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Lu ZJ, Ye JG, Wang DL, Li MK, Zhang QK, Liu Z, Huang YJ, Pan CN, Lin YH, Shi ZX, Zheng YF. Integrative Single-Cell RNA-Seq and ATAC-Seq Analysis of Mouse Corneal Epithelial Cells. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:30. [PMID: 36943152 PMCID: PMC10043503 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.30] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Corneal epithelial homeostasis is maintained by coordinated gene expression across distinct cell populations, but the gene regulatory programs underlying this cellular diversity remain to be characterized. Here we applied single-cell multi-omics analysis to delineate the gene regulatory profile of mouse corneal epithelial cells under normal homeostasis. Methods Single cells isolated from the cornea epithelium (with marginal conjunctiva) of adult mice were subjected to scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq using the 10×Genomics platform. Cell types were clustered by the graph-based visualization method uniform manifold approximation and projection and unbiased computational informatics analysis. The scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq datasets were integrated following the integration pipeline described in ArchR and Seurat. Results We characterized diverse corneal epithelial cell types based on gene expression signatures and chromatin accessibility. We found that cell type-specific accessibility regions were mainly located at distal regions, suggesting essential roles of distal regulatory elements in determining corneal epithelial cell diversity. Trajectory analyses revealed a continuum of cell state transition and higher coordination between transcription factor (TF) motif accessibility and gene expression during corneal epithelial cell differentiation. By integrating transcriptomic and chromatin accessibility analysis, we identified cell type-specific and shared gene regulation programs. We also uncovered critical TFs driving corneal epithelial cell differentiation, such as nuclear factor I (NFI) family members, Rarg, Elf3. We found that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) family members were positive TFs in limbal cells and some superficial cells, but they were involved in regulating distinct biological processes. Conclusions Our study presents a comprehensive gene regulatory landscape of mouse cornea epithelial cells, and provides valuable foundations for future investigation of corneal epithelial homeostasis in the context of cornea pathologies and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Jing Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
| | - Jin-Guo Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dong-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Ke Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi-Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan-Jing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cai-Neng Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Heng Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhuo-Xing Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying-Feng Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, China
- Research Unit of Ocular Development and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China
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Javed A, Santos-França PL, Mattar P, Cui A, Kassem F, Cayouette M. Ikaros family proteins redundantly regulate temporal patterning in the developing mouse retina. Development 2023; 150:286611. [PMID: 36537580 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Temporal identity factors regulate competence of neural progenitors to generate specific cell types in a time-dependent manner, but how they operate remains poorly defined. In the developing mouse retina, the Ikaros zinc-finger transcription factor Ikzf1 regulates production of early-born cell types, except cone photoreceptors. In this study we show that, during early stages of retinal development, another Ikaros family protein, Ikzf4, functions redundantly with Ikzf1 to regulate cone photoreceptor production. Using CUT&RUN and functional assays, we show that Ikzf4 binds and represses genes involved in late-born rod photoreceptor specification, hence favoring cone production. At late stages, when Ikzf1 is no longer expressed in progenitors, we show that Ikzf4 re-localizes to target genes involved in gliogenesis and is required for Müller glia production. We report that Ikzf4 regulates Notch signaling genes and is sufficient to activate the Hes1 promoter through two Ikzf GGAA-binding motifs, suggesting a mechanism by which Ikzf4 may influence gliogenesis. These results uncover a combinatorial role for Ikaros family members during nervous system development and provide mechanistic insights on how they temporally regulate cell fate output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Awais Javed
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pedro L Santos-França
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Pierre Mattar
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Allie Cui
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
| | - Fatima Kassem
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Canada
| | - Michel Cayouette
- Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Montreal H2W 1R7, Canada
- Molecular Biology Program, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal H3T 1J4, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal H3A 0G4, Canada
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Wang Y, Yang X, Li Q, Zhang Y, Chen L, Hong L, Xie Z, Yang S, Deng X, Cao M, Yi G, Fu M. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the Müller subtypes and inner blood-retinal barrier regulatory network in early diabetic retinopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1048634. [PMID: 36533134 PMCID: PMC9754943 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1048634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2023] Open
