrafish LREs. These findings signify a crucial role of Vsp in regulating endocytosis-dependent nutrient absorption in specialized enterocytes across animal species. The physiological role of Vsp in zebrafish is assessed, revealing Vsp expression in the mid-intestine for dietary protein absorption. A comparative study on marine invertebrate Ciona intestinalis suggests conservation of Vsp function in the GI tract.
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16
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Bonatesta F, Emadi C, Price ER, Wang Y, Greer JB, Xu EG, Schlenk D, Grosell M, Mager EM. The developing zebrafish kidney is impaired by Deepwater Horizon crude oil early-life stage exposure: A molecular to whole-organism perspective. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 808:151988. [PMID: 34838918 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Crude oil is known to induce developmental defects in teleost fish exposed during early life stages (ELSs). While most studies in recent years have focused on cardiac endpoints, evidence from whole-animal transcriptomic analyses and studies with individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) indicate that the developing kidney (i.e., pronephros) is also at risk. Considering the role of the pronephros in osmoregulation, and the common observance of edema in oil-exposed ELS fish, surprisingly little is known regarding the effects of oil exposure on pronephros development and function. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) ELSs, we assessed the transcriptional and morphological responses to two dilutions of high-energy water accommodated fractions (HEWAF) of oil from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill using a combination of qPCR and whole-mount in situ hybridization (WM-ISH) of candidate genes involved in pronephros development and function, and immunohistochemistry (WM-IHC). To assess potential functional impacts on the pronephros, three 24 h osmotic challenges (2 hypo-osmotic, 1 near iso-osmotic) were implemented at two developmental time points (48 and 96 h post fertilization; hpf) following exposure to HEWAF. Changes in transcript expression level and location specific to different regions of the pronephros were observed by qPCR and WM-ISH. Further, pronephros morphology was altered in crude oil exposed larvae, characterized by failed glomerulus and neck segment formation, and straightening of the pronephric tubules. The osmotic challenges at 96 hpf greatly exacerbated edema in both HEWAF-exposed groups regardless of osmolarity. By contrast, larvae at 48 hpf exhibited no edema prior to the osmotic challenge, but previous HEWAF exposure elicited a concentration-response increase in edema at hypo-osmotic conditions that appeared to have been largely alleviated under near iso-osmotic conditions. In summary, ELS HEWAF exposure impaired proper pronephros development in zebrafish, which coupled with cardiotoxic effects, most likely reduced or inhibited pronephros fluid clearance capacity and increased edema formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Bonatesta
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.
| | - Cameron Emadi
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Edwin R Price
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
| | - Yadong Wang
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Justin B Greer
- Western Fisheries Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elvis Genbo Xu
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Daniel Schlenk
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Martin Grosell
- Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Edward M Mager
- Department of Biological Sciences and the Advanced Environmental Research Institute, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA
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17
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Visualizing multiciliated cells in the zebrafish. Methods Cell Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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18
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Qiang W, Shen T, Noman M, Guo J, Jin Z, Lin D, Pan J, Lu H, Li X, Gong F. Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 Augments Autophagy and Reduces Apoptosis in Damaged Liver to Improve Tissue Regeneration in Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:756743. [PMID: 34746149 PMCID: PMC8570170 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.756743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Regeneration of a part of the diseased liver after surgical resection is mainly achieved by the proliferation of the remaining healthy liver cells. However, in case of extreme loss of liver cells or in the final stages of chronic liver disease, most liver cells are depleted or lose their ability to proliferate. Therefore, to foster liver regeneration, it is of great clinical and scientific significance to improve the survival and proliferation ability of residual hepatocytes. In this study, we conducted experiments on a zebrafish model of targeted ablation of liver cells to clarify the role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). We found that FGF21 increased the regeneration area of the damaged liver and improved the survival rate of damaged liver cells by inhibiting cell apoptosis and reducing oxidative stress. Our results also showed that administration of FGF21 upregulated autophagy, and the beneficial effects of FGF21 were reversed by the well-known autophagy inhibitor chloroquine (CQ), indicating that FGF21-activated autophagy played a central role in the treatment. We further showed that the enhancement of autophagy induced by FGF21 was due to the activation of the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway. Taken together, these data provide new evidence that FGF21 is an effective autophagy regulator that can significantly improve the survival of damaged livers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weidong Qiang
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Tianzhu Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Muhammad Noman
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Jinnan Guo
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhongqian Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Danfeng Lin
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiaxuan Pan
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Huiqiang Lu
- Center for Drug Screening and Research, College of Geography and Environmental Engineering, Gannan Normal University, Ganzhou, China.,Center for Developmental Biology of Jinggangshan University, College of Life Sciences, Jinggangshan University, Ji'an, China
| | - Xiaokun Li
- College of Life Sciences, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, China.,School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fanghua Gong
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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19
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Perens EA, Diaz JT, Quesnel A, Askary A, Crump JG, Yelon D. osr1 couples intermediate mesoderm cell fate with temporal dynamics of vessel progenitor cell differentiation. Development 2021; 148:dev198408. [PMID: 34338289 PMCID: PMC8380454 DOI: 10.1242/dev.198408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Transcriptional regulatory networks refine gene expression boundaries to define the dimensions of organ progenitor territories. Kidney progenitors originate within the intermediate mesoderm (IM), but the pathways that establish the boundary between the IM and neighboring vessel progenitors are poorly understood. Here, we delineate roles for the zinc-finger transcription factor Osr1 in kidney and vessel progenitor development. Zebrafish osr1 mutants display decreased IM formation and premature emergence of lateral vessel progenitors (LVPs). These phenotypes contrast with the increased IM and absent LVPs observed with loss of the bHLH transcription factor Hand2, and loss of hand2 partially suppresses osr1 mutant phenotypes. hand2 and osr1 are expressed together in the posterior mesoderm, but osr1 expression decreases dramatically prior to LVP emergence. Overexpressing osr1 during this timeframe inhibits LVP development while enhancing IM formation, and can rescue the osr1 mutant phenotype. Together, our data demonstrate that osr1 modulates the extent of IM formation and the temporal dynamics of LVP development, suggesting that a balance between levels of osr1 and hand2 expression is essential to demarcate the kidney and vessel progenitor territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliot A. Perens
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jessyka T. Diaz
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Division of Pediatric Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Agathe Quesnel
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Amjad Askary
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - J. Gage Crump
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Deborah Yelon
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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20
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Chen J, Kong A, Shelton D, Dong H, Li J, Zhao F, Bai C, Huang K, Mo W, Chen S, Xu H, Tanguay RL, Dong Q. Early life stage transient aristolochic acid exposure induces behavioral hyperactivity but not nephrotoxicity in larval zebrafish. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2021; 238:105916. [PMID: 34303159 PMCID: PMC8881052 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2021.105916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Aristolochic acids (AA) are nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids found in plants of the Aristolochiaceae family. Humans are exposed to AA by deliberately taking herbal medicines or unintentionally as a result of environmental contamination. AA is notorious for its nephrotoxicity, however, fewer studies explore potential neurotoxicity associated with AA exposure. The developing nervous system is vulnerable to xenobiotics, and pregnant women exposed to AA may put their fetuses at risk. In the present study, we used the embryonic zebrafish model to evaluate the developmental neurotoxicity associated with AA exposure. At non-teratogenic concentrations (≤ 4 µM), continuous AA exposure from 8 to 120 hours post fertilization (hpf) resulted in larval hyperactivity that was characterized by increased moving distance, elevated activity and faster swimming speeds in several behavioral assays. Further analysis revealed that 8-24 hpf is the most sensitive exposure window for AA-induced hyperactivity. AA exposures specifically increased motor neuron proliferation, increased apoptosis in the eye, and resulted in cellular oxidative stress. In addition, AA exposures increased larval eye size and perturbed the expression of vision genes. Our study, for the first time, demonstrates that AA is neurotoxic to the developmental zebrafish with a sensitive window distinct from its well-documented nephrotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiangfei Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China; Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China..
