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Angelini A, Trial J, Saltzman AB, Malovannaya A, Cieslik KA. A defective mechanosensing pathway affects fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition in the old male mouse heart. iScience 2023; 26:107283. [PMID: 37520701 PMCID: PMC10372839 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The cardiac fibroblast interacts with an extracellular matrix (ECM), enabling myofibroblast maturation via a process called mechanosensing. Although in the aging male heart, ECM is stiffer than in the young mouse, myofibroblast development is impaired, as demonstrated in 2-D and 3-D experiments. In old male cardiac fibroblasts, we found a decrease in actin polymerization, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Kindlin-2 expressions, the latter an effector of the mechanosensing. When Kindlin-2 levels were manipulated via siRNA interference, young fibroblasts developed an old-like fibroblast phenotype, whereas Kindlin-2 overexpression in old fibroblasts reversed the defective phenotype. Finally, inhibition of overactivated extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in the old male fibroblasts rescued actin polymerization and α-SMA expression. Pathological ERK1/2 overactivation was also attenuated by Kindlin-2 overexpression. In contrast, old female cardiac fibroblasts retained an operant mechanosensing pathway. In conclusion, we identified defective components of the Kindlin/ERK/actin/α-SMA mechanosensing axis in aged male fibroblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aude Angelini
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - JoAnn Trial
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Alexander B. Saltzman
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Malovannaya
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Mass Spectrometry Proteomics Core, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Katarzyna A. Cieslik
- Section of Cardiovascular Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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2
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Mason WJ, Vasilopoulou E. The Pathophysiological Role of Thymosin β4 in the Kidney Glomerulus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097684. [PMID: 37175390 PMCID: PMC10177875 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Diseases affecting the glomerulus, the filtration unit of the kidney, are a major cause of chronic kidney disease. Glomerular disease is characterised by injury of glomerular cells and is often accompanied by an inflammatory response that drives disease progression. New strategies are needed to slow the progression to end-stage kidney disease, which requires dialysis or transplantation. Thymosin β4 (Tβ4), an endogenous peptide that sequesters G-actin, has shown potent anti-inflammatory function in experimental models of heart, kidney, liver, lung, and eye injury. In this review, we discuss the role of endogenous and exogenous Tβ4 in glomerular disease progression and the current understanding of the underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Mason
- Developmental Biology and Cancer Programme, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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3
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Bjørklund G, Dadar M, Aaseth J, Chirumbolo S. Thymosin β4: A Multi-Faceted Tissue Repair Stimulating Protein in Heart Injury. Curr Med Chem 2021; 27:6294-6305. [PMID: 31333080 DOI: 10.2174/0929867326666190716125456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Thymosin Beta-4 (Tβ4) is known as a major pleiotropic actin-sequestering protein that is involved in tumorigenesis. Tβ4 is a water-soluble protein that has different promising clinical applications in the remodeling and ulcerated tissues repair following myocardial infarction, stroke, plasticity and neurovascular remodeling of the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) and the Central Nervous System (CNS). On the other hand, similar effects have been observed for Tβ4 in other kinds of tissues, including cardiac muscle tissue. In recent reports, as it activates resident epicardial progenitor cells and modulates inflammatory-caused injuries, Tβ4 has been suggested as a promoter of the survival of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, Tβ4 may act in skeletal muscle and different organs in association/synergism with numerous other tissue repair stimulating factors, including melatonin and C-fiber-derived peptides. For these reasons, the present review highlights the promising role of Tβ4 in cardiac healing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Research Department, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway,Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
| | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences,
University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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4