Abstract
As the basic pathological changes of diabetic retinopathy (DR), the destruction of the blood-retina barrier (BRB) and vascular leakage have attracted extensive attention. Without timely intervention, BRB damage will eventually lead to serious visual impairment. However, due to the delicate structure and complex function of the BRB, the mechanism underlying damage to the BRB in DR has not been fully clarified. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology to analyze 35,910 cells from the retina of healthy and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, focusing on the degeneration of the main cells constituting the rat BRB in DR and the new definition of two subpopulations of Müller cells at the cell level, Ctxn3 +Müller and Ctxn3 -Müller cells. We analyzed the characteristics and significant differences between the two groups of Müller cells and emphasized the importance of the Ctxn3 +Müller subgroup in diseases. In endothelial cells, we found possible mechanisms of self-protection and adhesion and recruitment to pericytes. In addition, we constructed a communication network between endothelial cells, pericytes, and Müller subsets and clarified the complex regulatory relationship between cells. In summary, we constructed an atlas of the iBRB in the early stage of DR and elucidate the degeneration of its constituent cells and Müller cells and the regulatory relationship between them, providing a series of potential targets for the early treatment of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, South China Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiongyi Yang
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiumo Li
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuxi Zhang
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shenzhen Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Libing Hong
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhuohang Xie
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Siyu Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoqing Deng
- The Second Clinical School, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Mingzhe Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Guoguo Yi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Min Fu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Ming Z, Vining B, Bagheri-Fam S, Harley V. SOX9 in organogenesis: shared and unique transcriptional functions. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:522. [PMID: 36114905 PMCID: PMC9482574 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04543-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The transcription factor SOX9 is essential for the development of multiple organs including bone, testis, heart, lung, pancreas, intestine and nervous system. Mutations in the human SOX9 gene led to campomelic dysplasia, a haploinsufficiency disorder with several skeletal malformations frequently accompanied by 46, XY sex reversal. The mechanisms underlying the diverse SOX9 functions during organ development including its post-translational modifications, the availability of binding partners, and tissue-specific accessibility to target gene chromatin. Here we summarize the expression, activities, and downstream target genes of SOX9 in molecular genetic pathways essential for organ development, maintenance, and function. We also provide an insight into understanding the mechanisms that regulate the versatile roles of SOX9 in different organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Ming
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Brittany Vining
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Stefan Bagheri-Fam
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Vincent Harley
- Sex Development Laboratory, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
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A New Model Organism to Investigate Extraocular Photoreception: Opsin and Retinal Gene Expression in the Sea Urchin Paracentrotus lividus. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172636. [PMID: 36078045 PMCID: PMC9454927 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular research on the evolution of extraocular photoreception has drawn attention to photosensitive animals lacking proper eye organs. Outside of vertebrates, little is known about this type of sensory system in any other deuterostome. In this study, we investigate such an extraocular photoreceptor cell (PRC) system in developmental stages of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus. We provide a general overview of the cell type families present at the mature rudiment stage using single-cell transcriptomics, while emphasizing the PRCs complexity. We show that three neuronal and one muscle-like PRC type families express retinal genes prior to metamorphosis. Two of the three neuronal PRC type families express a rhabdomeric opsin as well as an echinoderm-specific opsin (echinopsin), and their genetic wiring includes sea urchin orthologs of key retinal genes such as hlf, pp2ab56e, barh, otx, ac/sc, brn3, six1/2, pax6, six3, neuroD, irxA, isl and ato. Using qPCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemical analysis, we found that the expressed retinal gene composition becomes more complex from mature rudiment to juvenile stage. The majority of retinal genes are expressed dominantly in the animals’ podia, and in addition to the genes already expressed in the mature rudiment, the juvenile podia express a ciliary opsin, another echinopsin, and two Go-opsins. The expression of a core of vertebrate retinal gene orthologs indicates that sea urchins have an evolutionarily conserved gene regulatory toolkit that controls photoreceptor specification and function, and that their podia are photosensory organs.