| | - Aijun Kong
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Delia Shelton
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333, United States
| | - Haojia Dong
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Jiani Li
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Fan Zhao
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Chenglian Bai
- Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Kaiyu Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Wen Mo
- Zhejiang rehabilitation medical center, Hangzhou 310051, PR China
| | - Shan Chen
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Hui Xu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China
| | - Robyn L Tanguay
- Sinnhuber Aquatic Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental & Molecular Toxicology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97333, United States
| | - Qiaoxiang Dong
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China; Institute of Environmental Safety and Human Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, PR China..
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21
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Fédou C, Camus M, Lescat O, Feuillet G, Mueller I, Ross B, Buléon M, Neau E, Alves M, Goudounéche D, Breuil B, Boizard F, Bardou Q, Casemayou A, Tack I, Dreux S, Batut J, Blader P, Burlet-Schiltz O, Decramer S, Wirth B, Klein J, Saulnier-Blache JS, Buffin-Meyer B, Schanstra JP. Mapping of the amniotic fluid proteome of fetuses with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract identifies plastin 3 as a protein involved in glomerular integrity. J Pathol 2021; 254:575-588. [PMID: 33987838 DOI: 10.1002/path.5703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Congenital anomalies of the kidney and the urinary tract (CAKUT) are the first cause of chronic kidney disease in childhood. Several genetic and environmental origins are associated with CAKUT, but most pathogenic pathways remain elusive. Considering the amniotic fluid (AF) composition as a proxy for fetal kidney development, we analyzed the AF proteome from non-severe CAKUT (n = 19), severe CAKUT (n = 14), and healthy control (n = 22) fetuses using LC-MS/MS. We identified 471 significant proteins that discriminated the three AF groups with 81% precision. Among them, eight proteins independent of gestational age (CSPG4, LMAN2, ENDOD1, ANGPTL2, PRSS8, NGFR, ROBO4, PLS3) were associated with both the presence and the severity of CAKUT. Among those, five were part of a protein-protein interaction network involving proteins previously identified as being potentially associated with CAKUT. The actin-bundling protein PLS3 (plastin 3) was the only protein displaying a gradually increased AF abundance from control, via non-severe, to severe CAKUT. Immunohistochemistry experiments showed that PLS3 was expressed in the human fetal as well as in both the fetal and the postnatal mouse kidney. In zebrafish embryos, depletion of PLS3 led to a general disruption of embryonic growth including reduced pronephros development. In postnatal Pls3-knockout mice, kidneys were macroscopically normal, but the glomerular ultrastructure showed thickening of the basement membrane and fusion of podocyte foot processes. These structural changes were associated with albuminuria and decreased expression of podocyte markers including Wilms' tumor-1 protein, nephrin, and podocalyxin. In conclusion, we provide the first map of the CAKUT AF proteome that will serve as a reference for future studies. Among the proteins strongly associated with CAKUT, PLS3 did surprisingly not specifically affect nephrogenesis but was found as a new contributor in the maintenance of normal kidney function, at least in part through the control of glomerular integrity. © 2021 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Fédou
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Mylène Camus
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Ophélie Lescat
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Guylène Feuillet
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Ilka Mueller
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, and Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Bryony Ross
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, and Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Marie Buléon
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Eric Neau
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Melinda Alves
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Dominique Goudounéche
- Centre de Microscopie Electronique Appliquée à la Biologie (CMEAB), Faculté de Médecine Rangueil, University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Benjamin Breuil
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Franck Boizard
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Quentin Bardou
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Audrey Casemayou
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Département de Néphrologie et Transplantation d'Organes, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Ivan Tack
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Sophie Dreux
- Unité de Biochimie Fœto-Placentaire, Laboratoire de Biochimie - Hormonologie CHU Robert Debré, AP-HP, Paris, France
| | - Julie Batut
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD, UMR5077), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI, FR3743), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Patrick Blader
- Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology Unit (MCD, UMR5077), Centre de Biologie Intégrative (CBI, FR3743), Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Odile Burlet-Schiltz
- Institut de Pharmacologie et Biologie Structurale (IPBS), Université de Toulouse, UPS, CNRS, Toulouse, France
| | - Stéphane Decramer
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France.,Service de Néphrologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital des Enfants, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse, France.,Centre De Référence des Maladies Rénales Rares du Sud-Ouest (SORARE), Toulouse, France
| | - Brunhilde Wirth
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Institute for Genetics, and Center for Rare Diseases Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Julie Klein
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean Sébastien Saulnier-Blache
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Bénédicte Buffin-Meyer
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Joost P Schanstra
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM), U1297, Institut of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease, Toulouse, France.,Université Toulouse III Paul-Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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22
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Chambers JM, Wingert RA. Advances in understanding vertebrate nephrogenesis. Tissue Barriers 2020; 8:1832844. [PMID: 33092489 PMCID: PMC7714473 DOI: 10.1080/21688370.2020.1832844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2020] [Revised: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The kidney is a complex organ that performs essential functions such as blood filtration and fluid homeostasis, among others. Recent years have heralded significant advancements in our knowledge of the mechanisms that control kidney formation. Here, we provide an overview of vertebrate renal development with a focus on nephrogenesis, the process of generating the epithelialized functional units of the kidney. These steps begin with intermediate mesoderm specification and proceed all the way to the terminally differentiated nephron cell, with many detailed stages in between. The establishment of nephron architecture with proper cellular barriers is vital throughout these processes. Continuously striving to gain further insights into nephrogenesis can ultimately lead to a better understanding and potential treatments for developmental maladies such as Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT).
