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Ietto G, Iori V, Gritti M, Inversini D, Costantino A, Izunza Barba S, Jiang ZG, Carcano G, Dalla Gasperina D, Pettinato G. Multicellular Liver Organoids: Generation and Importance of Diverse Specialized Cellular Components. Cells 2023; 12:1429. [PMID: 37408262 PMCID: PMC10217024 DOI: 10.3390/cells12101429] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 40,000 patients in the United States are estimated to suffer from end-stage liver disease and acute hepatic failure, for which liver transplantation is the only available therapy. Human primary hepatocytes (HPH) have not been employed as a therapeutic tool due to the difficulty in growing and expanding them in vitro, their sensitivity to cold temperatures, and tendency to dedifferentiate following two-dimensional culture. The differentiation of human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) into liver organoids (LO) has emerged as a potential alternative to orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT). However, several factors limit the efficiency of liver differentiation from hiPSCs, including a low proportion of differentiated cells capable of reaching a mature phenotype, the poor reproducibility of existing differentiation protocols, and insufficient long-term viability in vitro and in vivo. This review will analyze various methodologies being developed to improve hepatic differentiation from hiPSCs into liver organoids, paying particular attention to the use of endothelial cells as supportive cells for their further maturation. Here, we demonstrate why differentiated liver organoids can be used as a research tool for drug testing and disease modeling, or employed as a bridge for liver transplantation following liver failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Ietto
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Valentina Iori
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Mattia Gritti
- Department of General Surgery, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Davide Inversini
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Angelita Costantino
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy;
| | - Sofia Izunza Barba
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Z. Gordon Jiang
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Giulio Carcano
- General, Emergency and Transplant Surgery Department, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Daniela Dalla Gasperina
- Department of Medicine and Innovation Technology (DiMIT), University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
- Department of Infectious Diseases, ASST-Sette Laghi, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pettinato
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Larcombe MR, Hsu S, Polo JM, Knaupp AS. Indirect Mechanisms of Transcription Factor-Mediated Gene Regulation during Cell Fate Changes. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2022; 3:2200015. [PMID: 36911290 PMCID: PMC9993476 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202200015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factors (TFs) are the master regulators of cellular identity, capable of driving cell fate transitions including differentiations, reprogramming, and transdifferentiations. Pioneer TFs recognize partial motifs exposed on nucleosomal DNA, allowing for TF-mediated activation of repressed chromatin. Moreover, there is evidence suggesting that certain TFs can repress actively expressed genes either directly through interactions with accessible regulatory elements or indirectly through mechanisms that impact the expression, activity, or localization of other regulatory factors. Recent evidence suggests that during reprogramming, the reprogramming TFs initiate opening of chromatin regions rich in somatic TF motifs that are inaccessible in the initial and final cellular states. It is postulated that analogous to a sponge, these transiently accessible regions "soak up" somatic TFs, hence lowering the initial barriers to cell fate changes. This indirect TF-mediated gene regulation event, which is aptly named the "sponge effect," may play an essential role in the silencing of the somatic transcriptional network during different cellular conversions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R. Larcombe
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Development and Stem Cells ProgramMonash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Sheng Hsu
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Development and Stem Cells ProgramMonash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
| | - Jose M. Polo
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Development and Stem Cells ProgramMonash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- South Australian Immunogenomics Cancer Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth Australia5005Australia
- Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics, Faculty of Health and Medical SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSouth Australia5005Australia
| | - Anja S. Knaupp
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Development and Stem Cells ProgramMonash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteClaytonVictoria3168Australia
- Australian Regenerative Medicine InstituteMonash UniversityClaytonVictoria3168Australia
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3
