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Wynsberghe JV, Vanakker OM. Significance of Premature Vertebral Mineralization in Zebrafish Models in Mechanistic and Pharmaceutical Research on Hereditary Multisystem Diseases. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1621. [PMID: 38002303 PMCID: PMC10669475 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111621] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are increasingly becoming an important model organism for studying the pathophysiological mechanisms of human diseases and investigating how these mechanisms can be effectively targeted using compounds that may open avenues to novel treatments for patients. The zebrafish skeleton has been particularly instrumental in modeling bone diseases as-contrary to other model organisms-the lower load on the skeleton of an aquatic animal enables mutants to survive to early adulthood. In this respect, the axial skeletons of zebrafish have been a good read-out for congenital spinal deformities such as scoliosis and degenerative disorders such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, in which aberrant mineralization in humans is reflected in the respective zebrafish models. Interestingly, there have been several reports of hereditary multisystemic diseases that do not affect the vertebral column in human patients, while the corresponding zebrafish models systematically show anomalies in mineralization and morphology of the spine as their leading or, in some cases, only phenotype. In this review, we describe such examples, highlighting the underlying mechanisms, the already-used or potential power of these models to help us understand and amend the mineralization process, and the outstanding questions on how and why this specific axial type of aberrant mineralization occurs in these disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Van Wynsberghe
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Ectopic Mineralization Research Group, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier M Vanakker
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Ectopic Mineralization Research Group, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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2
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Zebrafish Models to Study Ectopic Calcification and Calcium-Associated Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043366. [PMID: 36834795 PMCID: PMC9967340 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic calcification refers to the pathological accumulation of calcium ions in soft tissues and is often the result of a dysregulated action or disrupted function of proteins involved in extracellular matrix mineralization. While the mouse has traditionally been the go-to model organism for the study of pathologies associated with abnormal calcium deposition, many mouse mutants often have exacerbated phenotypes and die prematurely, limiting the understanding of the disease and the development of effective therapies. Since the mechanisms underlying ectopic calcification share some analogy with those of bone formation, the zebrafish (Danio rerio)-a well-established model for studying osteogenesis and mineralogenesis-has recently gained momentum as a model to study ectopic calcification disorders. In this review, we outline the mechanisms of ectopic mineralization in zebrafish, provide insights into zebrafish mutants that share phenotypic similarities with human pathological mineralization disorders, list the compounds capable of rescuing mutant phenotypes, and describe current methods to induce and characterize ectopic calcification in zebrafish.
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3
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Xie H, Li M, Kang Y, Zhang J, Zhao C. Zebrafish: an important model for understanding scoliosis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:506. [PMID: 36059018 PMCID: PMC9441191 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04534-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Scoliosis is a common spinal deformity that considerably affects the physical and psychological health of patients. Studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in scoliosis. However, its etiopathogenesis remain unclear, partially because of the genetic heterogeneity of scoliosis and the lack of appropriate model systems. Recently, the development of efficient gene editing methods and high-throughput sequencing technology has made it possible to explore the underlying pathological mechanisms of scoliosis. Owing to their susceptibility for developing scoliosis and high genetic homology with human, zebrafish are increasingly being used as a model for scoliosis in developmental biology, genetics, and clinical medicine. Here, we summarize the recent advances in scoliosis research on zebrafish and discuss the prospects of using zebrafish as a scoliosis model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haibo Xie
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China.,Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China
| | - Yunsi Kang
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China.,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China
| | - Jingjing Zhang
- Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University and Key Laboratory of Zebrafish Model for Development and Disease of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, 524001, China. .,The Marine Biomedical Research Institute of Guangdong Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, 524023, China.
| | - Chengtian Zhao
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266003, China. .,Sars-Fang Centre, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding, College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, China.