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca A. Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
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Jarque S, Rubio-Brotons M, Ibarra J, Ordoñez V, Dyballa S, Miñana R, Terriente J. Morphometric analysis of developing zebrafish embryos allows predicting teratogenicity modes of action in higher vertebrates. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:337-348. [PMID: 32822784 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The early identification of teratogens in humans and animals is mandatory for drug discovery and development. Zebrafish has emerged as an alternative model to traditional preclinical models for predicting teratogenicity and other potential chemical-induced toxicity hazards. To prove its predictivity, we exposed zebrafish embryos from 0 to 96 h post fertilization to a battery of 31 compounds classified as teratogens or non-teratogens in mammals. The teratogenicity score was based on the measurement of 16 phenotypical parameters, namely heart edema, pigmentation, body length, eye size, yolk size, yolk sac edema, otic vesicle defects, otoliths defects, body axis defects, developmental delay, tail bending, scoliosis, lateral fins absence, hatching ratio, lower jaw malformations and tissue necrosis. Among the 31 compounds, 20 were detected as teratogens and 11 as non-teratogens, resulting in 94.44 % sensitivity, 90.91 % specificity and 87.10 % accuracy compared to rodents. These percentages decreased slightly when referred to humans, with 87.50 % sensitivity, 81.82 % specificity and 74.19 % accuracy, but allowed an increase in the prediction levels reported by rodents for the same compounds. Positive compounds showed a high correlation among teratogenic parameters, pointing out at general developmental delay as major cause to explain the physiological/morphological malformations. A more detailed analysis based on deviations from main trends revealed potential specific modes of action for some compounds such as retinoic acid, DEAB, ochratoxin A, haloperidol, warfarin, valproic acid, acetaminophen, dasatinib, imatinib, dexamethasone, 6-aminonicotinamide and bisphenol A. The high degree of predictivity and the possibility of applying mechanistic approaches makes zebrafish a powerful model for screening teratogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Jarque
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Maria Rubio-Brotons
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jone Ibarra
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Víctor Ordoñez
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sylvia Dyballa
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Miñana
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Javier Terriente
- ZeClinics SL, Carretera de Can Ruti, Camí de les Escoles, s/n, Edificio IGTP Muntanya, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Spain.
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24
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Miyawaki I. Application of zebrafish to safety evaluation in drug discovery. J Toxicol Pathol 2020; 33:197-210. [PMID: 33239838 PMCID: PMC7677624 DOI: 10.1293/tox.2020-0021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditionally, safety evaluation at the early stage of drug discovery research has been
done using in silico, in vitro, and in
vivo systems in this order because of limitations on the amount of compounds
available and the throughput ability of the assay systems. While these in
vitro assays are very effective tools for detecting particular tissue-specific
toxicity phenotypes, it is difficult to detect toxicity based on complex mechanisms
involving multiple organs and tissues. Therefore, the development of novel high throughput
in vivo evaluation systems has been expected for a long time. The
zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a vertebrate with many attractive
characteristics for use in drug discovery, such as a small size, transparency, gene and
protein similarity with mammals (80% or more), and ease of genetic modification to
establish human disease models. Actually, in recent years, the zebrafish has attracted
interest as a novel experimental animal. In this article, the author summarized the
features of zebrafish that make it a suitable laboratory animal, and introduced and
discussed the applications of zebrafish to preclinical toxicity testing, including
evaluations of teratogenicity, hepatotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity based on morphological
findings, evaluation of cardiotoxicity using functional endpoints, and assessment of
seizure and drug abuse liability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izuru Miyawaki
- Preclinical Research Laboratories, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., 3-1-98 Kasugade-naka, Konohana-ku, Osaka 554-0022, Japan
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25
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Westhoff JH, Steenbergen PJ, Thomas LSV, Heigwer J, Bruckner T, Cooper L, Tönshoff B, Hoffmann GF, Gehrig J. In vivo High-Content Screening in Zebrafish for Developmental Nephrotoxicity of Approved Drugs. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:583. [PMID: 32754590 PMCID: PMC7366291 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite widespread drug exposure, for example during gestation or in prematurely born children, organ-specific developmental toxicity of most drugs is poorly understood. Developmental and functional abnormalities are a major cause of kidney diseases during childhood; however, the potential causal relationship to exposure with nephrotoxic drugs during nephrogenesis is widely unknown. To identify developmental nephrotoxic drugs in a large scale, we established and performed an automated high-content screen to score for phenotypic renal alterations in the Tg(wt1b:EGFP) zebrafish line. During early nephrogenesis, embryos were exposed to a compound library of approved drugs. After treatment, embryos were aligned within microtiter plates using 3D-printed orientation tools enabling the robust acquisition of consistent dorsal views of pronephric kidneys by automated microscopy. To qualitatively and quantitatively score and visualize phenotypes, we developed software tools for the semi-automated analysis, processing and visualization of this large image-based dataset. Using this scoring scheme, we were able to categorize compounds based on their potential developmental nephrotoxic effects. About 10% of tested drugs induced pronephric phenotypes including glomerular and tubular malformations, or overall changes in kidney morphology. Major chemical compound groups identified to cause glomerular and tubular alterations included dihydropyridine derivatives, HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, fibrates, imidazole, benzimidazole and triazole derivatives, corticosteroids, glucocorticoids, acetic acid derivatives and propionic acid derivatives. In conclusion, the presented study demonstrates the large-scale screening of kidney-specific toxicity of approved drugs in a live vertebrate embryo. The associated technology and tool-sets can be easily adapted for other organ systems providing a unique platform for in vivo large-scale assessment of organ-specific developmental toxicity or other biomedical applications. Ultimately, the presented data and associated visualization and browsing tools provide a resource for potentially nephrotoxic drugs and for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens H. Westhoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Laurent S. V. Thomas
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jana Heigwer
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Bruckner
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Burkhard Tönshoff
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Georg F. Hoffmann
- Department of Pediatrics I, University Children’s Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jochen Gehrig
- DITABIS, Digital Biomedical Imaging Systems AG, Pforzheim, Germany
- ACQUIFER Imaging GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
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26
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Abstract
The number of fish as pets far exceeds the populations of any other companion animal. As our knowledge of aquatic animal species and aquatic animal medicine continues to expand, veterinary expertise is becoming more critical to the client, researcher, fisheries biologist, aquarist, farmer, and fish hobbyist. Similar to other vertebrates, fish are susceptible to infectious and noninfectious renal disease. This article compares vertebrate renal anatomy and physiology and highlights some renal disease examples.
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27
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Rezaei H, khadempar S, Farahani N, Hosseingholi EZ, hayat SMG, Sathyapalan T, Sahebkar AH. Harnessing CRISPR/Cas9 technology in cardiovascular disease. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2020; 30:93-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2019.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2018] [Revised: 03/03/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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28
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Kolatsi-Joannou M, Osborn D. A Technique for Studying Glomerular Filtration Integrity in the Zebrafish Pronephros. Methods Mol Biol 2020; 2067:25-39. [PMID: 31701443 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-9841-8_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
With the advances in next-generation sequencing and rapid filtering of candidate variants in diseased patients, it has been increasingly important to develop translatable in vivo models to study genetic changes. This allows for functional validation of pathogenic mutations and establishes a system to understand the etiology of disease. Due to the ease of genetic manipulation and rapid ex utero development, the zebrafish has become a valuable resource to study important biological processes, including nephrogenesis. The development and function of the zebrafish pronephros are akin to that of mammals. As such, they offer a tractable model to study kidney disease, especially diabetic nephropathy. However, in order to study kidney dysfunction in zebrafish it is imperative that an appropriate readout is available. The appearance of macro-proteins in patient's urine is indicative of defective kidney function. In this technical chapter, we describe the in vivo use of fluorescently tagged dextrans of different molecular weights to reveal the integrity of the zebrafish glomerular filtration barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kolatsi-Joannou
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Daniel Osborn
- Genetics Research Centre, St George's University of London, London, UK.
