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Psutkova V, Nickl P, Brezinova V, Machonova O, Machon O. Transcription factor Meis1b regulates craniofacial morphogenesis in zebrafish. Dev Dyn 2024. [PMID: 39087648 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Meis family of transcription factors operates in Pbx-Meis-Hox regulatory network controlling development of various tissues including eye, limbs, heart, hindbrain or craniofacial skeletal elements originating from the neural crest. Although studies in mouse provide abundant information about Meis factors function in embryogenesis, little is known about their role in zebrafish. RESULTS We generated zebrafish lines carrying null mutations in meis1a, meis1b, meis2a, and meis2b genes. Only meis1b mutants are lethal at larval stage around 13 dpf whereas the other mutant lines are viable and fertile. We focused on development of neural crest-derived craniofacial structures such as tendons, cranial nerves, cartilage and accompanying muscles. Meis1b mutants displayed morphogenetic abnormalities in the cartilage originating from the first and second pharyngeal arches. Meckel's cartilage was shorter and wider with fused anterior symphysis and abnormal chondrocyte organization. This resulted in impaired tendons and muscle fiber connections while tenocyte development was not largely affected. CONCLUSIONS Loss-of-function mutation in meis1b affects cartilage morphology in the lower jaw that leads to disrupted organization of muscles and tendons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktorie Psutkova
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Nickl
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Brezinova
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Olga Machonova
- Laboratory of Cell Differentiation, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Ondrej Machon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Wang W, Li H, Huang M, Wang X, Li W, Qian X, Jing L. Hoxa9/ meis1-transgenic zebrafish develops acute myeloid leukaemia-like disease with rapid onset and high penetrance. Open Biol 2022; 12:220172. [PMID: 36285442 PMCID: PMC9597180 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.220172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
HOXA9 and MEIS1 are co-expressed in over 50% of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and play essential roles in leukaemogenesis, but the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Diverse animal models offer valuable tools to recapitulate different aspects of AML and link in vitro studies to clinical trials. We generated a double transgenic zebrafish that enables hoxa9 overexpression in blood cells under the draculin (drl) regulatory element and an inducible expression of meis1 through a heat shock promoter. After induction, Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) embryos developed a preleukaemic state with reduced myeloid and erythroid differentiation coupled with the poor production of haematopoietic stem cells and myeloid progenitors. Importantly, most adult Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) fish at 3 months old showed abundant accumulations of immature myeloid precursors, interrupted differentiation and anaemia in the kidney marrow, and infiltration of myeloid precursors in peripheral blood, resembling human AML. Genome-wide transcriptional analysis also confirmed AML transformation by the transgene. Moreover, the dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitor that reduces leukaemogenesis in mammals effectively restored haematopoiesis in Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) embryos and improved their late survival. Thus, Tg(drl:hoxa9;hsp70:meis1) zebrafish is a rapid-onset high-penetrance AML-like disease model, which provides a novel tool to harness the unique advantages of zebrafish for mechanistic studies and drug screening against HOXA9/MEIS1 overexpressed high-risk AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongji Li
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengling Huang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Wang
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Li
- Core facility and technical service center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Qian
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Lili Jing
- Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, Pharm-X Center, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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3
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Safgren SL, Olson RJ, Pinto E Vairo F, Bothun ED, Hanna C, Klee EW, Schimmenti LA. De novo PBX1 variant in a patient with glaucoma, kidney anomalies, and developmental delay: An expansion of the CAKUTHED phenotype. Am J Med Genet A 2022; 188:919-925. [PMID: 34797033 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
An infant was referred for evaluation of congenital glaucoma and corneal clouding. In addition, he had a pelvic kidney, hypotonia, patent ductus arteriosus, abnormal pinnae, and developmental delay. Exome sequencing identified a previously unpublished de novo single nucleotide insertion in PBX1 c.400dupG (NM_002585.3), predicted to cause a frameshift resulting in a truncated protein with loss of function (p.Ala134Glyfs*65). Identification of this loss of function variant supports the diagnosis of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract syndrome with or without hearing loss, abnormal ears, or developmental delay (CAKUTHED). Here, we propose glaucoma as an extra-renal manifestation associated with PBX1-related disease due to the relationship of PBX1 with MEIS1, MEIS2, and FOXC1 transcription factors associated with eye development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Safgren
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Rory J Olson
- Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Filippo Pinto E Vairo
- Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Erick D Bothun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Christian Hanna
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Eric W Klee
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Division of Computational Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Center of Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Lisa A Schimmenti
- Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Clinical Genomics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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4
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Blasi F, Bruckmann C. MEIS1 in Hematopoiesis and Cancer. How MEIS1-PBX Interaction Can Be Used in Therapy. J Dev Biol 2021; 9:jdb9040044. [PMID: 34698191 PMCID: PMC8544432 DOI: 10.3390/jdb9040044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently MEIS1 emerged as a major determinant of the MLL-r leukemic phenotype. The latest and most efficient drugs effectively decrease the levels of MEIS1 in cancer cells. Together with an overview of the latest drugs developed to target MEIS1 in MLL-r leukemia, we review, in detail, the role of MEIS1 in embryonic and adult hematopoiesis and suggest how a more profound knowledge of MEIS1 biochemistry can be used to design potent and effective drugs against MLL-r leukemia. In addition, we present data showing that the interaction between MEIS1 and PBX1 can be blocked efficiently and might represent a new avenue in anti-MLL-r and anti-leukemic therapy.
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5
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Aref-Eshghi E, Biswas S, Chen C, Sadikovic B, Chakrabarti S. Glucose-induced, duration-dependent genome-wide DNA methylation changes in human endothelial cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2020; 319:C268-C276. [PMID: 32459505 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00011.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
DNA methylation, a critical epigenetic mechanism, plays an important role in governing gene expressions during biological processes such as aging, which is well known to be accelerated in hyperglycemia (diabetes). In the present study, we investigated the effects of glucose on whole genome DNA methylation in small [human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRECs)] and large [human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)] vessel endothelial cell (EC) lines exposed to basal or high glucose-containing media for variable lengths of time. Using the Infinium EPIC array, we obtained 773,133 CpG sites (probes) for analysis. Unsupervised clustering of the top 5% probes identified four distinct clusters within EC groups, with significant methylation differences attributed to EC types and the duration of cell culture rather than glucose stimuli alone. When comparing the ECs incubated for 2 days versus 7 days, hierarchical clustering analyses [methylation change >10% and false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05] identified 17,354 and 128 differentially methylated CpGs for HUVECs and HRECs, respectively. Predominant DNA hypermethylation was associated with the length of culture and was enriched for gene enhancer elements and regions surrounding CpG shores and shelves. We identified 88 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) for HUVECs and 8 DMRs for HRECs (all FDR <0.05). Pathway enrichment analyses of DMRs highlighted involvement of regulators of embryonic development (i.e., HOX genes) and cellular differentiation [transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family members]. Collectively, our findings suggest that DNA methylation is a complex process that involves tightly coordinated, cell-specific mechanisms. Such changes in methylation overlap genes critical for cellular differentiation and embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erfan Aref-Eshghi
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saumik Biswas
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Charlie Chen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bekim Sadikovic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Subrata Chakrabarti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
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6
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Zhang C, Featherstone M. A zebrafish hox gene acts before gastrulation to specify the hemangioblast. Genesis 2020; 58:e23363. [PMID: 32302038 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Hox genes encode transcription factors that have been implicated in embryonic, adult and disease processes. The earliest developmental program known to be directed by Hox genes is the timing of ingression of presumptive axial mesoderm during gastrulation. We previously used morpholino (MO)-based knockdown to implicate the zebrafish hoxd4a gene in the specification of the hemangioblast, an event occurring at pre-gastrulation stages, well before the earliest known Hox gene function. The precise time at which hoxd4a function is required for this specification is not defined. We therefore fused the hoxd4a coding region to the human estrogen receptor (hERT2 ). Following co-injection of anti-hoxd4a MO with mRNA encoding the Hoxd4a-ERT2 fusion protein, hemangioblast specification was fully rescued when embryos were exposed to the estrogen analog 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4-OHT) at 4 hr post-fertilization (hpf), but only poorly at 6 hpf and not at all at 8 hpf, thereby defining a pre-gastrulation role for Hoxd4a, the earliest developmental function of a vertebrate Hox gene so far described. Both DNA binding and interaction with cofactor Pbx were further shown to be required for rescue of the morphant phenotype. Confirmation of the morphant phenotype was sought via the generation of hoxd4a null mutants using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Null mutants of hoxd4a up to the third generation (F3 ) failed to recapitulate the morphant phenotype, and were largely refractory to the effects of injected anti-hoxd4a MO suggesting the action of genetic compensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changqing Zhang