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Vriend J, Thanasupawat T, Sinha N, Klonisch T. Ubiquitin Proteasome Gene Signatures in Ependymoma Molecular Subtypes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012330. [PMID: 36293188 PMCID: PMC9604155 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is critically important for cellular homeostasis and affects virtually all key functions in normal and neoplastic cells. Currently, a comprehensive review of the role of the UPS in ependymoma (EPN) brain tumors is lacking but may provide valuable new information on cellular networks specific to different EPN subtypes and reveal future therapeutic targets. We have reviewed publicly available EPN gene transcription datasets encoding components of the UPS pathway. Reactome analysis of these data revealed genes and pathways that were able to distinguish different EPN subtypes with high significance. We identified differential transcription of several genes encoding ubiquitin E2 conjugases associated with EPN subtypes. The expression of the E2 conjugase genes UBE2C, UBE2S, and UBE2I was elevated in the ST_EPN_RELA subtype. The UBE2C and UBE2S enzymes are associated with the ubiquitin ligase anaphase promoting complex (APC/c), which regulates the degradation of substrates associated with cell cycle progression, whereas UBE2I is a Sumo-conjugating enzyme. Additionally, elevated in ST_EPN_RELA were genes for the E3 ligase and histone deacetylase HDAC4 and the F-box cullin ring ligase adaptor FBX031. Cluster analysis demonstrated several genes encoding E3 ligases and their substrate adaptors as EPN subtype specific genetic markers. The most significant Reactome Pathways associated with differentially expressed genes for E3 ligases and their adaptors included antigen presentation, neddylation, sumoylation, and the APC/c complex. Our analysis provides several UPS associated factors that may be attractive markers and future therapeutic targets for the subtype-specific treatment of EPN patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Vriend
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-204-789-3732
| | - Thatchawan Thanasupawat
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
| | - Namita Sinha
- Department of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
| | - Thomas Klonisch
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Department of Pathology, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P5, Canada
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
- Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P4, Canada
- CancerCare Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0J9, Canada
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BMP9 Promotes an Epithelial Phenotype and a Hepatocyte-like Gene Expression Profile in Adult Hepatic Progenitor Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11030365. [PMID: 35159174 PMCID: PMC8834621 DOI: 10.3390/cells11030365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, has emerged as a new player in chronic liver diseases (CLDs). Its levels increase in the fibrotic liver where it promotes fibrogenesis. It also regulates hepatic progenitor cells (oval cells in rodents), a cell population that contributes to repopulate the liver and recover functionality upon severe damage, but it can also be pro-fibrogenic, depending upon the hepatic microenvironment. Here we analyze the effect of chronic exposure to BMP9 in oval cells. We show that cells chronically treated with BMP9 (B9T-OC) display a more epithelial and hepatocyte-like phenotype while acquiring proliferative and survival advantages. Since our previous studies had revealed a functional crosstalk between BMP9 and the HGF/c-Met signaling pathways in oval cells, we analyzed a possible role for HGF/c-Met in BMP9-induced long-term effects. Data evidence that active c-Met signaling is necessary to obtain maximum effects in terms of BMP9-triggered hepatocytic differentiation potential, further supporting functionally relevant cooperation between these pathways. In conclusion, our work reveals a novel action of BMP9 in liver cells and helps elucidate the mechanisms that serve to increase oval cell regenerative potential, which could be therapeutically modulated in CLD.
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Yang X, Cao N, Chen L, Liu L, Zhang M, Cao Y. Suppression of Cell Tumorigenicity by Non-neural Pro-differentiation Factors via Inhibition of Neural Property in Tumorigenic Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:714383. [PMID: 34595169 PMCID: PMC8476888 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.714383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Our studies have demonstrated that cell tumorigenicity and pluripotent differentiation potential stem from neural stemness or a neural ground state, which is defined by a regulatory network of higher levels of machineries for basic cell physiological functions, including cell cycle, ribosome biogenesis, protein translation, spliceosome, epigenetic modification factors, reprogramming factors, etc., in addition to the neural stemness specific factors. These machineries and neural stemness factors mostly play cancer-promoting roles. It can be deduced that differentiation requires the repression of neural ground state and causes the reduction or loss of neural ground state and thus tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. Formerly, we showed that neuronal differentiation led to reduced tumorigenicity in tumorigenic cells. In the present study, we show that non-neural pro-differentiation factors, such as GATA3, HNF4A, HHEX, and FOXA3 that specify mesodermal or/and endodermal tissues during vertebrate embryogenesis, suppress tumorigenicity via repression of neural stemness and promotion of non-neural property in tumorigenic cells. Mechanistically, these transcription factors repress the transcription of neural enriched genes and meanwhile activate genes that specify non-neural properties via direct binding to the promoters of these genes. We also show that combined expression of HHEX and FOXA3 suppresses tumorigenesis effectively in the AOM/DSS model of colitis-associated cancer. We suggest that targeting the property of neural stemness could be an effective strategy for cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Yang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ning Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Nanjing University, Shenzhen, China