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Kant Tripathi S, Kumar Sahoo R, Kumar Biswal B. SOX9 as an emerging target for anticancer drugs and a prognostic biomarker for cancer drug resistance. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2541-2550. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Mares L, Ramos L. Harderian SOX9: Molecular characterization and its dimorphic expression in hamster. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2021; 258:110981. [PMID: 34000431 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.110981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The molecular action of SOX9 can promote lipogenesis. Because the hamster Harderian gland (HG) synthesizes lipids and exhibits sexual dimorphism, this study aimed to identify and characterize Harderian SOX9. We examined the tissue distribution and expression profiles of SOX9 in hamster Mesocricetus auratus HGs. The full-length SOX9 cDNA sequence [3649-base pairs (bp)] contains an 81-bp 5' untranslated region (UTR), a 3' UTR of 2044-bp, an open reading frame (ORF) of 1524-bp, and a polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) at 19-bp upstream of poly(A) tail. The cDNA encodes a 507 amino acid protein containing the potential DNA-binding domain known as the HMG box. BLAST analysis revealed 99%, 99%, and 97% identity with the SOX9 of mouse, rat, and human, respectively. High expression levels were also observed in the testis, cerebellum, and hypothalamus. qPCR analysis demonstrated that SOX9 is expressed more abundantly in the HGs of males than in females. Sexually dimorphic expression of SOX9 suggests that differential expression between male and female HGs could be under the regulation of sex steroids. SOX9 might play a similar role in regulating exocrine secretions of lipids; these could occur downstream of FGF signaling - as found during embryogenesis - and/or androgen signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Mares
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico
| | - L Ramos
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México City, Mexico.
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8
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Nguyen-Ba-Charvet KT, Rebsam A. Neurogenesis and Specification of Retinal Ganglion Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020451. [PMID: 31936811 PMCID: PMC7014133 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Across all species, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are the first retinal neurons generated during development, followed by the other retinal cell types. How are retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) able to produce these cell types in a specific and timely order? Here, we will review the different models of retinal neurogenesis proposed over the last decades as well as the extrinsic and intrinsic factors controlling it. We will then focus on the molecular mechanisms, especially the cascade of transcription factors that regulate, more specifically, RGC fate. We will also comment on the recent discovery that the ciliary marginal zone is a new stem cell niche in mice contributing to retinal neurogenesis, especially to the generation of ipsilateral RGCs. Furthermore, RGCs are composed of many different subtypes that are anatomically, physiologically, functionally, and molecularly defined. We will summarize the different classifications of RGC subtypes and will recapitulate the specification of some of them and describe how a genetic disease such as albinism affects neurogenesis, resulting in profound visual deficits.
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9
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Ji H, Yi Q, Chen L, Wong L, Liu Y, Xu G, Zhao J, Huang T, Li B, Yang Y, Li W, Han L, Duan S. Circulating miR-3197 and miR-2116-5p as novel biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy. Clin Chim Acta 2019; 501:147-153. [PMID: 31678272 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.10.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults. The goal of this case-control study was to identify circulating miRNAs for the diagnosis of DR. The miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit was used to extract serum miRNAs. The μParaflo™ MicroRNA microarray was used to detect the expression levels of the miRNAs. The miRWalk algorithm was applied to predict the target genes of the miRNAs, which were further confirmed by the dual luciferase reporter gene system in HEK293T cells. A microarray was performed between 5 DR cases and 5 age-, sex-, body mass index-, and duration of diabetes-matched type 2 diabetic (T2DM) controls. The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique was used to validate the differentially expressed circulating miRNAs in 45 DR cases and 45 well-matched controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the circulating miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for DR. Our microarray analysis screened out miR-2116-5p and miR-3197 as significantly up-regulated in DR cases compared with the controls. Furthermore, two miRNAs were validated in the 45 DR cases and 45 controls. The ROC analysis suggested that both miR-3197 and miR-2116-5p distinguished DR cases from controls. An additional dual-luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that notch homolog 2 (NOTCH2) was the target gene of miR-2116-5p. Both miR-3197 and miR-2116-5p were identified as promising diagnostic biomarkers for DR. Future research is still needed to explore the molecular mechanisms of miR-3197 and miR-2116-5p in the pathogenesis of DR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihui Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China; Departmant of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Quanyong Yi
- Ningbo Eye Hospital, Minan Road 855, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lishuang Chen
- Ningbo Eye Hospital, Minan Road 855, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liping Wong