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4
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Ochenkowska K, Herold A, Samarut É. Zebrafish Is a Powerful Tool for Precision Medicine Approaches to Neurological Disorders. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:944693. [PMID: 35875659 PMCID: PMC9298522 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.944693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Personalized medicine is currently one of the most promising tools which give hope to patients with no suitable or no available treatment. Patient-specific approaches are particularly needed for common diseases with a broad phenotypic spectrum as well as for rare and yet-undiagnosed disorders. In both cases, there is a need to understand the underlying mechanisms and how to counteract them. Even though, during recent years, we have been observing the blossom of novel therapeutic techniques, there is still a gap to fill between bench and bedside in a patient-specific fashion. In particular, the complexity of genotype-to-phenotype correlations in the context of neurological disorders has dampened the development of successful disease-modifying therapeutics. Animal modeling of human diseases is instrumental in the development of therapies. Currently, zebrafish has emerged as a powerful and convenient model organism for modeling and investigating various neurological disorders. This model has been broadly described as a valuable tool for understanding developmental processes and disease mechanisms, behavioral studies, toxicity, and drug screening. The translatability of findings obtained from zebrafish studies and the broad prospect of human disease modeling paves the way for developing tailored therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will discuss the predictive power of zebrafish in the discovery of novel, precise therapeutic approaches in neurosciences. We will shed light on the advantages and abilities of this in vivo model to develop tailored medicinal strategies. We will also investigate the newest accomplishments and current challenges in the field and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Ochenkowska
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Aveeva Herold
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Éric Samarut
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Modelis Inc., Montreal, QC, Canada
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5
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Li B, Liu Q, Chen X, Chen T, Dang W, Zhao J, Cui G, Chen K, Wu Y. A Novel Idiopathic Atrial Calcification: Pathologic Manifestations and Potential Mechanism. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:788958. [PMID: 35387434 PMCID: PMC8978529 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.788958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Cardiac calcification is a type of ectopic pathologic calcification of unknown etiology and mechanisms. Once diagnosed, the location, extent and morphology of the calcified lesions, as well as their functional significance in the heart, are usually the focus of case reports. Calcification is mostly distributed in myocardium, but rarely reported in atrium. In addition, because of limited sampling and complex pathological mechanisms, the etiology underlying the formation of these calcified lesions also remains unclear. Methods Two cardiac calcifications were found in a patient, died of trauma-induced subarachnoid hemorrhage after slightly drinking, during a standard autopsy. The location and morphological characteristics of the calcified lesions were determined by computed tomography (CT) and CT-based 3D reconstruction. The specific histopathological characteristics of the lesions were determined by multi-staining. The concentration of free calcium and inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in plasma reflected the change of calcium metabolism. The expression and membranal localization of the ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily C Member 6 (ABCC6) in hepatocytes were detected by immunofluorescence. The variants of the ABCC6 were detected by Sanger sequencing and potential pathogenic variants were further identified by in silico analysis. Results The present study describes a patient with idiopathic calcification with two pear-shaped and irregularly hollow lesions symmetrically distributed in the patient's atrium. Massive accumulation of calcium salts was identified by multi-staining. For this patient, the plasma concentration of free calcium was higher than the control, indicating that calcium metabolism was disturbed. Furthermore, the plasma PPi of the patient was lower than the normal. By using immunofluorescence, the expression and membranal localization of ABCC6 was decreased and impaired in hepatocytes, respectively. Combined with Sanger sequencing and in silico analysis, 7 variants were identified. Conclusions This study described a novel patient with symmetrically distributed idiopathic atrial calcifications. Furthermore, all the results indicated that these pathologic calcifications may be secondary to reduced plasma PPi content due to ABCC6 dysfunction in hepatocytes. Moreover, these findings provided novel clues to the pathogenesis, clinical diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic atrial calcification in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bowen Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Qingbo Liu
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xihui Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tangdong Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Wenhui Dang
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Guangbin Cui
- Department of Radiology & Functional and Molecular Imaging Key Lab of Shaanxi Province, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Guangbin Cui
| | - Kun Chen
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology and K.K. Leung Brain Research Centre, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Kun Chen
| | - Yuanming Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- Shaanxi Junda Forensic Medicine Expertise Station, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
- *Correspondence: Yuanming Wu
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6