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mark Featherstone
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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7
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de Haan W, Øie C, Benkheil M, Dheedene W, Vinckier S, Coppiello G, Aranguren XL, Beerens M, Jaekers J, Topal B, Verfaillie C, Smedsrød B, Luttun A. Unraveling the transcriptional determinants of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell specialization. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2020; 318:G803-G815. [PMID: 32116021 PMCID: PMC7191457 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00215.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are the first liver cells to encounter waste macromolecules, pathogens, and toxins in blood. LSECs are highly specialized to mediate the clearance of these substances via endocytic scavenger receptors and are equipped with fenestrae that mediate the passage of macromolecules toward hepatocytes. Although some transcription factors (TFs) are known to play a role in LSEC specialization, information about the specialized LSEC signature and its transcriptional determinants remains incomplete.Based on a comparison of liver, heart, and brain endothelial cells (ECs), we established a 30-gene LSEC signature comprising both established and newly identified markers, including 7 genes encoding TFs. To evaluate the LSEC TF regulatory network, we artificially increased the expression of the 7 LSEC-specific TFs in human umbilical vein ECs. Although Zinc finger E-box-binding protein 2, homeobox B5, Cut-like homolog 2, and transcription factor EC (TCFEC) had limited contributions, musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (C-MAF), GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4), and MEIS homeobox 2 (MEIS2) emerged as stronger inducers of LSEC marker expression. Furthermore, a combination of C-MAF, GATA4, and MEIS2 showed a synergistic effect on the increase of LSEC signature genes, including liver/lymph node-specific ICAM-3 grabbing non-integrin (L-SIGN) (or C-type lectin domain family member M (CLEC4M)), mannose receptor C-Type 1 (MRC1), legumain (LGMN), G protein-coupled receptor 182 (GPR182), Plexin C1 (PLXNC1), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1 (SLCO2A1). Accordingly, L-SIGN, MRC1, pro-LGMN, GPR182, PLXNC1, and SLCO2A1 protein levels were elevated by this combined overexpression. Although receptor-mediated endocytosis was not significantly induced by the triple TF combination, it enhanced binding to E2, the hepatitis C virus host-binding protein. We conclude that C-MAF, GATA4, and MEIS2 are important transcriptional regulators of the unique LSEC fingerprint and LSEC interaction with viruses. Additional factors are however required to fully recapitulate the molecular, morphological, and functional LSEC fingerprint.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) are the first liver cells to encounter waste macromolecules, pathogens, and toxins in the blood and are highly specialized. Although some transcription factors are known to play a role in LSEC specialization, information about the specialized LSEC signature and its transcriptional determinants remains incomplete. Here, we show that Musculoaponeurotic Fibrosarcoma (C-MAF), GATA binding protein 4 (GATA4), and Meis homeobox 2 (MEIS2) are important transcriptional regulators of the unique LSEC signature and that they affect the interaction of LSECs with viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willeke de Haan
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cristina Øie
- 2Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | | | - Wouter Dheedene
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefan Vinckier
- 4Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium,5Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism, Center for Cancer Biology, Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Giulia Coppiello
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Xabier López Aranguren
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Manu Beerens
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joris Jaekers
- 6Abdominal Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgiuincreased the expression of the 7 LSEC-specificm
| | - Baki Topal
- 6Abdominal Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven, Leuven, Belgiuincreased the expression of the 7 LSEC-specificm
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- 7Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bård Smedsrød
- 2Vascular Biology Research Group, Department of Medical Biology, University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Aernout Luttun
- 1Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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8