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Yanfen Liu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guodong Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tianyi Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Bin Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yong Yang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wenxia Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liyuan Han
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Shiwei Duan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
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The peripheral eye: A neurogenic area with potential to treat retinal pathologies? Prog Retin Eye Res 2018; 68:110-123. [PMID: 30201383 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Numerous degenerative diseases affecting visual function, including glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa, are produced by the loss of different types of retinal cells. Cell replacement therapy has emerged as a promising strategy for treating these and other retinal diseases. The retinal margin or ciliary body (CB) of mammals has been proposed as a potential source of cells to be used in degenerative conditions affecting the retina because it has been reported it might hold neurogenic potential beyond embryonic development. However, many aspects of the origin and biology of the CB are unknown and more recent experiments have challenged the capacity of CB cells to generate different types of retinal neurons. Here we review the most recent findings about the development of the marginal zone of the retina in different vertebrates and some of the mechanisms underlying the proliferative and neurogenic capacity of this fascinating region of the vertebrates eye. In addition, we performed experiments to isolate CB cells from the mouse retina, generated neurospheres and observed that they can be expanded with a proliferative ratio similar to neural stem cells. When induced to differentiate, cells derived from the CB neurospheres start to express early neural markers but, unlike embryonic stem cells, they are not able to fully differentiate in vitro or generate retinal organoids. Together with previous reports on the neurogenic capacity of CB cells, also reviewed here, our results contribute to the current knowledge about the potentiality of this peripheral region of the eye as a therapeutic source of functional retinal neurons in degenerative diseases.
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Garcia GR, Goodale BC, Wiley MW, La Du JK, Hendrix DA, Tanguay RL. In Vivo Characterization of an AHR-Dependent Long Noncoding RNA Required for Proper Sox9b Expression. Mol Pharmacol 2017; 91:609-619. [PMID: 28385905 PMCID: PMC5438132 DOI: 10.1124/mol.117.108233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Xenobiotic activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) prevents the proper formation of craniofacial cartilage and the heart in developing zebrafish. Downstream molecular targets responsible for AHR-dependent adverse effects remain largely unknown; however, in zebrafish sox9b has been identified as one of the most-reduced transcripts in several target organs and is hypothesized to have a causal role in TCDD-induced toxicity. The reduction of sox9b expression in TCDD-exposed zebrafish embryos has been shown to contribute to heart and jaw malformation phenotypes. The mechanisms by which AHR2 (functional ortholog of mammalian AHR) activation leads to reduced sox9b expression levels and subsequent target organ toxicity are unknown. We have identified a novel long noncoding RNA (slincR) that is upregulated by strong AHR ligands and is located adjacent to the sox9b gene. We hypothesize that slincR is regulated by AHR2 and transcriptionally represses sox9b. The slincR transcript functions as an RNA macromolecule, and slincR expression is AHR2 dependent. Antisense knockdown of slincR results in an increase in sox9b expression during both normal development and AHR2 activation, which suggests relief in repression. During development, slincR was expressed in tissues with sox9 essential functions, including the jaw/snout region, otic vesicle, eye, and brain. Reducing the levels of slincR resulted in altered neurologic and/or locomotor behavioral responses. Our results place slincR as an intermediate between AHR2 activation and the reduction of sox9b mRNA in the AHR2 signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria R Garcia
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center (G.R.G., J.K.L.D., R.L.T.), and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (M.W.W., D.A.H), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.C.G.)
| | - Britton C Goodale
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center (G.R.G., J.K.L.D., R.L.T.), and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (M.W.W., D.A.H), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.C.G.)
| | - Michelle W Wiley
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center (G.R.G., J.K.L.D., R.L.T.), and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (M.W.W., D.A.H), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.C.G.)
| | - Jane K La Du
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center (G.R.G., J.K.L.D., R.L.T.), and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (M.W.W., D.A.H), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.C.G.)
| | - David A Hendrix
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center (G.R.G., J.K.L.D., R.L.T.), and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (M.W.W., D.A.H), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.C.G.)
| | - Robert L Tanguay
- Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology, Environmental Health Sciences Center (G.R.G., J.K.L.D., R.L.T.), and Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics (M.W.W., D.A.H), Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire (B.C.G.)