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29
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de Bakker BS, van den Hoff MJB, Vize PD, Oostra RJ. The Pronephros; a Fresh Perspective. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:29-47. [PMID: 30649320 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary papers and book chapters on nephrology open with the assumption that human kidney development passes through three morphological stages: pronephros, mesonephros, and metanephros. Current knowledge of the human pronephros, however, appears to be based on only a hand full of human specimens. The ongoing use of variations in the definition of a pronephros hampers the interpretation of study results. Because of the increased interest in the anamniote pronephros as a genetic model for kidney organogenesis we aimed to provide an overview of the literature concerning kidney development and to clarify the existence of a pronephros in human embryos. We performed an extensive literature survey regarding vertebrate renal morphology and we investigated histological sections of human embryos between 2 and 8 weeks of development. To facilitate better understanding of the literature about kidney development, a referenced glossary with short definitions was composed. The most striking difference between pronephros versus meso- and metanephros is found in nephron architecture. The pronephros consists exclusively of non-integrated nephrons with external glomeruli, whereas meso- and metanephros are composed of integrated nephrons with internal glomeruli. Animals whose embryos have comparatively little yolk at their disposal and hence have a free-swimming larval stage do develop a pronephros that is dedicated to survival in aquatic environments. Species in which embryos do not have a free-swimming larval stage have embryos that are supplied with a large amount of yolk or that develop within the body of the parent. In those species the pronephros is usually absent, incompletely developed, and apparently functionless. Non-integrated nephrons were not identified in histological sections of human embryos. Therefore, we conclude that a true pronephros is not detectable in human embryos although the most cranial part of the amniote excretory organ is often confusingly referred to as pronephros. The term pronephros should be avoided in amniotes unless all elements for a functional pronephros are undeniably present.
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Affiliation(s)
- B S de Bakker
- Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - M J B van den Hoff
- Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - P D Vize
- Department of Biological Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4
| | - R J Oostra
- Department of Medical Biology, Section Clinical Anatomy and Embryology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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30
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Burggren W, Bautista N. Invited review: Development of acid-base regulation in vertebrates. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2019; 236:110518. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2019.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2019] [Revised: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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31
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Abstract
The vertebrate kidney is comprised of functional units known as nephrons. Defects in nephron development or activity are a common feature of kidney disease. Current medical treatments are unable to ameliorate the dire consequences of nephron deficit or injury. Although there have been tremendous advancements in our understanding of nephron ontogeny and the response to damage, many significant knowledge gaps still remain. The zebrafish embryo kidney, or pronephros, is an ideal model for many renal development and regeneration studies because it is comprised of nephrons that share conserved features with the nephron units that comprise the mammalian metanephric kidney. In this chapter, we provide an overview about the benefits of using the zebrafish pronephros to study the mechanisms underlying nephrogenesis as well as epithelial repair and regeneration. We subsequently detail methods for the spatiotemporal assessment of gene and protein expression in zebrafish embryos that can be used to extend the understanding of nephron development and disease, and thereby create new opportunities to identify therapeutic strategies for regenerative medicine.
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32
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Chambers BE, Gerlach GF, Clark EG, Chen KH, Levesque AE, Leshchiner I, Goessling W, Wingert RA. Tfap2a is a novel gatekeeper of nephron differentiation during kidney development. Development 2019; 146:dev.172387. [PMID: 31160420 DOI: 10.1242/dev.172387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Renal functional units known as nephrons undergo patterning events during development that create a segmental array of cellular compartments with discrete physiological identities. Here, from a forward genetic screen using zebrafish, we report the discovery that transcription factor AP-2 alpha (tfap2a) coordinates a gene regulatory network that activates the terminal differentiation program of distal segments in the pronephros. We found that tfap2a acts downstream of Iroquois homeobox 3b (irx3b), a distal lineage transcription factor, to operate a circuit consisting of tfap2b, irx1a and genes encoding solute transporters that dictate the specialized metabolic functions of distal nephron segments. Interestingly, this regulatory node is distinct from other checkpoints of differentiation, such as polarity establishment and ciliogenesis. Thus, our studies reveal insights into the genetic control of differentiation, where tfap2a is essential for regulating a suite of segment transporter traits at the final tier of zebrafish pronephros ontogeny. These findings have relevance for understanding renal birth defects, as well as efforts to recapitulate nephrogenesis in vivo to facilitate drug discovery and regenerative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Gary F Gerlach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Eleanor G Clark
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Karen H Chen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Anna E Levesque
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ignaty Leshchiner
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wolfram Goessling
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
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33
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Chambers BE, Wingert RA. Mechanisms of Nephrogenesis Revealed by Zebrafish Chemical Screen: Prostaglandin Signaling Modulates Nephron Progenitor Fate. Nephron Clin Pract 2019; 143:68-76. [PMID: 31216548 DOI: 10.1159/000501037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Nephron development involves the creation of discrete segment populations that are specialized to fulfill unique physiological roles. As such, renal function is reliant on the proper execution of segment patterning programs. Despite the central importance of nephron segmentation, the genetic mechanisms that regulate this process are far from understood, in large part due to the experimental complexities and cost of interrogating these events in the mammalian metanephros. For this reason, forward genetics utilizing phenotypic screening in the zebrafish pronephros provides an avenue to gain novel insights about the mechanisms of nephron segmentation in the vertebrate kidney. Discoveries from zebrafish can highlight possible conserved pathways and provide a useful starting point for reverse genetic analyses with other animal models or in vitro approaches. In this review, we discuss the results of a novel chemical screen using the zebrafish to identify segmentation regulators. Through this screen, we identified for the first time that prostaglandin signaling can modulate nephron segmentation, and that it is normally requisite during development to mitigate segment fate choice in the embryonic kidney. We briefly discuss how these discoveries relate to current knowledge about nephron segmentation. Finally, we explore the possible implications of these findings for understanding renal ontogeny and disease, and how this knowledge may be useful for ongoing research initiatives that are aimed at deciphering how to build or rebuild the human kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA,
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34
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Outtandy P, Russell C, Kleta R, Bockenhauer D. Zebrafish as a model for kidney function and disease. Pediatr Nephrol 2019; 34:751-762. [PMID: 29502161 PMCID: PMC6424945 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-018-3921-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Kidney disease is a global problem with around three million people diagnosed in the UK alone and the incidence is rising. Research is critical to develop better treatments. Animal models can help to better understand the pathophysiology behind the various kidney diseases and to screen for therapeutic compounds, but the use especially of mammalian models should be minimised in the interest of animal welfare. Zebrafish are increasingly used, as they are genetically tractable and have a basic renal anatomy comparable to mammalian kidneys with glomerular filtration and tubular filtration processing. Here, we discuss how zebrafish have advanced the study of nephrology and the mechanisms underlying kidney disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priya Outtandy
- Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital/Medical School, University College London, 1. Floor, Room 1.7007, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Claire Russell
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Robert Kleta
- Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital/Medical School, University College London, 1. Floor, Room 1.7007, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Detlef Bockenhauer
- Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free Hospital/Medical School, University College London, 1. Floor, Room 1.7007, Rowland Hill Street, London, NW3 2PF, UK
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35
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Chambers BE, Wingert RA. Nephron repair: powered by anaerobic energy metabolism. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2019; 7:S28. [PMID: 31032308 DOI: 10.21037/atm.2019.01.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brooke E Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA
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36
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Iroquois transcription factor irx2a is required for multiciliated and transporter cell fate decisions during zebrafish pronephros development. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6454. [PMID: 31015532 PMCID: PMC6478698 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42943-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The genetic regulation of nephron patterning during kidney organogenesis remains poorly understood. Nephron tubules in zebrafish are composed of segment populations that have unique absorptive and secretory roles, as well as multiciliated cells (MCCs) that govern fluid flow. Here, we report that the transcription factor iroquois 2a (irx2a) is requisite for zebrafish nephrogenesis. irx2a transcripts localized to the developing pronephros and maturing MCCs, and loss of function altered formation of two segment populations and reduced MCC number. Interestingly, irx2a deficient embryos had reduced expression of an essential MCC gene ets variant 5a (etv5a), and were rescued by etv5a overexpression, supporting the conclusion that etv5a acts downstream of irx2a to control MCC ontogeny. Finally, we found that retinoic acid (RA) signaling affects the irx2a expression domain in renal progenitors, positioning irx2a downstream of RA. In sum, this work reveals new roles for irx2a during nephrogenesis, identifying irx2a as a crucial connection between RA signaling, segmentation, and the control of etv5a mediated MCC formation. Further investigation of the genetic players involved in these events will enhance our understanding of the molecular pathways that govern renal development, which can be used help create therapeutics to treat congenital and acquired kidney diseases.