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Padmanabhan K, Grobe H, Cohen J, Soffer A, Mahly A, Adir O, Zaidel-Bar R, Luxenburg C. Thymosin β4 is essential for adherens junction stability and epidermal planar cell polarity. Development 2020; 147:dev.193425. [PMID: 33310787 PMCID: PMC7758630 DOI: 10.1242/dev.193425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Planar cell polarity (PCP) is essential for tissue morphogenesis and homeostasis; however, the mechanisms that orchestrate the cell shape and packing dynamics required to establish PCP are poorly understood. Here, we identified a major role for the globular (G)-actin-binding protein thymosin-β4 (TMSB4X) in PCP establishment and cell adhesion in the developing epidermis. Depletion of Tmsb4x in mouse embryos hindered eyelid closure and hair-follicle angling owing to PCP defects. Tmsb4x depletion did not preclude epidermal cell adhesion in vivo or in vitro; however, it resulted in abnormal structural organization and stability of adherens junction (AJ) due to defects in filamentous (F)-actin and G-actin distribution. In cultured keratinocytes, TMSB4X depletion increased the perijunctional G/F-actin ratio and decreased G-actin incorporation into junctional actin networks, but it did not change the overall actin expression level or cellular F-actin content. A pharmacological treatment that increased the G/F-actin ratio and decreased actin polymerization mimicked the effects of Tmsb4x depletion on both AJs and PCP. Our results provide insights into the regulation of the actin pool and its involvement in AJ function and PCP establishment. Highlighted Article: By regulating actin pool distribution and incorporation into junctional actin networks, thymosin β4 regulates cell–cell adhesion, planar cell polarity and epidermal morphogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnanand Padmanabhan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Hanna Grobe
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jonathan Cohen
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Arad Soffer
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Adnan Mahly
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Orit Adir
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Ronen Zaidel-Bar
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Chen Luxenburg
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, P.O. Box 39040, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
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5
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Prill K, Dawson JF. Assembly and Maintenance of Sarcomere Thin Filaments and Associated Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E542. [PMID: 31952119 PMCID: PMC7013991 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomere assembly and maintenance are essential physiological processes required for cardiac and skeletal muscle function and organism mobility. Over decades of research, components of the sarcomere and factors involved in the formation and maintenance of this contractile unit have been identified. Although we have a general understanding of sarcomere assembly and maintenance, much less is known about the development of the thin filaments and associated factors within the sarcomere. In the last decade, advancements in medical intervention and genome sequencing have uncovered patients with novel mutations in sarcomere thin filaments. Pairing this sequencing with reverse genetics and the ability to generate patient avatars in model organisms has begun to deepen our understanding of sarcomere thin filament development. In this review, we provide a summary of recent findings regarding sarcomere assembly, maintenance, and disease with respect to thin filaments, building on the previous knowledge in the field. We highlight debated and unknown areas within these processes to clearly define open research questions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John F. Dawson
- Centre for Cardiovascular Investigations, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada;
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Atherosclerosis and the Capillary Network; Pathophysiology and Potential Therapeutic Strategies. Cells 2019; 9:cells9010050. [PMID: 31878229 PMCID: PMC7016600 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis and associated ischemic organ dysfunction represent the number one cause of mortality worldwide. While the key drivers of atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus, are well known disease entities and their contribution to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques are intensively studied and well understood, less effort is put on the effect of these disease states on microvascular structure an integrity. In this review we summarize the pathological changes occurring in the vascular system in response to prolonged exposure to these major risk factors, with a particular focus on the differences between these pathological alterations of the vessel wall in larger arteries as compared to the microcirculation. Furthermore, we intend to highlight potential therapeutic strategies to improve microvascular function during atherosclerotic vessel disease.