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Ha T, Moon KH, Dai L, Hatakeyama J, Yoon K, Park HS, Kong YY, Shimamura K, Kim JW. The Retinal Pigment Epithelium Is a Notch Signaling Niche in the Mouse Retina. Cell Rep 2017; 19:351-363. [PMID: 28402857 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2017.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 01/29/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Notch signaling in neural progenitor cell is triggered by ligands expressed in adjacent cells. To identify the sources of active Notch ligands in the mouse retina, we negatively regulated Notch ligand activity in various neighbors of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) by eliminating mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1 (Mib1). Mib1-deficient retinal cells failed to induce Notch activation in intra-lineage RPCs, which prematurely differentiated into neurons; however, Mib1 in post-mitotic retinal ganglion cells was not important. Interestingly, Mib1 in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) also contributed to Notch activation in adjacent RPCs by supporting the localization of active Notch ligands at RPE-RPC contacts. Combining this RPE-driven Notch signaling and intra-retinal Notch signaling, we propose a model in which one RPC daughter receives extra Notch signals from the RPE to become an RPC, whereas its sister cell receives only a subthreshold level of intra-retinal Notch signal and differentiates into a neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taejeong Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Kyeong Hwan Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Le Dai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea
| | - Jun Hatakeyama
- Department of Brain Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Keejung Yoon
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do 16419, South Korea
| | - Hee-Sae Park
- Hormone Research Center, School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, South Korea
| | - Young-Yoon Kong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, South Korea
| | - Kenji Shimamura
- Department of Brain Morphogenesis, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan
| | - Jin Woo Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, South Korea.
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Yap is essential for retinal progenitor cell cycle progression and RPE cell fate acquisition in the developing mouse eye. Dev Biol 2016; 419:336-347. [PMID: 27616714 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Yap functions as a transcriptional regulator by acting together with sequence-specific DNA binding factors and transcription cofactors to mediate cell proliferation in developing epithelial tissues and tumors. An upstream kinase cascade controls nuclear localization and function in response to partially identified exogenous signals, including cell-to-cell contact. Nevertheless, its role in CNS development is poorly understood. In order to investigate Yap function in developing CNS, we characterized the cellular outcomes after selective Yap gene ablation in developing ocular tissues. When Yap was lost, presumptive retinal pigment epithelium acquired anatomical and molecular characteristics resembling those of the retinal epithelium rather than of RPE, including loss of pigmentation, pseudostratified epithelial morphology and ectopic induction of markers for retinal progenitor cells, like Chx10, and neurons, like β-Tubulin III. In addition, developing retina showed signs of progressive degeneration, including laminar folding, thinning and cell loss, which resulted from multiple defects in cell proliferation and survival, and in junction integrity. Furthermore, Yap-deficient retinal progenitors displayed decreased S-phase cells and altered cell cycle progression. Altogether, our studies not only illustrate the canonical function of Yap in promoting the proliferation of progenitors, but also shed new light on its evolutionarily conserved, instructive role in regional specification, maintenance of junctional integrity and precise regulation of cell proliferation during neuroepithelial development.