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Van Gils M, Willaert A, Coucke PJ, Vanakker OM. The Abcc6a Knockout Zebrafish Model as a Novel Tool for Drug Screening for Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:822143. [PMID: 35317004 PMCID: PMC8934400 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.822143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a multisystem ectopic mineralization disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the ABCC6 gene. Though complications of the disease can be treated, PXE itself remains currently intractable. A strategy for rapid and cost-effective discovery of therapeutic drugs would be to perform chemical compound screening using zebrafish, but this approach remains to be validated for PXE. In this paper, we validate a stable CRISPR/Cas9 abcc6a knockout zebrafish model–which has spinal column hypermineralization as its primary phenotypic feature–as a model system for compound screening in ectopic mineralization. We evaluated the anti-mineralization potential of five compounds, which had (anecdotal) positive effects reported in Abcc6 knockout mice and/or PXE patients. Abcc6a knockout zebrafish larvae were treated from 3 to 10 days post-fertilization with vitamin K1, sodium thiosulfate, etidronate, alendronate or magnesium citrate and compared to matching controls. Following alizarin red S staining, alterations in notochord sheath mineralization were semiquantified and found to largely congrue with the originally reported outcomes. Our results demonstrate that the use of this abcc6a knockout zebrafish model is a validated and promising strategy for drug discovery against ectopic mineralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Van Gils
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - A. Willaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - P. J. Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - O. M. Vanakker
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: O. M. Vanakker,
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7
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Zebrafish as a Model to Study Vascular Elastic Fibers and Associated Pathologies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042102. [PMID: 35216218 PMCID: PMC8875079 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many extensible tissues such as skin, lungs, and blood vessels require elasticity to function properly. The recoil of elastic energy stored during a stretching phase is provided by elastic fibers, which are mostly composed of elastin and fibrillin-rich microfibrils. In arteries, the lack of elastic fibers leads to a weakening of the vessel wall with an increased risk to develop cardiovascular defects such as stenosis, aneurysms, and dissections. The development of new therapeutic molecules involves preliminary tests in animal models that recapitulate the disease and whose response to drugs should be as close as possible to that of humans. Due to its superior in vivo imaging possibilities and the broad tool kit for forward and reverse genetics, the zebrafish has become an important model organism to study human pathologies. Moreover, it is particularly adapted to large scale studies, making it an attractive model in particular for the first steps of investigations. In this review, we discuss the relevance of the zebrafish model for the study of elastic fiber-related vascular pathologies. We evidence zebrafish as a compelling alternative to conventional mouse models.
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8
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Nollet L, Van Gils M, Willaert A, Coucke PJ, Vanakker OM. Minocycline attenuates excessive DNA damage response and reduces ectopic calcification in pseudoxanthoma elasticum. J Invest Dermatol 2021; 142:1629-1638.e6. [PMID: 34742705 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2021.10.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a hereditary ectopic calcification disorder affecting the skin, eyes and blood vessels. Recently, the DNA damage response (DDR), in particular poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1), was shown to be involved in aberrant mineralization raising the hypothesis that excessive DDR/PARP1 signaling also contributes to PXE pathogenesis. Using PXE patient and control fibroblasts, (lesional) skin tissue and abcc6a-/- zebrafish, we performed expression analysis of DDR/PARP1 targets with QRT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry and enzyme activity assays; before and after treatment with the PARP1 inhibitor minocycline. PARP1 and the ATM-p21-p53 axis was found to be significantly increased in PXE. Additionally, PARP1 downstream targets IL-6, STAT1/3, TET1 and RUNX2 were upregulated while the RUNX2-antagonist microRNA-204 was decreased. In PXE fibroblasts, DDR/PARP1 signaling increased with advancing ectopic calcification. Minocycline treatment attenuated DDR/PARP1 overexpression and reduced aberrant mineralization in PXE fibroblasts and abcc6a-/- zebrafish. In summary, we demonstrated the involvement of excessive DDR/PARP1 signaling in PXE pathophysiology, identifying a STAT-driven cascade resulting in increased expression of the epigenetic modifier TET1 and pro-calcifying transcription factor RUNX2. Minocycline attenuated this deleterious molecular mechanism and reduced ectopic calcification both in vitro and in vivo, fueling the exciting prospect of a novel therapeutic compound for PXE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lukas Nollet
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias Van Gils
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andy Willaert
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Paul J Coucke
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier M Vanakker
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
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9
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Lv X, Xu J, Jiang J, Wu P, Tan R, Wang B. Genetic animal models of scoliosis: A systematical review. Bone 2021; 152:116075. [PMID: 34174503 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2021.116075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Scoliosis is a complex disease with undetermined pathogenesis and has a strong relationship with genetics. Models of scoliosis in animals have been established for better comprehending its pathogenesis and treatment. In this review, we searched all the genetic animal models with body curvature in databases, and reviewed the related genes and scoliosis types. Meanwhile, we also summarized the pathogenesis of scoliosis reported so far. Summarizing the positive phenotypic animal models contributes to a better understanding on the pathogenesis of scoliosis and facilitates the selection of experimental models when a possible pathogenic factor is concerned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Lv
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jinghong Xu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Jiajiong Jiang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Pengfei Wu
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Renchun Tan
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China
| | - Bing Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, Hunan, China.