- MOE Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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Fráguas-Eggenschwiler M, Eggenschwiler R, Söllner JH, Cortnumme L, Vondran FWR, Cantz T, Ott M, Niemann H. Direct conversion of porcine primary fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9334. [PMID: 33927320 PMCID: PMC8085017 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88727-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The pig is an important model organism for biomedical research, mainly due to its extensive genetic, physiological and anatomical similarities with humans. Until date, direct conversion of somatic cells into hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps) has only been achieved in rodents and human cells. Here, we employed lentiviral vectors to screen a panel of 12 hepatic transcription factors (TF) for their potential to convert porcine fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. We demonstrate for the first time, hepatic conversion of porcine somatic cells by over-expression of CEBPα, FOXA1 and HNF4α2 (3TF-piHeps). Reprogrammed 3TF-piHeps display a hepatocyte-like morphology and show functional characteristics of hepatic cells, including albumin secretion, Dil-AcLDL uptake, storage of lipids and glycogen and activity of cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP2C33 (CYP2C9 in humans). Moreover, we show that markers of mature hepatocytes are highly expressed in 3TF-piHeps, while fibroblastic markers are reduced. We envision piHeps as useful cell sources for future studies on drug metabolism and toxicity as well as in vitro models for investigation of pig-to-human infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Fráguas-Eggenschwiler
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Reto Eggenschwiler
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology, REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Jenny-Helena Söllner
- Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), Mariensee, Neustadt, Germany
| | - Leon Cortnumme
- Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology, REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian W R Vondran
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site Hannover-Braunschweig, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Cantz
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Translational Hepatology and Stem Cell Biology, REBIRTH - Research Center for Translational Regenerative Medicine and Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Michael Ott
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany.,Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Heiner Niemann
- Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany. .,Twincore Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.
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Li N, Li Y, Gao H, Li J, Ma X, Liu X, Gong P, Cui X, Li Y. Forkhead-box A3 (FOXA3) represses cancer stemness and partially potentiates chemosensitivity by targeting metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2020; 21:CCDT-EPUB-112119. [PMID: 33292133 DOI: 10.2174/1568009620666201207150632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The major challenge to the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) is persistent occurrence of chemoresistance. One of the established etiologies is the existence of cancerstem-like cells (CSCs) using which tumors resist to external therapeutic challenges. OBJECTIVE The forkhead-box A3 (FOXA3) is a potent transcription factor that potentiates the acquisition and maintenance of stemness fate in many physiological systems. However, its effect on cancer stemness, particularly treatment, has not been explored in CRC, forming the basis of the current study. METHODS FOXA3 expression in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC tissues and cells was evaluated using RT-qPCR. Effects of FOXA3 manipulation on sensitivity to oxaliplatin were assessed using WST-1, apoptotic ELISA, colony formation and xenograft model. Effects of FOXA3 alteration on CSCs were determined using tumor sphere assay and CD44 staining. Transcriptional regulation of MACC1 by FOXA3 was studied using ChIP, Co-IP and luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS FOXA3 expression was significantly reduced in tumor samples from oxaliplatin-non-responsive patients compared with that in tumor samples from oxaliplatin-sensitive patients. This downregulation of FOXA3 expression predicted a poor post-chemotherapy overall- or disease-free survival in our 117-patient cohort. FOXA3 down-regulation significantly enhanced cell survival and stem-like properties, thus rendering the CRC cells unresponsiveness to oxaliplatin-induced cell death. Mechanistically, the anti-neoplasic effect of FOXA3 was mediated mainly through transcriptional repression of metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) in oxaliplatin-resistant CRC cells. CONCLUSION Our findings establish FOXA3 as a potent tumor suppressor in CRC, which may disrupt the maintenance of stemness and modulate sensitivity to oxaliplatin by inhibiting the transcription of MACC1 within CRC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Li
- Cancer center of Suining Central Hospital, Suining 629000. China
| | - Yun Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China
| | - Hongbo Gao
- Radionuclide Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing Nuclear Industry Hospital, Beijing 100045. China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China
| | - Xiaoping Ma
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China
| | - Xiaomei Liu
- Cancer center of Suining Central Hospital, Suining 629000. China
| | - Ping Gong
- Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China
| | - Xiaobin Cui
- Department of Pathology, Medical College of Shihezi University, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. China