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Geraldo MT, Valente GT, Nakajima RT, Martins C. Dimerization and Transactivation Domains as Candidates for Functional Modulation and Diversity of Sox9. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0156199. [PMID: 27196604 PMCID: PMC4873142 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0156199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Sox9 plays an important role in a large variety of developmental pathways in vertebrates. It is composed of three domains: high-mobility group box (HMG box), dimerization (DIM) and transactivation (TAD). One of the main processes for regulation and variability of the pathways involving Sox9 is the self-gene expression regulation of Sox9. However, the subsequent roles of the Sox9 domains can also generate regulatory modulations. Studies have shown that TADs can bind to different types of proteins and its function seems to be influenced by DIM. Therefore, we hypothesized that both domains are directly associated and can be responsible for the functional variability of Sox9. We applied a method based on a broad phylogenetic context, using sequences of the HMG box domain, to ensure the homology of all the Sox9 copies used herein. The data obtained included 4,921 sequences relative to 657 metazoan species. Based on coevolutionary and selective pressure analyses of the Sox9 sequences, we observed coevolutions involving DIM and TADs. These data, along with the experimental data from literature, indicate a functional relationship between these domains. Moreover, DIM and TADs may be responsible for the functional plasticity of Sox9 because they are more tolerant for molecular changes (higher Ka/Ks ratio than the HMG box domain). This tolerance could allow a differential regulation of target genes or promote novel targets during transcriptional activation. In conclusion, we suggest that DIM and TADs functional association may regulate differentially the target genes or even promote novel targets during transcription activation mediated by Sox9 paralogs, contributing to the subfunctionalization of Sox9a and Sox9b in teleosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos Tadeu Geraldo
- Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, 18618-000, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Targino Valente
- Systems Biology and Genomics Laboratory, Department of Bioprocess and Biotechnology, Agronomical Science Faculty, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, 18610-307, Brazil
| | - Rafael Takahiro Nakajima
- Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, 18618-000, Brazil
| | - Cesar Martins
- Integrative Genomics Laboratory, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences, Sao Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu, SP, 18618-000, Brazil
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15
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Del Debbio CB, Mir Q, Parameswaran S, Mathews S, Xia X, Zheng L, Neville AJ, Ahmad I. Notch Signaling Activates Stem Cell Properties of Müller Glia through Transcriptional Regulation and Skp2-mediated Degradation of p27Kip1. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0152025. [PMID: 27011052 PMCID: PMC4806989 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0152025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Müller glia (MG), the sole glial cells generated by retinal progenitors, have emerged as a viable cellular target for therapeutic regeneration in degenerative blinding diseases, as they possess dormant stem cell properties. However, the mammalian MG does not display the neurogenic potential of their lower vertebrate counterparts, precluding their practical clinical use. The answer to this barrier may be found in two interlinked processes underlying the neurogenic potential, i.e., the activation of the dormant stem cell properties of MG and their differentiation along the neuronal lineage. Here, we have focused on the former and examined Notch signaling-mediated activation of MG. We demonstrate that one of the targets of Notch signaling is the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CKI), p27Kip1, which is highly expressed in quiescent MG. Notch signaling facilitates the activation of MG by inhibiting p27Kip1 expression. This is likely achieved through the Notch- p27Kip1 and Notch-Skp2-p27Kip1 axes, the former inhibiting the expression of p27Kip1 transcripts and the latter levels of p27Kip1 proteins by Skp2-mediated proteasomal degradation. Thus, Notch signaling may facilitate re-entry of MG into the cell cycle by inhibiting p27Kip1 expression both transcriptionally and post-translationally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Beltrame Del Debbio
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Qulsum Mir
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Sowmya Parameswaran
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Saumi Mathews
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Xiaohuan Xia
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Li Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Andrew J. Neville
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
| | - Iqbal Ahmad
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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16
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Baba Y, Aihara Y, Watanabe S. MicroRNA-7a regulates Müller glia differentiation by attenuating Notch3 expression. Exp Eye Res 2015; 138:59-65. [PMID: 26122050 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
miRNA-7a plays critical roles in various biological aspects in health and disease. We aimed to reveal roles of miR-7a in mouse retinal development by loss- and gain-of-function analyses of miR-7a. Plasmids encoding miR-7a or miR-7a-decoy (anti-sense miR-7a) were introduced into mouse retina at P0, and the retina was cultured as explant. Then, proliferation of retinal progenitors and differentiation of retinal subtypes were examined by immunostaining. miR-7a had no apparent effect on the proliferation of retinal progenitor cells. However, the expression of Müller glia marker, cyclin D3, was reduced by miR-7a overexpression and up-regulated by miR-7a decoy, suggesting that miR-7a negatively regulates differentiation of Müller glia. Targets of miR-7a, which were predicted by using a public program miRNA.org, and Notch3 was suggested to be one of candidate genes of miR-7a target. Notch3 3' UTR appeared to contain complementary sequence to the seed sequence of miR-7a. A reporter assay in NIH3T3 cells using a plasmid containing multiple repeats of potential target sequence of 3' Notch UTR showed that miR-7a suppress expression of reporter EGFP through 3'UTR region. Expression of sh-Notch3 and over-expression of NICD3 in retina suggested that miR-7a regulates Müller glia differentiation through attenuation of Notch3 expression. Taken together, we revealed that the miR-7a regulates the differentiation of Müller glia through the suppression of Notch3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Baba