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10
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Shimada BK, Pomozi V, Zoll J, Kuo S, Martin L, Le Saux O. ABCC6, Pyrophosphate and Ectopic Calcification: Therapeutic Solutions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094555. [PMID: 33925341 PMCID: PMC8123679 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological (ectopic) mineralization of soft tissues occurs during aging, in several common conditions such as diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and renal failure and in certain genetic disorders. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a multi-organ disease affecting dermal, ocular, and cardiovascular tissues, is a model for ectopic mineralization disorders. ABCC6 dysfunction is the primary cause of PXE, but also some cases of generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI). ABCC6 deficiency in mice underlies an inducible dystrophic cardiac calcification phenotype (DCC). These calcification diseases are part of a spectrum of mineralization disorders that also includes Calcification of Joints and Arteries (CALJA). Since the identification of ABCC6 as the “PXE gene” and the development of several animal models (mice, rat, and zebrafish), there has been significant progress in our understanding of the molecular genetics, the clinical phenotypes, and pathogenesis of these diseases, which share similarities with more common conditions with abnormal calcification. ABCC6 facilitates the cellular efflux of ATP, which is rapidly converted into inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) and adenosine by the ectonucleotidases NPP1 and CD73 (NT5E). PPi is a potent endogenous inhibitor of calcification, whereas adenosine indirectly contributes to calcification inhibition by suppressing the synthesis of tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). At present, therapies only exist to alleviate symptoms for both PXE and GACI; however, extensive studies have resulted in several novel approaches to treating PXE and GACI. This review seeks to summarize the role of ABCC6 in ectopic calcification in PXE and other calcification disorders, and discuss therapeutic strategies targeting various proteins in the pathway (ABCC6, NPP1, and TNAP) and direct inhibition of calcification via supplementation by various compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana K Shimada
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
| | - Viola Pomozi
- Institute of Enzymology, RCNS, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, 1117 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Janna Zoll
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
| | - Sheree Kuo
- Department of Pediatrics, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women and Children, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA
| | - Ludovic Martin
- PXE Consultation Center, MAGEC Reference Center for Rare Skin Diseases, Angers University Hospital, 49100 Angers, France
- BNMI, CNRS 6214/INSERM 1083, University Bretagne-Loire, 49100 Angers, France
| | - Olivier Le Saux
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96817, USA
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11
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Czimer D, Porok K, Csete D, Gyüre Z, Lavró V, Fülöp K, Chen Z, Gyergyák H, Tusnády GE, Burgess SM, Mócsai A, Váradi A, Varga M. A New Zebrafish Model for Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:628699. [PMID: 33768091 PMCID: PMC7985086 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.628699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcification of various tissues is a significant health issue associated with aging, cancer and autoimmune diseases. There are both environmental and genetic factors behind this phenomenon and understanding them is essential for the development of efficient therapeutic approaches. Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare genetic disease, a prototype for calcification disorders, resulting from the dysfunction of ABCC6, a transport protein found in the membranes of cells. It is identified by excess calcification in a variety of tissues (e.g., eyes, skin, arteries) and currently it has no cure, known treatments target the symptoms only. Preclinical studies of PXE have been successful in mice, proving the usefulness of animal models for the study of the disease. Here, we present a new zebrafish (Danio rerio) model for PXE. By resolving some ambiguous assemblies in the zebrafish genome, we show that there are two functional and one non-functional paralogs for ABCC6 in zebrafish (abcc6a, abcc6b.1, and abcc6b.2, respectively). We created single and double mutants for the functional paralogs and characterized their calcification defects with a combination of techniques. Zebrafish deficient in abcc6a show defects in their vertebral calcification and also display ectopic calcification foci in their soft tissues. Our results also suggest that the impairment of abcc6b.1 does not affect this biological process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dávid Czimer
- Department of Genetics, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Klaudia Porok
- Department of Genetics, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Dániel Csete
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Gyüre
- Department of Genetics, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Viktória Lavró
- Division of Biosciences, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Krisztina Fülöp
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zelin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hella Gyergyák
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Gábor E Tusnády
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Shawn M Burgess
- Translational and Functional Genomics Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Attila Mócsai
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - András Váradi
- Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Máté Varga
- Department of Genetics, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
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12
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Sun J, She P, Liu X, Gao B, Jin D, Zhong TP. Disruption of Abcc6 Transporter in Zebrafish Causes Ocular Calcification and Cardiac Fibrosis. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010278. [PMID: 33383974 PMCID: PMC7795442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), caused by ABCC6/MRP6 mutation, is a heritable multisystem disorder in humans. The progressive clinical manifestations of PXE are accompanied by ectopic mineralization in various connective tissues. However, the pathomechanisms underlying the PXE multisystem disorder remains obscure, and effective treatment is currently available. In this study, we generated zebrafish abcc6a mutants using the transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) technique. In young adult zebrafish, abcc6a is expressed in the eyes, heart, intestine, and other tissues. abcc6a mutants exhibit extensive calcification in the ocular sclera and Bruch's membrane, recapitulating part of the PXE manifestations. Mutations in abcc6a upregulate extracellular matrix (ECM) genes, leading to fibrotic heart with reduced cardiomyocyte number. We found that abcc6a mutation reduced levels of both vitamin K and pyrophosphate (PPi) in the serum and diverse tissues. Vitamin K administration increased the gamma-glutamyl carboxylated form of matrix gla protein (cMGP), alleviating ectopic calcification and fibrosis in vertebrae, eyes, and hearts. Our findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of PXE pathophysiology from zebrafish models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China;
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (P.S.); (X.L.); (B.G.); (D.J.)
| | - Peilu She
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (P.S.); (X.L.); (B.G.); (D.J.)
| | - Xu Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (P.S.); (X.L.); (B.G.); (D.J.)
| | - Bangjun Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (P.S.); (X.L.); (B.G.); (D.J.)
| | - Daqin Jin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (P.S.); (X.L.); (B.G.); (D.J.)