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Paul S, Zhang X, He JQ. Homeobox gene Meis1 modulates cardiovascular regeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2019; 100:52-61. [PMID: 31623926 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2019.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Regeneration of cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells (three major lineages of cardiac tissues) following myocardial infarction is the critical step to recover the function of the damaged heart. Myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (Meis1) was first discovered in leukemic mice in 1995 and its biological function has been extensively studied in leukemia, hematopoiesis, the embryonic pattering of body axis, eye development and various genetic diseases, such as restless leg syndrome. It was found that Meis1 is highly associated with Hox genes and their cofactors to exert its regulatory effects on multiple intracellular signaling pathways. Recently with the advent of bioinformatics, biochemical methods and advanced genetic engineering tools, new function of Meis1 has been found to be involved in the cell cycle regulation of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells. For example, inhibition of Meis1 expression increases the proliferative capacity of neonatal mouse cardiomyocytes, whereas overexpression of Meis1 results in the reduction in the length of cardiomyocyte proliferative window. Interestingly, downregulation of one of the circular RNAs, which acts downstream of Meis1 in the cardiomyocytes, promotes angiogenesis and restores the myocardial blood supply, thus reinforcing better regeneration of the damaged heart. It appears that Meis1 may play double roles in modulating proliferation and regeneration of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells post-myocardial infarction. In this review, we propose to summarize the major findings of Meis1 in modulating fetal development and adult abnormalities, especially focusing on the recent discoveries of Meis1 in controlling the fate of cardiomyocytes and endothelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swagatika Paul
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Xiaonan Zhang
- Beijing Yulong Shengshi Biotechnology, Haidian District, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Jia-Qiang He
- Department of Biomedical Sciences & Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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9
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Khan FH, Ahlberg CD, Chow CA, Shah DR, Koo BB. Iron, dopamine, genetics, and hormones in the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome. J Neurol 2017; 264:1634-1641. [PMID: 28236139 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8431-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common, chronic neurologic condition, which causes a persistent urge to move the legs in the evening that interferes with sleep. Human and animal studies have been used to study the pathophysiologic state of RLS and much has been learned about the iron and dopamine systems in relation to RLS. Human neuropathologic and imaging studies have consistently shown decreased iron in different brain regions including substantia nigra and thalamus. These same areas also demonstrate a state of relative dopamine excess. While it is not known how these changes in dopamine or iron produce the symptoms of RLS, genetic and hormone studies of RLS have identified other biologic systems or genes, such as the endogenous opioid and melanocortin systems and BTBD9 and MEIS1, that may explain some of the iron or dopamine changes in relation to RLS. This manuscript will review what is known about the pathophysiology of RLS, especially as it relates to changes in iron, dopamine, genetics, and hormonal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhan H Khan
- Lippard Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, Room 710, West Haven VAMC, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Caitlyn D Ahlberg
- Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Christopher A Chow
- Lippard Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, Room 710, West Haven VAMC, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Divya R Shah
- Lippard Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, Room 710, West Haven VAMC, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA
| | - Brian B Koo
- Lippard Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Division of Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, Room 710, West Haven VAMC, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
- Connecticut Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, 06516, USA.
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10
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Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor trait defined by symptoms that interfere with sleep onset and maintenance in a clinically meaningful way. Nonvolitional myoclonus while awake and asleep is a sign of the disorder and an informative endophenotype. The genetic contributions to RLS/periodic leg movements are substantial, are among the most robust defined to date for a common disease, and account for much of the variance in disease expressivity. The disorder is polygenic, as revealed by recent genome-wide association studies. Experimental studies are revealing mechanistic details of how these common variants might influence RLS expressivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B Rye
- Program in Sleep, Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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11
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Su Z, Si W, Li L, Zhou B, Li X, Xu Y, Xu C, Jia H, Wang QK. MiR-144 regulates hematopoiesis and vascular development by targeting meis1 during zebrafish development. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2014; 49:53-63. [PMID: 24448023 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2013] [Revised: 12/24/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Hematopoiesis is a dynamic process by which peripheral blood lineages are developed. It is a process tightly regulated by many intrinsic and extrinsic factors, including transcriptional factors and signaling molecules. However, the epigenetic regulation of hematopoiesis, for example, regulation via microRNAs (miRNAs), remains incompletely understood. Here we show that miR-144 regulates hematopoiesis and vascular development in zebrafish. Overexpression of miR-144 inhibited primitive hematopoiesis as demonstrated by a reduced number of circulating blood cells, reduced o-dianisidine staining of hemoglobin, and reduced expression of hbαe1, hbβe1, gata1 and pu.1. Overexpression of miR-144 also inhibited definitive hematopoiesis as shown by reduced expression of runx1 and c-myb. Mechanistically, miR-144 regulates hematopoiesis by repressing expression of meis1 involved in hematopoiesis. Both real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analyses showed that overexpression of miR-144 repressed expression of meis1. Bioinformatic analysis predicts a target binding sequence for miR-144 at the 3'-UTR of meis1. Deletion of the miR-144 target sequence eliminated the repression of meis1 expression mediated by miR-144. The miR-144-mediated abnormal phenotypes were partially rescued by co-injection of meis1 mRNA and could be almost completely rescued by injection of both meis1 and gata1 mRNA. Finally, because meis1 is involved in vascular development, we tested the effect of miR-144 on vascular development. Overexpression of miR-144 resulted in abnormal vascular development of intersegmental vessels in transgenic zebrafish with Flk1p-EGFP, and the defect was rescued by co-injection of meis1 mRNA. These findings establish miR-144 as a novel miRNA that regulates hematopoiesis and vascular development by repressing expression of meis1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhong Su
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China; Key Laboratory of Kidney Disease Pathogenesis and Intervention of Hubei Province, Key Discipline of Pharmacy of Hubei Department of Education, Medical College, Hubei Polytechnic University, Huangshi, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wenxia Si
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Lei Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Bisheng Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiuchun Li
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Yan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Chengqi Xu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Haibo Jia
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Qing K Wang
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and Technology, Center for Human Genome Research, Cardio-X Institute, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, PR China; Center for Cardiovascular Genetics, Department of Molecular Cardiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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12
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Abstract
Cerebral cavernous malformation is a clinically well-defined microvascular disorder predisposing to stroke; however, the major phenotype observed in zebrafish is the cardiac defect, specifically an enlarged heart. Less effort has been made to explore this phenotypic discrepancy between human and zebrafish. Given the fact that the gene products from Ccm1/Ccm2 are nearly identical between the two species, the common sense has dictated that the zebrafish animal model would provide a great opportunity to dissect the detailed molecular function of Ccm1/Ccm2 during angiogenesis. We recently reported on the cellular role of the Ccm1 gene in biochemical processes that permit proper angiogenic microvascular development in the zebrafish model. In the course of this experimentation, we encountered a vast amount of recent research on the relationship between dysfunctional angiogenesis and cardiovascular defects in zebrafish. Here we compile the findings of our research with the most recent contributions in this field and glean conclusions about the effect of defective angiogenesis on the developing cardiovascular system. Our conclusion also serves as a bridge for the phenotypic discrepancy between humans and animal models, which might provide some insights into future translational research on human stroke.
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13
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The molecular basis of restless legs syndrome. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2013; 23:895-900. [DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2013.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Revised: 06/29/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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14
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Regulation of MEIS1 by distal enhancer elements in acute leukemia. Leukemia 2013; 28:138-46. [PMID: 24022755 PMCID: PMC5774621 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2013.260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Aberrant activation of the three-amino-acid-loop extension (TALE) homeobox gene MEIS1 shortens the latency and accelerates the onset and progression of acute leukemia, yet the molecular mechanism underlying persistent activation of the MEIS1 gene in leukemia remains poorly understood. Here we used a combined comparative genomics analysis and an in vivo transgenic zebrafish assay to identify 6 regulatory DNA elements that are able to direct GFP expression in a spatiotemporal manner during zebrafish embryonic hematopoiesis. Analysis of chromatin characteristics and regulatory signatures suggest that many of these predicted elements are potential enhancers in mammalian hematopoiesis. Strikingly, one of the enhancer elements (E9) is a frequent integration site in retroviral induced mouse acute leukemia. The genomic region corresponding to enhancer E9 is differentially marked by H3K4 mono-methylation and H3K27 acetylation, hallmarks of active enhancers, in multiple leukemia cell lines. Decreased enrichment of these histone marks is associated with downregulation of MEIS1 expression during hematopoietic differentiation. Furthermore, MEIS1/HOXA9 transactivate this enhancer via a conserved binding motif in vitro, and participate in an autoregulatory loop that modulates MEIS1 expression in vivo. Our results suggest that an intronic enhancer regulates the expression of MEIS1 in hematopoiesis and contributes to its aberrant expression in acute leukemia.