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuko Aihara
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Sumiko Watanabe
- Division of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
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17
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Dvoriantchikova G, Perea-Martinez I, Pappas S, Barry AF, Danek D, Dvoriantchikova X, Pelaez D, Ivanov D. Molecular Characterization of Notch1 Positive Progenitor Cells in the Developing Retina. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0131054. [PMID: 26091508 PMCID: PMC4474692 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0131054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The oscillatory expression of Notch signaling in neural progenitors suggests that both repressors and activators of neural fate specification are expressed in the same progenitors. Since Notch1 regulates photoreceptor differentiation and contributes (together with Notch3) to ganglion cell fate specification, we hypothesized that genes encoding photoreceptor and ganglion cell fate activators would be highly expressed in Notch1 receptor-bearing (Notch1+) progenitors, directing these cells to differentiate into photoreceptors or into ganglion cells when Notch1 activity is diminished. To identify these genes, we used microarray analysis to study expression profiles of whole retinas and isolated from them Notch1+ cells at embryonic day 14 (E14) and postnatal day 0 (P0). To isolate Notch1+ cells, we utilized immunomagnetic cell separation. We also used Notch3 knockout (Notch3KO) animals to evaluate the contribution of Notch3 signaling in ganglion cell differentiation. Hierarchical clustering of 6,301 differentially expressed genes showed that Notch1+ cells grouped near the same developmental stage retina cluster. At E14, we found higher expression of repressors (Notch1, Hes5) and activators (Dll3, Atoh7, Otx2) of neuronal differentiation in Notch1+ cells compared to whole retinal cell populations. At P0, Notch1, Hes5, and Dll1 expression was significantly higher in Notch1+ cells than in whole retinas. Otx2 expression was more than thirty times higher than Atoh7 expression in Notch1+ cells at P0. We also observed that retinas of wild type animals had only 14% (P < 0.05) more ganglion cells compared to Notch3KO mice. Since this number is relatively small and Notch1 has been shown to contribute to ganglion cell fate specification, we suggested that Notch1 signaling may play a more significant role in RGC development than the Notch3 signaling cascade. Finally, our findings suggest that Notch1+ progenitors—since they heavily express both pro-ganglion cell (Atoh7) and pro-photoreceptor cell (Otx2) activators—can differentiate into either ganglion cells or photoreceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Dvoriantchikova
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Isabel Perea-Martinez
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Steve Pappas
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Ariel Faye Barry
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Dagmara Danek
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Xenia Dvoriantchikova
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Daniel Pelaez
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, United States of America
| | - Dmitry Ivanov
- Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Jo A, Denduluri S, Zhang B, Wang Z, Yin L, Yan Z, Kang R, Shi LL, Mok J, Lee MJ, Haydon RC. The versatile functions of Sox9 in development, stem cells, and human diseases. Genes Dis 2014; 1:149-161. [PMID: 25685828 PMCID: PMC4326072 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2014.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Sox9 was first discovered in patients with campomelic dysplasia, a haploinsufficiency disorder with skeletal deformities caused by dysregulation of Sox9 expression during chondrogenesis. Since then, its role as a cell fate determiner during embryonic development has been well characterized; Sox9 expression differentiates cells derived from all three germ layers into a large variety of specialized tissues and organs. However, recent data has shown that ectoderm- and endoderm-derived tissues continue to express Sox9 in mature organs and stem cell pools, suggesting its role in cell maintenance and specification during adult life. The versatility of Sox9 may be explained by a combination of post-transcriptional modifications, binding partners, and the tissue type in which it is expressed. Considering its importance during both development and adult life, it follows that dysregulation of Sox9 has been implicated in various congenital and acquired diseases, including fibrosis and cancer. This review provides a summary of the various roles of Sox9 in cell fate specification, stem cell biology, and related human diseases. Ultimately, understanding the mechanisms that regulate Sox9 will be crucial for developing effective therapies to treat disease caused by stem cell dysregulation or even reverse organ damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Jo
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sahitya Denduluri
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Bosi Zhang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhongliang Wang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA ; Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Liangjun Yin
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA ; Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Zhengjian Yan