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37
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Prostaglandin signaling regulates renal multiciliated cell specification and maturation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:8409-8418. [PMID: 30948642 PMCID: PMC6486750 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813492116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiciliated cells (MCCs) have core roles in organ formation and function, where they control fluid flow and particle displacement. MCCs direct fluid movement in the brain and spinal cord, clearance of respiratory mucus, and ovum transport from the ovary to the uterus. Deficiencies in MCC functionality lead to hydrocephalus, chronic respiratory infections, and infertility. Prostaglandins are lipids that are used to coordinate cellular functions. Here, we discovered that prostaglandin signaling is required for MCC development in the embryonic zebrafish kidney. Understanding renal MCC genesis can lend insights into the puzzling origins of MCCs in several chronic kidney diseases, where it is unclear whether MCCs are a cause or phenotypic outcome of the condition. Multiciliated cells (MCCs) are specialized epithelia with apical bundles of motile cilia that direct fluid flow. MCC dysfunction is associated with human diseases of the respiratory, reproductive, and central nervous systems. Further, the appearance of renal MCCs has been cataloged in several kidney conditions, where their function is unknown. Despite their pivotal health importance, many aspects of MCC development remain poorly understood. Here, we utilized a chemical screen to identify molecules that affect MCC ontogeny in the zebrafish embryo kidney, and found prostaglandin signaling is essential both for renal MCC progenitor formation and terminal differentiation. Moreover, we show that prostaglandin activity is required downstream of the transcription factor ets variant 5a (etv5a) during MCC fate choice, where modulating prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels rescued MCC number. The discovery that prostaglandin signaling mediates renal MCC development has broad implications for other tissues, and could provide insight into a multitude of pathological states.
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38
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Tian J, Shao J, Liu C, Hou HY, Chou CW, Shboul M, Li GQ, El-Khateeb M, Samarah OQ, Kou Y, Chen YH, Chen MJ, Lyu Z, Chen WL, Chen YF, Sun YH, Liu YW. Deficiency of lrp4 in zebrafish and human LRP4 mutation induce aberrant activation of Jagged-Notch signaling in fin and limb development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2019; 76:163-178. [PMID: 30327840 PMCID: PMC11105680 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-018-2928-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 09/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 (LRP4) is a multi-functional protein implicated in bone, kidney and neurological diseases including Cenani-Lenz syndactyly (CLS), sclerosteosis, osteoporosis, congenital myasthenic syndrome and myasthenia gravis. Why different LRP4 mutation alleles cause distinct and even contrasting disease phenotypes remain unclear. Herein, we utilized the zebrafish model to search for pathways affected by a deficiency of LRP4. The lrp4 knockdown in zebrafish embryos exhibits cyst formations at fin structures and the caudal vein plexus, malformed pectoral fins, defective bone formation and compromised kidney morphogenesis; which partially phenocopied the human LRP4 mutations and were reminiscent of phenotypes resulting form a perturbed Notch signaling pathway. We discovered that the Lrp4-deficient zebrafish manifested increased Notch outputs in addition to enhanced Wnt signaling, with the expression of Notch ligand jagged1b being significantly elevated at the fin structures. To examine conservatism of signaling mechanisms, the effect of LRP4 missense mutations and siRNA knockdowns, including a novel missense mutation c.1117C > T (p.R373W) of LRP4, were tested in mammalian kidney and osteoblast cells. The results showed that LRP4 suppressed both Wnt/β-Catenin and Notch signaling pathways, and these activities were perturbed either by LRP4 missense mutations or by a knockdown of LRP4. Our finding underscore that LRP4 is required for limiting Jagged-Notch signaling throughout the fin/limb and kidney development, whose perturbation representing a novel mechanism for LRP4-related diseases. Moreover, our study reveals an evolutionarily conserved relationship between LRP4 and Jagged-Notch signaling, which may shed light on how the Notch signaling is fine-tuned during fin/limb development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Tian
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, #229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jinhui Shao
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, #229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Cong Liu
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, #229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Hsin-Yu Hou
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Wei Chou
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Mohammad Shboul
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Guo-Qing Li
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, #229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | | | - Omar Q Samarah
- Orthopedic Division, Special Surgery Department, School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
| | - Yao Kou
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, #229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Yu-Hsuan Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Jen Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Zhaojie Lyu
- The College of Life Sciences, Northwest University, #229 Taibai North Road, Xi'an, 710069, China
| | - Wei-Leng Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Fu Chen
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan
| | - Yong-Hua Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi-Wen Liu
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, No. 1727, Sec. 4, Taiwan Boulevard, Xitun District, Taichung, 40704, Taiwan.
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39
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Morales EE, Handa N, Drummond BE, Chambers JM, Marra AN, Addiego A, Wingert RA. Homeogene emx1 is required for nephron distal segment development in zebrafish. Sci Rep 2018; 8:18038. [PMID: 30575756 PMCID: PMC6303317 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36061-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate kidneys contain nephron functional units where specialized epithelial cell types are organized into segments with discrete physiological roles. Many gaps remain in our understanding of how segment regions develop. Here, we report that the transcription factor empty spiracles homeobox gene 1 (emx1) is a novel nephron segment regulator during embryonic kidney development in zebrafish. emx1 loss of function altered the domains of distal segments without changes in cell turnover or traits like size and morphology, indicating that emx1 directs distal segment fates during nephrogenesis. In exploring how emx1 influences nephron patterning, we found that retinoic acid (RA), a morphogen that induces proximal and represses distal segments, negatively regulates emx1 expression. Next, through a series of genetic studies, we found that emx1 acts downstream of a cascade involving mecom and tbx2b, which encode essential distal segment transcription factors. Finally, we determined that emx1 regulates the expression domains of irx3b and irx1a to control distal segmentation, and sim1a to control corpuscle of Stannius formation. Taken together, our work reveals for the first time that emx1 is a key component of the pronephros segmentation network, which has implications for understanding the genetic regulatory cascades that orchestrate vertebrate nephron patterning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elvin E Morales
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Nicole Handa
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Bridgette E Drummond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Joseph M Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Amanda N Marra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Amanda Addiego
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA.