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15
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Amali AA, Sie L, Winkler C, Featherstone M. Zebrafish hoxd4a acts upstream of meis1.1 to direct vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and hematopoiesis. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58857. [PMID: 23554940 PMCID: PMC3598951 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Mice lacking the 4th-group paralog Hoxd4 display malformations of the anterior vertebral column, but are viable and fertile. Here, we report that zebrafish embryos having decreased function of the orthologous hoxd4a gene manifest striking perturbations in vasculogenesis, angiogenesis and primitive and definitive hematopoiesis. These defects are preceded by reduced expression of the hemangioblast markers scl1, lmo2 and fli1 within the posterior lateral plate mesoderm (PLM) at 13 hours post fertilization (hpf). Epistasis analysis revealed that hoxd4a acts upstream of meis1.1 but downstream of cdx4 as early as the shield stage in ventral-most mesoderm fated to give rise to hemangioblasts, leading us to propose that loss of hoxd4a function disrupts hemangioblast specification. These findings place hoxd4a high in a genetic hierarchy directing hemangioblast formation downstream of cdx1/cdx4 and upstream of meis1.1. An additional consequence of impaired hoxd4a and meis1.1 expression is the deregulation of multiple Hox genes implicated in vasculogenesis and hematopoiesis which may further contribute to the defects described here. Our results add to evidence implicating key roles for Hox genes in their initial phase of expression early in gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lawrence Sie
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christoph Winkler
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mark Featherstone
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- * E-mail:
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16
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Burns G, Thorndyke MC, Peck LS, Clark MS. Transcriptome pyrosequencing of the Antarctic brittle star Ophionotus victoriae. Mar Genomics 2013; 9:9-15. [DOI: 10.1016/j.margen.2012.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2012] [Revised: 05/27/2012] [Accepted: 05/28/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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17
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Paige SL, Thomas S, Stoick-Cooper CL, Wang H, Maves L, Sandstrom R, Pabon L, Reinecke H, Pratt G, Keller G, Moon RT, Stamatoyannopoulos J, Murry CE. A temporal chromatin signature in human embryonic stem cells identifies regulators of cardiac development. Cell 2012; 151:221-32. [PMID: 22981225 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2012.08.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2012] [Revised: 06/26/2012] [Accepted: 08/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into cardiovascular cells provides a model for studying molecular mechanisms of human cardiovascular development. Although it is known that chromatin modification patterns in ESCs differ markedly from those in lineage-committed progenitors and differentiated cells, the temporal dynamics of chromatin alterations during differentiation along a defined lineage have not been studied. We show that differentiation of human ESCs into cardiovascular cells is accompanied by programmed temporal alterations in chromatin structure that distinguish key regulators of cardiovascular development from other genes. We used this temporal chromatin signature to identify regulators of cardiac development, including the homeobox gene MEIS2. Using the zebrafish model, we demonstrate that MEIS2 is critical for proper heart tube formation and subsequent cardiac looping. Temporal chromatin signatures should be broadly applicable to other models of stem cell differentiation to identify regulators and provide key insights into major developmental decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon L Paige
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, 98109, USA
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18
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Cvejic A, Serbanovic-Canic J, Stemple DL, Ouwehand WH. The role of meis1 in primitive and definitive hematopoiesis during zebrafish development. Haematologica 2010; 96:190-8. [PMID: 21048033 DOI: 10.3324/haematol.2010.027698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Meis1 protein represents an important cofactor for Hox and Pbx1 and is implicated in human and murine leukemias. Though much is known about the role of meis1 in leukemogenesis, its function in normal hematopoiesis remains largely unclear. Here we characterized the role of the proto-oncogene, meis1, during zebrafish primitive and definitive hematopoiesis. DESIGN AND METHODS Zebrafish embryos were stained with o-dianisidine to detect hemoglobin-containing cells and Sudan black to quantify neutrophils. The numbers of other cells (scl-, gata1- and alas2-positive cells) were also quantified by measuring the corresponding stained areas of the embryos. We used anti-Meis1 antibody and whole mount immunohistochemistry