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA ; Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Hospitals of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400046, China
| | - Richard Kang
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lewis L Shi
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - James Mok
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael J Lee
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C Haydon
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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19
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Can the ‘neuron theory’ be complemented by a universal mechanism for generic neuronal differentiation. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 359:343-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2049-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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20
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Gramage E, Li J, Hitchcock P. The expression and function of midkine in the vertebrate retina. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:913-23. [PMID: 24460673 PMCID: PMC3925030 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The functional role of midkine during development, following injury and in disease has been studied in a variety of tissues. In this review, we summarize what is known about midkine in the vertebrate retina, focusing largely on recent studies utilizing the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model. Zebrafish are a valuable animal model for studying the retina, due to its very rapid development and amazing ability for functional neuronal regeneration following neuronal cell death. The zebrafish genome harbours two midkine paralogues, midkine-a (mdka) and midkine-b (mdkb), which, during development, are expressed in nested patterns among different cell types. mdka is expressed in the retinal progenitors and mdkb is expressed in newly post-mitotic cells. Interestingly, studies of loss-and gain-of-function in zebrafish larvae indicate that midkine-a regulates cell cycle kinetics. Moreover, both mdka and mdkb are expressed in different cell types in the normal adult zebrafish retina, but after light-induced death of photoreceptors, both are up-regulated and expressed in proliferating Müller glia and photoreceptor progenitors, suggesting an important and (perhaps) coincident role for these cytokines during stem cell-based neuronal regeneration. Based on its known role in other tissues and the expression and function of the midkine paralogues in the zebrafish retina, we propose that midkine has an important functional role both during development and regeneration in the retina. Further studies are needed to understand this role and the mechanisms that underlie it.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Gramage
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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21
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Zhang Z, Yan R, Zhang Q, Li J, Kang X, Wang H, Huan L, Zhang L, Li F, Yang S, Zhang J, Ren X, Yang X. Hes1, a Notch signaling downstream target, regulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis following traumatic brain injury. Brain Res 2014; 1583:65-78. [PMID: 25084035 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Revised: 07/21/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2014] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Hairy and enhancer of split 1 (Hes1), a downstream target of Notch signaling, has long been recognized as crucial in inhibiting neuronal differentiation. However, the role of Hes1 following traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adult neurogenesis in the mouse dentate gyrus (DG) remains partially understood. Here, we investigate the role of Hes1 in regulating neurogenesis in the DG of the adult hippocampus after TBI by up- or downregulating Hes1 expression. First, adenovirus-mediated gene transfection was employed to upregulate Hes1 in vivo. The mice were then subjected to TBI, and the hippocampal tissue was collected for Western blot analysis at designated times, pre- and post-injury. Moreover, the brain slices were stained for BrdU and doublecortin (DCX). We show that enhancing Hes1 inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in the DG of the hippocampus soon after TBI. Second, downregulation of Hes1 via RNA interference (RNAi) results in a significant increase in neuronal production and promotes the differentiation of NPCs into mature neurons in the DG, as assessed by BrdU and NeuN double staining. Furthermore, a Morris water maze (MWM) test clearly confirmed that the knockdown of Hes1 improves the spatial learning and memory capacity of adult mice following injury. Taken together, these observations suggest that Hes1 represents a negative regulator of adult neurogenesis post-TBI and that the precise space-time regulation of Hes1 expression in the DG may promote the recovery of neural function following TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Rong Yan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin 5th Central Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256603, PR China.
| | - Jia Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Xiaokui Kang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Haining Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Linchun Huan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Linyi People׳s Hospital, Linyi 276000, PR China.
| | - Lin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin 5th Central Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Fan Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heji Hospital affiliated Changzhi Medical College, 271 Taihang East Road, Changzhi 046000, PR China.
| | - Shuyuan Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Jianning Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
| | - Xinliang Ren
- Department of Neurosurgery, Heji Hospital affiliated Changzhi Medical College, 271 Taihang East Road, Changzhi 046000, PR China.
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Tianjin Neurological Institute, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Injuries, Variations and Regeneration of Nervous System, 154 Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin 300052, PR China.
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