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40
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Chambers JM, Poureetezadi SJ, Addiego A, Lahne M, Wingert RA. ppargc1a controls nephron segmentation during zebrafish embryonic kidney ontogeny. eLife 2018; 7:40266. [PMID: 30475208 PMCID: PMC6279350 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Nephron segmentation involves a concert of genetic and molecular signals that are not fully understood. Through a chemical screen, we discovered that alteration of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling disrupts nephron segmentation in the zebrafish embryonic kidney (Poureetezadi et al., 2016). Here, we show that the PPAR co-activator ppargc1a directs renal progenitor fate. ppargc1a mutants form a small distal late (DL) segment and an expanded proximal straight tubule (PST) segment. ppargc1a promotes DL fate by regulating the transcription factor tbx2b, and restricts expression of the transcription factor sim1a to inhibit PST fate. Interestingly, sim1a restricts ppargc1a expression to promote the PST, and PST development is fully restored in ppargc1a/sim1a-deficient embryos, suggesting Ppargc1a and Sim1a counterbalance each other in an antagonistic fashion to delineate the PST segment boundary during nephrogenesis. Taken together, our data reveal new roles for Ppargc1a during development, which have implications for understanding renal birth defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Chambers
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
| | - Shahram Jevin Poureetezadi
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
| | - Amanda Addiego
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
| | - Manuela Lahne
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States.,Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, United States
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41
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Barrodia P, Patra C, Swain RK. EF-hand domain containing 2 (Efhc2) is crucial for distal segmentation of pronephros in zebrafish. Cell Biosci 2018; 8:53. [PMID: 30349665 PMCID: PMC6192171 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-018-0253-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The blood filtering organ in zebrafish embryos is the pronephros, which consists of two functional nephrons. Segmentation of a nephron into different domains is essential for its function and is well conserved among vertebrates. Zebrafish has been extensively used as a model to understand nephron segmentation during development. Here, we have identified EF-hand domain containing 2 (Efhc2) as a novel component of genetic programme regulating nephron segmentation in zebrafish. Human EFHC2 is a protein with one predicted calcium-binding EF-hand motif and three DM10 domains, whose function is unknown. EFHC2 has been implicated in several brain-related genetic diseases like Turner syndrome and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy. However, there is limited information on its normal physiological function. Results efhc2 mRNA is primarily expressed in the pronephros of zebrafish embryos. Other sites of expression include olfactory placode, notochord, otic vesicle, epiphysis and neuromast cells. Morpholino antisense oligonucleotide-mediated knock-down of Efhc2 resulted in defects in pronephros development and function in zebrafish embryos. Efhc2 knock-down leads to expansion of distal early segment of pronephros, whereas, the corpuscle of stannius and distal late segments were reduced. The number of multi-ciliated cells (MCC) that are present in a salt-and-pepper fashion throughout the middle of each nephron and vital for fluid flow were also reduced. It is known that retinoic acid (RA) signaling regulates pronephros segmentation in vertebrates and we show that Efhc2 function is crucial for nephron segmentation in zebrafish. Our data suggests that RA and Efhc2 function independent of each other in pronephros segmentation. However, Efhc2 and RA synergistically regulate MCC development. Conclusion In this study, we have identified Efhc2 as a regulator of segmentation of the distal part of nephron and pronephros function during zebrafish development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13578-018-0253-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Barrodia
- 1Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751023 India.,2Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104 India
| | - Chinmoy Patra
- 3Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, Maharashtra India.,4Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra India
| | - Rajeeb K Swain
- 1Institute of Life Sciences, Nalco Square, Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751023 India
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42
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Schütte-Nütgen K, Edeling M, Mendl G, Krahn MP, Edemir B, Weide T, Kremerskothen J, Michgehl U, Pavenstädt H. Getting a Notch closer to renal dysfunction: activated Notch suppresses expression of the adaptor protein Disabled-2 in tubular epithelial cells. FASEB J 2018; 33:821-832. [PMID: 30052485 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201800392rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Reactivation of Notch signaling in kidneys of animal models and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been shown to contribute to epithelial injury and fibrosis development. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of Notch-induced injury in renal epithelial cells. We performed genome-wide transcriptome analysis to identify Notch target genes using an in vitro system of cultured tubular epithelial cells expressing the intracellular domain of Notch1. One of the top downregulated genes was Disabled-2 ( Dab2). With the use of Drosophila nephrocytes as a model system, we found that Dab (the Drosophila homolog of Dab2) knockdown resulted in a significant filtration defect, indicating that loss of Dab2 plays a functional role in kidney disease development. We showed that Dab2 expression in cultured tubular epithelial cells is involved in endocytic regulation and that it also protects cells from TGF-β-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In vivo correlation studies indicated its additional role in renal ischemia-induced injury. Together, these data suggest that Dab2 plays a versatile role in the kidney and may impact on acute and CKDs.-Schütte-Nütgen, K., Edeling, M., Mendl, G., Krahn, M. P., Edemir, B., Weide, T., Kremerskothen, J., Michgehl, U., Pavenstädt, H. Getting a Notch closer to renal dysfunction: activated Notch suppresses expression of the adaptor protein Disabled-2 in tubular epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Edeling
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and
| | - Gudrun Mendl
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and
| | - Michael P Krahn
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and
| | - Bayram Edemir
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and.,Department of Hematology and Oncology, Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Halle (Saale), Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas Weide
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and
| | | | - Ulf Michgehl
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and
| | - Hermann Pavenstädt
- Internal Medicine D, University Hospital Muenster, Muenster, Germany; and
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43
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Drummond BE, Wingert RA. Scaling up to study brca2: the zeppelin zebrafish mutant reveals a role for brca2 in embryonic development of kidney mesoderm. CANCER CELL & MICROENVIRONMENT 2018; 5:e1630. [PMID: 29707605 PMCID: PMC5922780 DOI: 10.14800/ccm.1630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Specialized renal epithelial cells known as podocytes are essential components of the filtering structures within the kidney that coordinate the process of removing waste from the bloodstream. Podocyte loss initiates many human kidney diseases as it triggers subsequent damage to the kidney, leading to progressive loss of function that culminates with end stage renal failure. Podocyte morphology, function and gene expression profiles are well conserved between zebrafish and humans, making the former a relevant model to study podocyte development and model kidney diseases. Recently, we reported that whole genome sequencing of the zeppelin (zep) zebrafish mutant, which exhibits podocyte abrogation, revealed that the causative lesion for this defect was a splicing mutation in the breast cancer 2, early onset (brca2) gene. This was a surprising and novel discovery, as previous research on brca2/BRCA2 in a number of vertebrate animal models had not implicated an explicit role for this gene in kidney mesoderm development. Interestingly, the abrogation of the podocyte lineage in zep mutants was also accompanied by the formation of a larger interrenal (IR) gland, which is analogous to the adrenal gland in mammals, and suggested a fate switch between the renal and inter renal mesodermal derivatives. Mirroring these findings, knockdown of brca2 also recapitulated the loss of podocytes and increased IR population. In addition, brca2 overexpression was sufficient to partially rescue podocytes in zep mutants, and induced ectopic podocyte formation in wild-type embryos. Interestingly, immunofluorescence studies indicated that zep mutants had elevated P-h2A.X levels, suggesting that DNA repair is dysfunctional in these animals and contributes to the zep phenotype. Moving forward, this unique zebrafish mutant provides a new model to further explore how brca2 contributes to the development of tissues including the kidney mesoderm-roles which may have implications for renal diseases as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette E Drummond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 46556, USA