| | - Yong Li
- Department of Radiology, Suining Central Hospital, Suining 629000. China
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Horisawa K, Udono M, Ueno K, Ohkawa Y, Nagasaki M, Sekiya S, Suzuki A. The Dynamics of Transcriptional Activation by Hepatic Reprogramming Factors. Mol Cell 2020; 79:660-676.e8. [PMID: 32755593 DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2020.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Specific combinations of two transcription factors (Hnf4α plus Foxa1, Foxa2, or Foxa3) can induce direct conversion of mouse fibroblasts into hepatocyte-like cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatic reprogramming are largely unknown. Here, we show that the Foxa protein family members and Hnf4α sequentially and cooperatively bind to chromatin to activate liver-specific gene expression. Although all Foxa proteins bind to and open regions of closed chromatin as pioneer factors, Foxa3 has the unique potential of transferring from the distal to proximal regions of the transcription start site of target genes, binding RNA polymerase II, and co-traversing target genes. These distinctive characteristics of Foxa3 are essential for inducing the hepatic fate in fibroblasts. Similar functional coupling of transcription factors to RNA polymerase II may occur in other contexts whereby transcriptional activation can induce cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Horisawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Miyako Udono
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kazuko Ueno
- Genome Medical Science Project, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo 162-8655, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Ohkawa
- Division of Transcriptomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masao Nagasaki
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan; Human Biosciences Unit for the Top Global Course, Center for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Education and Research, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Sayaka Sekiya
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
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Wang JW, Chen Y, Liu QC, Liu GZ, Zhang SY, Guo YJ, Li DH, Chen XT, Lin C, Gao F. HNF-1 binding point mutation of the AFP gene promotes cirrhosis in post-menopausal women. Int J Biol Markers 2020; 35:41-46. [PMID: 31992114 DOI: 10.1177/1724600819900510] [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] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE α-fetoprotein (AFP) expression is activated during the embryonic stage or hepatocellular carcinogenesis, so it is presumed that AFP is a key endogenous molecule to promote cell proliferation or differentiation. We carried out gene screening in an unknown family with hyper-alpha-fetoproteinemia and some sporadic menopausal women, and discussed the relationship between AFP expression and liver cirrhosis. METHODS Peripheral blood samples from family members, patients with malignant liver tumors, and normal controls were collected. Full-length sequence of AFP was amplified and directly sequenced, and compared with normal controls. HNF-1α and HNF-1β in plasma levels of family members, patients with liver cancer, newborns, pregnant women, and normal subjects were detected by ELISA, and the relationship between HNF-1 and AFP mutation or high expression was evaluated. RESULTS There was a mutation in AFP promoter region at c.-200 C>T, which was located at the binding site of AFP hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 (HNF-1). AFP was higher than 4000 ng/L in all members carrying the mutation, but liver cancer was excluded in the family with hyper-alpha-fetoprotein. However, cirrhosis occurred in post-menopausal women. The cases reviewed showed that unknown hyper-alpha-fetoprotein was closely related to HNF-1 binding point of AFP in post-menopausal women with cirrhosis (7/11), while the plasma levels of HNF-1α and HNF-1β were not significantly different. CONCLUSION The mutation of the HNF-1 binding point of AFP may lead to an abnormal high expression of AFP by altering the binding of HNF transcription factors, which is closely related to cirrhosis in menopausal women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Wen Wang
- Department of Pathology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mindong Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuan, China
| | - Qi-Cai Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Centre, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Guo-Zhong Liu
- Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shu-Yu Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical Technology and Engineering College, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yu-Jia Guo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Centre, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Dong-Hong Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Centre, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xing-Ting Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Centre, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chen Lin
- Department of Reproductive Medicine Centre, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Pathology, 1st Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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10