to determine the pattern of expression of Meis1 during zebrafish development and then analyzed the functional role of Meis1 by knocking-down the meis1 gene. RESULTS Using antisense morpholino oligomers to interrupt meis1 expression we found that, although primitive macrophage development could occur unhampered, posterior erythroid differentiation required meis1, and its absence resulted in a severe decrease in the number of mature erythrocytes. Furthermore a picture emerged that meis1 exerts important effects on later stages of erythrocyte maturation and that these effects are independent of gata1, but under the control of scl. In addition, meis1 morpholino knock-down led to dramatic single arteriovenous tube formation. We also found that knock-down of pbx1 resulted in a phenotype that was strikingly similar to that of meis1 knock-down zebrafish. CONCLUSIONS These results imply that meis1, jointly with pbx1, regulates primitive hematopoiesis as well as vascular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Cvejic
- Department of Haematology, University of Cambridge, Long Road, Cambridge CB2 0PT, UK
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19
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Pillay LM, Forrester AM, Erickson T, Berman JN, Waskiewicz AJ. The Hox cofactors Meis1 and Pbx act upstream of gata1 to regulate primitive hematopoiesis. Dev Biol 2010; 340:306-17. [PMID: 20123093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.01.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2009] [Revised: 01/26/2010] [Accepted: 01/26/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
During vertebrate development, the initial wave of hematopoiesis produces cells that help to shape the developing circulatory system and oxygenate the early embryo. The differentiation of primitive erythroid and myeloid cells occurs within a short transitory period, and is subject to precise molecular regulation by a hierarchical cascade of transcription factors. The TALE-class homeodomain transcription factors Meis and Pbx function to regulate embryonic hematopoiesis, but it is not known where Meis and Pbx proteins participate in the hematopoietic transcription factor cascade. To address these questions, we have ablated Meis1 and Pbx proteins in zebrafish, and characterized their molecular effects on known markers of primitive hematopoiesis. Embryos lacking Meis1 and Pbx exhibit a severe reduction in the expression of gata1, the earliest marker of erythroid cell fate, and fail to produce visible circulating blood cells. Concomitant with a loss of gata1, Meis1- and Pbx-depleted embryos exhibit downregulated embryonic hemoglobin (hbae3) expression, and possess increased numbers of pu.1-positive myeloid cells. gata1-overexpression rescues hbae3 expression in Pbx-depleted; meis1-morphant embryos, placing Pbx and Meis1 upstream of gata1 in the erythropoietic transcription factor hierarchy. Our study conclusively demonstrates that Meis1 and Pbx act to specify the erythropoietic cell lineage and inhibit myelopoiesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Pillay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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20
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Walters AS, Rye DB. Review of the relationship of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements in sleep to hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. Sleep 2009; 32:589-97. [PMID: 19480225 DOI: 10.1093/sleep/32.5.589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence is reviewed documenting an intimate relationship among restless legs syndrome (RLS) / periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) and hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Sympathetic overactivity is associated with RLS/PLMS, as manifested by increased pulse rate and blood pressure coincident with PLMS. Causality is far from definitive. Mechanisms are explored as to how RLS/PLMS may lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke: (a) the sympathetic hyperactivity associated with RLS/PLMS may lead to daytime hypertension that in turn leads to heart disease and stroke; (b) in the absence of daytime hypertension, this sympathetic hyperactivity may predispose to heart disease and stroke either directly or indirectly via atherosclerotic plaque formation and rupture; and (c) comorbidities associated with RLS/PLMS, such as renal failure, diabetes, iron deficiency, and insomnia, may predispose to heart disease and stroke. One theoretical cause for sympathetic hyperactivity is insufficient All diencephalospinal dopaminergic neuron inhibition of sympathetic preganglionic neurons residing in the intermediolateral cell columns of the spinal cord. We cannot exclude the possibility that peripheral vascular, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular disease may also contribute to RLS/PLMS, and mechanisms for these possibilities are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur S Walters
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, MCN A-0118, 1161 21st Ave South, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-2552, USA.
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