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44
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Kroeger PT, Drummond BE, Miceli R, McKernan M, Gerlach GF, Marra AN, Fox A, McCampbell KK, Leshchiner I, Rodriguez-Mari A, BreMiller R, Thummel R, Davidson AJ, Postlethwait J, Goessling W, Wingert RA. The zebrafish kidney mutant zeppelin reveals that brca2/fancd1 is essential for pronephros development. Dev Biol 2017; 428:148-163. [PMID: 28579318 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The zebrafish kidney is conserved with other vertebrates, making it an excellent genetic model to study renal development. The kidney collects metabolic waste using a blood filter with specialized epithelial cells known as podocytes. Podocyte formation is poorly understood but relevant to many kidney diseases, as podocyte injury leads to progressive scarring and organ failure. zeppelin (zep) was isolated in a forward screen for kidney mutants and identified as a homozygous recessive lethal allele that causes reduced podocyte numbers, deficient filtration, and fluid imbalance. Interestingly, zep mutants had a larger interrenal gland, the teleostean counterpart of the mammalian adrenal gland, which suggested a fate switch with the related podocyte lineage since cell proliferation and cell death were unchanged within the shared progenitor field from which these two identities arise. Cloning of zep by whole genome sequencing (WGS) identified a splicing mutation in breast cancer 2, early onset (brca2)/fancd1, which was confirmed by sequencing of individual fish. Several independent brca2 morpholinos (MOs) phenocopied zep, causing edema, reduced podocyte number, and increased interrenal cell number. Complementation analysis between zep and brca2ZM_00057434 -/- zebrafish, which have an insertional mutation, revealed that the interrenal lineage was expanded. Importantly, overexpression of brca2 rescued podocyte formation in zep mutants, providing critical evidence that the brca2 lesion encoded by zep specifically disrupts the balance of nephrogenesis. Taken together, these data suggest for the first time that brca2/fancd1 is essential for vertebrate kidney ontogeny. Thus, our findings impart novel insights into the genetic components that impact renal development, and because BRCA2/FANCD1 mutations in humans cause Fanconi anemia and several common cancers, this work has identified a new zebrafish model to further study brca2/fancd1 in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Kroeger
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Bridgette E Drummond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rachel Miceli
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Michael McKernan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Gary F Gerlach
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Amanda N Marra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Annemarie Fox
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Kristen K McCampbell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Ignaty Leshchiner
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | | | - Ruth BreMiller
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Ryan Thummel
- Departments of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Opthamology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Alan J Davidson
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, NZ
| | - John Postlethwait
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA
| | - Wolfram Goessling
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Genetics and Gastroenterology Division, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
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Knockdown of epigenetic transcriptional co-regulator Brd2a disrupts apoptosis and proper formation of hindbrain and midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) region in zebrafish. Mech Dev 2017; 146:10-30. [PMID: 28549975 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2017.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 05/17/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Brd2 is a member of the bromodomain-extraterminal domain (BET) family of proteins and functions as an acetyl-histone-directed transcriptional co-regulator and recruitment scaffold in chromatin modification complexes affecting signal-dependent transcription. While Brd2 acts as a protooncogene in mammalian blood, developmental studies link it to regulation of neuronal apoptosis and epilepsy, and complete knockout of the gene is invariably embryonic lethal. In Drosophila, the Brd2 homolog acts as a maternal effect factor necessary for segment formation and identity and proper expression of homeotic loci, including Ultrabithorax and engrailed. To test the various roles attributed to Brd2 in a single developmental system representing a non-mammalian vertebrate, we conducted a phenotypic characterization of Brd2a deficient zebrafish embryos produced by morpholino knockdown and corroborated by Crispr-Cas9 disruption and small molecule inhibitor treatments. brd2aMO morphants exhibit reduced hindbrain with an ill-defined midbrain-hindbrain boundary (MHB) region; irregular notochord, neural tube, and somites; and abnormalities in ventral trunk and ventral nerve cord interneuron positioning. Using whole mount TUNEL and confocal microscopy, we uncover a significant decrease, then a dramatic increase, of p53-independent cell death at the start and end of segmentation, respectively. In contrast, using qualitative and quantitative analyses of BrdU incorporation, phosphohistone H3-tagging, and flow cytometry, we detect little effect of Brd2a knockdown on overall proliferation levels in embryos. RNA in situ hybridization shows reduced or absent expression of homeobox gene eng2a and paired box gene pax2a, in the hindbrain domain of the MHB region, and an overabundance of pax2a-positive kidney progenitors, in knockdowns. Together, these results suggest an evolutionarily conserved role for Brd2 in the proper formation and/or patterning of segmented tissues, including the vertebrate CNS, where it acts as a bi-modal regulator of apoptosis, and is necessary, directly or indirectly, for proper expression of genes that pattern the MHB and/or regulate differentiation in the anterior hindbrain.
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CRISPR/Cas9-induced disruption of wt1a and wt1b reveals their different roles in kidney and gonad development in Nile tilapia. Dev Biol 2017; 428:63-73. [PMID: 28527702 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 05/06/2017] [Accepted: 05/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Wilms tumor 1 (Wt1) is an essential factor for urogenital system development. Teleosts have two wt1s, named as wt1a and wt1b. In this study, the expression pattern of wt1a and wt1b and their functions on the urogenital system were analyzed by in situ hybridization and CRISPR/Cas9. wt1a was found to be expressed in the glomerulus at 3 dah (days after hatching), earlier than wt1b. wt1a and wt1b were simultaneously expressed in the somatic cells of gonads at 3 dah, while their cell locations were similar, but not identical in adult fish gonads. The wt1a-/- fish displayed pericardial edema and yolk sac edema at 3 dah and subsequently expanded as general body edema at 6 dah, failed to develop glomerulus and died during 6-10 dah, whereas the wt1b-/- fish were phenotypically normal. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the germ cell marker Vasa was expressed, while somatic cell genes Cyp19a1a, Amh, Gsdf and Dmrt1 were not expressed in the wt1a-/- gonads at 6 dah. The sex phenotypes of XX and XY in the wt1b-/- fish were not affected. Real-time PCR revealed that the ovarian cyp19a1a expression was up-regulated in XX wt1b-/- fish, compared with XX control at 90 dah. Serum estradiol-17β level was also up-regulated in XX wt1b-/- fish at 90 and 180 dah. The XY wt1b-/- fish had normal serum estradiol-17β and 11-ketotestosterone levels and remained fertile. These results suggest that Wt1a and Wt1b have different functions in the kidneys and gonads of tilapia.