| | - Tao P. Zhong
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; (P.S.); (X.L.); (B.G.); (D.J.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-021-54345021
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Verschuere S, Van Gils M, Nollet L, Vanakker OM. From membrane to mineralization: the curious case of the ABCC6 transporter. FEBS Lett 2020; 594:4109-4133. [PMID: 33131056 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 6 gene/protein (ABCC6) is an ATP-dependent transmembrane transporter predominantly expressed in the liver and the kidney. ABCC6 first came to attention in human medicine when it was discovered in 2000 that mutations in its encoding gene, ABCC6, caused the autosomal recessive multisystemic mineralization disease pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE). Since then, the physiological and pathological roles of ABCC6 have been the subject of intense research. In the last 20 years, significant findings have clarified ABCC6 structure as well as its physiological role in mineralization homeostasis in humans and animal models. Yet, several facets of ABCC6 biology remain currently incompletely understood, ranging from the precise nature of its substrate(s) to the increasingly complex molecular genetics. Nonetheless, advances in our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms causing mineralization lead to several treatment options being suggested or already tested in pilot clinical trials for ABCC6 deficiency. This review highlights current knowledge of ABCC6 and the challenges ahead, particularly the attempts to translate basic science into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shana Verschuere
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.,Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthias Van Gils
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.,Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lukas Nollet
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.,Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier M Vanakker
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium.,Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.,Ectopic Mineralization Research Group Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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14
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Reassessment of causality of ABCC6 missense variants associated with pseudoxanthoma elasticum based on Sherloc. Genet Med 2020; 23:131-139. [PMID: 32873932 DOI: 10.1038/s41436-020-00945-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a heritable disorder affecting elastic fibers in the skin, eyes, and cardiovascular system. It is caused by biallelic pathogenic variants in the ABCC6 gene. To date, over 300 ABCC6 variants are associated with PXE, more than half being missense variants. Correct variant interpretation is essential for establishing a direct link between the variant and the patient's phenotype and has important implications for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS We used a systematic approach for interpretation of 271 previously reported and 15 novel ABCC6 missense variants, based on the semiquantitative classification system Sherloc. RESULTS Only 35% of variants were very likely to contribute directly to disease, in contrast to reported interpretations in ClinVar, while 59% of variants are currently of uncertain significance (VUS). Subclasses were created to distinguish VUS that are leaning toward likely benign or pathogenic, increasing the number of (likely) pathogenic ABCC6 missense variants to 47%. CONCLUSION Besides highlighting discrepancies between the Sherloc, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG-AMP), ClinVar, and Leiden Open Variation Database (LOVD) classification, our results emphasize the need for segregation analysis, functional assays, and detailed evidence sharing in variant databases to reach a confident interpretation of ABCC6 missense variants and subsequent appropriate genetic and preconceptual counseling.
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15
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Van Gils M, Vanakker OM. Morpholino-Mediated Gene Knockdown in Zebrafish: It Is All About Dosage and Validation. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:1599-1600. [PMID: 30707900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.01.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Van Gils
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Olivier M Vanakker
- Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium; Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.
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Reply to Van Gils and Vanakker. J Invest Dermatol 2019; 139:1600-1601. [PMID: 30660667 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2019.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Li Q, van de Wetering K, Uitto J. Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum as a Paradigm of Heritable Ectopic Mineralization Disorders: Pathomechanisms and Treatment Development. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2018; 189:216-225. [PMID: 30414410 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2018.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Ectopic mineralization is a global problem and leading cause of morbidity and mortality. The pathomechanisms of ectopic mineralization are poorly understood. Recent studies on heritable ectopic mineralization disorders with defined gene defects have been helpful in elucidation of the mechanisms of ectopic mineralization in general. The prototype of such disorders is pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a late-onset, slowly progressing disorder with multisystem clinical manifestations. Other conditions include generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI), characterized by severe, early-onset mineralization of the cardiovascular system, often with early postnatal demise. In addition, arterial calcification due to CD73 deficiency (ACDC) occurs late in life, mostly affecting arteries in the lower extremities in elderly individuals. These three conditions, PXE, GACI, and ACDC, caused by mutations in ABCC6, ENPP1, and NT5E, respectively, are characterized by reduced levels of inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) in plasma. Because PPi is a powerful antimineralization factor, it has been postulated that reduced PPi is a major determinant for ectopic mineralization in these conditions. These and related observations on complementary mechanisms of ectopic mineralization have resulted in development of potential treatment modalities for PXE, including administration of bisphosphonates, stable PPi analogs with antimineralization activity. It is conceivable that efficient treatments may soon become available for heritable ectopic mineralization disorders with application to common calcification disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoli Li
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, the PXE International Center of Excellence in Research and Clinical Care, and the Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
| | - Koen van de Wetering
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, the PXE International Center of Excellence in Research and Clinical Care, and the Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jouni Uitto
- Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, the PXE International Center of Excellence in Research and Clinical Care, and the Jefferson Institute of Molecular Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Zebrafish Models of Ectopic Mineralization—The Paradigm of Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum. J Invest Dermatol 2018; 138:2301-2304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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