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Hosseini V, Maroufi NF, Saghati S, Asadi N, Darabi M, Ahmad SNS, Hosseinkhani H, Rahbarghazi R. Current progress in hepatic tissue regeneration by tissue engineering. J Transl Med 2019; 17:383. [PMID: 31752920 PMCID: PMC6873477 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-02137-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver, as a vital organ, is responsible for a wide range of biological functions to maintain homeostasis and any type of damages to hepatic tissue contributes to disease progression and death. Viral infection, trauma, carcinoma, alcohol misuse and inborn errors of metabolism are common causes of liver diseases are a severe known reason for leading to end-stage liver disease or liver failure. In either way, liver transplantation is the only treatment option which is, however, hampered by the increasing scarcity of organ donor. Over the past years, considerable efforts have been directed toward liver regeneration aiming at developing new approaches and methodologies to enhance the transplantation process. These approaches include producing decellularized scaffolds from the liver organ, 3D bio-printing system, and nano-based 3D scaffolds to simulate the native liver microenvironment. The application of small molecules and micro-RNAs and genetic manipulation in favor of hepatic differentiation of distinct stem cells could also be exploited. All of these strategies will help to facilitate the application of stem cells in human medicine. This article reviews the most recent strategies to generate a high amount of mature hepatocyte-like cells and updates current knowledge on liver regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Hosseini
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza St., Golgasht St., Tabriz, 5166614756, Iran.,Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nazila Fathi Maroufi
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sepideh Saghati
- Department of Tissue Engineering, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Nahideh Asadi
- Department of Nanotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Masoud Darabi
- Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Imam Reza St., Golgasht St., Tabriz, 5166614756, Iran.,Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Saeed Nazari Soltan Ahmad
- Department of Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratories, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | | | - Reza Rahbarghazi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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11
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Huang C, Liu J, Xiong B, Yonemura Y, Yang X. Expression and prognosis analyses of forkhead box A (FOXA) family in human lung cancer. Gene 2018; 685:202-210. [PMID: 30415009 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in early diagnosis and treatment, cancer still remains the major reason of mortality worldwide. The forkhead box A (FOXA) family is reported to participate in diverse human diseases. However, little is known about their expression and prognostic values in human lung cancer. Herein, we conducted a detailed cancer vs. normal analysis. The mRNA expression levels of FOXA family in numerous kind of cancers, including lung cancer, were analyzed using the Oncomine and GEPIA database. We observed that the mRNA expression levels of FOXA1, and FOXA3 were all increased while FOXA2 were decreased in most cancers compared with normal tissues, especially in lung cancer. Moreover, the expression levels of FOXA1, and FOXA3 are also highly expressed, while FOXA2 were decreased in almost all cancer cell lines, particularly in lung cancer cell lines, analyzing by Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and EMBL-EBI databases. Furthermore, the LinkedOmics database was used to evaluate the prognostic values, indicating that higher expression of FOXA1, FOXA3 indicated a poor overall survival (OS), while increased FOXA2 revealed a better OS in lung cancer. To conclusion, FOXA family showed significant expression differences between cancer and normal tissues, especially lung cancer, and FOXA1, FOXA3 could be promising prognostic biomarkers for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoqun Huang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors & Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, 430071 Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Jiuyang Liu
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, PR China
| | - Bin Xiong
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors & Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, 430071 Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yutaka Yonemura
- Peritoneal Dissemination Center, Kishiwada Tokushukai Hospital, Kishiwada 596-0032, Japan; Department of Surgery, Kusatsu General Hospital, Shiga 600-8189, Japan
| | - Xiaojun Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, PR China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors & Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, 430071 Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
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12
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Liang T, Jia Y, Zhang R, Du Q, Chang Z. Identification, molecular characterization and analysis of the expression pattern of $${\varvec{SoxF}}$$ SoxF subgroup genes the Yellow River carp, $${\varvec{Cyprinus} \varvec{carpio}}$$ Cyprinus carpio. J Genet 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-018-0898-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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13
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Human embryoid bodies to hepatocyte-like clusters: Preparing for translation. LIVER RESEARCH 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livres.2017.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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14
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Vasconcellos R, Alvarenga ÉC, Parreira RC, Lima SS, Resende RR. Exploring the cell signalling in hepatocyte differentiation. Cell Signal 2016; 28:1773-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2016.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/18/2016] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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