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Kuechlin S, Schoels M, Slanchev K, Lassmann S, Walz G, Yakulov TA. EpCAM controls morphogenetic programs during zebrafish pronephros development. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 487:209-215. [PMID: 28411024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.04.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Epithelial cell adhesion molecule EpCAM is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is dynamically expressed in human and murine renal epithelia during development. The levels of EpCAM in the renal epithelium are upregulated both during regeneration after ischemia/reperfusion injury and in renal-derived carcinomas. The role of EpCAM in early kidney development, however, has remained unclear. The zebrafish pronephros shows a similar segmentation pattern to the mammalian metanephric nephron, and has recently emerged as a tractable model to study the regulatory programs governing early nephrogenesis. Since EpCAM shows persistent expression in the pronephros throughout early development, we developed a method to study the global changes in gene expression in specific pronephric segments of wild type and EpCAM-deficient zebrafish embryos. In epcam mutants, we found 379 differentially expressed genes. Gene ontology analysis revealed that EpCAM controls various developmental programs, including uretric bud development, morphogenesis of branching epithelium, regulation of cell differentiation and cilium morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Kuechlin
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Maximilian Schoels
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Krasimir Slanchev
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Silke Lassmann
- Institute of Surgical Pathology, Medical Center and Faculty of Medicine - University of Freiburg, Breisacherstr. 115A, 79106, Freiburg, Germany; Center for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), Albertstr. 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Gerd Walz
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany; Center for Biological Signaling Studies (BIOSS), Albertstr. 19, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Toma A Yakulov
- Renal Division, Department of Medicine, University Freiburg Medical Center, Hugstetter Str. 55, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
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48
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Pronephric tubule formation in zebrafish: morphogenesis and migration. Pediatr Nephrol 2017; 32:211-216. [PMID: 26942753 DOI: 10.1007/s00467-016-3353-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The nephron is the functional subunit of the vertebrate kidney and plays important osmoregulatory and excretory roles during embryonic development and in adulthood. Despite its central role in kidney function, surprisingly little is known about the molecular and cellular processes that control nephrogenesis. The zebrafish pronephric kidney, comprising two nephrons, provides a visually accessible and genetically tractable model system for a better understanding of nephron formation. Using this system, various developmental processes, including the commitment of mesoderm to a kidney fate, renal tubule proliferation, and migration, can be studied during nephrogenesis. Here, we discuss some of these processes in zebrafish with a focus on the pathways that influence renal tubule cell morphogenesis.
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Drummond BE, Li Y, Marra AN, Cheng CN, Wingert RA. The tbx2a/b transcription factors direct pronephros segmentation and corpuscle of Stannius formation in zebrafish. Dev Biol 2017; 421:52-66. [PMID: 27840199 PMCID: PMC5955707 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The simplified and genetically conserved zebrafish pronephros is an excellent model to examine the cryptic processes of cell fate decisions during the development of nephron segments as well as the origins of associated endocrine cells that comprise the corpuscles of Stannius (CS). Using whole mount in situ hybridization, we found that transcripts of the zebrafish genes t-box 2a (tbx2a) and t-box 2b (tbx2b), which belong to the T-box family of transcription factors, were expressed in the caudal intermediate mesoderm progenitors that give rise to the distal pronephros and CS. Deficiency of tbx2a, tbx2b or both tbx2a/b reduced the size of the distal late (DL) segment, which was accompanied by a proximal convoluted segment (PCT) expansion. Further, tbx2a/b deficiency led to significantly larger CS clusters. These phenotypes were also observed in embryos with the from beyond (fby)c144 mutation, which encodes a premature stop codon in the tbx2b T-box sequence. Conversely, overexpression of tbx2a and tbx2b in wild-type embryos expanded the DL segment where cells were comingled with the adjacent DE, and also decreased CS cell number, but notably did not alter PCT development-providing independent evidence that tbx2a and tbx2b are each necessary and sufficient to promote DL fate and suppress CS genesis. Epistasis studies indicated that tbx2a acts upstream of tbx2b to regulate the DL and CS fates, and likely has other targets as well. Retinoic acid (RA) addition and inhibition studies revealed that tbx2a and tbx2b are negatively regulated by RA signaling. Interestingly, the CS cell expansion that typifies tbx2a/b deficiency also occurred when blocking Notch signaling with the chemical DAPT (N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-L-alanyl]-S-phenylglycine t-butyl ester). Ectopic activation of Notch in Tg(hsp70::Gal4; UAS::NICD)(NICD) embryos led to a reduced CS post heat-shock induction. To further examine the link between the tbx2a/b genes and Notch during CS formation, DAPT treatment was used to block Notch activity in tbx2a/b deficient embryos, and tbx2a/b knockdown was performed in NICD transgenic embryos. Both manipulations caused similar CS expansions, indicating that Notch functions upstream of the tbx2a/b genes to suppress CS ontogeny. Taken together, these data reveal for the first time that tbx2a/b mitigate pronephros segmentation downstream of RA, and that interplay between Notch signaling and tbx2a/b regulate CS formation, thus providing several novel insights into the genetic regulatory networks that influence these lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bridgette E Drummond
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Amanda N Marra
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Christina N Cheng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA
| | - Rebecca A Wingert
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Center for Zebrafish Research, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.
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Abstract
Animal models have been an invaluable means to advance biomedical research as they provide experimental avenues for cellular and molecular investigations of disease pathology. The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a good alternative to mammalian models that can be used to apply powerful genetic experimental methods normally used in invertebrates to answer questions about vertebrate development and disease. In the case of the kidney, the zebrafish has proven itself to be an applicable and versatile experimental system, mainly due to the simplicity of its pronephros, which contains two nephrons that possess conserved structural and physiological aspects with mammalian nephrons. Numerous genes that were not previously related to kidney conditions have now been linked to renal diseases by applying genetic screening with the zebrafish. In fact, a large collection of mutations that affect nephron formation and function were generated through phenotype-based forward screens. Complementary reverse genetic approaches have also been insightful, with methods spanning the use of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides to genome editing approaches such as the CRISPR/Cas9 system, to selectively knock down or knock out genes of interest to see if they produce kidney phenotypes. Acute kidney injury (AKI) has also been easily modeled in the zebrafish by injecting nephrotoxins, directly inducing damage through surgical intervention, or by generating transgenic lines that express compounds in a tissue-specific manner that when exposed to certain drugs promote an apoptotic response within cells. In this chapter, we provide an overview of these various approaches as well as discuss many of the contributions that have been achieved through the use of zebrafish to model kidney disease.
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