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Morita T, Hayashi K. Tumor Progression Is Mediated by Thymosin-β4 through a TGFβ/MRTF Signaling Axis. Mol Cancer Res 2018; 16:880-893. [DOI: 10.1158/1541-7786.mcr-17-0715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Ziegler T, Kraus M, Husada W, Gesenhues F, Jiang Q, Pinkenburg O, Trenkwalder T, Laugwitz KL, le Noble F, Weber C, Kupatt C, Hinkel R. Steerable Induction of the Thymosin β4/MRTF-A Pathway via AAV-Based Overexpression Induces Therapeutic Neovascularization. Hum Gene Ther 2017; 29:1407-1415. [PMID: 28726522 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2017.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral vectors have been frequently used in a variety of preclinical animal models to deliver genetic constructs into tissues. Among the vectors used, adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) may be targeted to specific tissues, depending on the serotype used. Moreover, they show robust expression for prolonged periods of time and have a low immunogenic potential. Furthermore, AAVs, unlike other vector systems, only display a low rate of genomic integration. However, to ensure efficient transgene production, expression is typically driven by constitutively active promoters, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Tetracyclin responsive promoters represent a promising alternative to unregulated promoters. The present study compares AAVs encoding either constitutively active CMV or tet-off promoter regions in the preclinical models of hindlimb and chronic myocardial ischemia. Therapeutically, mediators regulating vessel maturation, specifically thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) and the downstream signaling molecule myocardin-related transcription factor A (MRTF-A) as well as the endothelial activator angiopoietin-2 (Ang2) were overexpressed via AAVs using both promotors. In the model of rabbit hindlimb ischemia, temporary (tet-off) expression of Tβ4 improved capillary density, collateralization, and perfusion in the ischemic hindlimb, with no detectable difference to constitutive Tβ4 overexpression. Similarly, constitutive overexpression of MRTF-A alone was able to improve capillarization, collateralization and perfusion. Temporary expression of Ang2 for 7 days further increased capillary density and pericyte coverage compared with MRTF-A alone, without further improving collateralization or perfusion. In the pig model of chronic myocardial ischemia constitutive expression of Tβ4 for 4 weeks induced capillary and collateral growth similarly to a pulsed expression (2 day expression per week for 3 weeks). Taken together these findings demonstrate for two models of preclinical interventions that temporary gene expression may lead to similar results as constitutive expression, highlighting the potential of controlled temporary gene expression for induction of vascular growth as a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tilman Ziegler
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus Kraus
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Wira Husada
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Gesenhues
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Qui Jiang
- 3 Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Olaf Pinkenburg
- 4 Institut für Immunologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Teresa Trenkwalder
- 5 Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, German Heart Centre Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Ludwig Laugwitz
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Christian Weber
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- 7 Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Kupatt
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
| | - Rabea Hinkel
- 1 Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I , Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- 2 DZHK (German Center for Cardiovascular Research), partner site Munich Heart Alliance, Munich, Germany
- 7 Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich , Munich, Germany
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Abstract
Treatment with thymosin beta 4 (Tβ4) reduces infarct volume and preserves cardiac function in preclinical models of cardiac ischemic injury. These effects stem in part from decreased infarct size, but additional benefits are likely due to specific antifibrotic and proangiogenic activities. Injected or transgenic Tβ4 increase blood vessel growth in large and small animal models, consistent with Tβ4 converting hibernating myocardium to an actively contractile state following ischemia. Tβ4 and its degradation products have antifibrotic effects in in vitro assays and in animal models of fibrosis not related to cardiac injury. This large number of pleiotropic effects results from Tβ4's many interactions with cellular signaling pathways, particularly indirect regulation of cellular motility and movement via the SRF-MRTF-G-actin transcriptional pathway. Variation in effects and effect sizes in animal models may potentially be due to variable distribution of Tβ4. Preclinical studies of PK/PD relationships and a reliable pharmacodynamic biomarker would facilitate clinical development of Tβ4.
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Affiliation(s)
- G T Pipes
- Cardiovascular Drug Discovery, Discovery Biology Research & Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, NJ, United States.
| | - J Yang
- Cardiovascular Drug Discovery, Discovery Biology Research & Development, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pennington, NJ, United States
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10
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MRTF-A controls vessel growth and maturation by increasing the expression of CCN1 and CCN2. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3970. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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